What Is the Best Whole-House Generator for a Power Outage?

What Is the Best Whole-House Generator for a Power Outage?

The best whole-house generator for a power outage is the one properly sized for your home’s load, installed on a fuel type available at your property, and supported by a local dealer for service. There is no single best brand for all Ontario homes — the right generator depends on your electrical service size, available fuel (natural gas, propane, or diesel), and the load you want to back up.

Top Residential Standby Generator Brands in Canada

• Generac: The most widely sold residential standby generator brand in North America. Available in 10–24 kW models for whole-home use. Strong dealer network in Ontario means parts and service are accessible. Runs on natural gas or propane
• Kohler: Premium positioning with quieter operation and a longer standard warranty on some models. Available in 8–20+ kW residential configurations. Often specified for higher-end homes and applications requiring lower noise output
• Briggs & Stratton / Standby Power: Competitive pricing on 10–20 kW whole-home models. Uses natural gas or propane. Good option for budget-conscious whole-home coverage
• Cummins: Strong reputation in commercial and industrial applications; offers residential 13–20 kW models with a focus on durability and longevity

What Matters More Than Brand

Generator sizing, automatic transfer switch quality, and the quality of the installation matter more than brand preference for most homeowners. An undersized Kohler will fail faster than a correctly sized Generac. The ESA permit and inspection process in Ontario ensures the installation meets code, but it does not verify sizing. EZSMART performs load calculations, recommends the correct generator and ATS for your service, and installs complete standby generator systems across Ontario. Contact us if you want an assessment of which generator is right for your home.

Amir Azimipour

Electrician Since 2008 Journeyman Electrician Designated Master Electrician at EZSMART Corp