Generac enters the portable power station market with two lithium-ion battery models
When it's not safe or sensible to use a gas generator, a lithium-ion inverter (often called a battery-powered generator) is a great way to get portable power where you need it. Many brands are involved, from power tool companies to specialty inverter manufacturers. Now that Generac hits the market, with its reputation for emergency and portable power, we're expecting great things. We went hands-on with the GB1000 Generac portable power station to see if they deliver a great product.
capacity and output
Two models are available: Generac GB1000 and GB2000. The smaller GB1000 has a capacity of 1086Wh and the larger GB2000 has a capacity of 2106Wh. Whichever model you choose, you get up to 1600 watts of continuous running power and 3200 watts of cranking power.
The main question is… what can you run?
The limit is actually 13 amps. Everything from power tools to home appliances. Here are some examples:
- small angle grinder
- Coffee machine
- TV and Blu-ray player
- refrigerator or freezer
- portable fan
- lamp
- Phone/Tablet/Laptop Charging
The output is "clean" energy, so it's perfectly safe to run/charge your sensitive electronics. Remember, the higher the energy demands of the device you use, the faster the battery will drain. A nice feature the Generac has added is the inverse comparison display, which shows you the active output in watts and the estimated remaining run time (assuming the load remains the same).
When we had a power outage during Hurricane Ian, the GB1000 ran our TV and Blu-ray player with a total power draw of less than 100 watts for an estimated run time of over 12 hours. On the other hand, it was able to run our fridge for about 6 hours. GB2000 is about twice that.
Need more capacity or output? No problem – there's a parallel connection so you can connect two Generac portable power stations together.
Outlets and ports
Generac includes a generous set of outlets and ports for charging its portable power station. There are three 120V outlets, two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, and a 12V car outlet. A bonus that most battery-powered generators don't have is a 15-watt wireless charger on top of the Generac.
You can use as many at a time as long as you don't draw more than 1600 watts of continuous power. As we mentioned before, the more watts you draw, the faster your battery will drain, so choose to fight when no other power source is nearby.
To use any of the ports, you first need to turn on the inverter. Press and hold the On/Off button until you hear a small beep and see the display light up. At this point, all USB ports become active. To use the 120V outlet or 12V DC port, you need to press the corresponding button to activate them. The wireless charger is connected to the DC switch.
charging options
As you might expect, you can plug the charging station into the wall to charge. For those considering off-grid power, it also comes with a connector for a solar panel. Another benefit we don't usually see is the 12V vehicle charging cable that comes with the Generac, making it one of the most off-road-friendly designs we've seen.
Faster charging due to built-in MPPT controller. Plugged into the wall, the GB1000 can be charged to 80 percent in just over two hours. Once that mark is reached, charging is slowed down to prevent damage to the lithium-ion battery.
For the absolute fastest charging speeds, combine power sources. For example, you may wish to use both 120V AC and solar power. However, going too fast can reduce overall battery life. For best results, stick to less than 540 watts for the GB1000 or less than 1000 watts for the GB2000.
led light
Generac offers some help in locating your portable power station and plugging it in when it gets dark. There is a 2-stage LED light on the front. Don't worry – it's low on your battery and won't have a major impact on your overall runtime.
Generac Portable Power Station Models
The main difference between the two models is capacity, and there are some size and weight implications. Here's a quick comparison chart:
| Generac GB1000 | Generac GB2000 | |
| total capacity | 1086Wh | 2106Wh |
| Operating power | 1600 watts | 1600 watts |
| start wattage | 3200 watts | 3200 watts |
| port | 3 x 120 VAC 2 x USB-A 2 x USB-C 12V car port wireless charging board |
3 x 120 VAC 2 x USB-A 2 x USB-C 12V car port wireless charging board |
| TOLL | 120V AC or 10 – 28V DC | 120V AC or 10 – 28V DC |
| solar compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Rated life* | 800 cycles | 1000 cycles |
| weight | 29 pounds | 43 lbs |
| Dimensions (length, width and height) | 14.1 x 10.2 x 12.0 inches | 16.8 x 10.4 x 15.1 inches |
Optional Accessories (sold separately)
- 200W charging booster
- 450W charging booster
- 30A Parallel Kit
- 100W solar panel
Generac Portable Power Station Prices
The Generac GB1000 retails for $999 and the GB2000 for $1799. Generac offers a 3 year warranty on power stations. Compare it to the popular Jackery 1000, and you'll see that the Generac offers a better feature set, more usable power, and still costs $100 less.
the bottom line
In the integrated battery power station category, Generac impressed us with its portable power station design. It offers great power delivery, includes a wide range of sockets and ports, and adds features that other brands don't. Even better, you won't pay extra just to use the Generac name on your device, and they don't charge a lot for the features they add. If you're looking for a clean portable power source, we highly recommend the Generac GB1000 and GB2000.