Best Home Backup Generators in the UK: Petrol vs Diesel vs Inverter (2025 Guide)

Best Home Backup Generators in the UK (2025 Guide)

Power cuts in the UK are becoming more common, especially during winter storms and peak energy demand. A reliable home backup generator ensures your essential appliances stay running—fridge, heating, lighting, WiFi, and medical equipment.

This guide breaks down the best generator types for UK homes and helps you choose between petrol, diesel, and inverter models.

Explore all backup generators here:
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1. Inverter Generators – Best for Quiet Home Use

Best for:

• Flats

• Semi-detached homes

• Garden rooms

• Caravans

• Small-to-medium emergency backup

Inverter generators are the quietest and cleanest type of generator, making them ideal for UK households. They run efficiently, can safely power electronics, and won’t disturb neighbours.

Why They're Great:

• Ultra-low noise

• Fuel-efficient

• Clean sine-wave power (safe for laptops & electronics)

• Portable and easy to store

Best Inverter Generator Brands at Power & Pedal:

• Hyundai – premium quiet operation

• Excel Power – strong value per watt

Shop inverter models here:
Excel Power Generators Collection
Hyundai Generators Collection

2. Petrol Generators – Best for Affordable Home Backup

Best for:

• Occasional emergency use

• Moderate household loads

• Budget-conscious buyers

Petrol generators offer more power than inverter units at a lower upfront cost. They are ideal if you need an affordable backup solution for occasional outages.

Why They’re Great:

• Lower initial price

• Wide power range

• Easy to refuel

• Good for short-term power cuts

Suitable Brands:

• Excel Power (great value units)

• Hyundai (balanced power & reliability)

• JCB (robust petrol models)

Shop petrol generators:
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3. Diesel Generators – Best for Long Runtime & Heavy Loads

Best for:

• Large homes

• Homes with frequent outages

• Heating systems, pumps & high-demand appliances

• Long runtime backup needs

Diesel generators are more durable and efficient at high loads, making them excellent for powering entire households.

Why They’re Great:

• Long-lasting engines

• More fuel-efficient under load

• Better for powering heating systems

• Suitable for extended outages

Suitable Brands:

• Hyundai – quiet diesel models

• JCB – rugged, heavy-duty designs

• Excel Power – strong mid-range options

Shop diesel units:
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4. Which Generator Type Should UK Homeowners Choose?

Choose an Inverter Generator if:

• You want the quietest option

• You live in a residential area

• You only need to run essential appliances

• You want fuel efficiency and portability

Best picks:
👉 Hyundai & Excel Power inverter models

Choose a Petrol Generator if:

• You want the lowest upfront cost

• You need moderate backup power

• You plan to use it occasionally

Best picks:
👉 Excel Power & Hyundai petrol generators

Choose a Diesel Generator if:

• You need whole-home backup

• You want long runtime

• You have high-power appliances

• You want the most durable option

Best picks:
👉 JCB & Hyundai diesel generators

5. What Size Generator Do You Need for Backup?

Typical UK home essentials require:

• 2–3 kW → Lights, WiFi, TVs, laptops, fridge

• 3–5 kW → Small home backup including heating pumps

• 5–8 kW → Medium-to-large homes

• 8+ kW → Whole-home backup, multiple appliances

If you're unsure, start with a basic wattage calculation — I can do it for you.

Final Verdict

Your best home backup generator depends on your priorities:

• Quietest & safest: Inverter (Hyundai / Excel Power)

• Most budget-friendly: Petrol (Excel Power / Hyundai)

• Heavy-duty & long runtime: Diesel (JCB / Hyundai)

Browse all home backup generators here:
Generators Collection