We did the research to find portable generators made in the USA. People have different needs when purchasing a generator: backup power supply, camping, power tools, and many others. Below, you’ll find our research for several of those categories, detailed information on each brand, and tips for doing your own research on the country of origin.
Overall, we found it really difficult to find generator companies sourcing 100% of their materials from U.S. manufacturers. However, we did find two companies sourcing a lot of their materials here and are employing great American workforces to make high-quality generators: Dayton and MI-T-M. We previously had Champion, Generac, and Briggs & Stratton generators here as well, but unfortunately, they moved a lot of their manufacturing overseas. Some of their models are still assembled here, though, so we listed a few of them in our directory. Now, let’s dig into our list of USA-made generators.
Complete List of Portable Generator Brands Made in the USA
MI-T-M makes some great generators for heavy-duty jobs. It’s perfect for powering: large appliances during your next power outage, multiple power tools, large AC units, and other heavy-duty jobs. The only major downside is the engine, which can vary depending on where you shop. MI-T-M uses everyone from Kohler to Subaru for their engines, but we found it extremely tough to find portable generators that didn’t source their engines from other companies that potentially produce them overseas. Otherwise, this reliable generator is made here.
If you need a ton of power in your generator, Dayton makes some great high-wattage models. The only downside is similar to MI-T-M generators – the engine manufacturer inside the generator can vary.
How to Find Portable Generators Made in the USA
Besides showcasing American made portable generators, we’re here to help you shop with confidence. Let’s talk about the generator industry—from sourcing materials to understanding labels and discovering top-notch generators made in the USA. First, let’s break down what “made in the USA” truly means and how to grasp it.
What Does “Made In The USA” Mean?
Before shopping for a generator made in the USA, it’s essential to understand what “made in the USA” means. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a product must be “all or virtually all” made in the United States from US materials and parts to qualify for the “made in the USA” label.
For more information, you can refer to our detailed “made in the USA” guide.
Materials
When shopping for a portable generator made in the USA, consider what materials are used and where they are sourced from. After all, for a product to be considered “made in the USA,” it must be made from American materials. Some common materials used in portable generators include steel, aluminum, copper, and plastics.
Make sure to find out where these materials are sourced from and whether they are American-made.
Steel
Steel is one of the essential materials used in portable generators and many other products. Although China is the world’s largest steel producer, many American steel manufacturers produce high-quality steel. In fact, the USA ranks fourth in the world’s steel production, and the steel manufactured here is considered some of the best in the world. In fact, it is three times stronger than Chinese-made steel.
To ensure your generator is genuinely made in the USA, look for generators that use US-made steel. Many companies can opt for foreign-made steel to save money on manufacturing costs. However, this can negatively affect the quality of your portable generator and its ability to stand up against outdoor conditions.
Aluminum
Aluminum is another important material used in portable generators. The US aluminum industry has suffered due to foreign competition recently, but some US-based companies still produce high-quality aluminum parts.
The USA is, in fact, ninth in world aluminum production, so you will still be able to find quality American-made aluminum parts for your generator.
Copper
Copper is essential to the performance of any electrical system, so it’s vital to ensure the copper used in your generator is sourced from the USA.
Although copper is usually mined and produced in Chile, Peru, DR Congo, and China, you can also find copper sourced in the USA. While the United States doesn’t have as many copper mines, it still has a substantial copper industry. So, finding US-made copper should not be too difficult.
Plastics
The USA is a world leader in plastics production, producing 20 percent of the world’s plastics. However, with that said, China is still the number one plastics producer. So, you’re very likely to come across Chinese-made plastics in your products. For this reason, it’s worth double-checking the country of origin of the plastic material on your portable generator to ensure the product is genuinely made in the United States.
Labeling
When shopping for American-made portable generators, it is important to look for labeling that states the product was made in the USA. Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the United States Code states that all products made abroad must be labeled accordingly with the country of origin. This is a great help in weeding out foreign-made products. When looking for portable generators made domestically, you should look specifically for the FTC-protected “made in the USA” label.
However, keep in mind that there is no pre-approval process for this protected label. This means it’s up to the companies to determine whether or not their products qualify as American-made. Unfortunately, there are some examples of misleading “made in the USA” labels.
You should also be wary of misleading and false language used by manufacturers. When a product label states phrases such as “assembled in USA” or “made in USA of foreign components,” the product is not truly made in the USA. “Made in America” is another example, but America can refer to either Mexico or Canada.
Additionally, some products may display a US flag on the label, which can mislead consumers. The US flag sticker is not regulated, so just because you see this patriotic imagery does not actually mean the product is made in the USA.
Other Tips
Some other tips to ensure that your portable generator is made in the USA include:
Check Company History
Research the company’s history and see where they source their parts from. Some companies may have started outsourcing materials domestically but then began to import parts from overseas after a few years.
Check the Manufacturer’s Website
Visit the manufacturer’s website and check their “About Us” page or product page for information. If the product is truly made in the USA, companies will proudly display this information on their website, as it’s a huge selling point.
Companies do not need to state the country of origin on their online or promotional materials, so if you can’t find any information, it’s best to assume the product is made abroad.
Social Media
It’s a good idea to follow the company on social media, as they may share information about their product lines and where they source their materials. You can also use social media to ask questions directly to the company and get answers in real-time.
Call the Manufacturer
If you’re still unsure, it never hurts to call the manufacturer directly. This way, you can ask any questions you may have and get a clear answer right away.
Portable Generators Not Made in the USA
Although many brands of portable generators are well-known, it should be noted that they are not produced in the United States. Here are popular brands we found that are not made in the USA.
- Jackery – The company is based in Fremont, California, with production in China
- Westinghouse – Made in China
- Predator – the main models and engines are generated and assembled in China.
- Champion – Made in China
- DuroMax – Made in China and Vietnam
