Inverter vs generator: which is best for backup?
Compare pure-sine inverters and portable generators for home and RV backup.
Quick take
Inverters are quiet and clean; generators deliver higher surge capacity. Many homes benefit from both.
How to use the calculator
- Open the calculator linked below.
- Enter the numbers that match your setup.
- Use our rules of thumb to sanity-check the result.
Rules of thumb
- Add ~25% headroom above continuous watts.
- Check largest surge device and meet/beat it.
- Use pure sine for electronics and compressors.