Brand guide
Briggs & Stratton standby generators
Briggs & Stratton's current residential standby-generator lineup spans 13, 18, 22 and 26 kW across PowerProtect, PowerProtect+ and DX configurations. Current manufacturer pages show starting MSRP examples of $4,460 for the 13 kW, $5,746 for the 18 kW, $6,037 for the base 22 kW and $6,970 for the base 26 kW; installation, transfer equipment, accessories and shipping can add substantially to the final installed price. The buying differences are not just the kW number: natural-gas output, motor-starting capability, transfer-switch packaging, EnergyTrak monitoring, warranty terms and installation footprint can change by model.
Research & editorial responsibility: Standby Generator Resource. Technical claims are checked against the primary sources that actually support the model, product family, location or rule being discussed.
How we research →Plain English
What the Briggs & Stratton terms actually mean
PowerProtect vs. PowerProtect+
PowerProtect is Briggs & Stratton's current home-standby family name. Current product literature also includes PowerProtect+ models with features such as integrated EnergyTrak monitoring, front-facing exhaust, enhanced enclosure protection and model-specific warranty coverage. Do not assume every 13–26 kW unit has the same feature set just because the cabinet looks similar.
Read the official explanation ↗DX
DX identifies alternate current configurations within the PowerProtect family. Match the exact model number and transfer-switch/package details rather than treating 'DX' as a different generator brand or a universal upgrade package.
Read the official explanation ↗Exercise cycle / Eco-Cise
Generator 'exercise' means an automatic scheduled self-test. Briggs says current supported PowerProtect units use a short 16-second Eco-Cise weekly test to reduce routine noise and fuel use. Exact cold-weather behavior and controller settings remain model-specific.
Read the official explanation ↗EnergyTrak
Briggs' current remote-monitoring platform on supported models. It lets an owner check generator status and can give an installer remote troubleshooting information before a service visit.
Read the official explanation ↗NGMax
Briggs' name for its design emphasis on maintaining stronger rated output when the generator runs on natural gas. Compare the actual natural-gas kW rating on the exact model instead of assuming the propane and natural-gas numbers are identical.
Read the official explanation ↗Symphony power management
Briggs' load-management system can prioritize selected high-demand appliances so a homeowner may be able to support more useful loads without simply buying the largest generator available. The correct design still depends on the home's actual loads and transfer equipment.
Read the official explanation ↗Common generator terms
Five terms you should not have to decode
kW (kilowatts)
A measure of generator power. One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. A bigger kW number means more electrical capacity, but it does not automatically mean the generator can run every appliance in every home.
ATS (automatic transfer switch)
The electrical switch that detects a utility outage, disconnects the home from the grid and connects it to generator power. When utility power returns, it switches the home back automatically.
Air-cooled vs. liquid-cooled
Two different ways the engine removes heat. Air-cooled units are common in smaller residential standby systems; liquid-cooled systems are generally used as capacity and engine size increase. Maintenance and installation rules differ.
Exercise / self-test cycle
A scheduled automatic test the generator performs when there is no outage. It is simply checking that the system can start and report faults; it has nothing to do with a workout program.
Load management
A control strategy that delays or prioritizes selected large appliances so they do not all demand power at the same time. It can sometimes let a smaller generator support more of the home without overloading.
What stands out
- Current residential coverage spans compact 13 kW through high-output 26 kW air-cooled models, giving buyers several sizing steps instead of one or two cabinet choices.
- Briggs publishes natural-gas output prominently through its NGMax positioning, which is useful because many homes will actually operate the generator on natural gas rather than propane.
- Supported current PowerProtect models use the short Eco-Cise weekly self-test, while PowerProtect+ models add features such as integrated EnergyTrak remote monitoring and model-specific warranty packages.
- The current official product literature clearly separates PowerProtect, PowerProtect+, DX, automatic-transfer-switch and monitoring documents, which makes exact-model verification possible before purchase.
What to verify
- • Published MSRP is generator price, not installed project cost. Transfer equipment, electrical and gas work, permits, site preparation, accessories and labor can materially change the final quote.
- • Do not compare generators on the headline kW number alone. Verify the natural-gas and propane ratings, motor-starting capability, transfer-switch configuration and managed loads for the exact model.
- • PowerProtect, PowerProtect+ and DX labels can appear across different current configurations. Use the model number and official spec sheet rather than assuming the family name tells you everything included.
- • Battery size, oil, filters, valve checks and service intervals vary by model. Use the exact model and serial information before buying maintenance parts.
- • Warranty terms differ by exact current product. Tie any warranty claim to the model page and written warranty rather than generalizing across the whole brand.
Model families in our research
These cards open current manufacturer information until we have enough verified depth to justify a dedicated model page of our own.
13 kW PowerProtect
Compact current residential model aimed at tighter spaces and essential-load backup. Briggs currently publishes a starting MSRP of $4,460 for its 13 kW PowerProtect model. Verify natural-gas output, ATS package, installation costs and exact model number before comparing quotes.
View official model information ↗18 kW PowerProtect
Current mid-range model with 18 kW published output on both LP and natural gas. Briggs currently publishes a starting MSRP of $5,746; installation, ATS, accessories and shipping are separate. Check whether a quote is for base, Plus or DX equipment and what monitoring is included.
View official model information ↗22 kW PowerProtect / PowerProtect+
Current 22 kW family. The base PowerProtect 22 kW model 040786 publishes 22 kW on both propane and natural gas and a starting MSRP of $6,037. PowerProtect+ and DX versions have their own feature and warranty packages, so compare exact model numbers.
View official model information ↗26 kW PowerProtect / PowerProtect+
High-output current air-cooled family for larger homes and heavy motor loads. The base PowerProtect 26 kW model 040806 currently publishes 26 kW on LP, 24 kW on natural gas and a starting MSRP of $6,970. PowerProtect+ and DX versions differ, so compare the exact model rather than only the 26 kW label.
View official model information ↗What should you do next?
Use the brand guide as a starting point—not a dead end.
My Briggs generator has a problem
Use the Briggs-specific repair path when the unit will not start, shuts down or needs qualified diagnosis.
Open guide →Compare maintenance schedules
Use the five-brand schedule comparison, then confirm the exact PowerProtect model manual before servicing.
Open guide →Size the generator by loads
Compare essential loads, motor starting and load management before choosing 13, 18, 22 or 26 kW from the lineup.
Open guide →Find a Briggs & Stratton dealer
Use the manufacturer's current dealer locator for installation, maintenance, service and model-specific support.
Open manufacturer site ↗Primary sources
Open the manufacturer material behind the claims on this page.