PM Approved: The New Predator 9,500-Watt Inverter Generator is an Emergency Essential (2024)

As more families start to consider emergency preparedness ahead of natural disasters and potential periods of power loss, the need for a large generator (especially if you live in an area that’s frequently hard hit) becomes more apparent. However, not all generators are created equal, and there are a few things to know when shopping for a model that suits your needs.

The engineers at Harbor Freight released a new range of generators in April with a 9,500-watt model being the most practical and efficient high-wattage generator for the significant power demands of a standard home or construction site.

As part of its testing of generators, Popular Mechanics looked at the Predator 9,500-Watt Super Quiet Inverter Generator that launched in April. It performed well in our tests, and has many of the features that we recommend you look for in a generator.

Determine your need

When shopping for generators, people don’t often take the time to actually figure out what they need. Looking for emergency power for just a few electronics? Then a smaller generator (under 4,000 watts) will likely suffice and offer more practicality.

But some people need something more than double in output that provides serious, efficient power to back up an entire home or provide lots of options at a jobsite. Say, for example, a natural disaster occurs in the heat of summer. You’ve lost power and need a safe and reliable way to get the A/C up and running again. The Predator 9,500-Watt Generator is purpose-built to handle the power draw of restarting the air conditioner while sustaining the lower load as your house cools down. And there will likely be enough load left over to power certain appliances and your portable devices too.

Easing off the throttle

Generators at this capacity level are often loud, churning at high decibels to produce enough power for a standard home or at the construction site. This often happens because the generator’s engine has to continue running at high RPMs regardless of whether it’s actually putting out power at that capacity level.

The team at Harbor Freight concluded there had to be a better way and solved much of the noise problem with a two-fold solution: First, the engine has an automatic control that will throttle the engine to match the current power need. If a full load isn’t needed, then the engine will run at a lower capacity, lowering the revolutions and lowering total noise. Second, the entire unit is wrapped in a closed-frame housing that mutes much of the remaining noise, leaving the output at 67db, not much more than a quiet conversation. Shouting over the whirl of a loud motor is a thing of the past.

This generator has a sensitive side

Another common problem with generators is figuring out the power draw you’ll actually need and if that power needs to be “clean” pure sine wave power transmitted through an inverter generator as opposed to a traditional model.

Harbor Freight’s inverter technology provides this stable, clean power, ensuring the generator produces power as reliable as the electricity you get from your outlets at home. In short, the consistent power is safe enough for sensitive electronics like phones and computers, but also strong enough to power appliances and larger systems. The generator can also change from 120 volts to 240 with the flip of a switch.

CO SECURE technology

Like any other fueled engine, generators emit exhaust (hence why you should never run a generator indoors) and carbon monoxide into the air. Harbor Freight integrated specific technology called CO SECURE into this generator, which will shut off the engine if a dangerous amount of the odorless, colorless gas is detected.

Consider this peace of mind to protect those you care about most.

Generator maintenance and installation tips

Owning a generator is a lot like owning a car: take good care of it and it will take good care of you. This means starting it every couple of months, changing the oil filter every so often, using fuel stabilizer for long-term storage and changing out the gas at least twice a year. A properly-maintained generator will last a long time and be ready to go when you need it most.

Lastly, consult an electrician to understand the best way to connect the generator to your home or jobsite. This is serious power, after all, and requires proper guidance to install and operate it safely.