Generators can be a life-saver in many situations. We often forget how much power we use and need, and how much of a struggle basic tasks are when that power isn’t there.

Maybe you just need enough power to keep the lights on in an emergency but don’t really mind if the energy-guzzling washing machine has a few days out of service. Maybe you want a small refrigerator to hold your drinks when you go out to a cabin in the wilderness. Maybe you live in an extremely cold environment and just want to make sure the electric fire never goes out. Maybe you just don’t have the money or space for a standby generator anyway.

So, how do you find the right portable generator for you? You might just look for the big names (Honda or Yamaha, for example) - but are they always the best?

Before making your purchase, take a look at the following reviews for some of the best portable generators on the market: