The Best Power Inverters for Your Car
Newer cars have heeded the call for USB ports inside the vehicle and have added this feature into their models. However, there are times when you need to charge something more than a phone or another small accessory. Maybe you need to charge your laptop, for example, or your camera and batteries. Unfortunately, your car’s USB port isn’t going to cut it. That’s where a power inverter comes in. It provides an easy way to convert your car’s DC electric power into AC electric power, which can be used to charge all sorts of things. There are a lot of options out there for inverters, and finding the right one may be a challenge, especially if you’re new to this form of power. Thus, we’ve made it easier for you by putting together this list of the best power inverters on the market.
Bestek 300W Power Inverter
If you’re looking for a no-frills inverter that gets the job done without a hitch, look to this one from Bestek. It features two USB ports for charging small electronics as well as two AC outlets for charging larger devices like laptops. What people really love about this device is that it is roughly the size of an iPhone. This makes it perfect to take with you when traveling, yet it’s small enough to keep in your car without taking up much space. The 24-inch cigarette lighter plug is a universal size that should work in most cars. When it comes to safety, this inverter has a built-in 40 amps fuse to keep it safe.
Pros:
- Design protects against overheating
- Metal exterior protects it from drops
- The cooling fan system keeps the inverter quiet
Cons:
- Noisier than expected
Foval 200W Car Power Inverter
When some people think of power inverters, they think of giant blocks. So, how would you feel if we told you there was a power inverter that was the size of a credit card? Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well it isn’t. This pocket-sized inverter from Foval only 8 ounces, yet it features four USB ports and two standard plug outlets that make it easy to charge big and small accessories while on the road. It also has a cable that is 10” long, so if there’s someone in the back seat, they’ll be able to access the inverter, too.
Pros:
- 300W of power
- Features dual USB ports
- Able to charge multiple things at once
Cons:
- Charge is slow
BMK Bluemickey 200W Car Power Inverter
Charge It All
Let everyone charge their phones on your next family road trip with this Bluemickey car power inverter. It has two AC outlets and four USB 6.2A charging ports. When connected to the cigarette lighter, the LCD display on this shows the voltage of the battery. And when connected to a phone, laptop, or other electric device to charge, it shows the current of the USB ports. The inverter also has built-in protection to keep it from overheating as well as short-circuiting and overcharging. In addition to that, it has a built-in smart cooling fan that keeps the inverter silent and cools it down when in use.
Pros:
- Built-in on/off switch for safety
- LED screen shows green when in operation, red when in shutdown mode
- The built-in SMART chip that recognizes what device is plugged in to provide maximum output
Cons:
- Fan gets louder after being plugged in for a while
Ampeak 2000W Power Inverter
One of the things you may not realize you want in a power inverter is durability. But if you plan to have this thing sitting in your car and accompanying you on many road trips, you don’t want a flimsy inverter that will break if something is dropped on it. That’s why we love this one from Ampeak. Its ABS shell provides a high level of protection, and it also comes with insulated ring terminal cables, which offer more safety than alligator clip cables with only a plastic cover. This device is able to give 2000W of continuous DC to AC power with up to 4000W surge capacity. It will even work for household devices if you need it to.
Pros:
- Features 3 AC outlets and 1 USB charging port
- Can power a TV or freezer
- Versatile and powerful
Cons:
- Quite noisy while in use
Potek 500W Power Inverter
I Can See Clearly Now
Whether the inverter is in Low Voltage Protection mode or Over Heat Protection mode, you will know thanks to its illuminated digital display. Providing 1000W of peak power, this inverter features dual 100V AC outlet and two USB ports. And when things get too hot, the built-in cooling fans take the temperature back down while you still charge your electronics. The lightweight and small size of this makes it easy to take with you on the go. It also includes options for both a lighter and battery connector, so you can choose what is best for you.
Pros:
- Runs quiet
- Features overload protection
- Weighs just over 1 pound
Cons:
- Does not have a manual override for the low voltage indicator
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a power inverter used for?
An inverter converts DC electricity in batteries or fuel cells into AC electricity. Power inverters are used to charge smaller electronic devices such as phones and cell phones, but higher powered ones can be used for more. An inverter is the opposite of a converter, which converts AC power to DC.
Can I keep my inverter on all the time?
You can, but you don’t want to. An inverter will drain your car battery if not turned off. It is estimated that an inverter needs to pull 10 times more power off the battery than it actually supplies.
How big of a power inverter is recommended for a car?
It is suggested that inverters that are 2500W or less should be used on your car.
Does an inverter take power when not in use?
If the inverter is on, then yes, it will still draw power. In order to ensure it doesn’t drain your battery, you need to turn the unit off.