The Best Car Power Inverter 2021

A power inverter is a very handy device that allows you to use electronic devices on the road at times when there isn’t always electricity available.

With devices we mean almost everything you can think of: televisions, heaters, cooking equipment, power tools, entertainment systems… to name just a few! 

Any device that runs on AC power will be requiring power inverter if you intend to attach it to a car to charge or power.

It’s a device that can make life better for campers, businessmen and recreational users alike. 

It can be difficult to know exactly where to start when trying to find the best power inverter for you car, so we're here to help you figure out the perfect power inverter for your situation.

Before we get on to recommending the very best car power inverters, we'll make sure you know everything you need to know, to make the best buying decision.

A pure sine-wave inverter will perform better while a square-wave inverter delivers less advanced power conversions. For this reason, pure sine-wave inverters will be a more costly choice although it might be worth the investment as less energy will be consumed, with a better AC power output. Modified sine wave power inverters work well with most light consumer electronics.

Why are we mentioning this? Well, poor waveforms can interfere with the performance ability of your appliances. Aside from potential overheating and damage, a weak power inverter can cause permanent damage and malfunction. It can also cause power inverter noise and usually has more limitations in terms of power output and compatible devices.

Power inverters also come in different sizes with some being small enough to insert directly into the cigarette socket. Other inverters might need to be placed under car seats and connected with longer extension cords. Inverters should never be placed in direct sunlight, wet places or heat sources.

Power inverters can hook up to a car battery in different ways. That can include powering devices through the fuse panel, connecting it directly to the battery, using a cigarette lighter port as mentioned above or even connecting with a 12v accessory socket. It is important to note that inverters connecting through cigarette lighters or 12v accessory sockets are limited to maximum 10 amp draw.

There are two things that need to be determined when choosing a power inverter for your requirements:

1. Determining the power requirements

The power requirements for a device can be determined using the equation

Power(watt) = Current (amps) x Voltage (Volt)

Multiply the input amps and volts of a device to determine the watt usage. The wattage of most devices can also be found online. 

     2. Determining the fuse rating/circuit protection

Fuse rating (A) = Power requirements (watt) * Back up hours (in hrs) / Battery Voltage (in volts)

The power requirement of a device multiplied by the amount of hours the device will need to be charged, divided by the voltage output of the car power inverter, will supply the capacity that your battery will require.

Keep in mind that many devices will list both continuous and peak power outputs. Peak output refers to the wattage that an inverter can supply for a limited amount of time only. Continuous output is the average wattage that a power inverter will supply as the limit for normal operation. A device that draws a combined total will require an inverter that has the same total continuous output. An inverter with an equal peak total will not be sufficient to power the device.  

The variety of car power inverter available to purchase is absolutely overwhelming. They can be purchased in stores, online and even in auto parts shops. They are available in all price ranges so there should be something for your budget. There are also varying power capacities to suit different needs - in general, there’s just a lot of points to consider so when choosing the right power inverter for your car, think about the following.

The first factor to consider is the intended use for your car power inverter. If you’re looking for an inverter to power larger devices, it’s better get a car power inverter that connects directly to the battery. Smaller devices won’t need more than an inverter that plugs into a cigarette socket.

Are you looking to power more than one device at a time? Then it might be a good idea to look for a model with multiple outlets. If you use your cigarette lighter socket for other uses, perhaps it would be better to get a hard-wired inverter. Switching between cars? Perhaps a portable, small-sized inverter is best after all. Deciding on the intended purpose for your car power inverter can make your search a lot easier.

Cars, SUVs and minivans are more suitable for compact and lightweight inverters. Good devices to use with this class of inverters include cellphones, media equipment and laptops. Trucks, boats and RVs have a much bigger power output and can power items such as cooking equipment, televisions and music systems. Since you are selecting a power inverter for your car, it is important to note that there is a limit to the amount of power that can be inverted.

Cars generally use 15A or 20A currents. Older cars will often only be able to handle 10A fuses. When purchasing a power inverter for your car, keep in mind that a high power inverter or electrical appliances that require more voltage could blow a fuse or do serious damage to both the vehicle and appliance. Generally, a 12-volt cigarette lighter socket will draw a 120-volt alternating current and has a maximum safe load of 150 watts for a power inverter.

Smaller digital items like laptops, tablets, cameras and cell phones require low wattage and are compatible with most car power inverters, especially the pure sine wave inverters. Heating appliances like heaters, hair dryers and other high wattage appliances should not be plugged into car power inverters.

High-power electrical appliances over 150 watts are best charged by connecting the power inverter directly to the car battery. It’s a good idea to employ safety precaution and the the capacity of your car battery to ensure that the battery is not overloaded. An exhausted battery can damage the vehicle and cause the battery to ignite.

With cheap car power inverter, you get what you pay for - an underperforming modified square wave sine. In most cases, a cheaper car power inverter will be sufficient for charging appliances but may be incompatible with others. Do your research and read online reviews to make sure that your appliance will be compatible with a cheaper model.

If you are using an older vehicle model, make sure that you plug out any power inverter devices once the car is switched off. Power inverters will continue to consume electricity and could make your batteries flat if left plugged in - even when no appliance is connected.

Choosing the wrong inverter for your car can lead to problems including a blown cigarette fuse, drained car battery, malfunctioning of warning lights on the dashboard and a triggered airbag light due to under-voltage.

Most units have an alarm to warn you of lowered power sources but it might be worth the investment to get a unit that shuts off automatically when the current being transferred is too low.

Always make sure that your laptop computer is compatible with whatever power inverter you plan to use for charging purposes. If you are unsure, checking with the computer manufacturer or searching online are good places to start. 

Modified sine wave inverters are much cheaper but could lead to interference and broken displays on computer screens and printers. Pure sine wave inverters are the safest type of power inverter but cost significantly more. When choosing a power inverter, consider the fuse size of your car’s lighter socket. This information can be found in the vehicle owner’s manual and should look something like this: 10-amp 12-volt lighter socket; 15-amp 12-volt lighter socket; 20-amp 12-volt lighter socket. Most newer models of cars have 15 amps, while large SUVS and trucks often have 20-amp sockets.

The wattage of a device can be found by multiplying device amps by volts. Simply check the specifications of the device to find the amount of amps and plug this into the Amps x Volts (120 volts for a 12-volt lighter socket)= Watts equation. For example, a 2-amp device will consume 240 watts= 2 amps x 120-volt.

Once you are armed with the fuse size of your car’s lighter socket and the wattage required by your device or devices that you would like to charge, you are ready to start shopping! Features to look out for include:

• Size and weight: choose something that will be practical for the intended use. If you are looking for a power inverter to use on vacation or for work trips, smaller power inverters that are portable and can be plugged into any vehicle would be the ideal choice.
• Protection: devices that have safe charging features and built-in amp limits will protect your device from damage including overheating, under- and over-voltage charging and short-circuiting.
• Durability: most power inverter devices are built with strong outer casing to protect against bumps and damage. These are good features to look for as your device will last much longer. Integrating fans for cooling will help prevent shortages and make your device last longer as well.
• Outlets: some devices have multiple charging outlets and even USB ports for USB-compatible devices. Make sure to check both the continuous and instantaneous wattage provided by the inverter.

BESTEK 300W Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC Car Inverter with 4.2A Dual USB Car Adapter

This  car power inverter has durable metal housing and a fan to prevent from overheating. It’s the perfect travel size and has enough ports to charge multiple devices all at once.

Nothing to fault here - this is a good budget buy that still offers value and quality.

The Bestek power inverter is functional, compact and can charge more than one device at a time. It can be attached safely to both the car’s cigarette lighter socket and the car battery. 

Our choice for the best power inverter to charge a laptop in your car is the Bestek 300W power inverter. With an AC outlet and USB port, multiple devices can be charged at once. This power inverter delivers a continuous DC to AC power at 300 watts when connected to the car battery and safely provides up to 150 watts when plugged into the cigarette lighter socket.

We love the size of this device: it’s about as large as an iPhone and is incredibly portable. It has a safety feature to ensure safe charging without short circuits or overheating and provides fast charging for any suitable device.

Remember to plug the device out completely when not in use - even if it is switched off and the car is off, the power inverter can still draw power and drain your car battery. Never place the inverter in sunlight or near heat-sensitive items.

Foval 150W Car Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC Converter with 3.1A Dual USB Car Charger

Weighing just about 8 ounces, this super-portable power inverter is the size of a credit card. With an aluminium shell, durable metal housing, a silent fan for cooling and surge protection devices, Foval’s 150W offering is great for charging essentials on any trip.

For the power this inverter offers great value for money

Convenient sizing, portability and pocket-friendliness make this Foval 150 W inverter a top pick for your car. This power inverter also comes with a 16 inches long cable that lets you comfortably work in the rear seat while being plugged into the car cigarette lighter port.

It has usb port and an ac outlet, that can give a total current output of 3.1 Amps. It also comes with a built-in fuse for protection against charges and is built to override overvoltages, overcurrents and other abnormal scenarios.

The built-in silent fan prevents overheating. The portability of the inverter makes it a versatile choice for camping, hiking and road trips.

VOLTCUBE 400W Car Power Inverter 12V DC to 110V AC Converter with 3.1A Dual USB Car Adapter

With an attractive blue coloring, durable metal casing, low-noise fan to prevent overheating and fuse protection, the 400W inverter offering from Voltcube is well-suited for charging devices on the go.

A neat price for a neat, pocket sized car power inverter.

The Voltcube 400W inverter is portable and comes with USB port and a 110V AC outlet. This makes it the perfect choice for charging on the go. The 17 inch long cable that comes with the power inverter also enables working comfortably from the rear seat.

One of the USB ports offer 2.1A output, enabling fast charging. The power inverter comes with overcurrent protection, and is not meant for operating power hungry appliances like hair-dryers, curling irons and heaters.

Enkey 150W Car Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC Converter with 3.1A Dual USB Charger

Another versatile power inverter in the under 20 dollars price range, this dual USB charger is equipped with robust construction, comprehensive protection and noiseless cooling.

With such a low price, this is great value for money.

This car power inverter provides multiple USB and 110 V AC outlet for use with multiple devices. Robust metal casing, noiseless cooling systems and overcurrent protection make this a very safe device for operation inside your car. The voltage protection capabilities enhance versatility.

Ampeak 400W Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC Car Inverter with 3.1A Dual USB Converter

No bigger than an iPhone, this Ampeak offering comes with multiple outlets (dual USB 3.1A, two 110 V AC), overcurrent, overvoltage, surge and overheating protection. Additionally, since it is capable of supplying 400 Watts, this inverter is suited for running moderately power hungry appliances.

Although not in the very lowest price bracket, the Ampeak power inverter justifies its price.

This Ampeak inverter is conveniently sized, conveniently priced and designed for use on the go. With all round surge protection, in-built fuses and noiseless fans, it is robust and has electrical insulation. The power inverter also has an audible alarm to indicate whether the device is malfunctioning. It comes with battery clip cables in addition to a plug compatible with the cigarette lighter port, thereby enhancing its versatility.

At this price point, you will be hard pressed to find an inverter that is lighter, more portable and provides such high power output capability. Multiple appliances can be plugged in at once, making this a great choice for camping and road trips.

Duracell DRINV400 High Power Inverter, 400 Watt, Black

A compact portable 400 Watt inverter with AC outlet and USB ports, this Duracell offering is built for durability and long life. It is protected against overcurrent, overvoltage and overheating.

We'd go as far as to call this power inverter a bargain

Equipped with a power saving on/off switch, two three-prong AC outlets, one USB port (2.1 A) and durable metal casing, this Duracell inverter is robust, portable and extremely versatile in terms of versatility. The 400 Watt capability ensures that you can operate multiple devices at once and the fact that you can hook the power inverter to the car batteries as well, enhances its versatility. 

This power inverter is well-equipped with voltage and current protection making it safe to operate in your car. It is well-suited for use with electronics, hand-held tools and other equipments away from conventional AC power.

Quesvow 300W Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC Converter with 4.8A Dual USB Car Charger Adapter-Red

An attractive red color, durable construction and portability make this Quesvow 300 Watt inverter well-suited for operation in your car or SUV. This power inverter is equipped with voltage, current and temperature protection.

Priced very reasonably for it's features, this inverter is pocket-friendly.

This portable power inverter plugs into the cigarette lighter port and has a handy long cable for ease of use. One of the USB ports is equipped with fast charging capabilities, enhancing the versatility of the power inverter. An Automatic Temperature Controlled (ATC) fan ensures that the temperature of the device never exceeds 38 degrees. This makes the quesvow offering a popular choice for operating essential appliances on the go.

The inverter is well-equipped with voltage and current protection making it safe to operate in your car. It is well-suited for use with electronics, hand-held tools and other equipments away from conventional AC power.

Quesvow 1000W Car Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V 3 AC Outlets Home Car RV Solar Power Converter for Household Appliances in case Emergency, Hurricane, Storm and Outage

This power inverter is housed within a durable case, is extremely portable and can deliver upto 1000 Watts, making it suitable for operating power-hungry devices.

This is one of the steeply priced inverters but the quality of the product justifies its pricing. 

This Quesvow inverter has three different AC outlets that can continuously deliver 1000 Watts. It has a peak power withstanding capability of 2000 Watts, making it suitable for high power operations.

The inverter is equipped with voltage, current and overheating protection, making it an ideal choice to be carried to camping and hiking trips. This power inverter can also be hooked onto your vehicle’s batteries to provide emergency power at home during power outages.

EBTOOLS Car Power Inverter, 500W/1000W Inverter 12V DC to 110V AC Car Converter with 2 AC Outlets and 2.1A USB ports

This portable inverter is lightweight, housed in a durable metal case and is well-suited for high power applications. Equipped with voltage, current and overheating protection, this EBTOOLS product pays great attention to safe operation.

This is a budget-friendly buy, great value for money.

The EBTOOLS car inverter is equipped with multiple AC outlets and USB ports. Both cigarette lighter and battery clip plugs are present and hence the product can be used to power a number of appliances in the outdoors. The inverter can be bought in both 500 W and 1000 W configurations according to your specific power needs.

It has two replaceable 40 A fuses for overload and short circuit protection. Fast charging is possible. The durable aluminium body ensures that the product has a long life.