5. Hyundai HY2000si – 2,200 Watts
A great value generator, the Hyundai gives you plenty of power at a great price. You do give up a few nice-to-have features to get those 2,000-watts of rated output for under $600, however.
For one thing, it’s a little less efficient than some of its competitors, with a run time of 5.5 hours under 50% load. By no means is that terrible, but the Hyundai is certainly not a standout in that category.
In addition, this model is significantly heavier (71lbs) and louder than the others on this list, coming in at 64 decibels. Again, that’s not jet engine loud or anything, roughly as loud as a normal conversation. Plus, there is an “eco mode” that drops the idle RPMs depending on the load, which may reduce noise.
If the other options on this list are too rich for your blood, there’s nothing wrong with the Hyundai. It’s quiet enough, efficient enough, and its inverter is rated for sensitive electronics, which will almost certainly be a top priority during a crisis.
If the idea of spending almost $1,000 on a device you may or may not need to rely on doesn’t appeal to you, then here’s an option that’s roughly half that price.
Price: $545 (non-CARB approved), $679 (CARB approved)