Generac vs Kohler vs Cummins vs Briggs: 2026 Price Comparison
Side-by-side at every kW tier. No dealer affiliation, no brand bias. Just data.
Price Comparison by kW Tier
| Tier | Generac | Kohler | Cummins | Briggs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13-14 kW | 7258 $4,799 | 14RCA $4,999 | RS13A $4,286 | PowerProtect 13kW $4,535 |
| 17-18 kW | 7259 $5,599 | No 18 kW model - | RS17A $5,167 | PowerProtect+ 18kW $6,017 |
| 20-22 kW | 7260 (22 kW) $6,189 | 20RCA (20 kW) $5,899 | RS20A (20 kW) $5,748 | PowerProtect+ 22kW $6,406 |
| 26 kW | 7327 $7,019 | 26RCA $7,399 | No 26 kW model - | PowerProtect+ 26kW $7,195 |
Top: model. Bottom: generator-only price listed at AP Electric on 8 Oct 2026, before transfer switch and installation. Kohler and Briggs also publish MSRPs on their own sites. Installed estimates are on each size page.
Brand Profiles
Largest service network
Warranty
5-year limited standard
Noise
65-67 dB(A) at normal load, 55-57 in exercise mode (Guardian 14-22 kW spec sheets)
Dealer Network
~9,700 residential dealers nationwide (Generac Q2 2026)
KEY FEATURES
- Mobile Link Wi-Fi monitoring free on Wi-Fi-equipped Guardian models
- Mobile Link 4G LTE cellular accessory sold separately
- Aluminium enclosure in a bisque finish on Guardian models
- Smart Management Modules for load management
BEST FOR
Homeowners who want a wide choice of installers, several competing quotes and easy access to service.
WATCH OUT
Generac now sells newer model numbers (7258, 7259, 7260) alongside Guardian models that AP Electric shows as discontinued. Confirm exactly which model a quote is for.
Publishes its own MSRPs
Warranty
5-year / 2,000-hour limited, covers parts, labour and travel
Noise
67-70 dB(A) in normal operation, 56-66 on exercise (14-26 kW RCA spec sheets, Kohler's own method)
Dealer Network
Not published by Kohler
KEY FEATURES
- MSRP printed for its RES, RCA and RCL home models on Kohler's own site
- OnCue Plus generator management system included
- Aluminium enclosure on the RCA line
- Liquid-cooled RCL line from 24 to 60 kW for very large homes
BEST FOR
Buyers who want a published list price to hold dealer quotes against, and homes that need a liquid-cooled unit above 26 kW.
WATCH OUT
No 18 kW model, so the RCA line jumps from 14 to 20 kW. Check that a Kohler dealer serves your area before committing.
Quiet Connect line
Warranty
5-year / 2,000-hour limited (RS13A)
Noise
Not compared here; see the Cummins spec sheet for the model you are quoted
Dealer Network
Not published by Cummins
KEY FEATURES
- Quiet Connect RS models at 13, 17, 20 and 30 kW
- Extreme-weather versions of the 13, 17 and 20 kW models
- Lowest listed unit price of the four at 13 to 20 kW in October 2026
BEST FOR
Buyers with a trusted Cummins dealer nearby who want the lowest listed unit price at 13 to 20 kW.
WATCH OUT
Where few Cummins dealers serve your area you will get fewer competing installation quotes, which can cancel out the lower unit price.
Longest standard warranty of the four
Warranty
7-year comprehensive (13 kW PowerProtect); 7-year limited (PowerProtect+)
Noise
69 dB(A) (PowerProtect 13kW product page)
Dealer Network
Not published by Briggs and Stratton
KEY FEATURES
- PowerProtect 13 kW and PowerProtect+ 18, 22 and 26 kW
- 7-year warranty, the longest standard term of the four brands
- Corrosion-resistant aluminium enclosure
BEST FOR
Buyers who put the most weight on warranty length.
WATCH OUT
Not the budget brand on listed prices: at 18 and 22 kW it had the highest listed price in October 2026. Owned since 2020 by KPS Capital Partners, which bought the business out of Chapter 11.
Warranty Comparison
| Brand | Standard | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Generac | 5-year limited | Read Generac's limited warranty for labour and travel terms |
| Kohler | 5-year / 2,000-hour limited | Parts, labour and travel for the full period (Kohler spec sheets) |
| Cummins | 5-year / 2,000-hour limited | Read the Cummins limited warranty for labour and travel terms |
| Briggs | 7 years | Comprehensive on the 13 kW PowerProtect; limited on PowerProtect+ models |
Which Brand Should You Choose?
Cummins
Lowest listed unit price of the four at 13, 17 and 20 kW (AP Electric, October 2026). Check dealer coverage first.
Briggs and Stratton
7 years on PowerProtect and PowerProtect+, against 5 years for the other three.
Kohler
Prints an MSRP for every home model, so you can see how far a quote sits above list.
Generac
Roughly 9,700 residential dealers (Q2 2026), the only published count of the four. Safe default.