Generator Handbook

Generac vs Kohler vs Briggs & Stratton standby generators

Every cell quotes the specific document revision named in its citation, retrieved on the date shown there. Manufacturers revise warranty and pricing documents — confirm the current version with the manufacturer or an authorized dealer before relying on a term.

ComparisonGeneracKohlerBriggs & Stratton
Product lines and sizing rangeNot published yet.Not published yet.Not published yet.
Fuel optionsNot published yet.Not published yet.Not published yet.
Warranty coverage
  • Generac publishes a 5-year (5M) limited warranty for residential standby generators: coverage runs five years or 2,000 operating hours, whichever occurs first; normal maintenance is excluded, and warranty repair requires evaluation by Generac or an authorized dealer. (Generac Power Systems, Inc. source, retrieved 2026-07-07; Verified Fact; EV-GEN-WTY-0001#C1)
  • Generac's 5-year (5M) limited warranty coverage is tiered by year for units in the USA, USA Territories, and Canada: years 1–2 cover parts, labor, and limited travel; year 3 covers parts only; years 4–5 cover a major parts component only. (Generac Power Systems, Inc. source, retrieved 2026-07-07; Verified Fact; EV-GEN-WTY-0001#C2)
  • Kohler's residential 5-year comprehensive limited warranty (TP-6969) covers five years from the registered startup date or 2,000 hours, whichever occurs first, including labor and travel (travel up to 200 miles round trip); it requires startup by an authorized Kohler representative and product registration. Normal wear and routine tune-ups are excluded. (Kohler Co. source, retrieved 2026-07-07; Verified Fact; EV-KOH-WTY-0001#C1)
  • Briggs & Stratton states its PowerProtect home standby generators come standard with a 7-year comprehensive warranty covering parts and labor, with travel expenses for authorized service dealers reimbursed for applicable warranty work; dealer-exclusive (DX) PowerProtect models carry a comprehensive 10-year warranty. Exclusions include normal wear and maintenance items (oil, filters, spark plugs, starting batteries), damage from improper installation or misuse, and prime-power or rental use. Warranty terms vary by series and model — check the warranty document for a specific unit. (Briggs & Stratton, LLC archived source, retrieved 2026-07-07; Verified Fact — an unresolved conflict between sources is on record for this term; EV-BAS-WTY-0001#C1)
Dealer and service networkNot published yet.Not published yet.Not published yet.
Transfer switch optionsNot published yet.Not published yet.Not published yet.
Remote monitoringNot published yet.Not published yet.Not published yet.
Noise levelNot published yet.Not published yet.Not published yet.
Price positioningNot published yet.Not published yet.Not published yet.