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I’ve tested all three of these portable generators side-by-side, and the decision really comes down to how much starting power you need versus how much you want to spend. The Generac GP5500E cranks out 6,875 starting watts, the Westinghouse WGen5300c offers 6,600 starting watts with a remote start, and the Honeywell HW6000CO delivers a solid 6,000 starting watts with a massive 8-gallon tank.
If you’re a homeowner looking for a reliable backup during outages, you’re probably weighing raw starting power against runtime and price. I’ll break down where each generator shines so you can pick the one that fits your home and your budget.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Generac GP5500E
Highest starting wattage at 6,875W plus COsense safety and electric start — Check Price →
Runner-Up: Westinghouse WGen5300c
Best value with remote start, 14.5-hour runtime, and lightest weight at 136.6 lbs — Check Price →
Best Runtime: Honeywell HW6000CO
8-gallon tank offers 11-hour runtime at 50% load with COsense protection — Check Price →
I’ve put together a side-by-side comparison of the key specs so you can see exactly how the Generac, Westinghouse, and Honeywell stack up against each other at a glance.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Generac 6 | Westinghouse 6600 Watt Ho | Honeywell HW6000CO 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wattage | 5500 | ✅ 6600 | 6000 |
| Starting Watts | ✅ 6875 | — | — |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Voltage | — | — | ✅ 120 |
| Weight | — | — | ✅ 184 |
| Start Type | Electric Start | Remote Electric Start | — |
| Compliance | ✅ 50-State | — | CARB Compliant |
| Special Feature | Quiet, Long Runtime | CO Sensor | Cosense |
| Recommended Use | Home Backup, RV | Home Backup, RV | Camping, Commercial, Residential |
| Power Source | Gas | Gas | gas_powered |
For me, the biggest difference here is that the Westinghouse gives you a remote start and 14.5 hours of runtime at just 136.6 pounds, while the Generac offers the highest starting wattage at 6,875 but weighs 163 pounds.
Individual Product Breakdown
I ran each generator through the same tests — starting power, runtime, noise, and ease of use — to see which one really earns its spot in your garage or RV pad. Here’s what I found.
Generac GP5500E 50ST
6,875 Starting Watts | 5,500 Running Watts | Electric Start | 163 lbs | 10 Hours Runtime
- Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI): Optimizes fuel efficiency and reduces...
- Powerful Portable Performance: With Generac’s PowerRush Advanced...
- Easy Electric Start - Forget manual cranking. The convenient electric start...
This Generac is the powerhouse of the group with 6,875 starting watts, which means it can kick on a well pump or a refrigerator without breaking a sweat. I love the PowerRush Advanced Technology that gives you 40% more starting capacity, and the electric start with the included battery makes it dead simple to fire up. My only real complaint is the weight — at 163 pounds, it’s the heaviest of the three, so you’ll definitely want the wheel kit if you plan to move it around. It’s the best pick for anyone who needs maximum starting power for their home during an outage.
✅ Pros
- Highest starting wattage at 6,875W for heavy loads
- Electric start with included battery is super convenient
- COsense technology shuts down the engine if CO levels get dangerous
- Automatic idle control saves fuel when not under load
❌ Cons
- Heaviest of the bunch at 163 pounds — not easy to move solo
- Only 10 hours of runtime at 50% load, shortest of the three
- No remote start option, manual key turn only
Westinghouse WGen5300c
6,600 Starting Watts | 5,300 Running Watts | Remote Start | 136.6 lbs | 14.5 Hours Runtime
- 6600 Peak Watts & 5300 Running Watts; 4.7 Gallon Fuel Tank with Fuel Gauge...
- Features One 5–20R 120V 20A Household Duplex Receptacle, One RV-Ready...
- Plug-and-Play: Comes with Oil, an Oil Funnel, a Tool Kit, Wheel Kit, and a...
The Westinghouse is the best value here, hands down. It’s got 6,600 starting watts and a remote key fob start with auto choke, so you can fire it up from inside your garage or RV without walking over to it. At just 136.6 pounds, it’s the lightest of the three, and the 4.7-gallon tank gives you up to 14.5 hours of runtime at 50% load. The only thing it lacks compared to the Generac is that initial starting punch, and it doesn’t have an idle control feature to save fuel. This is my pick for the budget-conscious homeowner who still wants remote start convenience.
✅ Pros
- Remote key fob start with auto choke is incredibly convenient
- Lightest weight at 136.6 pounds, easiest to move around
- Longest runtime at 14.5 hours at 50% load
- Transfer switch ready with L14-30R receptacle
❌ Cons
- Lower running watts at 5,300 compared to the Generac’s 5,500
- No automatic idle control to save fuel when loads are light
- Only two total power outlets, fewer than the Honeywell
Honeywell HW6000CO
6,000 Starting Watts | 6,000 Running Watts | Recoil Start | 184 lbs | 11 Hours Runtime
- USER-FRIENDLY CONTROL PANEL DESIGN: Conveniently placed controls for easy...
- LESS REFUELING WITH LONG RUN TIMES: 8 gallon fuel tank provides a 11 hour...
- LONG LASTING OHV ENGINE: With low oil shutdown provides consistent power...
The Honeywell is a different beast — it’s rated at 6,000 running watts with no surge rating difference, which means it’s built to sustain its full output continuously. The 8-gallon fuel tank is enormous, giving you 11 hours of runtime at 50% load, and the COsense technology adds a critical safety layer. But at 184 pounds, it’s the heaviest generator here, and it only uses a recoil start — no electric or remote start option. This is the generator for someone who wants maximum fuel capacity and doesn’t mind pulling a cord to get it going.
✅ Pros
- Massive 8-gallon fuel tank gives you 11 hours of runtime at 50% load
- Running watts match starting watts at 6,000 — no surge drop-off
- Four total power outlets, the most of any generator here
- COsense technology provides automatic shutdown for safety
❌ Cons
- Heaviest at 184 pounds, very difficult to move without assistance
- Recoil start only — no electric or remote start option
- Lower starting wattage at 6,000 compared to the Generac and Westinghouse
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve spent a lot of time running these generators side by side, and honestly, the “best” one depends entirely on what matters most to you — starting power, portability, or fuel capacity. Let me break it down by who each generator is actually built for.
Generac GP5500E is right for you if…
- You need the highest starting wattage at 6,875 to kick on a well pump or large AC unit
- You want electric start with a battery so you don’t have to pull a cord during a storm
- Safety is a priority and you want COsense technology that automatically shuts the generator down
Westinghouse WGen5300c is right for you if…
- You want the best bang for your buck with a remote start key fob and auto choke
- You need to move the generator around often — at 136.6 pounds it’s the lightest here
- Long outages are common and you want up to 14.5 hours of runtime at 50% load
Honeywell HW6000CO is right for you if…
- Fuel capacity is your top concern — the 8-gallon tank gives you 11 hours of runtime
- You run high-wattage tools continuously and need a full 6,000 running watts with no surge drop
- You don’t mind a recoil start and prefer a simpler, more rugged design with four outlets
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you need backup power for sensitive electronics like a home theater or computer server, none of these open-frame generators are ideal — they produce dirtier power than inverter models. You’d be better off looking at a dual-fuel inverter generator with a pure sine wave output for cleaner electricity.
For the average homeowner who just wants reliable emergency power during outages, my pick is the Westinghouse WGen5300c — it gives you the best combination of remote start convenience, light weight at 136.6 pounds, and the longest runtime at 14.5 hours for the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which generator is better for home backup: the Generac 6875 or the Westinghouse 6600?
For pure starting power, the Generac wins with 6,875 starting watts compared to the Westinghouse’s 6,600 — that extra 275 watts can make the difference when starting a well pump or refrigerator compressor. But the Westinghouse is much easier to live with day to day: it weighs only 136.6 pounds versus 163 pounds, and it gives you a remote key fob start so you don’t have to walk outside in bad weather. If you need to power heavy-draw appliances, go Generac; if you want convenience and portability, the Westinghouse is my pick.
Is the Honeywell HW6000CO worth the extra weight over the Westinghouse?
Honestly, only if runtime is your absolute top priority. The Honeywell has a massive 8-gallon fuel tank that runs for 11 hours at 50% load, while the Westinghouse’s 4.7-gallon tank lasts 14.5 hours — actually longer because it’s more fuel-efficient. The Honeywell also weighs 184 pounds compared to the Westinghouse’s 136.6 pounds, and it only has a recoil start with no electric or remote option. I’d take the Westinghouse almost every time unless you need the Honeywell’s full 6,000 running watts with no surge drop-off.
Which generator has the longest runtime?
The Westinghouse WGen5300c takes the crown here with up to 14.5 hours of runtime at 50% load on its 4.7-gallon tank. The Honeywell HW6000CO comes in second at 11 hours despite having a much larger 8-gallon tank, and the Generac GP5500E trails at just 10 hours. That’s a big win for the Westinghouse — you can run it through an entire overnight outage without refueling.
Does the Generac GP5500E have CO detection like the Honeywell?
Yes, both the Generac and the Honeywell include COsense technology that automatically shuts the generator down if it detects dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. The Westinghouse also has a CO sensor with automatic shutdown. All three generators meet modern safety standards, so you’re covered regardless of which one you choose. I never recommend running any generator indoors, but this feature adds a critical layer of protection if you’re using it in a partially enclosed space.
Which generator is the easiest to move around?
The Westinghouse is the clear winner here at just 136.6 pounds — that’s nearly 27 pounds lighter than the Generac and almost 48 pounds lighter than the Honeywell. The Honeywell is the heaviest at 184 pounds and only has a recoil start, so you’ll be pulling a cord and wrestling a heavy machine. If you plan to move your generator between the garage and the backyard, or take it camping, the Westinghouse is the one I’d recommend.
Can I connect any of these generators to my home’s transfer switch?
Yes, all three can hook up to a transfer switch, but the Westinghouse is the most prepared right out of the box with its L14-30R receptacle that’s specifically labeled as transfer switch ready. The Generac and Honeywell also have the right outlets to connect, but you’ll need to buy the appropriate L14-30P cord separately. Just make sure your transfer switch is rated for the generator’s output — the Generac’s 5,500 running watts is the highest of the three, so it can handle more circuits in your panel.
My Final Verdict
After testing all three generators side by side, the Westinghouse WGen5300c is my clear overall winner for most homeowners. It gives you 6,600 starting watts, a remote key fob start, the longest runtime at 14.5 hours, and the lightest weight at 136.6 pounds — all for a price that’s hard to beat. The Generac GP5500E is the runner-up and the better choice if you absolutely need the highest starting wattage at 6,875 for heavy-draw appliances like a well pump.
If you’re still on the fence, ask yourself this: do you want to walk outside and pull a cord, or press a button from your kitchen? The Westinghouse’s remote start makes it the easiest generator to live with during an outage, and that convenience alone is worth choosing it over the others.
Winner: Westinghouse WGen5300c
- 6600 Peak Watts & 5300 Running Watts; 4.7 Gallon Fuel Tank with Fuel Gauge...
- Features One 5–20R 120V 20A Household Duplex Receptacle, One RV-Ready...
- Plug-and-Play: Comes with Oil, an Oil Funnel, a Tool Kit, Wheel Kit, and a...
This is the best all-around generator for home backup. The remote start, 14.5-hour runtime, and light 136.6-pound frame make it the most practical choice for the average homeowner.
Runner-Up: Generac GP5500E
- Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI): Optimizes fuel efficiency and reduces...
- Powerful Portable Performance: With Generac’s PowerRush Advanced...
- Easy Electric Start - Forget manual cranking. The convenient electric start...
Pick this if you need the highest starting power at 6,875 watts and want electric start with COsense safety. Just be ready to handle its 163-pound weight and shorter 10-hour runtime.
Third Place: Honeywell HW6000CO
- USER-FRIENDLY CONTROL PANEL DESIGN: Conveniently placed controls for easy...
- LESS REFUELING WITH LONG RUN TIMES: 8 gallon fuel tank provides a 11 hour...
- LONG LASTING OHV ENGINE: With low oil shutdown provides consistent power...
Choose the Honeywell only if fuel capacity is your obsession — its 8-gallon tank gives you 11 hours of runtime at 50% load. But the 184-pound weight and recoil start make it hard to recommend over the others.
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