The 10 Best Campervan Inverters – MUST-READ 2022 Guide

Owning a campervan or RV is a great way to experience the joys of camping and traveling without losing the comforts of home. Some people will only take their vans out once a year, while others may live in them more than their actual house.

Either way, if you own one of these vehicles you will know that many of the amenities they contain are still reliant on power.

The 12v battery in your campervan is capable of running most of the onboard appliances, such as the fridge and shower, but what if you want to take other electrical devices on your road trip? Phones can be connected to a 12v battery with a special adapter, but other devices that use more power won’t be able to function like this.

Let’s say you want to bring a blender on your trip, or a set of speakers so you can enjoy music while you’re glamping. In both these instances, you will likely need an inverter.

Inverters are machines that convert the 12v DC power from your battery into AC that can be used by most household electronics. As you can tell, this is an extremely useful piece of equipment to have as it allows you to use all your equipment and favorite devices while out on the road.

If you are interested in buying an inverter, you will want one that is capable of producing enough power for all the devices you intend to use. Inverters come in many different sizes and picking the wrong one will either rapidly exhaust your battery or leave you unable to run all the equipment you need.

This guide will run through some of the best inverters available on the market and give you a comprehensive guide on the various types so you can decide which is the right one for your needs.

10 Best Campervan Inverters

Go Power! GP-ISW1500-12 Industrial Pure Sine Wave Inverter

If your looking for quick electricity on the go, this inverter is compact, built to last, and capable of delivering 1500w of AC power. This pure sine wave inverter is suitable for all devices and has two 120V outlets for plugging in your devices. The size of the Go Power makes it highly portable and easy to pack away when you aren’t using it.

To link this inverter directly to a car battery, you will need AWG cables that are sold separately. However, once you have the cables you’ll have no problem setting it up in your campervan so you can plug in and run your devices.

There are over voltage, under voltage, and overload fail-safes in place to prevent the inverter from destroying itself by drawing too much power.

Many electrical appliances require more power to start up than they do to run. This initial startup power is called a surge and as such, many inverters can temporarily generate more watts than their continuous output for dealing with these surges. The Go Power has 3000W of surge capacity so your electronics won’t have any problem coming to life.

Pros

• Compact and portable – This inverter is small in size but still capable of generating lots of power
• Pure Sine Inverter – The AC power output from this inverter is compatible with any device.
• 3000W surge capacity – Devices that use more power on startup won’t overload the inverter
• Over voltage, under voltage, and overload fail-safes – If the inverter draws more power than it can handle it will simply switch off
• 2 Year Warranty – Get 2 years of use out of this inverter or your money back.

Cons

• Fragile sockets – The plug sockets on this inverter may cave in if pushed too hard.
• Can’t connect directly to 12V battery – The leads for connecting this inverter directly to a 12V battery are sold separately.

Xantrex Technology Inc, 806-1210 Inverter Prowatt Sw 1000

If you only need an inverter for charging laptops, phones, and powering a few low-watt appliances then you don’t need to spend a lot. Buying an inverter that produces more power than you need is almost as bad as buying one that generates too little.

This Xantrex 1000W inverter is a great choice if you are only planning on running a few, choice devices that don’t require lots of electricity.

The helpful digital display on the front will help you to monitor the inverter’s energy input and output. As well as two 120V outlets, there is also a USB port for charging phones and other small devices. The heavy-duty terminals make connecting this inverter to your van’s battery very simple and easy to do.

All the necessary fail-safes are built in to shut the unit down when the voltage falls too low, too high, or in case of an overload. This unit has a 2000w peak capacity and while you won’t be able to power a microwave or television with this inverter, it is certainly sufficient for running a handful of electric devices while camping.

Tradesmen may also find this unit very useful for charging their power tools in between jobs.

Pros

• Inbuilt display – Keep track of your energy input and output with ease
• All fail-safes included – This inverter will switch off if there is too little power to draw from or if the transformer becomes overloaded
• Pure Sine – Plug in any electronic appliance you want.
• Heavy Duty terminals – Connecting this inverter to your van’s battery is fast and simple.
• USB port – There are two standard outlets as well as a USB port for your phone charger.

Cons

• Low peak capacity – The surge capacity of this inverter is a little lower than some other brands.

GIANDEL Modified Sine Wave Power Inverter 3000 Watt

The type of inverter you buy for your RV will depend on what electronics you want to use. Pure sine wave inverters generate the same kind of AC power that comes from the mains, and as such can work with any device.

However, if you are only planning on taking a few simple gadgets, you can save money by buying a modified sine inverter instead, such as this one made by Giandel.

Modified sine inverters produce slightly ‘dirtier’ power than pure sine models, and as such cannot work with more complex devices, such as audio equipment, induction cookers, and some laptops.

However, this 3000w inverter is more than capable of powering your fridge, electric oven, and charging simple pieces of tech like phones, drones, or cameras with no problem. All the leads for linking the Giandel to your van’s leisure battery are provided and there is even a helpful remote for turning it on and off.

This model can double its continuous power output for brief surges and all the necessary fail-safes are built in to prevent overloads. The digital display makes it easy to keep track of your energy input and output at a glance. With this feature, you will know when it is safe to plug in another device, and when you are approaching maximum output.

Pros

• Large power output – Generate up to 3000w of continuous power
• Easy to read digital display – Keep track of how much energy you’re generating and consuming.
• Full safety protections in place – This device will switch off if it is overloaded or underpowered.
• Remote included – A remote and 15ft cable are included so you can easily turn your inverter on and off from a distance.

Cons

• Modified Sine Inverter – Won’t work with devices that require ‘pure’ AC power.

AIMS Power 1000 Watt, 2000 Watt Peak, Pure Sine DC to AC Power Inverter

AIMS sells this inverter in every size possible; with small units capable of generating 180W all the way up to large 3000w models. The 1000W version is surprisingly lightweight considering it is a pure sine inverter, which normally include heavy transformers for converting DC to AC.

As well as two 120v outlets, there is also a handy USB port so you can plug in any mobile phone or tablet charger. Many inverters you will find online are listed with an idle draw, which is the amount of power they use when nothing is plugged in. The idle draw of the AIMS is less than 0.4 amps.

Furthermore, this unit is rated at 90% power efficiency so you won’t have to worry about draining your RV’s leisure battery too much if you leave the inverter running with nothing plugged in.

The 1000W model is ETL listed so it is fully in compliance with all relevant national standards for electronics. It should be noted that not all of the company’s inverters are ETL compliant, so make sure to double-check before you buy a potentially unsafe device.

This inverter can be connected to your campervans 12V battery with 6AWG leads, although these aren’t included in the box.

Pros

• Energy-efficient- This inverter has a 90% efficiency rating
• USB port included – Connect phone chargers at the same time as two other appliances.
• ETL listed – This model has all the necessary fail-safes and meets the American national standards for electronic devices.
• Lightweight pure sine inverter – The AIMS is remarkably light for a pure sine inverter.

Cons

• 6AWG leads not provided – You will need to buy your own cables for connecting this inverter to your battery.

BESTEK 300W Power Inverter

As we said earlier, if you aren’t going to be using lots of electronics, there isn’t any point in buying a large inverter capable of generating over 1000w. The BESTEK is simple to use and perfect for those who only need to charge a phone or tablet while they are on the road.

With only 300w of continuous power and 700w surge capacity don’t expect to plug in any large or complex devices, but for smaller electronics, this inverter has everything you need. There are four outlets in total, two regular 12V sockets, and 2 USB ports, although using all four at once may cause one of the inbuilt fail safes to kick in.

One of the best things about the BESTEK is the fact that you don’t need to spend ages drilling holes and setting up wires to hook it up to your car battery. The handy adaptor can be plugged straight into your car’s cigarette lighter. With the help of this compact and portable pure sine inverter, you can charge up to two devices simultaneously from the comfort of your car.

Pros

• Compact and portable – Easy to store in your car ready for when you need it.
• 4 Outlets – Charge two devices simultaneously using either USB or standard 120V sockets.
• Plugs into the cigarette lighter – This inverter can be used in a standard car as well as an RV or campervan
• Inbuilt fail-safes – The inverter will turn off if it is in danger of breaking or short-circuiting.

Cons

• Low wattage – This inverter is for charging mobile devices and low wattage electronics only.

Bapdas 150W Car Power Inverter

If you thought the BESTEK was small, just wait until you see this portable car inverter made by Bapdas. Again, you won’t be using the 150w continuous output for any large electronics, but it will easily charge your phone or other devices while you are out and about. This is a modified sine inverter so beware of plugging it into any laptops that cannot use this type of power.

With an aluminum casing and cooling fan, the Bapdas is extremely compact and durable. All the necessary protection systems are in place to prevent overheating, under and over voltage, as well as short-circuiting. As with the BESTEK, you can plug this inverter into your car’s cigarette lighter for instant AC power whenever you need it.

There are two USB ports along with a single standard outlet, and the company claims you can charge up to three devices at once. If you do want to try this then make sure the combined wattage of all the devices is below 150w. This affordable product is a great choice if you aren’t sold on the idea of an inverter and want an affordable unit to experiment with.

Pros

• Aluminum casing – The inverter is highly durable and portable.
• Three available outlets – Charge up to three mobile devices at once
• All necessary fail-safes – This inverter is protected against short-circuiting, over and under voltage, as well as overloading.
• Plugs into your cigarette lighter – This inverter can be used in any car at any time thanks to its convenient 12V adapter.

Cons

• Low Wattage – This device can only create 150W of continuous power.

Novopal Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter

A smaller inverter can be great for one person, or even a couple who are traveling by themselves. However, if you want to take the whole family on a road trip, you may need a few more outlets and significantly more power. This pure sine wave power inverter made by Novopal has four standard AC outlets, a USB port, and a handy remote control.

Two sets of red and black cables are also included for connecting the inverter to your campervan’s leisure battery. The extra set of wires is to make your setup safer by lowering the chance of the cables overheating. All the usual safety features are included, and with 4000w of surge capacity, you will be able to run devices such as hairdryers and small vacuum cleaners with ease.

According to Novopal, the output from this inverter is as clean as the electricity from the sockets in your house, so you won’t have to worry about plugging complex devices like TVs and microwaves. Another thing you won’t have to worry about is wasting power, as this model has a 90% efficiency rating and less than 0.6a of idle draw. If you aren’t using it, you can turn it off to save your battery using the remote which is connected by a 5ft cable.

Pros

• Pure AC output – The power from this inverter is as clean as the energy you draw from the mains in your house
• Five outlets – With four AC outlets and a USB port for charging phones, you can answer all your power needs at once.
• 90% efficiency rating – Never worry about wasting your battery.
• Remote control included – The remote allows you to turn the inverter on and off, as well as keep track of the unit’s energy consumption.
• Two sets of cables – This kit has two sets of cables for connecting the inverter to your battery which will prevent the individual wires from getting too hot.

Cons

• Large and heavy – This inverter will only be worth your while for a larger campervan or travel bus with multiple rooms that require power sockets.

Wagan 3720 Black 1000W Slim Line AC to DC Inverter

The Wagan Slim Line is an incredibly versatile modified sine inverter that can be connected to a 12V battery or plugged straight into the cigarette lighter in your car. Since it is a modified sine model, you can’t use it for complex devices like TVs or some laptops. However, if you are looking for a compact, portable, and lightweight 1000W inverter for your camping trip you would be hard pushed to find better for the price.

There are 5 outlets in total, three of which are for regular 120V plugs and two USB ports. Thanks to its high power output, the Slim Line can facilitate fast charging for phones and tablets, meaning you won’t have to wait long to recharge your battery on the go.

The company claims that this inverter will provide ‘True Rated’ power, meaning you will get all 1000w of the advertised output. Two cooling fans are installed on the rear of the device to prevent overheating and a low battery alarm is also included to warn you when your battery is about to run dry.

Pros

• Versatile adaptors – The company includes cables for hooking your inverter up to a 12V battery or plugging into your car’s cigarette lighter.
• Five power outlets – Power multiple devices at once with the three 120V sockets and two USB ports.
• True Rated power – Access all 1000w of the advertised output.
• Low battery alarm – Instantly know when your 12V battery is running low.

Cons

• Modified Sine Inverter – This inverter shouldn’t be used to power complex electronics like high-end laptops or TVs.

Renogy 1000W 12VDC to 120V AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter

This pure sine wave inverter from Renogy is designed to be connected to a leisure battery or hooked up to a solar RV. There is an eco mode that will turn the inverter off when it is not being used to save your battery life, and automatically turn it back on again when a device is plugged in. The 1000w version of this product will be able to power most mid-sized electronics with ease.

All the necessary cables are included so you can install this inverter as soon as you unpack it. There are two high-speed ventilation fans placed at the back to prevent overheating and maximize efficiency. The usual overheating, overload, under and over voltage protection measures are all included to keep this inverter working for a very long time. There are also plastic caps for covering the terminals to prevent people from accidentally touching them and getting a nasty shock.

With dimensions of 13.4” x 7.6” x 2.8x this compact power box is easy to install anywhere you want, provided there is enough space for the fans to circulate air properly. While many other inverters will hum slightly while they operate, this model is completely silent. The remote has a 16.4ft cable so you can place it wherever you want, or just download the company’s app so you can control your device via Bluetooth from your phone.

Pros

• Eco Mode – This inverter is designed to turn itself off and conserve battery power when not in use.
• Advance pure sine wave technology – Protect your electrical devices with ‘pure’ AC power.
• Remote control and app support – Choose between controlling your inverter with the handy remote or via your phone.
• All cables included – No need to buy cabling before installing your inverter.

Cons

• One outlet and no USB port – There aren’t many outlets on this inverter so you may need to use an extension cord to plug in multiple devices.

Renogy 3000 Watt 12V DC to 120V AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter

If 1000w isn’t enough for your needs then Renogy has you covered. With this larger 3000w pure sine wave inverter, you can turn your RV or campervan into a home away from home with all your everyday appliances powered by one box. Naturally, if you are going to use this mammoth-sized inverter, you will need a big enough leisure battery to power it. Thankfully this is an inverter charger meaning it can recharge your battery when plugged into a mains outlet.

This unit is compatible with all regular 12V batteries as well as those made with lithium.

This inverter is only for those who need to power a lot of electronics in their campervan or RV. The most impressive feature is the auto-transfer system which allows the machine to stay on during a power outage. One thing worth noting is the lack of standard outlets, meaning you will have to hardwire an extension block to the inverter in order to plug things in.

Like the 1000w model we just looked at, this inverter is remarkably silent thanks to its cooling fans. The LCD display will tell you everything you need to know about how the inverter is operating as well as allowing you to access the many different functions it has to offer. There is a remote control and battery temperature sensor included in the box but you will have to buy the AWG cables for connecting the inverter to a battery yourself.

Pros

• 3000 continuous watts with 9000w surge capacity- Power any appliance you want while off the grid.
• Compatible with lithium-ion batteries – This inverter can be connected to any 12V battery.
• Can recharge your battery – When connected to shore power, this inverter can recharge your battery as well as drain it.
• Helpful LCD display – For keeping track of how your inverter is doing and selecting different functions.
• Quiet – No annoying hums or buzzes while operating.
• Automatic transfer switch – Keep all your electronics operating even during a power outage.
• 90% efficient – This inverter wastes very little power.

Cons

• No outlets – This inverter requires some knowledge of hardwiring electronics to set up.
• No AWG cables – Cables for connecting the inverter to your battery are not included.
• Heavy – The whole unit weighs 63lbs

Buyers Guide

Inverters can sound very scary, but they are actually very simple to use and extremely useful for tradesmen, people who live in caravans, and holidaymakers alike. Buying the right inverter can make your life much easier but picking the wrong one will do the exact opposite. With that said here is a bit more information on how these devices work and what you should be looking for when buying one.

Pure Sine Wave Vs Modified Sine Wave

In order to understand the difference between the two main types of inverter, it is important to establish the difference between AC and DC.

Direct current (DC) is created and remains at a set voltage above 0, in the case of your car battery this is often 12V. AC on the other hand stands for alternating current which oscillates both above and below zero to create the voltage that we draw from most plug sockets in our homes. Since most of our electronics are not designed to work with DC, inverters are required to convert the 12v DC power from our car batteries into usable 120V AC.

If you draw alternating current on a graph it appears as a wave, because it alternates. A modified sine inverter can only create a rough approximation of this wave made of incremental steps. This causes these inverters to produce a ‘dirtier’ form of power that most electronics can use perfectly well.

However, more complex devices, such as TVs and laptops, won’t work with this type of AC as it will shorten their lifetime and possibly cause them to overheat.

Pure sine wave inverters, on the other hand, use a transformer to create actual AC power similar to the type we have in our homes. Rather than a rough approximation of a wave, these devices generate a perfectly curved, smooth wave that can be used by any appliance. While pure sine inverters are more versatile, they are also often much heavier and more expensive.

As such if you don’t need to power complex or valuable electronics you may be better off saving your money and buying a modified sine inverter instead.

Continuous Watts And Surge Capacity

When shopping for an inverter you will frequently see the phrase continuous watts. This simply refers to the number of watts a machine can produce at a constant, continuous rate. If you exceed this wattage you are likely to overheat and damage your inverter, or simply cause the fail-safes to kick in.

Many devices require more electricity when starting up than they do once they are turned on. Hoovers, hairdryers, and heaters all produce these surges of energy while they are powering up and settle down to consume fewer watts once they are on. The surge or peak capacity of an inverter is how much power it can temporarily generate to deal with these surges, often this is double the continuous watts of a given device.

Buy The Right Size Of Inverter

You may be tempted to just buy the biggest inverter you can afford, but this is highly energy inefficient if you aren’t going to be using its full output. All inverters have an efficiency rating, and while many try, none are 100% efficient. This means bigger units will waste slightly more power than smaller ones, especially when they are idle.

A top tip is to make a list of all the electronics you want to plug into your inverter and add up the number of watts used by each one. Once you have done this you will know what size of inverter is suitable for your needs.

Idle Consumption

This is another phrase you may see while shopping for an inverter. Simply put, the idle consumption is how much power a unit will draw while nothing is plugged in. Generally, the lower this number is, the better.

What Safety Features Are Included

Always check that your inverter is ETL certified so you know it meets the American, national standards for electronic equipment. Also, make sure your inverter has fail-safes in place to provide over and under voltage protection as well as measures to turn the unit off in the case of overheating or overloading.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is An Inverter?

Inverters are machines for converting energy from a 12V DC car battery into 120v AC. This means you can use electrical devices while off the grid without damaging them. Most inverters are metal boxes with terminals at one end for connecting to the car battery and outlets at the other for plugging in your electronics.

Will An Inverter Flatten My Battery?

If used frequently enough, an inverter will eventually run your 12V battery dry. How fast this happens depends on how much power you are drawing from the inverter, its efficiency rating, and how often you use it. Typically these devices are built to be installed in campervans and RV’s so people can use their electronics while out on the road. In this case, the inverter is hooked up to a large leisure battery in the van, which can be recharged using mains power.

An inverter charger is often a larger unit capable of recharging your battery when connected to shore power (standard mains power from a house or other outlet).

How Do I Install My Inverter?

Some models with low wattage can be plugged directly into the cigarette lighter in your car. For most inverters though, you will need to connect the unit to the leisure battery in your RV using AWG cables. This isn’t as hard as it sounds, but be prepared to drill some holes both for feeding cables through to the battery and mounting the inverter to a wall. Wherever you put it, make sure there is enough space for the inverter to breath or it may overheat.

Another good tip is to install a cut-off switch between the battery and your inverter so you can shut off power to the unit when performing essential maintenance. Always make sure your battery and inverter are turned to avoid electrocuting yourself during installation.

Which Electronics Won’t Work With A Modified Sine Wave Inverter?

As we said earlier, some devices won’t work as well, or at all when plugged into a modified sine wave inverter. Generally, more complex electronics will need a pure sine wave unit to run properly without overheating. Here is a short, non-exhaustive list of appliances that won’t work as well with a modified sine inverter:

• Any device with brushless motors
• Modern TVs
• Some laptops
• Microwave ovens
• Coffee machines
• Induction hobs.