Generac vs Briggs & Stratton at a Glance

Category Generac Briggs & Stratton
Home standby sizes listed 10, 14, 18, 22, 24, 26 and 28 kW home-sized models; larger models up to 150 kW PowerProtect and PowerProtect+ from 13 kW to 26 kW (18, 22 and 26 kW in both lines)
Fuel Natural gas or LP (diesel models also listed) Natural gas or LP
Standard warranty 5 years or 2,000 hours 7-year comprehensive limited warranty
Labor and travel coverage Years 1-2, travel capped at 100 miles or 3 hours Parts, labor and travel for 7 years (PowerProtect+ page)
Where warranty work happens Independent Authorized Service Dealers Authorized dealers and installers
How you buy Authorized Generac dealers (Select, Elite, Elite Plus and Premier tiers) Authorized Briggs & Stratton dealers and installers
Home battery storage Sold (solar battery storage) Sold (battery storage)

Output differs by fuel and by model, so compare the rating on the fuel your home will actually use.

Size and Fuel Range

Generac's residential gaseous catalog lists home-sized standby models at 10, 14, 18, 22, 24, 26 and 28 kW, plus larger units from 25 kW up to 150 kW and a separate diesel range. That depth matters if your load calculation lands between common sizes or above 26 kW.

Briggs & Stratton's residential standby lineup is narrower: the PowerProtect line at 13, 18, 22 and 26 kW and the PowerProtect+ line at 18, 22 and 26 kW, with DX variants of several models. Product pages such as the PowerProtect 22kW list fuel consumption on both LP and natural gas.

If your home needs more than 26 kW, Briggs & Stratton's residential lineup does not reach it; Generac, Kohler and Cummins all list larger home standby models.

Warranty: The Clearest Difference

Generac. The Generac 5-year limited warranty runs 5 years or 2,000 hours, whichever comes first, starting at successful start-up and/or online activation. Years 1-2 cover parts, labor and travel; year 3 covers parts; years 4-5 cover major components only (the engine short block and alternator rotor and stator). Travel is limited to 100 miles or 3 hours round trip, and warranty work must be handled by an Independent Authorized Service Dealer. Our Generac warranty guide explains each year.

Briggs & Stratton. Each PowerProtect product page lists a "7-Year Comprehensive" limited warranty. The PowerProtect+ 26kW page says the coverage includes parts, labor and travel for a full 7 years, and PowerProtect pages describe it as having no out-of-pocket costs for labor, parts and service. Briggs & Stratton points buyers to the operator's manual for complete warranty terms, so ask the dealer for the full statement for your model.

On the published terms, Briggs & Stratton covers labor and travel for five more years than Generac's standard warranty. Read both documents for exclusions such as routine maintenance and wear items before you sign.

How You Buy and Get Service

Both brands sell home standby generators through dealers rather than as a do-it-yourself retail purchase.

  • Generac says it connects homeowners with Authorized Generac Dealers. Its dealer tiers page describes Select dealers (not every Select dealer offers installation and service), Elite dealers with at least one factory-trained technician, Elite Plus dealers with at least two and 24/7 emergency support, and Premier dealers with at least four. PowerPro dealers offer financing. See how to find a Generac dealer.
  • Briggs & Stratton directs buyers to authorized dealers and installers for standby generators and battery storage, through its dealer locator.

Neither manufacturer publishes a dealer count we could verify, so check each locator for your ZIP code. A brand with a better warranty is worth less if nobody nearby can service it promptly.

Features Worth Comparing

  • Weekly exercise: Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect pages describe a 16-second Eco-Cise weekly test mode. Ask any dealer how long and how often the generator you are quoted exercises, and whether you can schedule it.
  • Remote monitoring: the PowerProtect+ 26kW page lists built-in EnergyTrak remote monitoring. Generac's standby models are listed with cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity in its catalog. Confirm whether monitoring needs a subscription.
  • Transfer switch: Generac lists models with and without a transfer switch, and Briggs & Stratton's PowerProtect 13kW page notes that its starting price excludes the automatic transfer switch and installation, so check that every quote includes the same switch type and amperage.
  • Battery storage: both companies also sell home battery systems, which some homes pair with or use instead of a generator. See whole-house generator vs home battery.

Who Each Brand Suits

Generac may suit you if:

  • Your load calculation calls for a size Briggs & Stratton does not list, such as 10, 14, 24 or 28 kW, or anything above 26 kW
  • You have several Generac dealers nearby and want competing quotes
  • You want to choose a dealer by published tier

Briggs & Stratton may suit you if:

  • A 13, 18, 22 or 26 kW unit covers your loads
  • You want labor and travel covered beyond two years
  • A well-reviewed Briggs & Stratton dealer serves your area

How to Choose

  1. Size the load first with the generator size calculator, so both quotes target the same output on the same fuel.
  2. Check both locators for authorized dealers who install and service each brand near you.
  3. Get complete written quotes and compare them line by line with the quote comparison tool. Typical ranges are in the whole-house generator cost guide.
  4. Read each warranty statement, noting what each year covers and the travel limits.
  5. Ask about service capacity after storms and maintenance plans.

Looking beyond these two brands? See our Generac alternatives guide, Generac vs Kohler, Generac vs Cummins and Generac vs Champion. Brand details: the Generac guide, the Briggs & Stratton guide and the PowerProtect+ 26 kW.

Generac vs Briggs & Stratton FAQs

Is Briggs & Stratton better than Generac?

Neither is better for every home. Briggs & Stratton publishes a longer comprehensive warranty, while Generac lists many more sizes. The local dealer, the exact model and the complete installed quote usually decide it.

Which has the better warranty, Generac or Briggs & Stratton?

On published terms, Briggs & Stratton: its PowerProtect models carry a 7-year comprehensive limited warranty covering parts, labor and travel. Generac's standard warranty is 5 years or 2,000 hours, with labor and travel only in years 1-2.

What sizes do Briggs & Stratton standby generators come in?

Briggs & Stratton's residential lineup lists PowerProtect models at 13, 18, 22 and 26 kW and PowerProtect+ models at 18, 22 and 26 kW, with DX variants.

Does Generac make larger home generators than Briggs & Stratton?

Yes. Generac's residential gaseous catalog lists models from 10 kW up to 150 kW, while Briggs & Stratton's residential standby lineup tops out at 26 kW.

Do both brands run on natural gas and propane?

Yes. Both brands' home standby generators are listed for natural gas or LP, and output differs by fuel, so compare the rating on your fuel.

Can I buy either brand without a dealer?

Both manufacturers direct home standby buyers to authorized dealers or installers, and Generac's warranty requires warranty work by an Independent Authorized Service Dealer.

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