Best Briggs and Stratton Generator Reviews (Complete Brand Guide)

Briggs and Stratton is known as the world’s largest manufacturer for gasoline engines that work to operate outdoor power equipment. This Milwaukee, Wisconsin company also leads in the manufacturing, marketing and design of power generation, lawn and garden products, job site items, pressure washers and turf care. They are the main umbrella company for numerous brands, including Briggs and Stratton and the following:

• Simplicity
• Ferris
• Allmand
• Murray
• Victa
• Snapper
• Vanguard
• Billy Goat
• Branco

The Briggs and Stratton generators and other products are manufactured, designed, serviced and marketed in more than 100 countries. While we created this Briggs and Stratton generator review, we also discovered that you can find their products on six continents.

This company has been in business since 1908. It began with a partnership between Harold M. Stratton, an investor, and Stephen F. Briggs, an inventor. Between 1920 and 1960, they created a variety of power items for military and agricultural applications. They invented the first lightweight aluminum engines during this time period.

Between 1960 and 1980, their primary focus was lawn and garden items. A variety of related innovations happened during this time, including Easy-Spin starting, automatic choke and lo-tone mufflers for lawn mowers.

There was a lot of focus on creating affordable but durable engines between 1980 and 1995. It was during this time period that the company expanded to the Vanguard engine line and developing engines for commercial and industrial use. They also worked on expanding to offer their products to foreign markets.

2000 through 2010 saw exponential growth for this company. They hired a new president and started focusing on the future for Briggs and Stratton generators and other products. The company bought Generac Portable Generator Systems which resulted in the production of some of the best Briggs and Stratton generator options, as well as other new home products, such as pumps and pressure washers. During this time is when they also acquired several other new brands.

From 2010 until now, they continue to acquire other brands to further the products that they offer. They continue to work on the best Briggs and Stratton generator options while also increasing their geographical reach into new international markets. While we worked on this Briggs and Stratton generator review, we learned that they are focused on innovation and further expanding the brand and the products that they create.

Types of Briggs and Stratton Generators

Briggs and Stratton generators are classified as either standby generators or portable. The best type for you will depend on what you plan to use the device for.

Portable Generators

These generators come in a variety of options and sizes. You can use them for several purposes, including to power your worksite or run some items in your home. Some of these are light enough to be carried with one hand. With these options, there will be a built-in handle to make transporting them fast and easy.

Other portable generators from this brand have a handle and wheels. This allows you to pull the generator along. These ones tend to be a little heavier, but most people can still pull them around with ease.

Of the portable generators offered by Briggs and Stratton, you will find that they are broken up into four different series:

• Elite Series
• QuietPower Series
• PowerSmart Series
• Standard Series

Standby Generators

This brand also has standby generators for your home or a commercial property. These range from an average of 12,000 watts to 20,000 watts. All of them feature an enclosure that will protect the inside components from corrosion and the elements.

With the standby generators, you have different fuel options, such as propane and natural gas. You can also choose to use a transfer switch that is compatible with the model of generator that you choose. This switch makes it possible to connect the generator to your home. Then, when the power goes out, you will have your power restored within seconds without having to physically engage your generator.

Upon restoration of your power, this switch will tell your generator to turn itself off. Because of this, you do not have to worry about too much electricity surging through your home causing damage or putting you at risk for an electrical fire.

Due to the multiple size options, you can find a standby generator from this brand that can power an entire average-sized home. This means that you can keep all of the electrical items working, including your HVAC components, sump pumps and big appliances. When you connect the generator to your home’s natural gas line, it will have a constant source of fuel, eliminating the need for you to have to deal with frequent refilling.

Key Features of Briggs and Stratton Generators

This generator brand offers a wealth of features so that the generators are reliable. You can take advantage of certain other features to ensure efficiency and convenience.

Symphony II Power Management

This feature ensures automatic distribution of power. Your generator will not get overloaded and be forced to shutdown as a result. The generator will work on its own to make sure that your appliances and other items have the power they need without providing too much so that your power stays on.

Corrosion Resistant Enclosure

The enclosures for the standby units use automotive grade galvanneal steel. This material will not rust. On the surface there is a powder coat pain for further durability.

InfoHub Wireless Monitoring

It is important to always know what is happening with your generator. The standby generators made by this brand often have this feature. You can use your mobile device to get things like maintenance reminders and to check on your unit’s status by using this feature.

BlueTooth Connectivity

This feature lets you keep an eye on your generator using your smartphone. You can monitor several elements of your unit, such as power usage, fuel level and run time in real time. With this information, it is easy to see when you need to do things like change the oil or refill the fuel tank.

Multi-Feature Control Panel

Several of the portable generators have this feature. You have access to several outlet types so that you can plug in a variety of worksite and home items. Many of the portable generators also have rubber outlet covers on this panel to protect them against bad weather when you are not using them.

Never-Flat Wheels

On the portable generators that have wheel kits, most of them feature wheels that will never go flat. You can pull the device across multiple terrain types without having to worry about doing damage to the wheels.

PowerSurge Alternator

This feature essentially leverages power. A short surge of a higher level of power allows you to start items that are bigger without sacrificing the power going to the smaller items that you already have plugged into your generator. For example, if you are operating a light, it will continue to have power when you plug in your refrigerator and get it going.

The Following Are Among the Best Briggs and Stratton Generators

When we were compiling the information needed for this Briggs and Stratton generator review, we found out that a few Briggs and Stratton generators stood out among the rest. These have diverse applications and all of the features that you need to maintain power in various environments.

Briggs and Stratton 030741 Portable Generator

Briggs and Stratton 030741 Portable Generator gets approximately nine hours of run-time at 50 percent load. With a large fuel tank, you can add up to 7 gallons of gas at once, cutting down how often you will have to refill it when you are using this generator. It uses unleaded gasoline, so it is easy to find fuel at any gas station, making this one of the best Briggs and Stratton generator choices. This generator has 10,000 starting watts and 8,000 running watts.

The generator’s engine is an overhead valve type, ensuring quieter operation and longevity. You start the 420 cc engine with a key start that features recoil. Use the hour meter to see how long your generator has been operating. With this information, it is easier to determine when you will need to tackle the next maintenance task. Via Bluetooth, you can monitor things like power usage, the fuel level, run time and it sends maintenance reminders.

Briggs and Stratton Q6500 Inverter Generator

The Briggs and Stratton Q6500 Inverter Generator functions at 66 decibels making it very quiet. It has 6,500 starting watts and 5,000 funning watts. This is one of the best Briggs and Stratton generator options because you get about 9.5 hours of run-time when you run it at half load. Use the recoil start to engage the engine quickly when you need to get power. Add up to five gallons of gasoline to the fuel tank.

There are seven outlets on this generator, allowing you to power a variety of items at the same time. It has a powerful engine with a displacement of 306 cc, which makes sure that the generator performs well. The overload protection and automatic voltage regulation ensure that your items remain safe when you have them plugged in. Enjoy a high level of efficiency due to the built-in inverter which also promotes greater engine and power reliability.

Briggs and Stratton 030736 Gas Portable Generator

The Briggs and Stratton 030736 Gas Portable Generator has 4,375 starting watts and 3,500 running watts. When you use it at 50 percent load, the run-time is about eight hours. Take advantage of the metal fuel tank that holds four gallons of gas so that you have to refuel less often. It features a powerful 208 cc engine, ensuring that you have lasting and reliable power.

The comprehensive control panel features standard 120-volt outlets that allow you to connect typical household items. You also have an RV outlet of 120 volts, making this one of the best Briggs and Stratton generator options for when you are traveling in your RV.

There is a Power Surge Alternator on this generator. This helps to get motor-driven items that are big started without reducing the power being provided to smaller things that you have plugged in. With its no-flat wheels and handle, you can easily put the generator into place.