So, you’re thinking about installing a backup generator.

Whether you’re trying to protect a facility from utility outages, keep a job site running, support a critical operation, or simply improve business continuity, installing a backup generator is often one of the smartest investments you can make. But choosing the right generator isn’t always simple.

The internet is full of “Top Ten” lists for everything from vehicles to smartphones.
Some products are easy to compare because the use cases are relatively straightforward. Generators are different. There are a lot of variables involved, and the best generator for one application may be completely wrong for another.

That’s why there isn’t a single “best” generator brand.
The right answer depends on where the generator will operate, what it will power, what fuel source is available, local permitting requirements, environmental conditions, serviceability, and dozens of other factors.

Think about trucks. If someone asked you to identify the best truck on the market, you’d probably ask a few questions first:

• Is it a diesel or gas powered truck?
• Will it be towing heavy loads?
• Is it primarily a commuter vehicle?
• Will it be used off road?
• Is it being purchased for a specialized application?

The same logic applies to generators.
Before evaluating brands, it’s important to understand the intended application. In broad terms, generator use cases generally fall into three categories:

• Commercial & Industrial Stationary Generators
• Commercial & Industrial Portable Generators
• Residential Generators

At Power Plus, we’ve installed, serviced, maintained, and deployed thousands of generators across virtually every industry and environment imaginable. One thing we’ve learned is that successful projects always start with the same question:

“What are you trying to power?”

Once the application is understood, identifying the right equipment becomes much easier. Here are some of the questions we typically ask customers evaluating backup power options.

Commercial & Industrial Stationary Generators

• • Where will the generator be installed?
    Along a coastline? In a desert environment? At elevation? Within a densely populated urban area?

• • What systems are being backed up?
    A healthcare facility? Apartment complex? Manufacturing operation? Refrigeration equipment? Data center?

• • How much backup power is required?
    Will all systems be supported or only critical loads?

• • Are there three-phase loads?
    Things like elevators, pumps, conveyor systems, or large electric motors?

• • Is this a new installation or a replacement project?

• • Does the generator need to fit within an existing footprint?

• • What fuel source will be used?
    Diesel, natural gas, or propane?

• • Is the existing gas infrastructure adequately sized for the proposed generator?

• • Are there any special considerations to be addressed?
    For example, noise restrictions or community requirements.

• • Are there any regulations that apply?
    For example, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), permitting, environmental, or air quality.

• • Have engineering studies, load calculations, or electrical drawings already been completed?

 

Commercial & Industrial Portable Generators

Portable generators can serve everything from construction sites and planned shutdowns to emergency response operations and remote facilities. When evaluating a portable generator, consider:

• • Will it satisfy your power requirements?
    Understanding your total electrical load is essential when selecting the proper generator size.

• • Will it deliver stable power?
    Consistent voltage and frequency help protect equipment and improve reliability.

• • Can it be transported where it needs to go?
    Some projects require units that are easily moved, while others require specialized transportation or rigging.

• • How frequently will it require fueling?
    Runtime, tank capacity, and fuel consumption can significantly impact operating costs.

• • Does it meet local emissions standards and environmental requirements?

Selecting the correct unit isn’t just about having enough power. It’s about balancing performance, fuel usage, transportation requirements, operating costs, and long term reliability.

Residential Generators
Power Plus does not provide residential generator installation or service.

The Top Generator Manufacturers

Of the nearly 20,000 generators Power Plus services and maintains on behalf of customers nationwide, these are the brands we encounter most frequently in the field.

Stand-by, Emergency or Prime Generator Manufacturers

Below is a list of leading standby, emergency, and prime power generator manufacturers, presented in alphabetical order.

1. Blue Star
Blue Star manufactures gaseous and diesel powered generator systems serving a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. Its product offerings include natural gas, propane, and diesel generators across a broad range of power outputs, making the company a viable option for customers seeking flexible generator solutions across multiple fuel platforms.

2. Caterpillar
For decades, Caterpillar has been one of the most recognized names in industrial power generation. Its generator lineup supports standby, emergency, and prime power applications across industries ranging from healthcare and manufacturing to utilities and infrastructure. Known for durability, global support networks, and long service life, Caterpillar generators continue to be a popular choice for customers requiring dependable backup power systems.

3. Cummins (Onan)
Cummins remains one of the most respected manufacturers in the power generation industry. Its product portfolio includes standby generators, prime power systems, transfer switches, controls, and integrated power solutions. Strong engineering, extensive service support, and broad product availability have helped make Cummins a preferred choice for many mission critical applications requiring reliable power.

4. Generac (Baldor, Magnum)
Generac offers one of the broadest generator portfolios in North America, serving residential, commercial, industrial, and rental power markets. The company’s products include diesel, natural gas, and propane powered systems, along with mobile power products and related equipment. Generac remains a popular option for customers seeking scalable backup power solutions across a variety of applications.

5. Kohler
Kohler has earned a reputation for producing dependable standby and emergency power systems for commercial, industrial, healthcare, and institutional facilities. Known for reliability, engineering quality, and long term performance, Kohler generators continue to serve organizations requiring dependable power during utility interruptions and emergency events.

6. MTU (Detroit Diesel, Kato Light)
MTU delivers a wide range of power generation technologies, from traditional standby systems to advanced microgrid and distributed energy solutions. Backed by decades of engine development experience, MTU products are commonly found supporting critical infrastructure, industrial operations, and facilities requiring dependable continuous power.

7. Taylor
Taylor Power Systems manufactures generator packages serving industrial, agricultural, municipal, and commercial customers. The company’s offerings include diesel and natural gas powered systems designed for both standby and prime power applications. Taylor remains a recognized provider of customized generator systems for specialized operating environments.

Portable Generator Manufacturers

Below is a list of leading portable generator manufacturers, presented in alphabetical order.

1. Airman
Airman USA Corporation (AUC), a subsidiary of Hokuetsu Industries Co., Ltd., manufactures diesel generators and portable air compressors designed for demanding industrial and construction environments. Known for durability, reliability, and ease of operation, AIRMAN generators are widely used on infrastructure projects, construction sites, utility work, and other applications where dependable portable power solutions are essential.

2. Atlas Copco
Atlas Copco is one of the most recognized names in portable power equipment. Its portable generator lineup serves construction, industrial, event, infrastructure, and emergency response applications. Many larger units are designed to operate in parallel, allowing customers to build scalable power systems capable of supporting substantial electrical demands. Atlas Copco’s focus on mobility, serviceability, and operational efficiency has helped make it a popular choice among rental fleets and contractors seeking flexible power equipment.

3. Blue Star
Blue Star manufactures generator systems designed for standby, emergency, and prime power applications. The company offers diesel and gaseous fuel solutions across multiple output ranges and continues to focus on balancing performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency while supporting a broad range of customer requirements.

4. Caterpillar (Olympian)
Caterpillar’s portable and mobile power products are used throughout construction, industrial, mining, utility, and infrastructure markets around the world. Known for robust engineering and long term durability, Caterpillar generators are often selected for demanding applications where dependable electrical power and long operating life are critical.

5. Cummins (Onan)
Cummins continues to be a major force in portable and mobile power generation. Its products support construction projects, temporary facilities, emergency response operations, planned shutdowns, and industrial applications. Backed by extensive service networks and strong engineering support, Cummins remains a trusted provider of power generation equipment across North America and beyond.

6. Doosan (Ingersoll Rand)
Doosan portable equipment has long been associated with durability and jobsite performance. Known primarily for portable compressors and related equipment, the company’s products are built to withstand demanding field conditions while maintaining strong serviceability and long term value. For contractors and industrial operators, reliability in harsh operating environments remains one of the brand’s defining strengths.

7. Generac (Baldor, Magnum)
Generac has become one of North America’s largest suppliers of portable and standby power products. Its portfolio includes mobile generators, rental power equipment, light towers, and industrial generator systems serving construction, emergency response, utilities, municipalities, and commercial facilities. The company’s broad offering makes it a common choice for organizations seeking scalable generator solutions and temporary power resources.

8. Hercules
Hercules has built its reputation around providing power generation equipment designed to support demanding industrial and commercial operations. Its equipment is commonly utilized where redundancy, reliability, and operational flexibility are important considerations. Many applications involve supporting larger integrated power systems requiring dependable backup capability and high equipment availability.

9. HIPOWER SYSTEMS
HIPOWER SYSTEMS supplies portable generators, power distribution equipment, and prime power solutions throughout North America. Its products serve construction companies, industrial facilities, rental fleets, municipalities, and emergency response organizations. HIPOWER’s focus on dependable performance and customer support has helped establish the company as a respected supplier of backup power systems and mobile power equipment.

10. Kohler
Kohler generators are widely recognized for their reliability, engineering quality, and long service life. The company’s power generation products serve commercial, industrial, healthcare, institutional, and emergency power markets. Kohler continues to be a trusted choice for organizations requiring dependable standby and temporary power solutions.

11. Kubota
Kubota generators are known for compact design, fuel efficiency, low emissions, and dependable operation. Powered by the company’s highly regarded diesel engines, Kubota generators are commonly used on construction projects, agricultural operations, utility sites, and remote facilities. Their reputation for reliability and ease of maintenance has made them a popular choice among operators seeking practical portable generators.

12. Multiquip
Multiquip has earned a strong reputation for producing reliable, efficient, and durable power generation equipment. Its generators support industries including construction, telecommunications, government, industrial manufacturing, infrastructure, and emergency services. The company’s focus on quality and operational performance has helped establish Multiquip as a trusted provider of backup power solutions.

13. Winco or Wind Power
Winco has been manufacturing power generation equipment for decades and continues to serve agricultural, commercial, industrial, and residential markets. The company offers a broad range of generator products designed to address a variety of power requirements. Its longstanding commitment to reliability and practical design has helped it maintain a loyal customer base across multiple industries.

Which generator brand is the right one for you?

The truth is that the “best” generator brand is rarely the deciding factor. The right application, proper sizing, fuel strategy, installation approach, service support, and long term maintenance plan are often just as important as the name on the side of the enclosure.

At Power Plus, we’ve worked with virtually every major generator manufacturer in the industry. We’ve installed, serviced, maintained, repaired, fueled, and deployed generators in almost every environment imaginable — from remote mountaintops and disaster zones to hospitals, data centers, manufacturing plants, and construction projects.

That’s why we focus less on selling brands and more on helping customers find the right solution.

Whether you’re evaluating standby generator options, comparing generator systems, planning backup power solutions, or trying to determine the right generator size for your application, our team is ready to help.