Best power inverter for car: A mechanic’s guide and review

gmund-20&tag=gmund-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B004MDXS0U&linkId=8d060db0f4c855a785e4afe7ad8fec0d” image_url=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/7164SYS5GUL._AC_SL350_.jpg” image_alt=”bestek 300w” product_title=”Bestek 300W” user=”4.6″]The Bestek 300W power inverter offers the best quality product at the best price. With excellent quality and more than enough power output for your everyday needs.[/review_product]

Pros

  • Compact design
  • Temperature-controlled cooling fan
  • 2.4A USB quick charge port
  • Overloading protection

Cons

  • Fuse is VERY hard to replace

The Bestek 300W is my choice as the best power inverter. There are two versions of this fantastic product, one with a modified sine wave and one with a pure sine wave.

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Both versions of this model feature an aluminum alloy housing, two USB ports, and two 110V AC outlets. They are also equipped with cooling fans, isolation voltage protection, and a quick charge 2.4A USB port.

The Bestek 300W power inverter is rated for 300 watts of power and provides a peak at 700 watts. A durable cigarette lighter socket features a secure buckle design to create a stable current for your power inverter.

It is no larger than an iPhone in size to make it compact and easy to transport. The housing is solidly constructed and meets all the safety requirements with its protections against overloading and overheating. It also boasts protections against overcharging, over-voltage charging, under-voltage charging, and shorting. For further peace of mind, each model is backed up with an 18-month factory warranty.

The pure sine wave version reduces battery power consumption by 40-percent. That means you can run your devices for longer without the need to start your car’s engine.

Unfortunately, nothing is perfect, and neither is Bestek 300W. Many buyers have complained about how irritating it is to replace the unit’s fuse once it’s blown. The silver lining is that Bestek designed their 300W unit well enough so that fuse-blowing rarely happens. We can only hope that Bestek will improve this problem in the future.

Verdict

The Bestek 300W power inverter – in both versions – offers the best quality product at the best price. For everyday use, this product can not be beaten in any way. Both versions are ultra-compact in size and easy to use, marking the Bestek 300W as the best choice you can make. Quality, low price, and more than enough power output: this is Tim’s Pro-Choice of today’s winner.

Best pure sine wave power inverter: Energizer 150 Watts

Energizer 150 Watts
Energizer 150 Watts
4.4
You can’t really go wrong with Energizer’s products. Especially when it comes to battery and battery related things.

Pros

  • Dual placement
  • Pure sine wave
  • 3.0 USB quick charge
  • ETL certification

Cons

  • Power plug can be fidgety and may interrupt power

Energizer’s 150 Watts pure sine wave power inverter provides an AC 110V outlet and 2 USB ports. One of those USB ports boasts a Quick Charge 3.0 system. This device delivers 150 continuous watts and 300 peak watts from its 12V cigarette lighter socket.

In terms of size, it is as big as a regular smartphone and can fit into your vehicle’s cup holder. The pure sine wave electrical current provides a stable and reliable power source for you to safely charge your laptop.

It features low-voltage protection, high-voltage protection, short-circuiting, overload, and overheating protection. It is sold with a 2-year factory warranty.

The body of the unit is ruggedly built with hard-wearing plastics and bump absorption zones to protect its internal components.

Verdict

This is the best pure sine wave power inverter your money can buy. Energizer 150W offers everyday practicality to power your sensitive electronic equipment and accessories. It is also small enough to be stored in your vehicle’s drinks holder and can power three devices at the same time. It is easy to see why this is the most popular pure sine wave inverter on the market.

Most powerful: Krieger 2000 Watts

Krieger 2000 Watts
Krieger 2000 Watts
4.5
What else can I say? Big wattage equals big power. Go for Krierger if you plan to power bigger devices.

Pros

  • MET Approved for heavy-duty applications
  • Has remote control
  • Comes with a full hardware kit

Cons

  • No cigarette lighter socket!

The Krieger 2000 Watts power inverter takes the top spots in my comparison tests in terms of power outputs. No other power inverters match this model in terms of quality for the price. This unit features LCD readouts that show input watts, output watts, and the battery’s level. The remote control is an added feature to make it easier to control the device on/off functions. Krieger 2000 Watts offers modified sine wave electrical current.

One Krieger 2000 Watts hardware kit features:

  • One 3-foot long battery cable
  • 1 Ultra-silent temperature-controlled fans
  • 2 AC 110V outlets
  • 2 USB ports

All of those are controlled and protected by Krieger’s “Smart Chips” Technology. The unit is MET Approved for heavy-duty use. Packaged with Hardwire Kits, you can connect these power inverters directly to your vehicle’s battery.

Now it’s time to address the elephant in the room, or more accurately, the lack of it. For some reason, this unit does not have a cigarette lighter socket!

I know, I know. This can be either really, really good or really, really bad; it depends on each person. But come on, Krieger. This is a free country! At least give your users a choice to smoke or not to smoke in the car when they buy your products!

Verdict

The Krieger models have won my Most Powerful category because of their Hardwire Kit and heavy-duty ratings. Their 3-year factory warranty is the icing on the cake. They’re undoubtedly built strong to deliver high power outputs to run all your campsite’s electrical needs, and more. Just remember though that the more power you use, the quicker your car’s battery will drain.

Most portable: Foval 150W

Foval 150W
Foval 150W
4.5
This thing is ridiculously compact; it should be illegal! Foval is the ideal unit for your car’s minimal set up.

Pros

  • Ultra-compact
  • Still has room for LED indicators
  • Surprisingly stable modified sine wave power output

Cons

  • Fan is quite weak and can cause overheat

The Foval 150W power inverter is available in two color versions (red and blue). This device weighs just 7 oz and is the same size as a credit card. It measures 3.7” by 2.5” and is 1.5” in height, making it a clear winner as the Most Portable power inverter in my comparison review. Despite its tiny dimensions, it packs a punch: it provides 150 watts of continuous power and 300 watts peak output. It features 2 USB ports and an AC 110V outlet. The unit also plugs into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket with ease.

Foval 150W is constructed with a durable metal housing to protect its internal components from damage. It also sports an ultra-silent thermal fan which is nice and quiet but also feels a bit underwhelming in terms of cooling. This Foval 150W power inverter also offers protection from short-circuiting, low-voltage, overcharging, overvoltage, and has a built-in fuse.

The sheer size of this device and its portability cannot be underestimated. It is small enough to keep in your shirt pocket, laptop bag, or vehicle’s glove box to make it an excellent travel companion.

Verdict

The Foval 150W offers unbeatable portability and versatility in a size no larger than a credit card, yet compromises zero in terms of power output. When you’re on the road, this little power inverter will easily keep your laptop, smartphone and other electric devices and gadgets charged up and powered on. You can transport and store this device in handbags, laptop bags, and in your car’s glove box with no fuss. It truly is the most portable power inverter with real power you can rely on to keep your devices charged up.

FAQs

1. Will a power inverter harm my battery?

No. Only you would! If you use your power inverter incorrectly, it will damage the car’s battery. Following manufacturer’s instructions carefully and it will not damage the vehicle battery in any way.

2. What size power inverter do I need to run a TV?

You will require a power inverter with more than 150 watts output to run a TV.

3. Can a car power inverter run a refrigerator?

A power inverter with a peak rating of at least 600 watts is required to run a fridge.

2 thoughts on “Best power inverter for car: A mechanic’s guide and review”

  1. Thanks for suggesting these power inverters for cars. If we are using an inverter in a car, we have to connect it with the cigarette lighter plug so you will not be able to get more than 150W power via the cigarette lighter plug, so this is the limitation. To get more than 150W, I think you need to use the alligator clips to connect with the battery directly.

    If you are using an inverter in car, please make sure that the car battery is not completely discharged otherwise it will not be helpful to start the car.

    Thanks for your honest reviews on these power inverters.

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