Best portable generators with CO shutoff
The CPSC says to look for a portable generator with a carbon monoxide shut-off feature, which turns the engine off automatically when dangerous CO builds up nearby, ideally one certified to the latest PGMA G300 or UL 2201 standard. The shutoff is a backup, not a license to cut corners: the CDC still says run any generator outside only, more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents.
The CPSC estimates about 85 people in the US die each year from carbon monoxide made by gasoline portable generators, and says one portable generator can make as much carbon monoxide as hundreds of cars.
Our picks at a glance
| Product | Best for | Key specs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda EU2200i with CO-MINDER | Quiet fridge backup | 1,800 W rated, 2,200 W max, gasoline, 0.95 gal tank, 8.1 hr at 1/4 load, 47.4 lb, 48 to 57 dB(A) | Check price |
| Champion 2500-Watt Dual Fuel Inverter with CO Shield (201122) | Light dual fuel | 2,500 W starting, 1,850 W running on gas, 1,665 W on propane, 39 lb | Check price |
| Champion 4500-Watt Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter (201319) | Best all-rounder | 4,500 W starting, 3,500 W running on gas, 3,150 W on propane, about 14 hr gas or 21 hr propane at 1/4 load, 99.2 lb, 61 dB(A) | Check price |
| Westinghouse iGen4500DFcv with CO Sensor | Long run time | 3,700 W running and 4,500 W peak on gas, 3,330 W and 4,050 W on propane, 3.4 gal tank, 100.3 lb | Check price |
| Generac GP8000E with COsense | Bigger home backup | 8,000 W running, 10,000 W starting, gasoline, 7.9 gal tank, about 10 hr at 50% load, 198 lb, electric start | Check price |
| DuroMax XP13000HXT with CO Alert | Whole-house tri fuel | 10,500 W running and 13,000 W peak on gas, 10,000/12,500 W propane, 9,000/11,250 W natural gas, 246 lb | Check price |
Honda EU2200i with CO-MINDER
Honda says CO-MINDER watches CO levels and shuts the generator down before they get dangerous. It is light and quiet enough to move around the yard to keep it 20 feet from the house.
Key specs: 1,800 W rated, 2,200 W max, gasoline, 0.95 gal tank, 8.1 hr at 1/4 load, 47.4 lb, 48 to 57 dB(A)
Watch out for: Too small to run a well pump, central air or anything on 240 volts.
Check price on AmazonChampion 2500-Watt Dual Fuel Inverter with CO Shield (201122)
The listing says it meets ANSI/PGMA G300-2018 and that CO Shield shuts the engine off if it senses unsafe CO. It runs on gasoline or propane, so you can use stored propane tanks when gas stations are closed.
Key specs: 2,500 W starting, 1,850 W running on gas, 1,665 W on propane, 39 lb
Watch out for: Small output. Plan on a fridge plus a few lights and phone chargers, not much more.
Check price on AmazonChampion 4500-Watt Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter (201319)
Champion lists CO Shield on this model, plus electric start and long run times on propane. Enough output for a fridge, a freezer, a furnace fan and lights at the same time if you add them up first.
Key specs: 4,500 W starting, 3,500 W running on gas, 3,150 W on propane, about 14 hr gas or 21 hr propane at 1/4 load, 99.2 lb, 61 dB(A)
Watch out for: At about 100 pounds you will want wheels and a second person on steps.
Check price on AmazonWestinghouse iGen4500DFcv with CO Sensor
Westinghouse lists automatic low oil and CO shutdown with a CO shutoff light on the panel, so you know why it stopped. A 3.4 gallon tank gives up to 18 hours at a quarter load.
Key specs: 3,700 W running and 4,500 W peak on gas, 3,330 W and 4,050 W on propane, 3.4 gal tank, 100.3 lb
Watch out for: Westinghouse's page does not name the PGMA G300 or UL 2201 standard, so check the box or ask the seller.
Check price on AmazonGenerac GP8000E with COsense
An 8,000 watt open-frame unit with Generac's COsense CO shutdown. The size suits a transfer switch fitted by an electrician to run several circuits.
Key specs: 8,000 W running, 10,000 W starting, gasoline, 7.9 gal tank, about 10 hr at 50% load, 198 lb, electric start
Watch out for: Not an inverter, and at 198 lb it is far heavier than the smaller picks. Generac's page gives few details on how COsense works.
Check price on AmazonDuroMax XP13000HXT with CO Alert
DuroMax says CO Alert shuts the engine down if CO rises. It runs on gasoline, propane or natural gas, and has 30 amp and 50 amp outlets for a transfer switch.
Key specs: 10,500 W running and 13,000 W peak on gas, 10,000/12,500 W propane, 9,000/11,250 W natural gas, 246 lb
Watch out for: Very heavy and thirsty. DuroMax's page does not name a CO safety standard.
Check price on Amazon- What a CO shutoff does, and what it does not
- What to look for
- How to use it safely
- Would a battery power station do the job?
- Gear
What a CO shutoff does, and what it does not
The CPSC says CO shut-off features automatically turn the generator off when dangerous carbon monoxide levels build up nearby. Makers give them brand names: CO-MINDER (Honda), CO Shield (Champion), COsense (Generac), CO Alert (DuroMax).
A shutoff does not make a generator safe to use in a garage. When Consumer Reports ran generators in the doorway of a garage, all five failed to shut off as CO quickly built up to unsafe levels. The sensor only knows the air around the generator, not the air in your bedroom.
What to look for
| Look for | Why |
|---|---|
| PGMA G300 or UL 2201 on the box | The CPSC says models certified to the latest PGMA G300-2023 and UL 2201-2023 standards have CO safety technology designed to cut poisoning risk a lot. |
| UL 2201 if you can find it | The CPSC says UL 2201 models also give off less carbon monoxide, on top of the shut-off. Consumer Reports reports UL 2201 sets lower CO trip levels than PGMA G300. |
| Enough running watts | Add up what you will run at the same time. See what size generator you need. |
| Inverter or open frame | The inverter models in our picks weigh 39 to 100 lb. The big open-frame units weigh about 200 lb or more and suit a transfer switch. |
| Dual or tri fuel | Lets you run on propane tanks if gasoline runs short. See storing gasoline safely. |
How to use it safely
- Outside only, more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents (CDC). The CPSC says point the exhaust away from them too.
- Never in a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or shed, even with doors or windows open (CPSC).
- Put CO alarms inside on every level and outside sleeping areas, battery or battery backup. Test them monthly. If one sounds, get outside and call 911 (CPSC).
- Never plug the generator into a wall outlet. It back feeds the power lines. Use a transfer switch fitted by an electrician (Washington State Dept. of Health).
- Turn it off and let it cool before refueling (Washington State Dept. of Health).
Full details: portable generator safety.
Would a battery power station do the job?
If you only need a fridge, a CPAP, phones and lights for a short outage, a battery power station makes no carbon monoxide and can run indoors. It will not run a house for days the way a fueled generator can. Compare them in our best portable power stations guide.
Common mistakes
- Thinking a CO shutoff makes it fine to run the generator in the garage. Consumer Reports found shutoffs did not trip in a garage doorway test.
- Skipping indoor CO alarms because the generator has a sensor.
- Putting it closer than 20 feet to the house to keep the cord short.
- Buying on peak watts. Size it on running watts for what you will use at the same time.
- Plugging it into a wall socket instead of using a transfer switch.
- Refueling while the engine is hot.
Gear for this
Links go to Amazon search results so you can compare current prices and reviews. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm
The CPSC says to have working CO alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas. Your generator's sensor does not protect the inside of your house.
Heavy-duty outdoor extension cord, 50 ft
Long enough to keep the generator more than 20 feet from the house.
Generator tent or cover rated for running
Lets it run in rain without being moved into the garage. Follow the maker's instructions for wet weather, as the CPSC advises.
Questions people ask
Do generators with CO shutoff work?
The CPSC says they automatically shut the generator off when dangerous carbon monoxide builds up nearby. Consumer Reports found they did not shut off in a garage doorway test, so they are a backup, not a reason to run one near the house.
What is the difference between PGMA G300 and UL 2201?
Both are safety standards that require a CO shut-off. The CPSC says UL 2201 models also give off less carbon monoxide, and Consumer Reports says UL 2201 shuts off at lower CO levels.
Can I run a generator with CO shutoff in my garage?
No. The CPSC says never run a portable generator in a garage or other enclosed space, even with the doors open. Keep it outside, more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents.
Sources
- CPSC: Generator Carbon Monoxide and Fire Hazards Ahead of Hurricane Season (2026)
- CPSC: New Report on Carbon Monoxide Fatalities
- CDC: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics
- Washington State Department of Health: Generator Use During a Power Outage
- Consumer Reports: New Safety Feature on Portable Generators Could Save Lives
- Honda: EU2200i specifications
- Champion: 4500W Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter (201319)
- Westinghouse: iGen4500DFcv
- Generac: GP8000E with COsense
- DuroMax: XP13000HXT
Related entries
- P-01Portable generator safety: where to put it and how not to dieOutside only, more than 20 feet from the house, never in the garage.
- P-06What size generator do I need? (simple worked example)Add up the running watts, add the biggest starting watts, done. A worked example with a fridge, sump pump and furnace fan.
- G-02Best portable power stations for power outagesBattery backup with no fumes. How to size one for a fridge or CPAP, and 5 picks.
- P-05How to store gasoline safely at homeApproved can, cap on, out of the house, away from pilot lights. How much you can keep and how long it lasts.
- P-02What to do when the power goes outThe first steps, food and medicine rules, and the carbon monoxide mistakes that kill people in outages.
General safety information only, not medical or professional advice. Rules can change, so check the linked sources and follow your local officials. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.