10 Best Power Inverters for Cars – Money Saving Guide
USB ports in cars are increasingly becoming standard, and this has allowed motorists as well as passengers to charge their mobile devices.
Now, while the USB ports are handy for daily use, they do not provide sufficient power to charge the large accessories.
Maybe, you are tailgating and want to connect your electric cappuccino, or there is a chance you want to keep your laptop fully charge while you are on the go.
What I’m trying to pass on is that in today’s connected world, there are a plethora of appliances that require more than a USB port for charging. And for this reason, the best power inverter for car provide an alternative and reliable solution.
If you are wondering which is the best power inverter for car, we found out that the Power Bright 600W is the best value that you can get for your money.
Still, the other car inverters on our list are quite popular for their quality, price, and overall ease of use.
Table of Contents
Our Top 3 Quick Picks
Power Bright 600W
Best Value
This is the only inverter that generates a pure sine wave, making it the most ideal for all your sensitive electronics.
BESTEK Car Power Inverter 1000W
Best Rated
Has the highest power output, and will power, most, if not all, of your portable household electronics.
FOVAL 150W
Best Budget
Though a budget option, it has a higher power output than most of the higher priced models, and it packs a punch.
Comparison Table & Runner Ups
In the comparison section below, we shall highlight the ten best inverters for car.
Here, we shall explore the features of each inverter, compare them against each other, and list the price of every inverter for car.
Image | Product Name | Features | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BESTEK Car Power Inverter 1000W | Surge watts:2400W Continuous watts: 1000W AC outlets:2 USB ports:0 Dimension:9.4 x 4.7 x 2.8 inches | $$$ | |
| Power Bright 600W | Surge watts:1000W Continuous watts: 600W AC outlets:2 USB ports:0 Dimension:14.8 x 10.7 x 5.4 in | $$$ | |
| FOVAL 150W | Surge watts: 300W Continuous watts:150 W AC outlets:1 USB ports:2 Dimension:3.7 x 2.5 x 1.5 in | $$$ | |
 | Bestek 300W | Surge watts: 700W Continuous watts:300 W AC outlets: 2 USB ports: 2 Dimension: 4.8 x 3.1 x 1.9 in | $$ | |
 | BESTEK 200W | Surge watts:500W Continuous watts: 200W AC outlets:3 USB ports:4 Dimension:6.2 x 3.3 x 1.4 inches | $$ | |
 | ENERGIZER 500 | Surge watts:1000W Continuous watts: 500W AC outlets:2 USB ports:4 Dimension:8 x 4 x 2 in | $$ | |
 | ENERGIZER 900 | Surge watts:1800w Continuous watts: 900W AC outlets:2 USB ports:2 Dimension: 10.3 x 5.6 x 2.7 inches | $$ | |
 | BESTEK 400W | Surge watts:1000W Continuous watts: 400W AC outlets:2 USB ports:4 Dimension:11.73 x 6.93 x 3.07 in | $$ | |
 | Cobra CPI890 | Surge watts:1600W Continuous watts: 800W AC outlets:2 USB ports:1 Dimension:7 x 6 x 3.5 inches | $$ | |
 | Duracell Power DRINVPS175 | Surge watts: Continuous watts: 175W AC outlets:2 USB ports:2 Dimension:7.4 x 2.3 x 1.8 in | $$ |
Top 10: Best Power Inverters for Car
All automobile run on DC, and their batteries put out direct current. On the other hand, all electronics, run on AC energy, and so, if you are to charge any of them, you have to ensure it’s through a proper AC system.
This is where power inverters come into play as they are instrumental in changing DC power to AC power, which is palatable to most of the electronics.
Now, with a power inverter for car, it doesn’t mean you can plug a full-sizes fridge or freezer, but it will make your life a lot easier on the road by helping you charge some mid-level electronics such as laptops, coffee makers, TV or even a hairdryer.
Finding the best power inverter for car is not the easiest task, and this is why we have decided to review to top 10 inverters.
In our comprehensive guide below, we shall review the best inverters for car in the market, and by the end of the article, you will have decided, which power inverter fits your needs.
1. BESTEK 300W
Bestek 300, like all the power inverters from Bestek, is praised for its performance.
But will this unit live up to the brands legacy?
Quick Summary
Weighing less than a pound, this lightweight inverter is a handy piece, extremely portable and you can go with it whenever you go. Portability on this piece is further bolstered by a compact build.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Powerful
The Bestek 300W will provide you with a powerful performance, as it offers a continuous wattage of 300 and surges wattage of 700W.
Sure, it’s not the highest we have seen with conventional inverters, but considering this is for car, it’s pretty awesome.
You cannot understand Bestek performance until you put it into action. With this inverter, you can power most of the basic electronics including laptops, TVs, mini-fridges, printers, DVD players, and other 110V-rated appliances.
Multi-Use (2 USB ports/ AC Outlets)
Comfort at its best, the Bestek 300 will provide you with a real-life home experience.
Like your regular home electric extension, the Bestek comes with 2 AC outlets, and this is to mean it can accommodate more than one device.
Here, you can charge your laptop, and at the same time, charge your phone.
Better yet, versatility on this piece is further manifested by the presence of 2 USB ports, meaning you can charge up to 4 devices in total using Bestek. The USB ports, however, are ideal for charging the smaller devices such as tablets, phones, headphones, and speakers.
The Bestek comes with a built-in 24” cigarette lighter plug. Though the cord will not allow you to hard-wire it in your car, it’s compatible with many cars.
Safe
The built-in 40-amp fuse on this device will guarantee the safety of your electronics, and with the fuse, you will no longer have to worry about overloading, short-circuiting, overcharging or overheating.
Speaking of overheating, the device is fitted with a built-in cooling fan for heat control and will keep the temperatures relatively low.
Ultra-Compact and Lightweight
Sporting a modest dimension of 4.8 x 3.1 x 1.9 in and weighing less than a pound, the Bestek is not distracting while in your car.
In fact, it is only as big as your iPhone.
Durable
Despite its lightness and compact build, Bestek 300 is housed by a robust metal edifice that will protect against drops and bumps.
WHAT I LIKED
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
2. FOVAL 150W
Next up, we have this frankly little and adorable inverter from Foval. Cheap and cheery, this 150W inverter is a step down from the Bestek 300W we have reviewed above.
Quick Summary
However, though it's built for light duty AC power supply, it does not skimp on performance and will power plenty of things including laptops, DVD players, iPads, and e-readers.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Robust performance
The Foval 150 is an ideal option for kids, readers, gamers, mothers, and people with certain health conditions while on the road.
With a surge wattage of 300W, the Foval 150W has a modest power output, but that does not limit its performance.
With this inverter, you can power an array of electronics including laptops, DVD layers, CPAP machines, breast pumps, TV, game consoles, and more.
Multi-purpose (2 USB Ports)
As we had mentioned earlier, the Foval is a step-down to the Bestek we had reviewed above, and this is further manifested by the presence of a single AC outlet rather than the 2, we saw earlier.
Still, the single AC outlet is more than sufficient, unless you are looking to power multiple devices with no batteries like coffee makers simultaneously.
The good news, however, the inverter comes with 2 USB ports, and this will allow you to charge multiple small devices that rib in 5V DC.
Here, you charge your smartphones, tablets, portable parkers, wireless headphones, and even min cameras.
Again, though it does not feature a 40-amp fuse for protection, it comes with several standard safety protocols to keep your electronics safe.
Compact
The Foval 150W take inverter for car to another level, when it comes to size. Weighing less an 8 ounces and with a dimension of 3.7 x 2.5 x 1.5 in, this inverter is unbelievably small, approximately just the same size as my credit card.
The modest design of this inverter not only makes it easy to store but its effective in saving space.
Durable
All the contents of this device are housed under a super-durable aluminum shell for utmost protection.
WHAT I LIKED
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
3. Bestek 200W
Versatility at its best, Bestek 200W is yet another handy product from Bestek. A more affordable option than the latter, the Bestek 200W is a more versatile solution.
Quick Summary
Like the previous model, the Bestek 300 offers powerful performance and is built to save on space.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Powerful Performance
The Bestek 200W is a blood cousin to the Bestek 300W we reviewed above.
Performance-wise, this new model a rung lower than the first model as it offers a running wattage of 300 and spike wattage of 500W.
Still, this is far higher than the Foval 150, and with this model, your powering options are limitless as you can use it to power laptops, DVD player TV, GPS units, smartphones, battery chargers and more.
Multi-purpose (3 AC units/4 USB ports)
Providing a more versatile solution, the Bestek 200W comes with a whopping 3 AC outlets and 4.2A 4 USB ports.
What this means is that this little electrical nugget is capable of charging up to 7 electronics simultaneously.
In my honest review, or at least what I think, none of the best power inverters for car we have reviewed can beat that.
Ultra-compact Design
Like all the models we have reviewed above, the Bestek 200, weighing 13.8 ounces and with a dimension of 6.2 x 3.3 x 1.4 inches is by any means compact, and it will allow you to toss it in your glove box or center console when not using it.
Multi-protection System
The Bestek is a flush with a plethora of safety features. Like the Bestek 300, it comes with a built-in fuse to prevent short-circuiting, or overloading.
Alongside the fuse, you will get a low battery alarm, low battery shutdown, and a cooling fan to prevent overheating.
WHAT I LIKED
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
4. BESTEK Car Power Inverter 1000W
With the Bestek 1000W, we shall be stepping up a bit. This inverter will allow you to power a whole more electronics that you would with the above-mentioned inverters.
Quick Summary
Sporting a relatively simple design, this inverter will allow you to attach it by either using the clamps provided or the 12 V power cord.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Reliable performance
This inverter is exactly what you need, especially if your power needs are moderate to high.
Offering a decent power output of 1000 and 2400 running and surge watts respectively, this inverter will handle a majority of high-power dependency electronics without a hassle.
Multipurpose (2 AC outlets)
Though this inverter does not feature AC outlets, which is quite a bummer, it comes with two basic Ac outlets that can be used for charging any 110-v-rated electronic.
Easy to Use
At the height of convenience, we love how easy you can hookup this inverter.
With Bestek 1000, you have the option of either plugging it directly to your battery or plugging it into your car’s power point outlet.
We prefer the former as it will result in less power drop-off.
Safety Features
Another highlight of this inverter is that it features rugged construction, and this will allow it to withstand the harsh environment.
Moreover, the device hosts a plethora of safety features, including the presence of several fuses that will prevent short-circuiting, overload protection, and low battery shutoff.
WHAT I LIKED
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
5. ENERGIZER 500
An interesting fact about the Energizer 500 is that it’s the first power inverter to incorporate 9.9A of USB charging capability.
Quick Summary
Unlike other inverters which are hard-wired through a cigarette lighter plug, the Energizer can be permanently installed through the use of its built-in mounting post.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Powerful Performance
With a generous running and surge wattage of 500 and 1000 watts, respectively, the Energizer is a wonderful model that will provide you with all the power you need to power up your devices.
Multi-purpose (2 AC outputs, 4-USB ports)
A versatile piece, this inverter will provide you with plenty of powering options.
Though it cannot match the versatility offered by Bestek 200w, with regards to AC outputs, the 2 AC outlets on the Energizer are still sufficient enough. With the two outlets, you can power your large electronics such as TV, laptops, and DVD players.
Versatility is further manifested by the presence of 4 USB ports, which is by far the largest we have seen on our list. Better yet, the inverter is one of the few to provide 9.6A charging capacity for the USB ports.
Quiet Operation
With our previous models, you had to bear the brunt of a noisy cooling fan.
With the Energizer 500, however, you will not have to face any noisy operation as this unit runs on an ultra-silent thermal fan that hardly makes any noise when in use.
Safety
When it comes to the safety of your electronics, you will not worry about short-circuiting, overloading, or the rest as this inverter is tested, validated, and approved by METLAB.
WHAT I LIKED
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
6. ENERGIZER 900
The Energizer 900W is one of the more powerful inverters on our list and is a step up to the Energizer 500W.
Quick Summary
This handheld device will connect directly to a 12V DC battery to power your handheld devices such as laptops, power tools, and gaming consoles.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Reliable Output
Like we mentioned earlier, the Energizer 900W is one of the reliable and powerful inverters on our list. This inverter operates at 900W continuously and will provide up to 1800W at peak power.
With such a power rating, it means that this device can handle nearly all your hand-held appliances including laptops, tablets, gaming console to a DVD player.
Multipurpose (2 AC Outlets, 2 USB ports)
Like the best power inverter for car on our list, the Energizer exhibits versatility, thanks to the presence of multiple charging ports.
Ironically, however, this unit has fewer USB ports that its step down the Energizer 500W, but that should not be a problem as this limitation is covered up for by the powerful output.
Better yet, this inverter comes with battery clips that will allow you to run your inverter off your car’s battery.
Quiet Operation
The thermal fan technology is a standard feature in Energizer fans, and this means that you will no longer have to deal with noises from the fan as its operation is ultra-silent.
Durable
Designed with durability in mind, this inverter is robust and will sustain the drops and bumps. This makes it an ideal option, especially if you are to do any serious work to your vehicle, or if you are carrying it outdoors.
Easy to Use
Sporting an LCD display, this inverter will provide a convenient way to read the input and output voltage as well as the battery level.
WHAT I LIKED
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
7. BESTEK 400W
This is yet another excellent inverter from Bestek. It’ s scaled version of the Bestek 1000W we had reviewed but a step up to Bestek 300W.
Quick Summary
Expectedly, it has similar traits to Bestek 300W and will power most of the AC equipment requiring 400 Watts of power or less.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Powerful Performance
With the ability to generate up to 400W of continuous power and 1000W of spike watts, the Bestek is one of the reliable inverters in the market.
With this power, this inverter will allow you to charge a host of electrical equipment including digital cameras, laptops, Blu-Ray players, game consoles, TVs, Fridge, and Lamps.
Multipurpose
The Bestek 400W comes standard with 2 AC outlets and 2 USB ports, and with these, your charging options are quite vast.
Here, the 2 AC outlets will allow you to charge your larger hand-held devices such as laptops, and TVs, while the two USB ports will charge your phones, tablets, and headphones.
Durable
Constructed from durable materials, the Bestek 400 can withstand the daily knocks, bumps, and regular movements.
Safety Features
For starters, this inverter comes with a cooling fan that will prevent this unit from overheating.
Naturally, inverters can run extremely hot, and the fan will help it cool as it runs, and this will help to extend the life of the unit too.
Convenient
The Bestek 400W will allow you to hook it directly to your car's battery or into a cigarette lighter for light power needs.
WHAT I LIKED
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
8. Cobra CPI890
Cobra CPI 890 is a robust inverter that will supply you with endless power supply for most of your portable electronics.
Quick Summary
Sporting several connection modules, this inverter is versatile enough to allow powering of multiple electronics simultaneously.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Reliable performance
This powerful 800-watt inverter provides a surge wattage of 1600w, and this should be enough to power office equipment as well as a majority of the household appliances.
Multipurpose (2AC Outlets, a single USB Port)
Though it does not the highest number of outlets we have seen on our list, it's relatively versatile and will power multiple appliances, up to a total of three electronics simultaneously.
However, versatility on this unit is quite limited as it does not feature a cigarette plug, a feature that is quite standard in a majority of the best power inverters for cars on our list.
With the absence of a cigarette, it means that the only connection option left is using a direct connection to the battery.
Pentagon Protection System
A major highlight of this inverter is that it offers a multi-tiered protection system, consisting of five layers of protection for the ultimate safety of your electronics.
While using this unit, you can always feel safe as you are protected against:
What you might like best about this inverter is that it offers five levels of protection against failure, with the “Cobra Pentagon” protection. You can feel safe and confident when using it as you will be protected from thermal shut down, low voltage shutdown, low voltage alarm, over-voltage shutdown, and reverse polarity.
WHAT I LIKED
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
9. Power Bright 600W
Power Bright is a respected company well-known for manufacturing high-quality equipment. The Power Bright 600W is well-constructed, and more importantly, it's a pure sine wave inverter, which makes it a tad pricier.
Quick Summary
Remember that pure sine wave inverters generate premium power that is identical an even better to that produced your conventional AC output.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Reliable Performance
With a running wattage of 600W and surge wattage of 1000W, this inverter is powerful enough to power most of your household electrical appliances while on the go.
Pure Sine Wave Output
If you know anything about pure sine wave inverters, you will know that they generate a smooth output, without any surges.
With the Power Bright 600, you will get an output with a THD of <3%, and this makes the inverter ideal even for the most sensitive electronics such as laptops and phone.
Durable
Another thing that you will like about this inverter is that it features a sturdy aluminum casing that will protect the inverter and its content from the rigorous bumps and movements.
Thermal Cooling Fan
Safety-wise, the Power Bright features an array of safety features, including a thermal cooling fan that will regulate the internal temperatures, and keep the inverter working optimally. More importantly, the thermal fan works ultra-quiet and will not produce undesirable noises.
Safety on this inverter is further underlined by the presence of indicator signals that will alert you in case of an overload.
WHAT I LIKED
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
10. Duracell Power DRINVPS175
Duracell is one of the most recognized names when it comes to batteries and the Duracell Power DRINVPS175 is no exception regarding quality and performance.
Quick Summary
With a power output of a mere 175 watts, the Duracell DRINVPS175 is only ideal for those looking for light usage.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Modest Output
Running at 175W, the Duracell Power has the lowest power rating on our list. However, it is an ideal option for those looking to charge lightweight devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops.
Multi-Purpose
If you are still skeptical about whether the Duracell will power your laptop or DVD player, it's for the reason that this inverter comes with an AC outlet, and not one but two.
In addition to the AC outlets, this device comes with two extra USB ports for charging your lightweight equipment.
Convenient
The convenience of this device is manifested in various ways.
For starters, this inverter is not a heavy-duty type, and as you would expect, it's both compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry and store.
Secondly, it comes with a 3-foot cord that will extend your reach.
Safety
Though it sports a minimalist design, it still has space for a cooling fan, and this will prevent the unit from overheating.
WHAT I LIKED
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
Best Power Inverter for Car Buying Guide
If you are planning to purchase the best power inverter for car, here are top characteristics to look out for:
Power
Inverters for car provide a wide range of power output and to choose the right one, you’ll need one that will match the power requirements of your car.
For instance, if you are looking to power your laptops, TV, and fan at the same time, a 75-watt plug in will not cut.
Here, we suggest that you based your inverter choice on the total wattage of the devices that you might be looking to power.
Again, to have a concrete basis for power, we recommend that you read the car’s manual for the size of your lighter fuse.
By combining these two methods, you will have a rough estimate of the power range that befits your appliances.
Number of Outlets
There's no sense of having monster 1500W power inverter for car when it only allows you to charge one device.
Besides power, your inverter should have adequate outlets too, and this will allow you to charge multiple devices simultaneously.
Though there are some inverters with up to 7 outlets, at the bare minimum, we encourage our readers to go for inverters with at least four outlets; 2 AC outlets and 2 USB charging ports.
And while at it, ensure the AC outlets are in the form of a three-pronged outlet.
Ease of Hook Up
Simplicity is a major consideration to make while choosing an inverter.
For an easy to use experience, choose a model that will have the versatility of hooking. Ideally, it should have both the options of hooking either through your car's cigarette lighter or connected directly to your car's battery.
The latter is particularly recommended for the inverters that supply higher amounts of power.
Construction
Generally, car inverters work in a harsh environments and tend to get hot when working. Therefore, you do not want your inverter designed from flimsy material, but rather from a robust material.
Ideally, your inverter should be housed by a metal alloy such as aluminum, and this should help to keep it both lightweight, while at the same time maintaining the structural integrity, and the strength needed to keep your inverter strong.
Fan
We have mentioned that inverters can get hot. In any case, when the inverter is running, the heat build-up tends to escalate quickly.
As a result of the quick heat build-up, inverters tend to trip their thermal overload regularly.
With a good build-in fan, however, you can help your inverter stay cool for longer, and this will help in extending their usefulness.
Safety Features
Beyond the fan, there are other safety features that are necessary for a power inverter for car.
For any unit you purchase, you must ensure that it has a safety feature that will guarantee the protection of the device as well as that of your electronics.
Some of the safety features that you should consider include uses, low battery shutoffs, and high heat protection.
Price
Generally, most of the power inverters for cars are affordably priced, and this should not be a huge factor to consider when choosing between models.
However, do not exclude the price of these units as there are some sales with good deals out there.
Also understand that you get what you pay for.
How to Hook Up Car’s Power Inverter
There are basically two ways of hooking up our car’s power inverter:
1.Hooking to a car’s cigarette lighter
This is the easiest method, as you will simply need to plug it in.
On the flipside, this method is not ideal if you are looking to power up power-hungry devices
2.Hooking directly to the Battery
Unlike the first method, hooking to a battery is a more tedious method as it will require you to go under the hood and hook a cable up directly to the battery.
Conclusion
Power inverters for car are a handy device to own. With just a simple plug to your vehicle battery, you can now have the opportunity of powering some of your portable electronic devices.
In the section above, we have looked the top 10 power inverter for car, and further looked at some o the factors you need to consider when picking one.
All the reviews we have done above would be great to own, but you will need to pick one that will satisfy your power needs.
