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You may have noticed that your vehicle’s USB port is only good for charging your mobile phone. It may be useless for larger accessories like laptops, cameras, or coffee makers if you use your car for camping. Well, a power inverter lets you power your larger accessories. It typically converts electricity from direct current to alternating current power; most appliances need either modified or pure sine wave AC power to work. Below are a few recommendations of the best power inverters that you can use in your car.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Bestek 300W Power Inverter DC
- Best Value: Foval 150W Car Power Inverter
- Honorable Mention: Krieger 1100 Watt Power Inverter
Types of Car Power Inverters
Single Outlet
Single outlet inverters have a simple design and typically provide a current of 150 to 300 watts. They have a small, portable, and lightweight profile, and you can only charge one device at a time. Most of these inverters are cheap and have simple features.
Multiple Outlet
As the name suggests, these inverters feature multiple outlets, and you can charge several gadgets at the same time. The main concern is usually about overloading the device or overheating it. Most of these devices are more expensive, larger, and have a higher current capacity than single outlet inverters.
USB Outlet
USB outlets support USB-compatible devices, that is, smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, and other gadgets. USB ports give off enough power for these devices, but they cannot power most household or energy-intensive appliances.
Best Car Power Inverters: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Bestek 300W Power Inverter DC
Best Value
Foval 150W Car Power Inverter
Honorable Mention
Krieger 1100 Watt Power Inverter
Our Verdict on the Best Power Inverters
We chose the Bestek 300W Power Inverter DC as our best overall pick since it’s a convenient cigarette lighter inverter that has a durable construction and can charge a wide variety of electronics.
The Foval 150W Car Power Inverter is for anyone on a tight budget, but still needs something to charge a couple of devices at the same time.
Why Buy A Car Power Inverter?
- Never run out of power. Have you ever wanted to use your laptop in your car, but it was out of power? A power inverter will help you keep all devices that are an integral part of your life fully charged. And the best thing is that you can charge two devices at the same time.
- Enjoy outdoor activities. If you are a frequent camper, then you will be glad to have an electrical source to power devices like kettles, blenders, and other tools that could make your outdoor trip more memorable.
- Zero running costs. Car power inverters do not run on fuels, like diesel or petrol, that you need to spend a couple of extra bucks on. They obtain their power from your vehicle and offer you an extended power supply to meet the power needs of the day.
- Eco-friendly. Car power inverters don’t emit fumes, fluid waste, or harmful rays into the atmosphere. You get to keep your car clean and enjoy the benefits of a reliable power source.
Car Power Inverter Pricing
- Under $20: This budget is for simple and lower-capacity power inverters. They often have a continuous power capacity of 100 to 200 watts, and most can only charge one device at a time. However, you need not worry about a flashy design as most manufacturers create some elegant pieces despite their cheap price.
- $20-$50: Budget this much for a higher-capacity, 250 watts and above, power inverter. Most devices here have durable construction and can charge multiple devices. They also have cooling fans to prevent overheating.
- Over $50: Power inverters in this price range have a continuous power capacity of 1,000 watts and above. They are built to last and have several outlets that can charge even the most power-intensive tools. Also, most have an LCD display to show you the status of the machine.
Key Features
Wattage
The wattage will determine what type of devices you can charge. If you only need to charge a few small electronics, then an inverter with 150 to 300 watts will suffice. However, if you spend most of your time in your vehicle or use it for camping, then you need an inverter with 1,000 watts or above to power your large appliances.
Ports
Look into the number of devices that can be connected to a single inverter. Most power inverters feature USB ports and AC outlets; you could charge your phone and laptop at the same time. The number of ports needed will depend on how many devices you have. More ports translate into a more expensive inverter with a higher AC wattage.
Sine Waves
Most inverters feature sine waves that are either modified or pure sine waves. Most electronics are often damaged by irregular waveforms like jagged square waveforms. Modified sine waves, on the other hand, put less stress on charging devices, and pure sine waves are even more efficient.
Other Considerations
- Safety Certification: Give priority to products marked with the ETL stamp. It means that the product meets all the North American safety guidelines; the product protects against overloading, overheating, shorts, and other electrical faults.
- Size and Weight: You won’t want something that takes up a lot of room in your car, unless you have a large RV and don’t mind the size. A small, compact size is good enough for a power inverter for your car. Lightweight design is also easy to move from car to car.
Tips
- Disconnect extra load from the inverter when it’s not in use. This will prevent the machine from overheating, and you will save your car battery from getting drained.
- Never place a power inverter in direct sunlight, next to heat sources, or on wet surfaces. It’s better to place the inverter under your car seat or any other well-protected place.
- If you are using your inverter on an old vehicle, always disconnect the inverter after you switch off the vehicle. It may leave your battery flat, even when there aren’t any appliances plugged into it.
- If you are using a secondary battery to power your inverter, ensure that it’s well-sealed and there’s adequate ventilation in your car. Batteries can be unpredictable and deadly in enclosed spaces.
- Ensure that you always start your engine before running the inverter. That will save your battery from flattening out. On the off chance that you use the inverter with your engine off, ensure that you don’t let it run any longer than an hour.
FAQs
A: The installation technique depends on the size of the inverter. Small power inverters are typically hooked up to your cigarette lighter, but they won’t draw more than 200 watts from the lighter socket. Medium to large inverters come with extra connection cables that are either directly clamped to your car’s battery or hard-wired directly into a battery.
A: Peak output indicates the wattage that a power inverter can supply for a specified amount of time. Continuous output, on the other hand, refers to the average wattage that the inverter will supply under normal operation.