The best thing about owning a boat is the ability to travel anywhere you want. Being a boat owner means that you will be enjoying another home that you can use anytime and do whatever you want. Of course, in order to be comfy doing this, you need access to electricity. This is where the best boat generators come in.

In addition, you have to decorate it in a way that fits your personality. You can even add cool decorations to it or even fill it up with full-sized appliances, electronic gadgets, and any other comfortable features present in modern homes. With the best boat generators, you can add to your boat/sailboat and make it as convenient and functional as possible.

With the portable boat generator, you will be able to charge your batteries to keep the fridge running, power the water heater, or any other appliance you have onboard. All the generators listed in this article check all these boxes.

In this article, we will learn more about the top portable generators for boats, their advantages, and how you can make a great choice.

Here Are the Best Portable Boat Generators of 2020

Honda EU2200i Inverter Generator – Best of the Best Boat Generator

One of the most popular choices with many boat owners and probably the best generator for your boat. You can run most appliances aboard with this boat generator. It is extremely quiet, and it is made by Honda. This is a company renowned for its reliability. Cheaper portable generators exit, but if you are looking for something reliable, quiet, and overall the best unit for your boat, this is the way to go. Also, if you are looking for additional power, you can it hooked up to a second EU2200i.

This unit is also fuel-efficient so, it is kind to your wallet (at least after purchase) and the environment. It can run between 4 and 10 hours on a single tank, depending on the load. This generator is also perfect for applications that run for an extended period of time. That is because it utilizes Honda’s leading inverter technology, which was designed to produce power similar to what you would get from your house’s outlet.

WEN 56200i Super Quiet 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator – Best Quiet Boat Generator 

This generator is one of the quietest yet efficient generators on the market today. An impressive aspect of this quiet boat generator is that its noise level does not significantly differ regardless of how much load its caring. 

This inverter generator has a powerful 2,000-watt motor and is very quiet. Its power capacity is suitable for powering light electronics such as TVs, mobile phones, tablets, computers and, of course, charge your batteries. It is also light-weight, just 48 pounds. This makes it very convenient to move, store, and transport. With its 1 gallon tank, it can run for 5 hours at full capacity and 10 hours at minimum capacity.

Also, this portable generator produces “clean power”. This means that it is preventing power drops and surges so you can operate sensitive electronics such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops without damaging them.

Westinghouse Heavy Duty Portable Generator – Best High-Performance Generator

This generator is for the boater who is looking for the most powerful solution out there. He is looking to bring the comfort of this own home on to the boat. This can power almost everything that can be used safely on a boat. With models of this generator cranking up to 15,000 peak watts and up to 12,000 running watts, this generator is something that most people would consider “too much”. The smallest generator of this line up puts out 5,300 Running Watts and 6,600 Peak Watts, which is still plenty if you ask me, but everyone has different needs.

You can fire this machine with ease, considering the fact that it comes with a button that you just push. The gas tank is also huge, with a 6.6-gallon limit. Also, there is a fuel gauge in the tank, enabling you to check the fuel level easily.

The huge gas tank is also a big advantage as it means that the generator can operate for more than ten hours at 50% load. Also, it is highly fuel-efficient and is capable of starting up even when exposed to low temperatures. In addition, the unit automatically shuts off when it detects the oil level is too low or the oil overheats. This prevents damage to the engine.

Goal Zero Yeti 1400 With Solar Kit – Best No-Noice, Eco-Friendly, Solar-Powered Boat Generator

The last, but certainly not the lest, generator I would recommend is the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium Portable Power Station. Obviously, this product is not for everyone, much like an all-electric car. 

The Goal Zero Yeti 1400 is a battery and sun-powered generator. It is a great alternative for the boater that hates noise, is eco-friendly, and doesn’t care about its price tag. This piece of advanced technology is a clean alternative to a 2,000-watt gas-powered inverter generator. It can produce a continuous 1,500-watt output and a surge capability of 3,000 watts. 

If you go for this product, make sure to opt for the solar kit. This will be the solar panel that generates the power to fill up the unit’s battery. For a full charge, it takes about 25 hours from a house outlet or 4.5 hours with the Boulder 100 Briefcase solar panel; with optimum solar conditions.

It might look expensive at first glance, but considering that it can be charged efficiently with the solar panel and you will not have to pay for gas, oil changes, and maintenance costs of a conventional generator, it starts to look more appealing. 

What Size Generator Do You Need For Your Boat?

When looking for a boat power generator, it’s essential to think about the size and power of the unit in question.

For boaters who only need to use a few small appliances and don’t have air conditioning on their boat, a small boat generator is just what they need. Smaller, portable generators are a great option for those who are short on space and need to keep their weight low. That said, they cannot power much.

Those with 30-amp electrical systems and average power needs, a 2,000-watt boat generator should be enough. This will start and run some small air conditioning units, and will easily power any other appliance you may want to use. That includes a microwave, which is an electricity pig, and uses a massive 1,000 watts.

Larger boats with bigger electrical systems can also run on a 2,000-watt generator. That said, those with bigger boats should keep in mind that only one air-conditioning unit can run on 2,000 watts at best. A larger, more powerful generator may be needed to fill their needs.

In the end, what capacity generator you decide for your boat is up to you. As long as you consider power output, storage space, and the weight you’ll need, you should be able to choose the best boat generator for the job.

Do you have any suggestions for best generators for boats? Leave your comments down below.

Also, check out our buyer’s guide articles.