The heavy-duty aluminium construction will be able to withstand a mild drop without affecting the internal components. The shockproof pads will also help with that, minimising impact damage. The pure copper wires will be generating less heat and consume less energy.
The battery clips are thin.
The Giandel 2000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter is a must-have on a road trip. With this unit, you can enjoy a camping trip without sacrificing the conveniences that modern civilization offers. Plus, the USB port will let you recharge USB-endowed devices.
Input: 12V DC
Output: 240V AC
Continuous power: 2000 W
Surge power: 4000 W
50 Hz
Integrated cooling fan
Over-voltage, Low-voltage, Overload, Short-circuit, Overheat, Polarity reverse protection (fuse), Auto-restart function
2 x battery cables with the length of 2 ft, 1 x remote controller with 15 ft cable, 8 x shockproof pads, 1 x manual
1 year
The LCD screen will provide you with information regarding the battery status, the battery input voltage, the AC output voltage, the output charge, you name the value. The high-current DC terminals will enable secure hooking.
The instructions are lacking.
The Novopal LCD15UK12B delivers the cleanest sine waves, making the unit compatible with sensitive devices (TVs, laptops, audio systems, printers, scanners, variable speed tools, medical equipment, and so forth). The two fans will keep the unit cool.
Input: 12V DC
Output: 230V - 240V AC
Continuous power: 1500 W
Surge power: 3000 W
50 Hz ±1 Hz
Two cooling fans
Over-temperature shutdown, Automatic overload protection, Over-voltage and under-voltage protection, Less voltage audible alarm, Short-circuit protection
1 x gift box, 1 x user manual in German and English, set of battery cables (1 x red, 1 x black), 1 x remote control
1 year limited
The 15-feet (4.57-metre) cable will let you control the inverter without sitting next to it. The intelligent cooling fan, using smart sensors, starts rotating automatically when the internal temperature reaches 40 degrees Celcius or the load hits 40%.
One of the mounting holes is directly behind the terminal posts, making screwing it to a wall in a tight space almost impossible.
The Giandel 1000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter will prove invaluable at home and on the road, supporting sensitive electronics and appliances/machines with speed controls as well as solar systems. Its high-quality aluminium body can take a considerable beating.
Input: 12V DC
Output: 240V AC
Continuous power: 1000 W
Surge power: 2000 W
50 Hz
Intelligent cooling fan
Over-voltage, Low-voltage, Overload, Short-circuit, Overheat, Polarity reverse protection (fuse), Auto-restart function
2 x 5-AWG battery cables with the length of 2 ft, 1 x remote controller with 15 ft cable, 1 x user manual
1 year
The model comes equipped with two USB ports, enabling powering two electronics with USB ports at the same time. The two crimpers that come with the package will let you crimp F connectors on to coaxial cables.
Certain elements of the casing are flimsy.
The Cantonape SB-122 is alright at home and great on the road. Using the provided car cigarette lighter cable, you can utilise the vehicle's engine without an adapter. Aside from standard protection means, the unit also offers a soft-start mechanism.
Input: 12V DC
Output: 230V - 240V AC
Continuous power: 600 W
Surge power: 1200 W
50 Hz ± 5%
Two cooling fans
Overload, Short-circuit, Over-temperature, Reverse polarity, Over-voltage and under-voltage protection
2 x crimper, 1 x car cigarette lighter cable, 1 x user manual
1 year
The non-slip pads will prevent the inverter from skidding and sliding even on slippery surfaces. The built-fan enables multiway heat dissipation and the cooling outlet on the side provides adequate ventilation, protecting the unit from overheating.
The plug socket is a little stiff initially.
At 20.6 x 13.6 x 6.6 centimetres, the BESTEK MRZ3013HU is a compact, space-saving pure sine wave inverter that is the size of an average smartphone, meaning that you can always bring this unit with you without feeling inconvenienced by its bulky design.
Input: 12V DC
Output: 230V - 240V AC
Continuous power: 300 W
50 Hz ±3 Hz
Smart cooling fan
40-amp fuse and full-protection with short-circuit, low-voltage, over-charge, over-voltage, overload, and over-temperature protection
1 x user manual
18 months
More Power
The Giandel 2000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter offers 2000 watts of continuous power, something that the name has already revealed, and 4000 watts of surge power. Taking these numbers into account, this unit can handle powering washing machines, sewing machines, refrigerators, and more. From a construction angle, adopting heavy-duty aluminium, the model can survive an occasional drop without risking the internal parts. Plus, there are shockproof pads on the bottom, protecting the unit from impact damage. Besides making the model sturdy and more durable, the aluminium construction also increases heat dissipation, making sure that the device is not overheating.
Likewise, made from pure copper, the wires generate less heat, contributing towards the same cause. They're also more energy-efficient than ordinary wires.
In addition to the standard DC and AC interfaces, this model comes equipped with a USB port, letting you recharge USB-enabled devices. Next to the USB slot, you will find an LED power indicator that will shine green or red when the system is working as intended or not.
Setting aside the somewhat thin battery clips that are shipped with the unit, the Giandel 2000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter is an almost unrivalled product at its price point.
The Purest Sine Waves
Even among pure sine wave inverters, the Novopal LCD15UK12B stands out, delivering the cleanest, purest sine waves. With this unit, sensitive electronics like TVs, audio systems, variable speed tools, printers, laptops, CPAPs, and medical devices will be able to work without hiccups.
Equipped with an informative LCD screen, the model displays the operating status, including the battery charge, battery input voltage, AC output voltage, output charge, and more. Removing the screen from the equation, the best part that pertains to the unit's construction is the high-current DC terminals, enabling secure hooking. The worst part that has nothing to do with construction is the instruction manual. From where we're standing, it is lacking information.
The protection features, however, are not lacking at all. Quite the opposite, these features include over-temperature shutdown, over-voltage as well as under-voltage protection, short-circuit protection, automatic overload protection, and an audible alarm that notifies you when the voltage is below the required value.
Plus, the package is even supplied with a gift box, so the unit can make a pretty good gift for people who love spending time outdoors without giving up electronics or suffer from semi-frequent power outages.
Intelligent Cooling Fan
The Giandel 1000W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter is pretty much the same unit that the previous model from the company is except that its output is reduced twofold. Capping at 1000-watt wave output power and 2000-watt peak power, this unit can support most medical equipment pieces, laptops, TVs, loudspeakers, most electronics, but not necessarily sizable appliances like washing machines and full-sized refrigerators.
On the upside, the model has the same remote with a 15-feet (4.57 metres) cable, so you can control the unit without scooching next to it. Besides that, this inverter also borrows an intelligent cooling fan from its step-up stablemate. Equipped with smart sensors, the fan automatically starts moving when the temperature inside the unit hits 40 degrees Celcius or when the load reaches 40%.
We can appreciate the isolated DC input and output. We cannot, however, appreciate the mounting hole that's directly behind the terminal posts, making screwing it to a wall in a tight space almost impossible.
As long as that's not an issue, the Giandel 1000W Pure Sine Wave Power will have no troubles maintaining most electronics and solar systems at home or on the road. Plus, the 2.4-ampere USB port will allow you to recharge any device with a USB interface.
Soft Start and Two USB Ports
Counting on the grid energy at home is usually a good idea 'till it isn't. That's when the Cantonape SB-122 comes into play. With this unit, you can support and sustain smartphones, tablets, laptops, computers, cameras, DVD players, gaming consoles, TVs, monitors, fans, electric lights, and more. Between the two USB ports that this inverter integrates, you can even supply two USB-enabled devices with enough power. As long as these devices do not require more than 600 watts of wave output power and 1200 watts of peak power, this model will be fine.
As good as it is at home, the unit is even better on the road. Apart from powering electronics in an RV, the model comes provided with a car cigarette lighter cable that lets you work with the car's engine without bothering with adapters.
Looking at the protection means, the overload, over-temperature, over-voltage, under-voltage, short-circuit, and reverse polarity protection mechanisms come without saying. But what's not quite as prevalent and present here is a soft-start mechanism, making sure that the unit does not fry connected devices. So, if you want something that's good at home and even better on a camping trip, the Cantonape SB-122 will fit you to a tee.
Travel-Sized Inverter
The BESTEK MRZ3013HU looks a little more high-tech than most pure sine wave inverters. But, despite its sleek appearance, the model is not quite as capable as its peers, capping at 300 watts. Needless to say, this means that the unit will not be able to power sizable appliances. That being said, the model can handle most TVs, mid-range laptops, tablets, smartphones, cameras, gaming consoles, and more. Incorporating two USB slots, this unit can even support two USB-enabled gadgets simultaneously. The AC socket is a little stiff initially but, with time, it becomes looser, so you should not feel inconvenienced long-term. Plus, the 26-inch (66-centimetre) car cigarette lighter plug that's supplied with the unit will let you work with most vehicles without purchasing a separate adapter, making this inverter especially suitable for motorhomes.
Examining the models' construction, there are non-slip pads on the bottom, keeping the inverter stable. Between the embedded fan enabling multiway heat dissipation and the cooling outlet on the side, the unit is protected against overheating. Above the USB ports, there's an LED indicator that illuminates green when everything's fine and red when the system is under protection. In short, if you want something travel-sized, something no bigger than an average smartphone, the BESTEK MRZ3013HU is the way to go.
What Is a Pure Sine Wave Inverter?
Pure sine wave inverters are electronic devices that convert direct current into alternating current (DC and AC respectively). Without going into technical details, a sine wave describes a continuous wave that adopts smooth repetitive oscillation. Conventional alternating current's produced via rotating machines that output an ideal waveform, transferring the current with practically nonexistent harmonic distortion. Unlike modified inverters, pure sine wave models can protect even sensitive audio and video electronics. These inverters are able to power digital microwaves, TVs, refrigerators, even computers without damaging the circuitry.
The most powerful sine wave inverters can even double as portable power plants that will let you supply electronics with sufficient power from the RV on the road. They can also double as backup power supply sources, powering linear adaptors, motors (including brushless motors), freezers, large fans, medical devices, and more during a power outage.
Those who are planning on bringing these devices on the road with them will also benefit from these navigation systems and carports.
What Features to Compare
Voltage
The first thing that separates pure sine wave inverters is the voltage. The inverters with an input voltage fixed at 12 volts will be fine with solar panels but, as you can imagine, they will not work with 24-volt battery banks. Of course, as far as the North American segment is concerned, most systems work with 12 volts, so there are very few scenarios where a wide operating DC input range makes the unit more suitable for residential use than a fixed input. The output that these inverters are offering is also either fixed at 120 volts or ranging somewhere around that, matching North American AC outlets.
Power
With pure sine wave inverters, there's the continuous wave power that they can output and peak power, also known as surge power. The second is something that electronics with clocks, timers, and microprocessors usually require. But, looking at the numbers, most inverters are normally hovering somewhere around 1000 and 2000 watts (continuous power and surge power respectively). As you can imagine, there are models that go above that as well as models capping below that, so you need to take into account what electronics are you looking to power with the inverter or how you're going to use it. As an emergency backup power supply source, going above 1000 watts of continuous power seldom makes sense unless you need to make sure something like a washing machine or a fridge is running even during a power outage.
Cooling
Of course, like all transformers, these inverters require decent cooling. More often than not, they come equipped with high-speed fans. Sometimes, pure sine wave inverters even come adopting fans with intelligent sensors that automatically start working when the temperature reaches a certain preset value and stop working when the temperature drops below that value.
Protection
Even the cheapest inverters usually come equipped with a universal protection circuit. The circuit covers low-voltage, over-voltage, over-temperature, overload, and short-circuit protection, preventing most hazards. Apart from that, more expensive models might have surge power protection and reverse connection protection. Some inverters come equipped with alarms, including not just hazards but also low-battery alarms. There are inverters that incorporate soft start tech as well as an automatic restart function. Certain models also provide GFCI protection to the AC outlet(s).
Pure Sine Wave Inverters vs Modified Sine Wave Inverters
Modified Sine Wave Inverters
The first thing that we need to understand about modified sine wave inverters is that the waves they produce are not necessarily true sine waves. Instead, these inverters output stepped waves, which are not quite as smooth as a pure sine wave. Because that's the case, certain machines and appliances will not work with modified inverters. Also, some electronics can be damaged working with these inverters, and we'll outline these electronics below.
Of course, pure sine wave inverters are an improvement across the board when compared with modified models but they're also more expensive. Old TVs and motors with brushes are okay with modified waves. Most RVs and boats will work equally fine with pure sine waves and modified waves. Also, narrowing the waveform, modified sine wave inverters reduce energy consumption, making them not only more affordable initially but also in the long-term. But, again, they're much less versatile.
First and foremost, these inverters produce noise distortions like buzzing or even visual distortion with some video or audio equipment, transformers, fluorescent lighting, and more. Second, appliances like bread makers and light dimmers will seldom work at all. In fact, most appliances with electronics temperature controls will not work with these inverters.
Pure Sine Wave Inverters
With pure sine wave models, the AC power that's produced by the unit pretty much matches an actual sine wave. Because that's the case, these inverters do not produce distortion, making them more gentle towards sensitive audio and video equipment as well as satellite systems. Pure sine wave models are more expensive than modified sine wave inverters, but that makes sense. With modified inverters, electronic timers and digital clocks will seldom operate correctly. Most electronics that get timing from the line power's peak will not quite work with modified inverters. Since the waveform these inverters produce has a flat top, these electronics will double trigger sometimes, making the clocks/timers on them run faster or not run at all.
Brushless motors and microwave opens will work with modified sine wave inverters but will not be able to produce full output. Medical equipment like oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, and similar devices usually has issues with modified inverters too. Certain battery chargers that cordless tools come with run into troubles with modified models but have no troubles with pure sine wave inverters. The furnaces and pellet heaters that come with microprocessors have to be paired with pure sine wave models. Generally speaking, the same goes for home automation systems. The appliances and machines that have speed controls (like washing machines and sewing machines) are, technically speaking, compatible with modified inverters but there might be issues with the speed settings. More rudimentary electronics like electric shavers, emergency flashlights, and garage door openers work the same with both types but more sophisticated electronics like laptops should not be paired with modified sine wave inverters.