Last Updated on December 27, 2021 by Ron Barkley
Long car trips can get quite chaotic. There is the trouble of getting the directions right. If you are traveling with kids, you need to provide some sort of entertainment to avoid a disaster. Like it or not, a simple device can solve both problems. A TV can entertain the kids while a GPS will help with directions.
How do you connect devices to your car though? There’s no TV with a connection for the power outlets in cars. Electrical devices are connected to a power inverter that provides an AC current. Since you are here, I’m guessing you are already looking for a power inverter.
This is a list of the 3 best power inverters for cars. Here, we will highlight recommended products that you can order online. We will also talk about power inverters in general.
Quick Navigation
Best Power Inverter For Car Comparison Table
| Product | Features | Check Out The Price |
|---|---|---|
  | - 1100 Watts - Two USB Ports - Two AC Outlets - Battery Cables | Energizer 1100 Watts Power Inverter |
  | - 300 Watts - Cooling Fan - Two AC Outlets - Two USB Ports | Geloo 300 W Power Inverter DC 12 V |
  | - 300 Watts DC-AC - Two AC Outlets - Two USB Ports - Cooling Fan | BESTEK 300 W Power Inverter |
Best Overall
Energizer 1100 Watts Power Inverter
Highlighted Features
- 1100 Watts
- Two USB Ports
- Two AC Outlets
- Battery Cables
- 15 Amps
Starting with the absolute best. There are no competitors to this power inverter. Made from a trusted brand we all know, the Energizer power inverter for 12 V car batteries is our top recommendation. Impressive and reliable performance.
An 1100 watts power inverter with a maximum peak of 2200 watts. It converts the DC current from 12 V batteries to 120 V AC power. ETL and UL approved, up to safety standard. Probably the best performing and the most reliable power inverter for cars.
It’s able to power TVs, GPS, work lights, tools, blenders, and many other electrical devices. Allows for two USB connects, 2.4 amps each. And, for two 15 amps AC power outlets( North American outlets). The connections for the negative and positive terminals are on the back.
Comes with an LCD display feature that’s a voltage warning indicator. The power inverter also has a main shutdown switch and a built-in cooling fan to prevent overheating. There are internal aluminum heat sinks as an added precaution for temperature overload.
Energizer is known for making high-quality reliable products. This power inverter doesn’t disappoint. It comes with a 2-year warranty. Powerful performance with heavy-duty construction. It can be used in power outages and on long road trips. The only disadvantage is how expensive it is but it’s a one-time purchase.
Pros
- Reliable and safe performance.
- Provides 4 connections for multiple devices.
- Superior temperature overload protection.
Cons
- Very expensive.
Best Budget
Geloo 300 W Power Inverter DC 12 V
Highlighted Features
- 300 Watts
- Cooling Fan
- Two AC Outlets
- Two USB Ports
- Auxiliary Outlet Connection
The next recommended product is a budget option. An affordable and reliable power inverter for car batteries. Made specifically for powering electrical devices in cars. It’s not suitable for emergency situations. Best used on long trips for devices that can run on low power.
It can provide 300 watts on continuous DC and 600 watts instantaneous power. Not that powerful compared to heavy-duty models. The inverter is connected to the battery via the auxiliary outlet. It’s not directly connected to the terminals, hence, the low power supply.
Offers two USB port connections, 2.4 amps each. Two AC North American power outlets, 15 amps. Perfect for fast charging iPhones, iPads, cameras, and tablets. Also very good for powering TVs, game consoles, lights, etc… Basically, anything that requires a low power supply.
Featuring over-heating and short-circuit protection. Safe charging design with a built-in fuse that protects your devices from short-circuiting. A built-in cooling fan that regulates temperature and prevents thermal overload. Low and overvoltage protection as well.
That was our recommended budget power inverter for 12 V batteries. I would not recommend this for heavy-duty use. But I will highly recommend it for powering electrical devices in your car, especially phones, and TVs. The reasonable price wins it big points as well.
Pros
- Safe charging on phones, tablets, and laptops.
- Protection against short-circuit and over-heating.
- Affordable and reliable.
Cons
- Only works for low-power demand devices.
Best Runner-Up
BESTEK 300 W Power Inverter
Highlighted Features
- 300 Watts DC-AC
- Two AC Outlets
- Two USB Ports
- Durable Housing
- Cooling Fan
Now, something similar to the budget option, a 300 W power inverter for 12 V car batteries. The Bestek Power Inverter is ideal for powering up electronic devices like phones, TVs, movie players, and laptops in your car. Another product with an auxiliary power outlet connection.
Not a heavy-duty product, it can’t power tools and cooking equipment in emergency situations. It provides 300 watts of continuous DC to AC. Meant to be used as a charging outlet for devices and a low power supply in cars.
As usual, we have two AC and two USB ports. Featuring multi-protection that keeps your devices secure while charging and powered up. No short-circuiting and no damages to your devices’ batteries. Regulates low and over voltage. Protects from temperature overload as well.
It has a built-in cooling fan that keeps the power inverter from overheating. Impressive construction as well. Made with a durable housing that protects from knock-up damage. It’s also an added layer of protection from overheating.
That’s our last recommendation. We are ending the list on a good note. This BESTEK product is one of the best power inverters for cars. Although it can’t be compared with the best overall, it’s still an impressive product with reliable and safe performance. Not to mention the reasonable price.
Pros
- Easy to transport and use.
- Multiple layers of protection.
- Perfect for fast charging devices in a car.
Cons
- Only for low power applications.
Best Power Inverter For Car – Buying Guide
What Is A Power Inverter Used For
A good place to start this buying guide is to explain how power inverters are used in cars. Some drivers require some electrical devices installed in the car. There are no USB ports and AC outlets in cars.
Cars only have auxiliary outlets where you can add an adapter that allows you to use a device. This is not ideal though. This outlet has a low power supply. More so, some devices can be quite the drain on the car battery.
Power inverters are a medium for converting DC to AC. The power inverter is an adapter with USB and AC ports. It’s connected to the auxiliary outlet or the battery terminals. The inverter can supply enough power to charge and run electrical devices.
Car owners use inverters to power a TV, working lights, GPS, and to charge devices like phones and tablets. Some people use power inverters in emergency situations. When there is a power outage, they use the car’s battery to power some necessary equipment.
How To Choose An Inverter For My Car
Most people don’t know about a certain tool or device until they have a need for it. If you are in need of a power inverter, chances are, you are just hearing about it. So, you don’t have any idea what is the right product for you.
Well, to choose the right inverter you should consider why you need it for. Depending on your power supply demands, you will either need a 300 W inverter or a stronger one. This should be your main concern.
If you need the inverter to power a car TV, to charge phones and other devices, 300 watts inverters are enough. If you want to use the inverter in emergency situations, you need something more powerful that’s suitable for heavy-duty use.
USB Ports & AC Outlets
Think about how many USB ports and AC outlets you will need in your car. The standard is two USB ports and two AC outlets. This is normally enough for many car owners. However, if you need more, look for power inverters with more ports and outlets.
Мulti-Protection
Power supplies like this should be reliable and safe. You don’t want the inverter to damage your car battery and your devices. With poor-quality inverters, this is a common problem. A good power inverter for cars will charge and power your devices and cause no damage.
That’s why you should look for something that has protecting against short circuits, overcharging, undercharging, and temperature overload. If the product can guarantee your devices’ safety, it’s a good one.
You can’t go wrong with products that are up to ETL and UL standards. These products are tested for safety by a third party.
Cooling
I can’t stress how important cooling is. Since you are running DC to AC continuously, the inverter is bound to heat up. This is the worst possible scenario. That’s why even the most basic inverters have a cooling fan for regulating temperatures.
A power inverter without a cooling fan will just cause a short circuit and damage the battery and the devices. The better the cooling design is, the better the inverter is.
Related Questions And Other FAQs
Do Power Inverters Drain Your Car Battery
Power inverters are used on a car with a running engine. If used the right way, a power inverter won’t drain a car battery. However, using the inverter with a turned-off engine or with a high demanding device will drain the car battery. Power inverters are mostly used as a power supply for devices that need a low power supply.
What Can A Car Power Inverter Run
A power inverter can charge smartphones, tablets, and laptops. It can also run TVs, working lights, reading lights, DVD players, GPS systems, and other devices that require a low power supply. Powerful inverters can be used to run working tools and cooking equipment.
