As one of the most reliable generator brands in the market, Briggs & Stratton has been a lot of popularity lately. It is versatile and durable, which are the qualities you want in your home or commercial generator. Known for their quality engine and long runtime, these generators are definitely a better choice compared to the more expensive generators from Yamaha and Honda. If you are confused about which is the best Briggs and Stratton generator for your needs, we have Briggs and Stratton generator reviews to help you decide.
There were a number of factors we considered to make this review comprehensive, including generator type, peak and rated wattage, tank capacity, fuel type, and runtime. The better the generator scores on these factors, the more reliable it is. Briggs & Stratton make generators for a variety of purposes including RV, camping, home, and commercial use, so we have reviewed the generators for those as well. While one would be suitable for camping, the other would be perfect for home use.
Our team spent two days researching into each of the six generators that we have reviewed in this article. To help you find the best Briggs & Stratton generator, we also studied product descriptions, customer reviews, and expert reviews to give you details on each generator. The article starts with a comparison table followed by detailed Briggs and Stratton generator reviews and a buying guide to give you tips to use while picking the right generator.
The Briggs & Stratton Elite 7000 is a gas powered portable generator that provides instant, clean power to keep your appliances and key electronics running in the event of a power outage. For additional reassurance during any trying times, the generator features CO Guard technology that shuts down the unit if harmful CO levels are detected within the generator operating area. With 7,000 watts of power, this heavy-duty generator has the capacity to power anything from your lights to your furnace when you need emergency power, whether there is a power outage or if you need to power DIY projects around your home. With a seven-gallon fuel tank, you can enjoy up to 9 hours of run time at 50% load.
The Elite 7000 lives up to its moniker with some elite features that you may not find on other generator models. It features a top of the line B&G OHV engine, a multi featured control panel. This panel has four 120-volt household outlets and one 30 amp locking outlet with rubber outlet covers to protect against the elements and circuit breaker protection. The model also has remote choke and key electric start for quick and easy operation directly from the control panel. The Elite 7000 also has all terrain mobility with 12-inch Never Go Flat wheels and folding handle to ensure your generator is moved to the optimum location.
The Briggs & Stratton S3500 is one of the top selling B&G generator models in the mid-price range. The model has a multi featured control panel with two 120-volt household outlets and one 120-volt RV outlet, making it ideal for home emergencies or to power your essentials when you’re away from home. The four-gallon fuel tank offers up to 10 hours of run time at 50% load, while the durable PowerBuilt OHV engine is easy to start and features Overhead Valve technology to ensure it lasts longer and runs cooler.
While the Briggs & Stratton S3500 is one of the smaller B&G models, it has seven-inch Never Go Flat wheels, which ensures that the S3500 is as rugged as its larger siblings. At approximately 130 pounds, it may still be challenging for some people to move it, with a fold down handle for easier maneuvering.
What makes the Briggs & Stratton S3500 stand apart from many other models is the Surge Wattage. This is a power surge alternator system that produces short surges of power that are needed when you want to start large motor driven tools and appliances at the same time. You also have the reassurance of the CO Guard Shutdown Technology that automatically shuts down the unit if harmful carbon monoxide levels are detected within your operating area.
Briggs & Stratton P2200 is a small inverter generator perfect for outdoor use while gardening or DIY projects in your garage. It produces 2,200W of peak wattage and 1,700W of running wattage. Like our budget pick below, it also comes with three outlets, including one 12V-5A DC outlet with a USB adapter and two 120V household outlets. The generator produces smooth energy using inverter technology, making it safe for sensitive devices like mobile phones, computers, and laptops.
Quiet Power Technology automatically modifies the engine speed to reduce noise production, emissions, and fuel consumption. At 59 dB(A), it is one of the quietest generators out there. It runs for eight hours at 25 percent load, which is more than enough while conducting DIY projects. You can also use it on camping trips because of its low noise-producing feature. It has an H-handle, which makes it easy for two people to carry the generator for long distances. The model’s dedicated parallel outlet allows you to connect it with another Briggs & Stratton P2200 to double the power output to run up to six devices simultaneously.
Other features include spark arrestor, automatic idle control, low oil shutdown, and muffler for quiet operation. It comes with a two-year residential and 90-day commercial warranty.
One of the most powerful generators by Briggs & Stratton, 30679 has a 2100 Series OHV 420cc engine that ensures fuel efficiency, superior performance, and long product life. It produces 10,000 surge watts and 8,000 running watts, which would be enoght to power multiple tools and appliances simultaneously. The generator has a multi-featured control panel with four GFCI 120V household outlets and one 120/240V 30A locking outlet, enabling you to run up to three big and two small appliances at the same time.
It has a 7.5 gallons fuel tank that runs the 2100 Series OHV 420cc engine for nine hours at 50 percent load so that you can sleep throughout the night without having to refuel it. You can start the generator using an electric push button along with recoil backup. It’s possible interchange between 120V and 240V, making it perfect for RV use. The generator has an app called InfoHub Portable Power app, which gives you access to its maintenance requirements, nearest service stations, and information on how to set up the generator for different uses.
The generator comes with a Power Surge™ Alternator that produces a small amount of surge power for a limited time to start big appliances including heaters and refrigerators. The 12-inch never go flat wheels and handles at each side make it easy to carry the generator around. You will get a three-year residential and one-year commercial warranty along with the product.
Briggs & Stratton 40555 is the best standby generator your home needs. It works on liquid propane and natural gas. It produces three-phase 17,000 watts of power, which is ideal for residences and businesses with increasing power needs. It is also backed with one of the best commercial warranties in the market. On purchase of the product, you get a five-year limited warranty, which is something very few brands offers.
It consumes 160 ft3/hr at 50 percent load using natural gas and 2.10 gal/hr at 50 percent load using propane. Briggs & Stratton has service stations located all across the country, so if you ever come across any issue, a technician can come to your location. The generator is enclosed in a galvanneal steel, a rust-resistant shield that protects from extreme weather conditions. You can use the Infohub™ Wireless Monitor to check if your generator needs a service or repair before an emergency begins.
Since it meets the criteria of the National Fire Protection Agency 37 standard, you can keep the generator as close as 18 inchse from your house. Other features that the generator comes with include overcrank protection, battery charger, low-oil shut off, hour meter digital display, and weekly exerciser.
A powerful inverter generator by Briggs & Stratton, P4500 runs on gasoline and produces clean energy to run delicate devices, including gaming consoles, computers, and phones. One of the best features of this portable generator is the CO Guard carbon monoxide shutdown technology, which automatically switches off the generator on detection of carbon monoxide. The generator has a small 3.5-gallon tank but runs for 16 hours at 25 percent load, making it one of the most fuel-efficient generators by the brand.
You can either start the engine with an electric push button or recoil, whichever you are comfortable with. Another attractive feature of the generator is its Quiet Power Technology that lowers engine noise, emission, and fuel consumption depending on the use. It has seven outlets on the multipanel display including four 120V, 20A outlets, two USB ports, and one 120V, 30A RV outlet to run several appliances at once and ensure your family stays comfortable. You can also view fuel level, runtime, and power usage on the panel.
You will receive a three-year residential and one-year commercial warranty on purchase of this product. Also, it is 60 percent quieter than a standard Briggs & Stratton generator so that it won’t bother anyone around. The generator has never go flat wheels and telescopic handle to conveniently transport it from one location to another without lifting it.
Now that you have reviewed the top five generators by Briggs & Stratton, it is time to decide which one’s the best for your needs. In this buying guide, we talk about why buying a Briggs & Stratton generator is a practical choice, the difference between inverter and conventional generators, and different factors that you should keep in mind while purchasing a generator. Let’s get started!
Briggs & Stratton is a leading home and commercial improvement company known for its superior quality generators. They sell inverter, conventional, and standby generators. The brand also offers a number of other products including commercial engines, lawn mowers, and air compressors, among others. The company is over 110 years old and was formed in 1908. They entered the electronics market in 1920 with military and agricultural appliances. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that Briggs & Stratton started producing generators, which till today are considered for their quality products.
Advantages of Briggs & Stratton generators:
Disadvantages of Briggs & Stratton generators:
You can choose between three types of generators, depending on your budget and needs. Here are three types:
Inverter generators have an advanced electronic circuitry and modern magnets, which produces AC that is converted to DC and back to AC. Inverters are safer for delicate devices as energy is produced in small amounts. They are also quieter and more fuel efficient but also more expensive compared to conventional generators.
A conventional generator has been around for the longest time. They work either on diesel, propane, or gasoline or any two of them. The engine speed and electric output remain the same for the entire time you are using it. However, not all conventional generators produce clean energy, so you can’t charge your laptops or camera batteries using this type of power. They are definitely cheaper and perfect for outdoor activities that require large amounts of energy.
A standby generator is something you can directly connect to your house’s main power system. When the power is out, a transfer switch turns on the generator. It consumes more fuel compared to the inverter and conventional generators. This type is usually used to power elevators, big houses, refrigerators, and water heaters.
If you go on camping trips or road trips regularly, you will need an inverter so that you can use it for both residential and recreational use. Conventional generators are designed for home or commercial use but something that doesn’t require too much transportation. Standby generators are best for big homes or commercial operations.
Make a list of the appliances you want to run on a generator during a power outage or while traveling. Every appliance consumes a specific amount of watts, which determines your power needs. For example, an average-sized refrigerator uses 1,200 watts, a dishwasher consumes 1,200 to 1,500 watts, a coffee machine uses 1,000 watts, and a ceiling fan consumes 120 watts. If the total comes to 4,000 watts, you will need a generator that produces 4,000 running watts. The Briggs & Stratton P4500 as well as Briggs & Stratton 30676, which is also considered to be one of the best and affordable models among 4000-Watt generators, are perfect for these requirements.
Briggs & Stratton generators have a long runtime of eight hours at 25 or 50 percent load depending on the type. The most efficient generator is one that runs the longest on minimum tank capacity. Two of the most efficient models by this brand include Briggs & Stratton P2200 has a one-gallon tank that runs for eight hours at 25 percent load and P4500, which has a 3.5 gallons tank that produces power for 16 hours at 25 percent load and that is one of the reasons why it is also considered to be one of the best generators for tailgating.
Always purchase a generator that can run for at least eight hours, so you can go through the night without having to wake up for a refuel.
Here are some safety features that come with Briggs & Stratton generators:
The cost of Briggs & Stratton generators start at $477 for the 3,500-watt generator and go up to $4,699 for a standby 20,000-watt generator. If you see, they are more affordable than other major generator brands that cost $700 onward.
We have our favorites after reviewing the top five generator models from Briggs & Stratton. The Briggs & Stratton Elite 7000 is a rugged generator with Never Go Flat wheels offering all terrain mobility. With up to 9 hours of run time and some excellent features including circuit breaker protection and CO Guard technology, this is a great option for emergencies or DIY projects.
The Briggs & Stratton S3500 is a mid-sized generator that still has multiple outlets to power your essentials during an emergency or when you’re away from home. While it may lack some of the features of other B&G models, it does still represent great value for money.
