TOP 5 small generators with power up to 1 kW

The small gasoline generator Einhell TC-PG 10/E5 cannot be called a powerful power plant. It is designed to power a load with a power of up to 0.68 kW (in short-term mode it can “pull” 0.8 kW, but not longer than 1 minute - the overload fuse will trip). But even these characteristics are quite enough to light several lighting fixtures, pump water from a well or a well using a small pump, or work with a not very “gluttonous” power tool (for example, this generator can handle a load in the form of a drill or a small grinder ). The device weighs 16.5 kg - an adult can easily lift and move it from place to place without straining his back. Thanks to the presence of the AVR regulator, which automatically maintains stable current parameters, the generator maintains the voltage well, preventing either sharp “jumps” or deep “dips”. Although it is impossible to visually monitor the voltage (the instrument panel of the mini-power plant is so laconic that there is not even a voltmeter on it), the results of checks and tests show that the voltage deviation in the generator’s only outlet does not exceed ±5% of the standard 230 V - that is, the connected the devices will feel normal.

The generator set is powered by a two-stroke engine with a displacement of 64 cm³ and a power of 1.35 hp. Of course, there is more fuss with it than with a four-stroke, because before starting you have to prepare the fuel mixture by mixing oil to gasoline in a ratio of 1:40 (that is, adding 100 ml of special two-stroke oil per 4 liters of gasoline that fit in the fuel tank of this device). And such motors make more noise than we would like. But if you have experience using garden equipment with two-stroke engines (for example, a brush cutter or chainsaw), then neither the noise nor the process of preparing the fuel mixture will be new to you.

Although the Einhell TC-PG 10/E5 is not something outstanding among small generators, it also costs relatively little. Therefore, if you need to buy an inexpensive generator just in case, then this device is worth a close look.

Until relatively recently, the local Ukrainian brand 2E appeared only in consumer electronics catalogs. But in 2022, due to Russian aggression, the 2E company, willy-nilly, had to expand its range and include equipment for alternative and uninterrupted power supply. This is how the 2E 2E-BS1500 generator appeared in online stores - an inexpensive mini-power station that can help out in the absence of voltage in the network, broken wires or other emergency situations. The device has a rated power of 0.8 kW (in short-term mode it can withstand a load of up to 1 kW) - not so much, but this is quite enough to solve the problem of lighting, maintaining the operation of a refrigerator with a supply of food, or organizing a workplace in a private home or in the country.

Electricity is generated by a synchronous alternator with an AVR module - an automatic regulator that maintains the voltage at 230 V, allowing only minimal deviations that practically do not affect the operation of household appliances (except for particularly “sensitive” devices) or the brightness of light bulbs. The alternator is driven by a four-stroke gasoline engine with a displacement of 98 cm³, a manual starting system and fuel consumption of 450 g/kWh. With such an “appetite”, the gasoline in a fully filled fuel tank (which has a rather impressive volume of 6 liters by the standards of this class of generators) should last for a long time, and even with a long absence of electricity, you will not need to go outside often to refuel the mini-power station. On top of the fuel tank there is a fuel level indicator (for the user), and inside the tank there is a sensor that, in the absence of gasoline, breaks the ignition circuit and automatically turns off the engine. The front panel is not “overloaded” with devices. It only has an “On/Off” switch, a fuse reset button (it trips when overloaded), a voltmeter (for those who want to visually monitor current parameters) and one socket for connecting consumers. The relative simplicity of the design of this generator means that even inexperienced users can easily figure out how to turn on the power plant and keep it in working order.

The disadvantages of the 2E 2E-BS1500 generator include its weight of 26.4 kg - a bit much for an installation with a power of less than a kilowatt. But this can only be inconvenient if you constantly have to lift the equipment (for example, throwing it into the trunk or pulling the device out of there). And with stationary use or occasional use, you can completely turn a blind eye to this aspect.

When choosing a small generator, portability is an important factor. In this parameter, Black&Decker BXGNI900E “beats” many competitors. This mini-power station is truly “mini”: it has dimensions of 210x392x350 mm and weighs only 9.3 kg. Naturally, compactness and lightness are a consequence of low power - 0.75 kW in nominal operating mode (0.9 kW at maximum in short-term mode). This is not much, but it is quite enough to organize lighting at a campsite or in a shelter, ensure the operation of a computer, or connect a small heating device (for example, some small fan heaters have this power). The “compatibility” of the generator with household and computer equipment should be discussed separately. The fact is that this device is equipped with an inverter alternator - that is, it produces “pure” current without surges and sags, which always has a voltage of 230 V and a frequency of 50 Hz, regardless of the load. Thus, there is no danger to a computer, heating boiler or refrigerator connected to the generator.

Under a beautiful casing with smooth contours, painted in the signature Black & Decker orange color, hides a miniature (only 40 cm³) four-stroke engine with a power of 1.4 hp. and a fuel tank for 2.1 liters of gasoline. At full load, fuel consumption does not exceed 0.47 l/h. Therefore, even working “at full capacity”, the device can continuously generate electricity for up to 4.5 hours in a row, without requiring refueling. The front panel has connectors for powering different types of consumers: one 230 V socket, a 12 V DC connector in the form factor of a car cigarette lighter and two USB ports. The presence of multiple outputs and sockets ensures the versatility of using the Black&Decker BXGNI900E generator, as it allows you to turn on and charge different types of equipment and gadgets.

Finally, I would like to note that in online stores you can find almost complete analogues of this device, which are produced at the same enterprise (on orders from other brands), and differ only in the color of the case and the nameplate power: Guede ISG 800-1(0.7 kW), KRAFT&DELE KD683(1.2 kW), etc.

Since modern electronics and many types of household appliances are “sensitive” and “demanding” to the quality of power, when choosing a generator, it makes sense to take a closer look at inverter devices. Hyundai HHY1050Si belongs to this type of mini-power plants. Thanks to the inverter alternator, which performs double current conversion, this generator produces “clean” electricity with constant characteristics - like in a household electrical network (230 V, 50 Hz). Therefore, a computer, TV, refrigerator, security alarm or electronic “brains” that control the operation of the heating boiler will not even feel the difference. But, of course, we are not talking about connecting all of the above at once. After all, the rated power of the generator is 1 kW, and the total connected load should not exceed the specified value. It should also be noted that devices such as the model in question are convenient to take with you on tourist trips by car (for example, to the mountains or countryside), because they take up little space and weigh very little(11.5 kg in this case).

The “heart” of the generator is the “branded” gasoline engine Hyundai IC 60, which has good fuel efficiency (when operating at rated load, gasoline consumption does not exceed 0.63 l/h) and a decent reputation (the internal combustion engine starts easily and runs stably, there are no complaints about the quality of parts , and spare parts for this engine are not at all difficult to buy). With a fully filled 2.5-liter gas tank, the engine can operate non-stop for up to 4 hours, providing autonomous power to consumers. To connect the payload, the device has one socket (230 V, 16 A) and two USB ports through which you can charge a power bank or mobile phone. On the front panel you can also see connectors for parallel connection - if you have two identical generators, then using a special device that is purchased separately, they can be combined into a system to serve a common load.

The Konner&Sohnen Basic KSB 12i S gasoline generator is a small power plant that can provide power to a relatively small load - up to 1 kW. Thanks to its compact size and low weight (only 11.5 kg), you can take it with you on fishing and hunting if you want to ensure comfort during outings. And this device will cope well with the role of a backup source of electricity (in case of a power outage), because even 1 kW of power is enough to ensure the operation of a couple of laptops and lighting fixtures, a refrigerator and a gas boiler. Since a small volume internal combustion engine (57 cm³) is hidden under the soundproof casing, the generator operates very quietly. At a distance of 7 m from the operating installation, the noise level does not exceed 62 dB (this value approximately corresponds to the noise from a TV at an average volume level). Therefore, this generator is a good choice if the size of the plot does not allow placing the power plant further from the house.

Among other features that deserve attention, the inverter alternator stands out - the unit responsible for generating electricity. It produces “clean” current, the characteristics of which are constant and stable, regardless of the connected load. Therefore, the Konner&Sohnen Basic KSB 12i S generator is excellent for powering low-power, but demanding current quality consumers, such as modern electronics or automation that controls the operation of gas and solid fuel heating equipment - they can be safely connected without fear for the safety of the devices. A nice “side effect” of inverter technology is the ability of the inverter to “adapt” to the load and save fuel. This device, in particular, has an ECONOMY MODE, which reduces fuel consumption by up to 50% by reducing engine speed when the electronics determines that the load is light and there is no point in the engine working at full power.

A set of connectors allows you to connect different types of loads to the generator. The 230 V socket is designed to power ordinary consumers, the 12 V socket can connect devices operating on direct current, and two USB ports make it possible to charge portable devices: power banks, smartphones, batteries for walkie-talkies or remote controls for quadcopters. In addition, on the front panel there are sockets for parallel connection, through which you can combine two identical Konner&Sohnen Basic KSB 12i S generators into a single system to operate on a common load.