Watts divided by volts = amps.
2000 watts /120 volts=16 amps of power.
Amps x volts = watts
7 amps x 120 volts= 840 watts
Use either of these 2 formulas to determine how much generator you'll need. On every appliance is a nameplate which will tell you it's power needs either in amps or watts. On microwaves that plate is just inside the door, and fridges it's down by/or on the compressor.
Old timey light bulbs were easy. 100 watt bulb used 100 watts of power. Newer LED 100 watt 'equivalent' will use much less than 100 watts. I recently converted seven 150-watt old metal halide bulb outdoor fixtures at the water plant to LED's. Old bulbs pulled 9 amps of power, new LED's use 1 amp. Generally, figure that most LED bulbs will use about 1/10th of the power of old timey bulbs and have a negligible impact on generators.
Most refrigerators use around 7 amps when the compressor is running. 7 amps x 120 volts = 840 watts.
Most microwaves use 1100 watts.
Fridge, 840 watts. Microwave, 1100 watts.
1100+840= 1940 watts. The 2000 watt genny will complain if you try to run both of these at the same time. Use the micro when the fridge compressor isn't running if you can.
Wifes blow dryer; 1680 watts=14 amps. Shut everything else off and let her dry her hair. Then turn everything back on.
Anything that heats or cools will be the largest demand on the generator, followed by motor loads like a well pump or vacuum cleaner. LED bulbs, flat screen tv's, radio's etc use almost no power worth mentioning. When
@Majicmike says it will run his 5K window a/c, he means 5000
btu's...not watts. I have a 5000 btu window a/c and it's nameplate says 4.9 amps. (588 watts)
Heavy electrical loads like heat pumps, dryers, ovens, water heaters, well pumps...forget it. 2000 watts isn't enough. Gas appliances can save your butt here with generators.
These new non-honda small generators are pretty cool. The end result is the same as far as electrical power. But how long will it last? Everyone knows about Honda motors, about indestructible. The extra $400 for the Honda buys some insurance regarding proven quality. For some this is a primary concern, others not so much since they only use it twice a year anyway. But if you neglect stuff and just let it sit, the Honda will still start after a little coaching. The off brands...don't know.
Regardless of brand, the best thing you can do with storing portable generators is to run them at least once a month for 10-15 minutes. Generators are not like lawn mowers, they like to be run. It's not just the engine part that needs running, the generator part does too. Do this, and it will be ready when you need it.