Published Aug 4, 2022 1:00 PM
When most people consider upgrading their homes to take advantage of sustainable energy, they run right to solar panels without considering other options, like wind turbines. While a residential wind turbine doesn’t typically generate enough power on its own to power a house entirely, it can handle a substantial portion of your power needs. It’s enough to drastically reduce your energy bills and, when paired with solar panels and other sustainable power sources, makes off-grid living possible. Whether you want to do your part and help our energy grid go green, give your home its own sustainable power source, or simply want to take a bite out of your energy bills, the best home wind turbines provide a reliable source of sustainable electricity wherever the wind blows.
How we picked the best home wind turbines
As a tech-nut and green energy enthusiast, I’ve covered a wide range of sustainable energy products for the likes of Popular Science, Scientific American, The Daily Beast, The Manual, and more. These extensively researched selections represent the best wind turbines available right now, based on a combination of first-hand trials, input from industry professionals, and impressions from real buyers.
One critical caveat: In light of ongoing supply chain issues, we’ve elected to focus on turbines that are regularly available from major retailers like Amazon and Home Depot. There are several well-respected options that we’ve elected to leave out at this time, as they have not been in stock and may not be available again for the foreseeable future. We will update this story as more choices become widely available.
What to consider when buying a wind turbine
Not all residential wind turbines are created equal. Many don’t generate enough power to make a meaningful difference for many homes. Some are prohibitively expensive or too large to be for residential use. Whatever the case, there are a few things to consider when choosing a wind turbine for your home.
What you can get out of a home wind turbine
According to the Energy Information Administration, The average home in the United States uses approximately 10,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. To generate that much power, you need alternative energy sources that can harness nearly 30 kWh per day.
Realistically, you aren’t going to generate that much power using wind turbines. With ideal wind conditions, a single home turbine kit should produce about 3 kWh per day. To fully take your home off-grid, you’ll need several industrial-grade wind turbines or a combination of wind turbines and solar panels (the kind you install on your roof or in your backyard, as opposed to the portable kind).
If you adjust your expectations, though, you can get a lot out of even a single home wind turbine. A turbine that generates a maximum output of 400 watts (W) will give you up to 1.3 kWH per day. That’s enough to shave 4 percent off an average 30 kWh electric bill, or power a fridge and a few small devices if the power goes out.
We recommend shooting for the largest possible output that fits your budget and home. Some of our top picks generate 1000W or higher, which can knock the average energy bill down by 10 percent, or provide a moderate amount of backup power.
Who should buy a wind turbine?
Wind turbines can produce a fair amount of green electricity for you, but they need to be placed well. That means you need to take a good, hard look at your property and figure out whether wind power makes sense.
With freestanding turbines, you typically want a large open space like a field, large yard, or hilltop position. For a rooftop turbine, you need to find a spot on your roof that won’t be obstructed by trees where you can secure the turbine safely. Make sure your roof can handle the weight, and it probably shouldn’t be at a sharp incline.
If you don’t want a wide open space or safe spot on your roof that isn’t obstructed, you won’t be able to get the maximum output from the turbines. In that case, you may want to look at other ways of generating sustainable energy.
Type of wind turbine
Wind turbines vary greatly in regard to size, form, power output, and installation difficulty. The one that is right for you depends on your home, space, power needs, and building experience.
Some wind turbines are smaller and designed to be installed directly onto your roof. They take advantage of the faster winds that tend to whip over your house. These are usually less expensive but they typically generate smaller power outputs. Also, you need to install them on your roof, which may be dangerous.
Standalone turbines tend to be significantly more powerful, but are usually more expensive and require a lot of open space like a field or an unblocked hilltop. They’re also often difficult to install. A rooftop turbine is relatively straightforward to bolt in place while standalone turbines require digging to seat the pole, structural support, running wires to the house, and so on.
Lastly, boat-owners can install smaller marine turbines to help power devices and equipment. While they don’t produce all that much power, they’re built to withstand maritime conditions and can be a great way to ensure that your batteries stay topped off.
Wind speed in your area
All of the specs about power production for wind turbines highlight their best output under ideal wind conditions. The average wind speed where you live can play a huge role in picking the right turbine for your home. To understand how wind speed impacts a turbine, we’ll need to define a few terms:
- Starting wind speed: the speed at which the blades turn but don’t yet produce usable power.
- Rated wind speed: the speed at which the turbine reaches its maximum energy output.
- Safe or “survival” wind speed: the maximum speed before the turbine becomes vulnerable to damage.
Check your local wind averages, including average lows and highs, to make sure that a particular turbine suits your area. Look for a turbine with a starting wind speed below your local average to ensure it works often. If you live somewhere where severe weather conditions occur regularly, safe speed will also be very important.
Installation and maintenance
Anytime you’re messing with your home electrical system, the first rule of thumb is: Hire a professional if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Installing a wind turbine takes a fair amount of know-how. Some of the turbines are very heavy, so the risk of injury is high—doubly so if you’re getting on your roof. Even if you manage to set up the turbine, it will still need to connect to your home’s power, which you leave to a professional. Realistically, most people should consult with a contractor and electrician for this kind of installation.
Also, keep in mind that your wind turbine will need long-term maintenance. While some are designed to operate for over a decade without a tune-up, you will occasionally want an expert to come to look your system over and make repairs as necessary.
Price
Like solar generators and virtually any kind of power storage, home wind turbines are usually expensive. They come in a wide range of sizes and prices, from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Moreover, while we’ve highlighted comparatively good options at many price points, the turbines that generate a meaningful amount will be fairly expensive.
Like installing solar panels on or around your home, you should think of setting up a wind turbine as a home improvement project and an investment. If you buy a better turbine, you will notice a bigger difference in your energy bills, and likely recoup the cost of installing it more quickly.
The best home wind turbines: Reviews & Recommendations
Our favorite residential wind turbines are made for many purposes and budgets. Some offer a substantial step toward personal energy independence, while others offer a small amount of backup power. Whatever you’re looking for, there should be a turbine for you on this list.
Best overall: Tumo-Int 1000W 3 Blades 48V Wind Turbine Generator Kit
Why it made the cut: The Tumo-Int 1000W delivers solid power output combined with reliable design at a relatively affordable price.
Specs
- Form factor: Standalone
- Rated Power: 1000W max output
- Start-up wind speed: 6 mph
- Rated wind speed: 28 mph
- Safe wind speed: 90 mph
Pros
- Strong output
- Reliable design
- Automatic direction adjustment
- Low noise and vibration
Cons
You’ll need a powerful wind turbine to make a serious dent in your energy bill. When placed well, Tumo-Int 1000W can deliver that kind of power. It performs well at lower wind speeds and boasts a number of features that you won’t find in lesser turbines, such as automatic direction adjustment to boost efficiency.
It’s made to last, and rated for 15 years of maintenance-free operation. It features electromagnetic over-speed protection and overcharge protection to increase its lifespan. It’s also just solidly built: It can survive a bad tropical storm or even a low-level hurricane.
Best backyard: Automaxx Windmill 1500W Wind Turbine
Why it made the cut: The Automaxx Windmill 1500W Wind Turbine offers high output if you’ve got the space for it.
Specs
- Form factor: Standalone
- Rated Power: 1500W max output
- Start-up wind speed: 5.6 mph
- Rated wind speed: 31 mph
- Safe wind speed: 110 mph
Pros
- Strong output
- Reliable design
- Bluetooth controllable
- Automatic and manual braking system
Cons
- Very expensive
- Limited customer support
If you’re looking for a freestanding wind turbine for your backyard, the Automaxx Windmill 1500W is a powerful—if expensive—option. It offers a hearty 1500 watts of continuous output and operates at a relatively wide range of wind speeds.
It also features maximum power point tracking (MPPT) that avoids voltage surges due to strong wind gusts and boasts both automatic and manual braking. The MPPT Controller can be monitored and controlled via Bluetooth.
It’s certainly not cheap, but it’s a great home wind turbine if you’re willing to invest.
Best system: Auecoor 800W 12V 24V Solar Panel Wind Turbine Kit
Why it made the cut: This kit from Auecoor combines solar panels and wind turbines for a more comprehensive green energy solution.
Specs
- Form factor: Standalone and solar panels
- Rated Power: 400W max output
- Start-up wind speed: 6 mph
- Rated wind speed: 23.5 mph
- Safe wind speed: 80 mph
Pros
- All-weather green energy
- Easy installation
- Decent power output
Cons
- Not made from great parts
- Pole not included
Wind turbines and solar panels are a natural match. Turbines often work best at night when wind speeds tend to be faster, while solar panels store up plenty of energy during the day. Auecoor sells a green energy combo that pairs the two to generate up to 800W of power per hybrid kit. That isn’t enough to power a full home, but the combination provides enough electricity throughout the day to keep your batteries topped or power a smattering of small appliances.
Candidly, this is as much a recommendation of the concept as it is the actual gear here. Mixing solar panels and a wind turbine is an awesome idea and this kit allows you to do so for less than $1,000, which is quite cheap. That said, users report that the components have a plasticky feel to them, which doesn’t instill a ton of confidence in the product overall. Auecoor offers a 6-year material and workmanship warranty, however, so you have some protection.
Best small: Pacific Sky Power Survival Wind Turbine Generator
Why it made the cut: This turbine from Pacific Power Sky is ultra-portable and surprisingly affordable.
Specs
- Form factor: Standalone
- Rated Power: 15W max output
- Start-up wind speed: 8 mph
- Rated wind speed: 25 mph
- Safe wind speed: 40 mph
Pros
- Super portable
- No installation required
- Solid build quality
- Good customer service
Cons
Generating just 15W, the Survival Wind Turbine Generator from Pacific Sky Power is a portable power generator that can help you power up a phone, laptop, or another small device in an emergency situation when you’ve lost power or are far from any other power source.
Folding down to just a few square inches and weighing a mere 3 pounds, this tiny turbine is ideal for camping or backup van-life juice (when you’re off-grid, it never hurts to back up your solar generator back-up). It’s built to last, and won’t short out in the rain.
Obviously, this is not the kind of turbine you want if you’re looking to upgrade your home, but it’s a very useful (and comparatively affordable) way to get basic emergency power anywhere.
Best off-grid: Ramsond Atlas LM3500 Wind Turbine
Why it made the cut: For big power and big durability, the Atlas LM3500 provides the off-grid performance and reliability you need.
Specs
- Form factor: Standalone
- Rated power: 3,000W
- Start-up wind speed: 4.5 mph
- Rated wind speed: 28 mph
- Safe wind speed: 110 mph
Pros
- High power output
- Built to last
- Low noise and vibration
- Professional appearance
Cons
If you’re looking for the most power you can get from a single wind-based power source at home, you’ll need a very big turbine. Atlas’ 3,000W LM3500 delivers much more power than any of our other picks and it’s very well built. It’s capable of generating 175 kWh per month, or roughly a quarter of the typical power needs of a low-power-usage home, at less than half its rated wind speed.
With a few of them, or with one and a set of solar panels, you should be able to generate enough power to run an off-grid cabin or a farm that requires intermittent electricity. It’s also solidly built and will provide many years of reliable performance.
It’s certainly not cheap and, at just over 200 pounds, it’s pretty heavy. Given the weight, it also won’t be easy to install. That said, if you have a good place to put it, you’ll have plenty of reliable power.
Best cheap: Pikasola Wind Turbine Generator Kit
Why it made the cut: The Pikasola Wind Turbine Generator Kit delivers decent power output with easy installation at a great price.
Specs
- Form factor: Wall/roof mounted
- Rated power: 400W
- Start-up wind speed: 6 mph
- Rated wind speed: 29 mph
- Safe wind speed: 90 mph
Pros
- Low price
- Easy installation
- Durable quality
Cons
- Lower power output
- Can get noisy in high wind
For less than $300, the Pikasola Wind Turbine is a very affordable way to dip your toe in the alternative energy pool. With a maximum output of 400W, it’s made to give you just a small amount of power. That said, it’s easy to install, durable, and produces reliable electricity as long as the wind blows. Some owners have reported that it can get noisy at higher wind speeds, but at moderate speeds, it’s essentially silent. Using alternative energy is normally a major investment, but the Pikasola turbine gives you a real way to try the upgrade before you buy in for real.
FAQs
Q: How big of a wind turbine do you need to power a house?
The average American household uses between 8,000 and 10,000 kWh per year, so to match that you need roughly 800 kWh per month, or just shy of 30 kWh per day. The average 1,000 W wind turbine is capable of generating approximately 3 kWh per day, so you’re either going to need nearly a dozen turbines to generate that much energy and only if you have enough open space to place them well. Given that, most people simply cannot power a house using wind power alone.
Most residential wind turbine owners with one or two turbines use them to cut down on energy costs and/or to provide emergency backup power in an emergency.
Q: Are home wind turbines worth it?
If you want to reduce your reliance on the power grid, a wind turbine can certainly cut down on your electrical bills in a sustainable way. It also gives you some built-in emergency power in the event of a blackout or another emergency. Either way, the reduction in your electricity bill should eventually pay back the cost of the turbine.
That said, a wind turbine will not fully replace conventional electricity from your local power company.
Q: Can I put a small wind turbine on my roof?
Yes, there are small wind turbines that are specifically designed for rooftop installation. Keep in mind that these often generate less energy than large, standalone turbines.
Q: Are bladeless wind turbines better?
Bladeless turbines can cost less and can require less maintenance, but bladed or “horizontal axis” wind turbines can produce more power at lower wind speeds. For the typical homeowner living in a region with low to moderate wind speeds, a traditional bladed turbine is likely the most effective option.
Final thoughts on the best home wind turbines
Installing one of the best home wind turbines is a major home improvement project. You shouldn’t do it carelessly. Take your time and do some research to figure out what options, if any, will work on your property. If you have the space and the inclination, wind power can be an amazing, sustainable resource.