Home › Comparisons › Best home standby generator brand
There is no single best brand. Going by the manufacturers’ own documents: Generac has the lowest list prices at 14 kW and 26 kW, and its NextGen line keeps the most natural gas output among Generac and Kohler models[1, 2, 3]. Kohler has the stronger standard warranty, with parts, labor and travel for all 5 years[4]. Briggs & Stratton advertises a 6-year standard warranty and a 22 kW model rated at a full 22 kW on natural gas[5].
| Generac | KOHLER (Rehlko) | Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard warranty | 5 yr / 2,000 hr; labor only in yrs 1–2[6] | 5 yr / 2,000 hr parts, labor & travel; 7- and 10-yr optional[4] | 6 yr parts, labor & travel; 10 yr through a B&S dealer (press release)[5] |
| ~22 kW model on natural gas | NextGen 22 kW: 21 kW[3] | 20RCA: 18 kW (no 22 kW model)[7] | 22 kW: 22 kW (press release)[5] |
| 26 kW model on natural gas | NextGen 26 kW: 24 kW[3] | 26RCA: 24 kW[4] | 26 kW: 24 kW (press release)[5] |
| Weekly test | Quiet-Test, 5 min default[8] | 20 min; 90-second EcoExercise on the 26RCA[7, 4] | Eco-Cise, 16-second weekly test (press release)[5] |
| Lowest MSRP, 26 kW class | $6,989[2] | $7,546[9] | not checked |
The Briggs & Stratton figures come from the company’s November 2023 launch press release, not a spec sheet, and we did not check Briggs prices. Cummins is not included in this revision because we could not confirm a current residential spec sheet from Cummins itself. We will add it once we can.
Choose by what matters most to you
- Lowest upfront cost: Generac, which has the lowest list price in the 14 kW and 26 kW classes[1, 10, 2, 9].
- Strongest standard warranty of the two biggest brands: Kohler[4, 6].
- Most natural gas output in the 26 kW class: the Generac NextGen 26 kW or the Kohler 26RCA, both 24 kW[3, 4].
- Quietest, shortest self-test: Generac Quiet-Test (55–57 dB(A), 5 min) or the Kohler 26RCA’s EcoExercise (56 dB(A), 90 seconds)[8, 4].
- Local service: whichever brand has more authorized dealers near you, since both warranties depend on them[6, 9].
A note on the Kohler name
KOHLER home generators are now made by Rehlko, the former Kohler Energy. It became a stand-alone company in 2024, with Platinum Equity as majority owner and Kohler Co. as an investment partner[11]. The current spec sheets are published by Discovery Energy, LLC[4]. The generators still carry the KOHLER brand name.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best home standby generator brand?
It depends on your priority. Generac lists the lowest prices at 14 kW and 26 kW; Kohler has the stronger standard warranty (parts, labor and travel for all 5 years); Briggs & Stratton advertises a 6-year standard warranty. Compare models at the size you need.
Is Generac or Kohler the better brand?
Generac is cheaper on list price at 14 kW and 26 kW, and its NextGen models lose less output on natural gas. Kohler has the longer full-coverage warranty and the higher wind rating. See the model-by-model comparisons on this site.
Who owns Kohler generators?
Rehlko, the former Kohler Energy, which became a stand-alone company in 2024. Platinum Equity is the majority owner and Kohler Co. remains an investment partner.
Sources
Every figure on this page was taken from the documents below, all opened on October 27, 2026. Manufacturers revise spec sheets and prices; check the linked document before you buy.
- 1. Generac 7223 (14 kW Guardian) product page, MSRP (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 2. Generac 7290 (26 kW Guardian) product page, MSRP (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 3. Generac NextGen 22/24/26/28 kW spec sheet, Part A0005151077 Rev. B (07/11/2025). Generac document, copy hosted by retailer Global Industrial (the generac.com link did not resolve on Oct 27, 2026) (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 4. KOHLER 26RCA/26RCAL spec sheet G4-315 (rev. 4/26g), Discovery Energy, LLC (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 5. Briggs & Stratton press release: new PowerProtect home standby lineup (Nov 7, 2023; page updated May 5, 2026) (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 6. Generac 5 Year Limited Warranty for Residential and Commercial Standby Generators, Part 10000039087 Rev A (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 7. KOHLER 20RCA/20RCAL spec sheet G4-272 (rev. 4/26j), Discovery Energy, LLC (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 8. Generac Guardian 20/22/24 kW spec sheet, Part A0000937814 Rev. E (03/15/2022) (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 9. KOHLER 26RCA product page (Rehlko), MSRP (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 10. KOHLER 14RCA product page (Rehlko), MSRP (accessed October 27, 2026)
- 11. Rehlko FAQs (company ownership and rebrand) (accessed October 27, 2026)