Rating of the best 12 / 220V car inverters of 2020

Earlier, just a number of decades ago, it was not possible to take electricity with you on a trip. But with the emergence of the field of innovative electrical engineering, this type of convenience has become common.

With the help of such a device as a converter for a car, a car enthusiast gets the opportunity to iron linen in any environment, make tea or clean up the inside of the car using ordinary household appliances. This article provides a ranking of the best 12 / 220V car inverters of 2020.

What are they for?

Often, an inverter is used to connect a laptop, printer, scanner and other gadgets to the on-board automotive network. Often there is a need to connect a small refrigerated truck, a powerful compressor for inflating tires, a drill or an angle grinder to the on-board automobile network.

The use of an inverter makes it possible to use a microwave oven, hair dryer, vibration massager and other practical devices on the road. The inverter makes it possible to connect to the on-board automotive network any electrical or electronic device that requires a variable current intensity of 110/220 volts.

Operating principle

When it is necessary to change the AC voltage, one transformer with initial and rewinding is sufficient. With continuous electricity, things are not so easy - the car enthusiast needs a more difficult wiring diagram with semiconductor components.

In this case, you need to increase the voltage and transform its form. For this purpose, a mixed circuit is used, in which both converter and semiconductor devices are used.

The basis of pulse-width modulation is the principle of operation of the inverter. The main generator supplies shocks, the frequency of which ranges from 10 kHz to 20 MHz, to the power switch connected to the winding of the induction converter - the alternating current is taken from its output.

The latitude of the kicks is dictated by the connected load, and therefore the circuit uses a feedback structure. The smallest signal duty cycle is equal to the minimum power, and as the output current increases, the push width reaches 1: 1 (limit value).

The difficulty lies in the fact that the type of output signal that is obtained in this case is not a plastic decrease / increase in voltage (graph), but a square wave with a sharp change in potential.

This means that the measured voltage cannot be applied to various electronic devices. To convert a square wave to a sine wave, the inverter circuit is supplemented with filters from capacitors and coils.

What are they?

Inverters for cars are divided into 2 types:

1. With a converted sine wave. Simply put, in such inverters up to 12 V and there are minor discrepancies on the voltage side. This does not affect the power of ordinary devices, the voltage of which is 220 V, with the exception of metering and medical equipment.
2. With continuous or proportional sinusoid. There are no inconsistencies, all operating factors are performed without errors. They will be an excellent solution for any equipment, the voltage of which is not more than 220 V.

Power rectifiers are divided into:

• Devices up to 100 W. They function from the cigarette lighter and cope with light loads. Will be an excellent choice for charging household appliances;
• Devices 100-1500 W. Possess a wide range of uses. They are powered by a battery. The delivery set must include auxiliary parts: wires, etc .;
• Devices from 1500 W and above. They will be an excellent purchase for a microwave oven to operate far from urban conditions and other similar situations with a voltage of approximately 220 V.

It is worth giving preference to such an inverter for a 12 / 220V car, so that it has a power reserve. For example, certain gadgets may consume more resources than indicated by the manufacturer.

The best 12 / 220V car inverters

Today there are many different types of car inverters, differing in type, power supply method and power. Low-power rectifiers differ in power no more than 300 watts. They are used to charge phones or laptops. This kind of car inverter plugs into the cigarette lighter socket.

The inverter for a medium-power car is designed for a voltage fluctuating in the range of 300-1000 W. Such devices are connected to the battery through the terminals. Below are the best car inverters, among which the car enthusiast can choose the one that best suits his own wishes.

10th place: STURM AW98A03

A magnifying autotransformer of an affordable cost category, which is designed to power electrical appliances with a designated power of 240 W.

The integrated protection deactivates the load when the current efficiency rises to 30 A, which equals 360 W. The type of output signal is far from "pure sine wave", and therefore STURM AW98A03 is suitable for connecting the most undemanding devices.

The average price is 2,500 rubles.

• It is not difficult to use this device;
• Controlled by one key "on / off";
• Due to the strong shell, the internal components of the rectifier for the car are absolutely safe from mechanical damage;
• This device is equipped with protection against overheating, short circuit and overvoltage.

• Not detected

9th place: TBS POWERSINE PS600-12

The device should be classified as a medium-performance inverter for professionals. Provides the ability to connect a 500-watt load, especially picky about the inaccuracy of the power signal.

To reduce power consumption, the device automatically switches to standby mode. PS600-12 features include a remote control, variable-rate fan for quiet operation, and a fairly high efficiency of over 92 percent.

The average price is 25,600 rubles.

• AC output is pure sine wave;
• Metal shell for professionals;
• High ultimate power;
• Great performance;
• Protection against low / high voltage battery.

• Not detected.

8th place: LUXEON IPS-2000S

Comparatively affordable for 1000W power converter made in China. It features a pure sine wave at its outlet and features protection options, including preventing the battery from completely discharging and connecting the wrong polarity.

The display of the operating modes occurs by means of LED-type indicators. The device has an efficiency of 90% and is designed for input voltages ranging from 10.5 to 14 V.

The average price is 8,100 rubles.

• Pure sine wave;
• Everything is excellent from the point of view of repairability.

• When the load exceeds 800W, protection is activated.

7th place: MOBILEN SP-150

The specified power is 150 W, however, in real operating conditions, the model withstood a load of 180 W without reducing the voltage. Connecting an auxiliary load activates the protection. During the reboot, it notifies with a simple, but nasty sound.

Beeps very loudly after shutdown. The output voltage with the least number of harmonics, the frequency of which ranges from 50 to 60 Hz. Equipped with a conventional USB slot, and therefore the driver can use it to charge a smartphone, camera or tablet.

By design, it looks like a small rectangular box, on one side of which there is a regular socket, and on the opposite side there is a double cable with an adapter for a cigarette lighter.

The average price is 1,000 rubles.

• Preventing the onset of congestion;
• High actual power limit.

• Not detected

6th place: SHTIL PS12 / 300

The power is 300 W and the input voltage ranges from 10.5 to 14 V. The output voltage has the lowest number of harmonics and a frequency that ranges from 50 to 60 Hz. When the output load is less than 300W, the voltage is stable.

As the load power increases, the voltage begins to decrease. The device is equipped with cables and slots for connecting to a car battery, as well as an adapter for a cigarette lighter. The design looks like an unsightly box with rubberized feet.

The average price is 7,500 rubles.

• Exhaust signal. The device provides the car enthusiast with a truly pure sine wave.

• The logicality of the overload protection will be an excellent choice for situations when the device operates without driver supervision;
• Awkward appearance;
• Large enough.

5th place: RITMIX RPI-6010 CHARGER

The converter stands out for its own power and good parameters. At the same time, it can serve devices that work from the network or from USB.

In fact, it is a 3-in-1 inverter, which is at the same time a rectifier, a car battery charger and a spare power source. In addition, the model very quickly switches to different modes (no more than 4 seconds).

The average price is 5,000 rubles.

• Multifunctional device 3in1;
• Suitable for connecting and charging various electrical equipment, as well as household appliances designed to operate in 220 V AC networks;
• Stable and efficient operation in different modes.

• Not detected

4th place: DEFORT

The DEFORT car inverter is equipped with an audible signal indicating a decrease in the battery charge or an increased voltage. It is an affordable, inexpensive inverter, but with a lot of options. There is an integrated protection against overheating and short circuit. There is a USB slot.

The device copes with any tasks assigned to it at an excellent level, but it is impossible to connect more powerful devices to it, for example, a TV or a microwave oven.

The average price is 800 rubles.

• There is a sound signal, which automatically notifies about a decrease in the battery charge or an increase in the voltage of the electricity consumer;
• Integrated overload and short circuit protection;
• Overheating protection and USB slot.

• Not detected.

3rd place: MEANWELL 12 / 220V 1500W

Comes directly with cables with which the driver needs to connect it to the battery. In addition, the kit includes a cigarette lighter cable.

Most drivers advise against using the device at 100% power when connected to a car cigarette lighter. The advantage of this model, besides its price, lies in its small dimensions.

The average price is 7,000 rubles.

• AC output voltage type - "pure" sine wave;
• It is allowed to connect not only the battery, but also the solar battery;
• Allows you to charge the battery along with powering the load.

• Not detected

2nd place: ACMEPOWER 12 / 220V 1000W

The ACMEPOWER car inverter has a nice design and an attractive shell. Here the developers did their best.

The device is so comfortable and small that you want to use it literally all the time. The inverter is connected to the car battery.

The average price is 20,900 rubles.

• Availability;
• Attractive design;
• Build reliability;
• Small size.

• Weak output power.

1st place: MAP "ENERGY" 900

The power is 900 W and the input voltage ranges from 10 to 15 V. The output voltage with the lowest number of harmonics and a frequency of 50 Hz. During a load of more than 1.3 kilowatts, it turns off automatically. If the load is normal, then the voltage is stable.

It can be used as a powerful starting charger (reverse transformation from 220 to 12 V). By design, it looks like a large and heavy box with a digital display and toggle switches.

The average price is 28,000 rubles.

• There is a high-quality display;
• Can be personalized;
• A number of operating modes;
• A car enthusiast can use it as a constant power supply and charger.

• Overall, however, when compared with the functionality, it becomes unimportant.

Installation and connection rules

Proper installation, connection and subsequent use are a guarantee of a long and safe operation of the inverter. In order not to be disappointed with the purchase, follow the principles below:

• Place only in a non-humid place;
• Do not allow direct sunlight to penetrate the device;
• Do not place the inverter near heating equipment;
• Do not switch on near flammable objects.

Like any device today, an inverter for a car is equipped with a specialized protective device that protects it from failures or malfunctions and voltage failures of more than 12 V.

The auto-disconnect feature protects against overload and is instantly activated during a voltage drop. In the event of a short circuit, the device will also turn off.

Useful Tips

When purchasing a converter, take into account:

• Battery voltage (12 / 24V);
• Output voltage (110 / 220V);
• Total loading capacity;
• Connection to cigarette lighter or battery;
• Proof of ratio and registration in accordance with consumer protection regulations.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that when buying a converter, you should not forget that inverters for 12 and 24 V are not interchangeable, unless it is indicated on the device shell and in its use manual.

Connecting a 12-volt converter to a 24-volt battery leads to overheating and operational damage to the main transistors and other components due to overvoltage.

Connecting a 24-volt converter to a 12-volt battery leads to operational overheating and breakdown of the main transistors due to an excessive duty cycle of the collector electricity boost.

Choosing a 12 / 220V inverter for a car in the video: