Part of our Where to Spend Your Money guide.
These three radios get cross-shopped constantly, and I own two of the three, so I want to lay out the real tradeoffs rather than just declare a winner.
Power Output
The FT-891 wins here decisively at a full 100 watts. The G90 sits in the middle at 20 watts. The IC-705 is the lowest at 10 watts. If pileups or marginal band conditions frustrate you, this single spec matters more than any other difference between the three.
Band Coverage
The IC-705 is the only one of the three that covers VHF and UHF in addition to HF, which matters if you want a single radio for both POTA HF activation and local repeater or simplex use. The G90 and FT-891 are HF-only, plus 6 meters on the FT-891.
Receiver Quality
The IC-705’s SDR receiver and touchscreen spectrum scope are genuinely excellent, closer to a base station radio than a field radio. The FT-891’s receiver is solid but its display is tiny and text-only. The G90 sits in between, with a usable waterfall display but a receiver that shows its budget origins in crowded band conditions.
Built-In Tuner
The G90 has a built-in antenna tuner. The FT-891 and IC-705 do not, meaning you need an external tuner or a resonant antenna for either. This is a real cost and complexity difference if you plan to run non-resonant wire antennas in the field.
Price
The G90 is the clear budget option, running well under $500 new. The FT-891 sits around the $1,000 mark. The IC-705 costs meaningfully more than either, putting it in a different price bracket entirely.
My Actual Recommendation
For the deeper dive on each, see the Icom IC-705 Review, the Xiegu G90 Complete Guide, and the Yaesu FT-891 Complete Guide.
Want the best value and a built-in tuner on a tight budget: the G90. Want maximum HF power in a compact, do-everything package: the FT-891. Want the best receiver, a touchscreen, and VHF/UHF coverage, and are willing to pay for it: the IC-705. There is no universally correct answer here, only the one that matches your actual operating priorities and budget.