Looking for the best RV inverter? Dive into our comprehensive reviews to find the perfect fit for your needs.
Your RV inverter is essential for running household appliances from your camper’s battery bank.
It doesn’t sound like an exciting gadget, but seriously, when it breaks down, and you have no way to charge your laptop, and you can’t switch on your induction hob, you’ll develop a whole new appreciation for inverters in double-quick time.
Of course, transforming your battery’s DC power to bring AC electricity into your camper or replacing the inverter in your RV brings up a whole new issue: deciding which 12v inverter is best for your setup.
Aren’t they all basically the same? Does it really matter?
The answers to those questions are “no” and “only if you care about having enough power to keep your regular refrigerator running,” respectively.
To that end, we looked at the best RV power inverters to see which one deserves a spot in your rig.
We judged them on things like:
- brand reputation,
- customer service,
- size,
- sine wave technology,
- safety protection features,
- and more.
Ultimately, we crowned the Renogy range of RV inverters as our champions.
If you want to see what makes the Renogy inverters such a great range and learn which other products make it onto our top 5 picks of the best inverters for RVs, read on.
How to Choose the Best RV Power Inverter for Your Camper
The Renogy 1000w 12v Inverter topped our list of the best RV power inverters, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will fit all your needs.
A fundamental aspect of choosing an inverter for your camper is understanding how the component integrates with your RV’s electrical system.
Understanding your overall energy demands is critical.
For example, there’s little point in buying a 3000w inverter if your battery bank cannot provide sufficient power.
Neither is it worth buying a 3000w inverter for a massive energy demand that needs a battery bank that you cannot realistically recharge.
Our Campervan Electrics Handbook provides a complete understanding of electrical systems in campers, and it’s a perfect place to start for beginners.
If you need to ensure your entire electrical system and its components are sized to meet your energy demands, our interactive RV Wiring Diagram is the tool you need.
If you are looking for the perfect 12v inverter to use your household AC appliances in your camper, there are a few features you should look for.
From the type of inverter (nope – they’re not all the same) to size and cost – we’ve got it covered.
Here’s what you need to look at when shopping for a 12v inverter for your RV, motorhome, or campervan.
Type of RV Inverter
Like many electrical components for our campers, not all inverters are made equal.
There are two main types of inverters: modified sine wave inverters and pure sine wave inverters.
There are probably a few old square wave inverters hanging around in the back of garages, but they’re all but obsolete now.
Avoid them as they probably won’t meet your modern needs.
Modified sine wave inverters can be used in RVs and are suitable for running smaller devices like lamps, water pumps, and fans.
Basically, anything with a motor and without electronics should work well with a modified square wave inverter.
Pure sine wave inverters produce a true sine wave most closely resembling mains power, compatible with all your RV electrical equipment.
It’s the best option for operating sensitive electronic equipment and appliances, such as RV satellite dishes, TVs, refrigerators, microwave ovens, and laptops.
The price of inverters has dropped in the past few years.
Although modified sine wave inverters are cheaper than their pure sine wave alternative, the price difference isn’t as significant as it was.
Because the pure sine wave model is more versatile, you’re better off buying a pure sine wave inverter unless you’re on an extremely tight budget and don’t need to run sensitive electronics.
Inverter Size
Power inverters are sized in watts.
If you don’t understand what size inverter your current or planned electrical system can support, you could buy the wrong-sized inverter.
That’s a potentially expensive mistake and will undoubtedly lead to a disappointing outcome.
You only need to read any camper van conversion forum to understand how opinions vary on what size you need.
We’ll leave that for another post – read it here: What Size Inverter Do I Need In My Camper?
It’s covered in detail in the Campervan Electrics Handbook.
Once you’ve calculated the inverter size required, you should check if the inverter’s size specification meets your needs.
Look for Continuous Power or Running Power and Peak or Surge Power Rating on the label or specification.
Continuous Power or Running Power
This is usually the labeled rating of the inverter, so if you’ve calculated you need a 3000w inverter, that means you need a device that can provide 3000w of continuous power.
A device labeled as a 3000w inverter can provide 3000w of power for as long as there’s a sufficient DC supply – that is, the battery bank is big enough and charged sufficiently.
Peak or Surge Power Rating
Inverters can provide a greater surge of power in short bursts. This is especially useful for appliances that demand a power surge on startup, like a compressor fridge or induction cooktop.
They take a large power surge to get going before quickly dropping back to their running level. As a result, inverters often have a peak rating greater than the continuous power rating.
For example, let’s say you need a 1000w inverter, but one of your appliances needs a 1600w surge to get going.
In that case, you’ll need to buy a model that provides at least 1000w continuous power and a 2000w peak power rating.
In this example, the Renogy 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter would be ideal as it has a 2000w surge rating.
You’ll need to check your appliance specifications for any surge demands.
Input Voltage
Inverter specifications indicate the input voltage they need the battery bank to supply.
Most RV and campervan electrical systems have a 12v battery bank.
Some have 24v, and even fewer have 48v. All the inverters on our list are 12v models, as it’s the most common battery bank voltage for recreational vehicles.
If your battery bank is 24v or 48v, you’ll need to shop around for an inverter to match your battery bank voltage.
Output Voltage
If you’ve read our introduction guide to RV inverters, you’ll know that an inverter transforms the DC input voltage into an AC output voltage.
Electrical devices will run on 110v or 220v AC, so choosing a compatible inverter is essential.
Some manufacturers display the output voltage as a range.
For example, in the US, this is probably 110-130v, while Europe, Australia, and the UK, are more likely to be 220-240v.
Buy an inverter with the same output voltage as your devices.
Static Current or No-Load or Idle Consumption
No-load consumption refers to how many amps the power inverter uses when switched on but has no appliances running.
Generating electricity and storing it in a motorhome is a hard-won battle, especially when living off-grid, so we’re focused on efficiency and not wasting it.
Remember those batteries at night when your solar panels aren’t getting any sunlight too!
An inverter with an idle consumption of 1 amp will use about 8 amps overnight, but a 5 amp device would use 40 amps in addition to any load running simultaneously.
That could be a hefty proportion of your total battery bank.
Aim for a low no-load level where possible. If you already have an inverter with a high no-load level, you can always turn connected appliances off when not in use.
Just install the inverter somewhere convenient unless it has a remote control switch.
Efficiency Rating
Another important factor when buying an inverter for your camper is its efficiency rating. We put a lot of effort into generating electricity, especially when living off-grid, so we want to limit any waste where we can.
The efficiency rating of an inverter indicates how much energy it uses compared to the device it is powering.
For example, an inverter with a 90% efficiency rating uses 10% more energy than the device it’s supplying.
Modern pure sine wave inverters usually have an efficiency rating of over 90%, while modified sine wave inverters may not be much higher than 85%.
The efficiency rating often falls with age, so check the specifications carefully.
Price
Price is another important factor when choosing an inverter for your camper. Most pure sine wave 12v inverters cost between $150 & $300 depending on the size, but the more powerful 3000w + models can be upwards of $500.
Budget, modified sine wave models come in under $50.
Carefully consider the specification if it meets your needs and offers good value for money. For example, does it include a remote switch?
This feature can be great if you don’t want to purchase a remote switch separately.
Or is the inverter large enough to cope with future usage and battery bank expansion?
If you think you’ll use more electrical devices in the future and may need to increase your RV’s electrical system, buying a larger inverter now may be more cost-effective than replacing it later.
Safety Features
When looking for a power inverter for your camper, get one that is UL listed, ETL certified, or other safety compliance rating by an independent testing board.
The most common safety certifications you’ll see on inverters in the US are UL, ETL, CSA, and MET.
However, if you’re outside the US, and your inverter doesn’t have one of these certifications, it should conform to the safety standards of your region – such as CE, EN British Standards.
This will ensure that it meets the safety regulations of the independent testing body and is safe to use.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of cheap inverters out there that don’t have any safety certification. We recommend that you avoid these.
Most inverters have at least some safety protection features, offering greater reassurance and protecting your RV’s electrical system.
They vary from device to device, but here’s a list of common features:
- Auto cut-off, LED indicators, and alarms for under and over-voltage protection, over-temperature protection, overload protection, and short-circuit protection.
- High-speed ventilation fans to help keep the inverter running at a low temperature
- Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection
- Remote monitoring
1. Renogy Inverters – All-Round Best RV Inverter Range
Overview
Renogy is an American brand that started as a small project at Louisiana University in 2010.
With the help and support of Louisiana’s Business and Technology Center, it grew from a “small project” into a thriving company.
They command a high market share in the RV solar panel market and expanded from there.
Today, Renogy manufactures all the necessary components for a mobile living electrical system, including pure sine wave power inverters.
Renogy inverters start at a relatively large size – 700w – so if your electrical needs are small, you’d be better off with a Bestek 300w inverter or one of Victron’s small inverters.
Because of Renogy’s position selling solar panels, they focus on selling kits, so you can be sure you’ll find a compatible solar panel kit for one of their inverters.
That saves a lot of head-scratching when buying electrical components for your RV.
Renogy inverters can cope with a power surge of twice their continuous running power – so a 2000w inverter can cope with an appliance that needs up to 4000w on startup.
And because they’re over 90% efficient, they’re pretty economical on the battery bank.
The entire Renogy range of pure sine wave inverters includes a wired remote control, so you can locate them out of the way and still easily turn them on and off on demand.
They all have a USB port and, depending on the model, 2 or 3 AC sockets, so if you want to set it up directly from the battery bank, you don’t need to run extension cables unless you want to.
Their compact size makes the Renogy inverters perfect for small campers, so you don’t have to give over too much valuable space to these electrical components.
The inverters have two high-speed ventilation fans to maximize heat dissipation almost noiselessly.
They work with all battery types, and the easy-to-use LED light indicates if the device is operating correctly.
Unfortunately, aside from the LED light, the Renogy range of inverters has no power displays or Bluetooth modules, so you won’t be configuring your setup from your phone.
What We Liked
- Large-sized inverters are ideal for RV living
- Easy to find compatible solar kits for each inverter
- Excellent reputation at an affordable price
What We Didn’t Like
- No small inverters (less than 700w) available
- Some customers have reported a poor customer service experience
- No power display or Bluetooth module
Renogy’s Best RV Inverters
2. Samlex America Inverters – Top-of-the-range RV Inverters
Overview
Samlex America is another trusted brand, and they benefit from a long track record.
Born out of a garage in 1991, Samlex America is a global manufacturer of power inverters, battery chargers, solar panel kits, and more.
The company has a market footprint covering over 90 countries. In the beginning, Samlex America built commercial products and a small line of power inverters.
They later expanded to include battery chargers, converters, and power supplies.
In 2009, they started serving customers with power needs in the marine, RV, and off-grid systems.
Samlex power inverters are a solid choice.
Easy to install and use, they provide continuous pure sine wave power for your RV camper. Their range includes power inverters from 120w to 3000w pure sine wave AC power.
They’re ideal for powering sensitive equipment and household appliances.
The brand’s remote controls are pretty nice, showing frequency, power factor, current, volts, and real-time watts.
Unfortunately, the remote control isn’t included as standard, so you’ll need to purchase that separately if you want it.
Although Samlex inverters are priced at the high end of the brands on our list, their excellent quality products have some of the lowest no-load rates on the market and offer a cracking 3-year warranty.
What We Liked
- Samlex inverters provide continuous pure sine wave power, ideal for powering sensitive equipment and household appliances, making them a great choice for RVs and campervans.
- The brand offers a wide range of power inverters from 120w to 3000w, catering to various power needs.
- Despite being priced on the higher end, Samlex inverters offer excellent quality, have some of the lowest no-load rates on the market, and have a solid 3-year warranty.
What We Didn’t Like
- The useful remote controls that display real-time data, such as frequency, power factor, current, volts, and watts, are not included as standard. This adds an extra cost for customers who want this feature.
- Samlex inverters are priced at the higher end of the market, which may not be suitable for customers on a tighter budget.
- The brand offers no entry-level or budget-friendly options, which might limit its appeal to a broader customer base.
Best Samlex America Power Inverters
3. Victron Inverters- Best RV Inverters for Extended Warranty
Overview
Victron is THE big name brand in the world of RV camper electrical components.
Victron Energy, the manufacturer behind Victron inverters, is a Dutch company in the game since the mid-1970s.
With a track record stretching back almost 50 years, it is little wonder they’re a leading brand in the off-grid, battery-based power system market.
And that expertise is exactly what we need for campervan conversions, van-lifers, and RVers.
Their support is highly rated, too, and many camper van converters, especially in Europe, wouldn’t choose any other brand for their electrical setup.
Many of Victron’s inverters are hybrid, meaning they perform multiple functions.
For example, the Victron Multiplus range and the massive Victron Quattro are inverter chargers with transfer switches for shore power; or the EasySolar range combines an MPPT Solar Charge Controller with an inverter charger.
This article will focus solely on their inverters, but we’ll look at those hybrid products in another post.
Victron offers a couple of inverter ranges:
- Victron Phoenix range from 250VA to 1200VA, and
- Victron Phoenix Smart from 1600VA to 5000VA
*VA means Volts * Amps, which = watts, but the Victron range has a power factor of 0.83. So, for example, a 1200VA Victron inverter is actually a 1000w inverter.
The small Victron Phoenix inverters have an ECO mode to configure their setup, so they automatically switch to standby mode when the load reduces to a preset value.
It’s pretty clever, too, so it fires up again when it detects an increase in load.
Victron Energy’s Phoenix Smart range offers the most efficient inverters and the lowest idle consumption rate. You can’t go wrong with these inverters.
The only downside is that they’re only available in the 220-240v range, so they’re of no use in the US market, where you probably need 110v.
What We Liked
- Excellent customer service & support
- Top-of-the-range, reliable & high-quality products with a 5-year warranty as standard
- Bluetooth built-in, so it’s fully configurable with a mobile device
What We Didn’t Like
- High price (but you get what you pay for)
- Victron Energy’s Phoenix Smart inverter range is not available for 110v
- VA doesn’t equal watts, so the label can be a little confusing
Best Affordable RV Power Inverters
Choosing well-known and highly regarded inverter brands usually has the advantage of great warranties, excellent customer service, and greater confidence that you’re buying a reliable product.
Reliability can be an underestimated benefit, especially if you spend much time in remote locations or outside of your home country, as we do.
However, these big-name brands often demand premium prices. There are many, many more affordable inverter options available on the market.
They may not include extended warranties, on-tap customer support, or in-built Bluetooth.
They may not even have the best efficiency ratings, but if saving cash is a crucial factor in deciding which inverter to buy for your camper, you have plenty of choices.
Because there are so many affordable inverters, figuring out which you should buy can be pretty challenging.
To help you, we’ve listed some of the most popular budget-friendly RV inverters available.
4. Aims Inverters – Best RV Inverters For The Money
Overview
Aims are the youngest brand of 12v inverters on our list. They had a bit of a ropey start with some quality issues, but they’ve since ironed out their problems.
They’re popular on Amazon, and their range is some of the best value inverters you can find.
All Aims inverters use pure sine wave technology and include a 2 year warranty.
Here are some of their most popular 12 volt power inverters:
Best Aims RV Inverters
5. Bestek Inverters – Best Power Inverters for Car Camping
Overview
Bestek is one of Amazon’s best-selling, affordable inverter brands, so you can be pretty confident in its track record.
All Bestek inverters use pure sine wave technology and include an 18 month warranty.
Here are some of their most popular 12 volt power inverters:
What We Looked For in the Best RV Inverter
Many inverters for motorhomes, RVs, and campervans exist, but not all are suited for RVers who want to run all their AC appliances and devices.
So when considering which units would make our list of the best inverters for RV campers, we looked at:
- Pure sine wave technology: we chose models with pure sine wave technology to produce clean, continuous power. We’ve included some modified sine wave models, too, although if you check out our complete guide to inverters, you’ll know we recommend sticking with the pure sine wave versions.
- Protection systems: we looked for built-in safety such as auto cut-off, LED indicators, and alarms for under and over-voltage protection, over-temperature protection, overload protection, and short circuit indication.
- Size: we considered multiple sizes to give an excellent range of options for light users and larger RVs with much greater electrical demand.
- Brands: there are a wide variety of inverter brands. Some are top-of-the-range but carry a price tag to match. Others are more affordable but with great quality products too.
Will a Power Inverter Drain my RV Battery?
Yes, an inverter can drain your RV battery if left on for extended periods, especially if it’s powering appliances or devices.
An inverter converts the DC power from your RV’s battery to AC power for use in standard appliances and electronics.
This process uses energy, so even when no devices are being powered, the inverter itself can slowly drain the battery.
To prevent this, it’s generally recommended to turn off the inverter when it’s not in use, or when the RV is not running or connected to a shore power source.
Regularly monitoring your battery charge level can also help ensure it doesn’t get too low, which could potentially damage the battery.
Do I Need A Remote Switch For My RV Inverter?
A remote switch lets you turn your inverter on and off without going near it. Our inverter isn’t difficult to get to, so we don’t need a remote switch – it’s just as easy to switch it on directly at the device.
However, the remote switch is great if you install the device in a hard-to-reach place, like in the RV’s garage or beneath the bed.
In Conclusion
There are many options when choosing the RV power inverter for your rig.
Still, if you focus on the brand’s reliability, customer support, and the product’s safety features, efficiency, and size, you’ll find the perfect unit for your travels.
We like the Renogy range because it is affordable without compromising on quality, so you can be sure it won’t disappoint when you need your AC supply.
Do you know how to set up the inverter once you’ve bought it? Check out our detailed guide on installing an inverter in your camper.
Almost all people write on best products. I am also looking for those products which are worst…