Generac vs Champion at a Glance

Category Generac Champion
Home standby sizes listed 10, 14, 18, 22, 24, 26 and 28 kW home-sized models; larger models up to 150 kW 8.5 and 12.5 kW Select Circuit systems; 10, 14, 18, 22 and 26 kW whole-house systems
Fuel Natural gas or LP (diesel models also listed) Propane or natural gas
Standard warranty term 5 years or 2,000 hours 10 years or 2,000 hours
Labor coverage Years 1-2 (with travel, capped at 100 miles or 3 hours) Years 1-2 (with mileage); parts only in years 3-10
Transfer switch Sold with or without Sold as a system with a transfer switch (2-year limited warranty on the 26 kW system's switch)
Warranty start Successful start-up and/or online activation Activation by an Authorized Champion Home Standby Dealer
How you buy Authorized Generac dealers (Select, Elite, Elite Plus and Premier tiers) Champion home standby dealer/installer locator

Output differs by fuel. For example, Champion rates its 22 kW system at 22,000 watts on propane and 19,800 watts on natural gas, so compare the rating on the fuel your home uses.

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.

Champion's product pages list home standby systems from the 8.5 kW Select Circuit (8,500 watts on propane, 7,500 on natural gas) through the 10 kW, 14 kW aXis, 18 kW and 22 kW whole-house systems to the 26 kW, rated 26 kW on propane and 23.4 kW on natural gas. Each is sold with a transfer switch, offered in several amperages.

Champion's smallest systems are Select Circuit units that back up chosen circuits rather than the whole house. Generac starts at 10 kW but goes far higher; if your home needs more than 26 kW, Champion's lineup does not reach it.

Warranty: Longer Term, Similar Labor Window

Champion. Champion's product pages advertise a 10-year limited warranty. The operator's manual for the 22 kW model 201202 sets it out: 10 years or 2,000 hours, whichever comes first, from successful activation by an Authorized Champion Home Standby Dealer. Years 1-2 have limited comprehensive coverage on mileage, labor and parts; years 3-10 cover parts only. The manual says genuine Champion parts must be used to keep coverage and that overtime, holiday or emergency labor outside normal business hours is the customer's responsibility. The 26 kW system's transfer switch has a 2-year limited warranty, and Champion also advertises free lifetime technical support.

Generac. The Generac 5-year limited warranty runs 5 years or 2,000 hours from 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 (engine short block and alternator rotor and stator). Travel is limited to 100 miles or 3 hours round trip, and warranty work goes through an Independent Authorized Service Dealer. See our Generac warranty guide.

What that means: Champion's parts coverage runs twice as long, but both brands stop covering labor after year 2, and both caps include a 2,000-hour limit. A long outage history or heavy use can reach the hour limit before the calendar limit.

How You Buy and Get Service

  • Champion's site offers a Home Standby Dealer Locator alongside a retailer list and store locator. Because the warranty starts at activation by an authorized Champion home standby dealer, buy and install through one.
  • Generac connects homeowners with Authorized Generac Dealers. Its dealer tiers page describes Select, Elite, Elite Plus and Premier dealers, with Premier dealers employing at least four factory-trained technicians. See how to find a Generac dealer.

Neither manufacturer publishes a dealer count we could verify. Check each locator for your ZIP code before you decide; warranty value depends on having a dealer who will come out.

Features Worth Comparing

  • Cold weather: Champion's 14, 18 and 26 kW pages describe a 24V starting system that operates down to -22°F, and the 14 kW page says no warming kit is necessary. Ask a Generac dealer which cold-weather accessories your model needs.
  • Remote monitoring: Generac's catalog lists standby models with cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. Ask whether monitoring needs a subscription for either brand.
  • Transfer switch fit: Champion sells each size with a specific switch, such as 100A, 150A or 200A. Generac lists generators with and without switches. Make sure both quotes include equivalent switching.

Who Each Brand Suits

Champion may suit you if:

  • An 8.5-26 kW system covers your loads, including a small Select Circuit setup
  • You want the longest warranty term on parts
  • An authorized Champion home standby dealer serves your area

Generac may suit you if:

  • You need 24 or 28 kW, or more than 26 kW
  • You want several dealers to compete on the same job
  • You want to choose a dealer by published tier

How to Choose

  1. Size the load first with the generator size calculator.
  2. Check both locators for dealers who install and service each brand.
  3. Compare complete written quotes with the quote comparison tool, and check typical ranges in the whole-house generator cost guide.
  4. Read both warranty statements, especially years 3 onward and the 2,000-hour limit.
  5. Ask about service response and maintenance plans.

For more options, see our Generac alternatives guide, Generac vs Briggs & Stratton, Generac vs Kohler and Generac vs Cummins. Brand details: the Generac guide, the Champion guide and the Champion 22 kW (201202).

Generac vs Champion FAQs

Is Champion as good as Generac for home standby?

Neither is better for every home. Champion offers a longer warranty term and an 8.5-26 kW range; Generac offers more sizes and larger models. Local dealer support and the complete quote usually decide it.

Which has the better warranty, Generac or Champion?

Champion's term is longer: 10 years or 2,000 hours versus Generac's 5 years or 2,000 hours. Both cover labor only in years 1-2; after that Champion covers parts and Generac covers parts in year 3 and major components in years 4-5.

What sizes do Champion home standby generators come in?

Champion lists 8.5 and 12.5 kW Select Circuit systems and 10, 14, 18, 22 and 26 kW whole-house systems, each sold with a transfer switch.

Does Champion make a generator larger than 26 kW?

Not in the home standby lineup listed on Champion's site. Generac's residential gaseous catalog lists models up to 150 kW.

Do I need a dealer to install a Champion standby generator?

For full warranty coverage, yes in practice: Champion's warranty starts at activation by an Authorized Champion Home Standby Dealer.

Do both brands run on natural gas and propane?

Yes. Both are listed for natural gas or propane. Output differs by fuel; Champion's systems, for example, are rated lower on natural gas than on propane.

Sources