If you want to go cheap, go Champion. If you want to go reliable, quiet and dependable, and the best- pretty much forever- go Honda. Reliability does go a long way...
As an eu2000i owner I have to say I have not heard or read any reports from Champion owners that give the slightest hint that they are any less reliable than the Hondas. Yes, I think the comparable Hondas have a couple of advantages, and it's just a choice if you want to pay for them or not. I also have a 700 watt no-name chinese generator that has been working great. It has maybe 50 hours on it, but even if goes belly-up tomorrow I feel like I've gotten the under $300 worth from it already.