3 Best Home Generators for Reliable Backup Power
Power outages are becoming more common across Canada due to severe storms, aging infrastructure, and increased demand. Having a reliable home generator ensures your family stays safe and comfortable when the lights go out. Today’s modern battery-powered generators offer clean, quiet, and dependable power with no gas, no toxic fumes, and no hassle, keeping you powered up when it matters most.
EcoFlow’s Top Home Generators for Backup Power
In today’s world, where extreme weather, aging infrastructure, and increased demand for electricity are putting extra strain on the grid, every family needs a generator to keep their homes and families safe.
1. Best for the Average Home: EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus
The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus is an ideal home backup generator for the average home. With 3600W of output and 7200W of surge output to cover starting watts, you will easily be able to run your essential appliances like fridges, freezers, medical equipment, and more. You can even choose which circuits stay powered via the app and prioritize what matters most.
Starting at 3072Wh of capacity, you can add additional batteries to reach 11kWh, sufficient to run an entire home, depending on your energy usage and the duration of the blackout. You can set it up via a manual transfer switch or a <10ms auto-UPS switch to keep critical devices, such as sensitive electronics, running smoothly. It also offers 6 ways to recharge in just 48 minutes with solar and generator dual charging if you need more energy during peak demand or extended blackouts.
2. Best Budget Backup: DELTA 3 Max Plus (2048Wh)
For those on a budget, the DELTA 3 Max Plus (2048Wh) still offers 3000W of output and 6000W of surge output to support heavy-duty appliances. But, with a smaller capacity, this solar generator comes in at a lower price tag for those looking to power their homes for less. Its smaller size (just 20.3kg) also offers versatility, as you can pack it up for a road trip or camping trip when not needed at home, making it even more budget-friendly.
Still, it also offers expandable batteries so you can scale up as your energy needs or your budget allow. With 5 ways to recharge, and ready in just 43 minutes (0-80%) with generator charging, you can easily get through peak demands and extended blackouts. And it still offers UPS options with a <10ms auto-switch, ultra-quiet operation, and smart output priority so you can use the app to prioritize your appliances and extend runtime when it counts most.
3. Best for Whole-Home Backup: EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X
For a whole-home backup system, consider starting with a large-capacity model like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X. With an output of 12kW, a single battery will power all your essential appliances, including a heavy-duty 240V 5-ton AC unit. From there, it offers expandable batteries to run even the largest, most power-hungry homes.
It can be easily integrated into your household electrical panel, generator, EV charging station, or tied to solar panels for greater energy independence. Additionally, it acts as a UPS with a <20ms switchover to protect sensitive electronics and keep your household running without missing a beat. Finally, the app allows you to prioritize your running appliances, throttle non-essential ones, monitor production, energy use, and battery levels, all from your smartphone.
What to Consider When Choosing a Home Generator
Battery capacity is critical when sizing a home generator. The capacity you need is determined by whether you are powering essential appliances or your entire home. For essential appliances, create a list of your appliances and their running watts. Then, multiply each by the number of hours it needs to run daily to calculate the watt-hours (Wh). Then, add up your total watt-hours to get your minimum capacity. For a whole-home solution, your daily kWh usage from your electrical bill will be your minimum capacity. Then, either way, choose a model 20% larger than you need.
For long-term outages or to gain energy independence, consider adding solar panels to recharge your batteries and stay powered up indefinitely.
Battery chemistry is critical because LiFePO4 batteries are safer than older lithium-ion models, which were more prone to thermal runaway. They also offer far more charging cycles than lead-acid batteries, which need to be replaced 2-3 times before a LiFePO4 battery does, saving you significant money in the long run.
When using your generator for essential appliances or travel, consider your port options. Look for multiple different types of output and input ports, allowing you to run a wide range of appliances and devices simultaneously, while also offering multiple recharge options.
Portability is essential if you want to bring your batteries with you when travelling.
Choose robust models that can operate as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) if you need to protect sensitive electronics or keep medical equipment running in the event of a blackout.
Finally, choose quality products backed by good warranties and customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Generator Power My Entire Home?
Yes, an appropriately sized generator can run your entire home. To ensure you get a large enough generator, check your daily kWh usage from your electrical bill to determine your minimum daily capacity. Then, choose a generator at least 20% larger than what you need.
What Size Generator Do I Need To Run My Home?
The size of the generator needed to run an entire house depends on the size of the home. Smaller homes may only need between 7,000W and 10,000W, whereas larger homes may need 15,000W to 30,000W or more.
Home Generators Provide Backup Power, Ensure Safety, and Deliver Energy Independence
Whether you’re protecting your home from winter blackouts or looking for clean, quiet energy security year-round, EcoFlow has a generator to match your needs. For those looking for a reliable backup to run all your essential appliances, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus is built for you. With expandable capacity, fast charging, and solar compatibility, it offers peace of mind knowing your home will stay bright, warm, and connected no matter what life or the Canadian weather brings.