5 Smallest Portable Generators On The Market

Discover the smallest portable generators out there so you know how compact, light, and quiet these machines can get.

1. Sportsman GEN1000 – Smallest portable generator (14″ x 12″ x 12″, 1000 peak watts)
2. WEN 56125i (17.25″ x 9″ x 15″, 1250 peak watts)
3. GENMAX GM1200i (16.5″ x 9.45″ x 15.7″, 1200 peak watts)
4. Honda EU1000i – Most reliable (17.8″ x 9.5″ x 14.9″, 1000 peak watts)
5. Westinghouse iGen1500c (17″ x 10.5″ x 16″, 1500 peak watts)

Keep in mind that while compact sizes can be helpful, none of these options are on the list of the best small generators. How these generators perform in different areas is listed in the table below.

*Compared to similar generators and sometimes based on customer input

1. Sportsman GEN1000

The Sportsman GEN1000 is the smallest portable generator thanks to its dimensions of 14″ x 12″ x 12″ and 1000 peak watts.

It also has a light weight of 38 pounds (17.2 kg) which makes it easy to get the Sportsman GEN1000 in and out of position.

That being said, this mini generator is generally not worth it for a few different reasons.

First of all, this is not an inverter generator which means the THD levels are likely too high for sensitive electronics like a phone or TV.

Besides for something like an electric drill, the Sportsman GEN1000 is typically not that useful.

Additionally, even if you would not mind the high THD, there are a relatively high number of cases where customers have technical issues with their Sportsman GEN1000.

In combination with the short warranty and bad fuel efficiency, it should be clear that you likely want to stay away from the Sportsman GEN1000.

The noise levels of 62 dB are relatively quiet for human ears but definitely not the most impressive on this list of the smallest portable generators.

In short, the small size and budget-friendly price of the Sportsman GEN1000 may look tempting but are typically not a good idea.

2. WEN 56125i

The WEN 56125i is still not the highest rated option of the smallest portable generators on this list.

However, it is still a very compact option and does do better in terms of reliability to the extent that you can consider this portable generator.

Before doing so, you do want to know that there are still some occasional technical issues like not reaching the mentioned running watts.

On the other hand, the WEN 56125i does perform well in areas like the quiet operation of 51 dBA (typically measured at 25% load and 23 feet away).

This quiet operation allows you to enjoy your camping, fishing, or boat trip without disturbing your ears (or neighbors) too much.

Additionally, the run time of 5 hours at 50% load is relatively nice for a small portable generator.

In turn, you can power your devices with fewer refuel interruptions.

Besides that, you should also have no problems getting the weight of 31.6 pounds (14.3 kg) in and out of position.

In combination with the small dimensions and low price, the WEN 56125i is a budget-friendly way to take power with you.

At least if you don’t mind the rate of technical issues.

3. GENMAX GM1200i

The mini dimensions of the GENMAX GM1200i of 16.5″ x 9.45″ x 15.7″ definitely earn it a spot on the list of the smallest portable generators.

At the same time, this is another example of a model you likely don’t want to actually invest in due to the high rate of technical issues.

On top of this, GENMAX support does not have the best reputation in terms of solving any issues you have.

Even if you are still within the short one year warranty period.

The noise levels of 58 dBA should be low enough for a comfortable experience.

However, the GENMAX GM1200i is not that impressive in this area compared to alternatives either.

The things above still apply but you may want to know about the positive points of the GENMAX GM1200i too.

Something that really stands out in the GENMAX GM1200i is the very light weight of 25.3 pounds (11.5 kg).

This makes it really easy to move the portable generator in and out of a car or something similar.

Additionally, the CO minder makes it so the GENMAX GM1200i turns off if there is too much carbon monoxide build-up around the generator.

So the GENMAX GM1200i does have positive points too.

However, the technical issues are likely too much to actually make it a good investment.

4. Honda EU1000i

People who are familiar with portable generators may not find it surprising that the Honda EU1000i is not just compact but also the quietest small generator out there.

And while there are still a few very exceptional technical issues, the Honda EU1000i is also generally the most reliable option on this list.

You may also like the CO sensor which turns the mini generator off if the carbon monoxide levels around it get too high.

The main downside of the Honda EU1000i is that it is pricey compared to the other smallest portable generators.

Whether this is worth the investment will depend on things like how often you plan to use your portable generator, how much you value the quiet operation, and your budget.

When it comes to run time and compact dimensions, the Honda EU1000i is about average compared to the alternatives on this list.

This may sound suboptimal with a run time of 6.8 hours at 25% load and dimensions of 17.8″ x 9.5″ x 14.9″, you should still have a good experience.

In short, you can see the Honda EU1000i as the extra quiet and reliable option that is on the pricier side.

The price will turn many people to alternatives but you may like the benefits enough to make the investment.

5. Westinghouse iGen1500c

If you really want to stick to one of the smallest portable generators, the Westinghouse iGen1500c is often the best choice overall.

One thing to note is that the Westinghouse iGen1500c specifically does not have that many customer reviews yet.

In turn, there is still a certain extent about the reliability of this generator at a larger scale.

That being said, Westinghouse generators tend to be relatively reliable so the Westinghouse iGen1500c should be similar.

Something that positively stands out in the Westinghouse iGen1500c is that its price is a lot more reasonable than the Honda EU1000i

At the same time, you still get a very low noise level rating of 52 dBA.

The run time of 12 hours at 25% load is also impressive compared to the other smallest portable generators.

In turn, you will be able to enjoy the power from the Westinghouse iGen1500c for a relatively long time before having to refuel the generator.

This is also a small portable generator with a CO sensor to keep your tailgating part, fishing session, or camping trip somewhat safer.

So if the Westinghouse iGen1500c is still small enough for your preferences, this is likely the best option on this list for you.

How big is the smallest generator?

The smallest portable gasoline generator is 14″ x 12″ x 12″ (35.6 cm x 30.5 cm x 30.5 cm) which results in a volume of 2016 cubic inches.

Is there such a thing as a mini generator?

Yes, there is such a thing as a mini generator in the sense that there are very compact machines on the market. At the same time, your definition of a mini generator will influence the answer a lot.

What is the smallest generator?

The Sportsman GEN1000 is the smallest portable gasoline generator with dimensions of 14″ x 12″ x 12″ (35.6 cm x 30.5 cm x 30.5 cm), 1000 peak watts, and a weight of 38 pounds.

Keep in mind that this small portable generator is not necessarily the best investment for your situation.

For example, to power sensitive electronics like a TV or your phone, you want to turn to good small inverter generators instead.