Best Marine Autopilot Under $2400: 4 Picks Compared
For a marine autopilot under $2400, the Raymarine Pilot EV-200 with P70R leads this guide because its title names the EV-200 line and the P70R control head, while the drive is not stated by the seller. The other picks are Garmin Reactor 40 units for kicker motor and steer-by-wire steering. This guide compares the four autopilots on stated details and live prices.
4 picks from 4 marine autopilots that match this guide with a price we can quote today, made by 6 makers. Every price below is live and carries the moment it was read.
The picks at a glance
| # | Pick | Marine autopilot | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Only pick naming its control head | Raymarine Pilot Ev-200 A/P with P70R No Drive | $2,399.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:41 UTC (Details) |
| 2 | Kicker motor pick with control not included | Garmin 010-00705-95 Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot Without GHC 20 | $2,349.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:40 UTC (Details) |
| 3 | Kicker motor pick with tilt tube | Garmin Kicker Autopilot Reactor 40 with Stainless Steel Tilt Tube | $2,399.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:40 UTC (Details) |
| 4 | Only steer-by-wire pick here | Pilot, Reactor 40 | $2,349.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:41 UTC (Details) |
Which one should you buy?
- For a powerboat with hydraulic steering: The Raymarine Pilot EV-200 is a powerboat autopilot in the EV-200 line, and the title names the P70R control head. The drive is not stated by the seller, so check the listing for contents. See pick 1
- For a boat with a kicker motor: The Garmin Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot is sold for kicker motor steering. The control head is not included, so plan to add one separately. See pick 2
- For a boat with a kicker motor and tilt tube: The Garmin Kicker Autopilot Reactor 40 with Stainless Steel Tilt Tube is also for kicker motor steering. The control head is not stated by the seller. See pick 3
- For a boat with steer-by-wire steering: The Pilot Reactor 40 SBW Generic is sold for steer-by-wire steering. The control head is not included, and the boat type is not stated by the seller. See pick 4
The 4 picks
1 Only pick naming its control head
Raymarine Pilot Ev-200 A/P with P70R No Drive
- Boat type
- Power
- Model line
- EV-200
$2,399.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:41 UTC (Details)
This Raymarine EV-200 ranks first because its title names the P70R control head, while the other three picks do not include a control head. The drive is not stated by the seller, so it falls into the tier of picks that name one of the two key components.
Pros
- Title names the P70R control head
- EV-200 line as stated
- Listed for powerboats
Cons
- Drive not stated by the seller
- No steering type stated
Good fit if
- Owners of powerboats who want a control head named in the pack
- Buyers focused on the EV-200 line
Skip if
- You need a drive included in the box
- You require a stated steering type
Verdict: A powerboat autopilot in the EV-200 line with a named control head, but the drive and steering type are not stated by the seller.
2 Kicker motor pick with control not included
Garmin 010-00705-95 Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot Without GHC 20
- Steering
- Kicker motor
- Boat type
- Power
- Control head
- Not included
- Model line
- Reactor 40
$2,349.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:40 UTC (Details)
This Garmin Reactor 40 ranks second because its title states the control head is not included, which places it in the tier of picks that name one of the two key components. It is sold for kicker motor steering and listed for powerboats.
Pros
- Steering type stated: kicker motor
- Listed for powerboats
- Reactor 40 line as stated
Cons
- Control head not included
- Drive not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Boat owners with kicker motor steering
- Those who plan to add a control head separately
Skip if
- You want a control head in the box
- You need a drive included
Verdict: A kicker motor autopilot in the Reactor 40 line with the control head not included, suitable for powerboats.
3 Kicker motor pick with tilt tube
Garmin Kicker Autopilot Reactor 40 with Stainless Steel Tilt Tube
- Steering
- Kicker motor
- Boat type
- Power
- Model line
- Reactor 40
$2,399.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:40 UTC (Details)
This Garmin Reactor 40 ranks third because its title names the stainless steel tilt tube, but it does not state the control head or drive. It is sold for kicker motor steering and listed for powerboats.
Pros
- Steering type stated: kicker motor
- Title names stainless steel tilt tube
- Listed for powerboats
Cons
- Control head not stated by the seller
- Drive not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Boat owners with kicker motor steering
- Those interested in a tilt tube in the title
Skip if
- You need a control head included
- You require a stated drive
Verdict: A kicker motor autopilot in the Reactor 40 line with a tilt tube named, but the control head and drive are not stated.
4 Only steer-by-wire pick here
Pilot, Reactor 40
- Steering
- Steer-by-wire
- Control head
- Not included
- Model line
- Reactor 40
$2,349.99 price as of 2026-10-11 18:41 UTC (Details)
This Garmin Reactor 40 ranks last because its title states the control head is not included, but the boat type is not stated by the seller. It is the only pick sold for steer-by-wire steering.
Pros
- Steering type stated: steer-by-wire
- Reactor 40 line as stated
- Control head not included is stated
Cons
- Boat type not stated by the seller
- Drive not stated by the seller
Good fit if
- Boat owners with steer-by-wire steering
- Those who will add a control head separately
Skip if
- You need a boat type stated
- You want a drive included
Verdict: A steer-by-wire autopilot in the Reactor 40 line with the control head not included, but the boat type is not stated.
Side by side
| # | Marine autopilot | Steering | Boat type | Drive in the box | Control head | Model line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raymarine Pilot Ev-200 A/P with P70R No Drive | not stated | Power | not stated | not stated | EV-200 |
| 2 | Garmin 010-00705-95 Reactor 40 Kicker Autopilot Without GHC 20 | Kicker motor | Power | not stated | Not included | Reactor 40 |
| 3 | Garmin Kicker Autopilot Reactor 40 with Stainless Steel Tilt Tube | Kicker motor | Power | not stated | not stated | Reactor 40 |
| 4 | Pilot, Reactor 40 | Steer-by-wire | not stated | not stated | Not included | Reactor 40 |
How we picked
This guide covers a pool of four marine autopilots under $2400, as defined by the filter. The autopilots are compared on stated details and live prices. The ordering rule ranks picks first by whether the title names both the drive and the control head in the box, then by whether it names one of the two, then by neither, and within each tier by the order in the pool file. The Raymarine EV-200 names the control head, so it ranks first. The Garmin Reactor 40 kicker unit without GHC 20 names the control as not included, and the other two do not state the control, so they follow.
How to choose
Start with the steering you already have
The first decision is matching the autopilot to the boat's own steering. The listings state the steering type for three of the four picks: two are for kicker motor steering, and one is for steer-by-wire. The Raymarine EV-200 does not state a steering type. Confirm the steering system on the maker's page and with the listing before choosing.
Sail or power
Three of the four picks are listed for powerboats. The steer-by-wire pick does not state the boat type. If you have a sailboat, none of these listings state that they are for sail, so look for a tiller or wheel pilot in a different guide.
Complete pack or core pack
A complete pack names the drive or pump in the box, while a core pack is for a boat that already has a drive or needs one chosen for its steering. In this pool, none of the titles name a drive, so each pick is a core pack. Read the listing for the exact contents.
Control head in the box or bought separately
The Raymarine EV-200 names the P70R control head in the title. The two Garmin Reactor 40 kicker and steer-by-wire picks state the control head is not included. The Garmin Kicker Autopilot with tilt tube does not state the control head. Decide whether you want a control head in the pack or plan to buy one separately.
Reading the model line
The model line is a name on the listing, such as EV-200 or Reactor 40. It does not tell you which drive or control head is in the box. Use the line name to identify the family, but rely on the stated details and the listing for contents.
What this guide leaves out (and why)
This guide does not cover course-holding accuracy, power draw, noise, or which boat size or sea state an autopilot handles, because the catalogue has no data for them. Check the maker's page and consult a qualified installer for those details.
Questions
Does this guide say which boat size or sea state an autopilot handles?
No. The catalogue has no data for boat size, displacement, or sea state. The guide compares autopilots only on stated details and live prices. For fit and performance in specific conditions, check the maker's page and talk to a qualified installer. The site does not guess.
What does 'control head not included' mean?
It means the title states that the control head is not in the box. You would buy the control head separately. The Raymarine EV-200 names the P70R control head, while the Garmin Reactor 40 kicker and steer-by-wire picks state it is not included. The Garmin Kicker Autopilot with tilt tube does not state it.
Are any of these autopilots complete packs with a drive?
No. None of the four titles name a drive or pump in the box. Each pick is a core pack, meaning the drive is not included. Read the listing for the exact contents, and choose a drive separately if needed.
Can I use a kicker motor autopilot on a boat with hydraulic steering?
The listings state the steering type for each pick. The two kicker motor autopilots are sold for kicker motor steering, and the steer-by-wire pick is for steer-by-wire. The Raymarine EV-200 does not state a steering type. Match the autopilot to the boat's steering system, and confirm with the maker's page.
Why is the Raymarine EV-200 ranked first?
The ordering rule ranks picks first by whether the title names both the drive and the control head, then by whether it names one of the two. The Raymarine EV-200 names the P70R control head, so it ranks above the Garmin picks, which either state the control head is not included or do not state it.
Recent updates
- : First published.