Camper Inverters
An inverter converts the 12V DC power from your auxiliary battery into 120V AC (or 230V), allowing you to use household appliances like laptop chargers, hair dryers, or small kitchen appliances. The key is choosing the right wattage and always opting for pure sine wave to protect your sensitive electronic devices.
Comparison
| Option | Type | Price | Weight | Performance | Best for... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Sine Wave Inverter 300W | Pure Sine Wave | $45 - $90 | 0.8 kg | Minimalist travelers who only need to charge personal electronics | |
| Pure Sine Wave Inverter 600W | Pure Sine Wave | $80 - $165 | 1.5 kg | Most van conversions with moderate electrical needs | |
| Pure Sine Wave Inverter 1000W | Pure Sine Wave | $130 - $270 | 3 kg | Vanlifers who cook with electric appliances or use power tools | |
| Pure Sine Wave Inverter 2000W | Pure Sine Wave | $220 - $500 | 5 kg | Professional full-time vanlife installations with high energy demands |
Pure Sine Wave Inverter 300W
Pure Sine Wave
- Compact and lightweight: fits in any corner of the van
- Affordable: starting from $45 for a real pure sine wave
- Very low standby consumption: 0.3-0.5A
- Sufficient for charging laptops, cameras, drones, and small devices
- Limited power: cannot run appliances like hair dryers or toasters
- Not suitable for 120V compressor fridges or power tools
- Only one or two outlets
- No advanced features like soft start or remote monitoring
Pure Sine Wave Inverter 600W
Pure Sine Wave
- Handles most laptop chargers and gaming consoles
- Can power a blender, e-bike charger, or similar appliances
- Good power-to-price ratio for mid-size installations
- Surge capacity up to 1,200W for small electric motors
- Not enough for a hair dryer (1,200-1,800W) or electric heater
- Notable battery drain: 50A at full load on 12V
- Requires properly sized wiring (8-6 AWG) and fuse
- No built-in USB ports on most models
Pure Sine Wave Inverter 1000W
Pure Sine Wave
- Enough power for small appliances: toaster, Nespresso coffee maker
- Supports light power tools: drill, jigsaw
- Peak power up to 2,000W for motor startups
- Built-in protections: overload, short circuit, overheat, and low voltage
- Draws up to 85-90A from the battery at full load (needs a strong battery!)
- Requires thick wiring: minimum 4-2 AWG and 100A fuse
- Generates heat requiring good ventilation in the install space
- A 1,500W hair dryer will still exceed its capacity
Pure Sine Wave Inverter 2000W
Pure Sine Wave
- Powers virtually any household appliance: hair dryer, water heater, microwave
- Surge up to 4,000W: starts any household electric motor
- Multiple outlets and often includes USB ports
- Supports professional tools (angle grinder, small compressor)
- Massive draw: up to 170A at 12V at full load, drains batteries quickly
- Requires LiFePO4 battery of at least 200Ah and 1/0-2/0 AWG wiring
- Heavy and bulky: 11 lbs and considerable size
- High price for quality versions: $220-$500
Best for...
Best value
Pure Sine Wave Inverter 300W
Best overall
Pure Sine Wave Inverter 1000W
Best for small vans
Pure Sine Wave Inverter 600W
Related calculator
Electrical Consumption Calculator