Our world runs on two types of electric current: direct and alternating. Batteries produce direct current, while the devices and appliances we plug into wall sockets use alternating current. If you’re camping, on a road trip, or have lost power to your home, you don’t have access to the alternating current you need to power your life.
That’s where power inverters come in. A power inverter is a device that converts direct current to alternating current, so you can power what you need from your car, RV, or a solar panel for those looking to get into living off the grid.
After researching the available power inverters extensively, we’ve narrowed it down to just five of them from the seemingly endless options you can find online. To give you the best range of options, we’ve included a mixture of both pure and modified sine wave inverters.
Pure sine wave inverters generally produce power that matches what your wall outlets will offer. Modified sine wave inverters produce energy that’s a little bit choppier, but they’re usually more affordable. In most cases, the difference doesn’t matter. However, if you’re trying to power something delicate, including medical equipment like a CPAP, you’re going to want a pure sine wave inverter.
COMPARISON CHART
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
  |
Energizer 1500 Watts Power Inverter
|
LEARN MORE ► |
 |
NDDI 1500W Car Power Inverter
|
LEARN MORE ► |
 |
AIMS 1500 Watt Power Inverter
|
LEARN MORE ► |
 |
Krieger 1500 Watts Power Inverter
|
LEARN MORE ► |
 |
VertaMax 1500 Watt
|
LEARN MORE ► |
1. Energizer 1500 Watts Power Inverte
Specification
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Number of Outlets | 2 |
| USB Ports | 2 |
| Size | 13.75 x 7.6 x 3.5 inches |
| Type | Modified |
WHAT WE LIKE
Our first selection is the Energizer 1500W power inverter. Energizer has been a trusted brand name in power for over a century, and its history of excellence shows in this inverter. While it’s a 1500W inverter, it can reach 3000W at peak power.
If you live somewhere where severe weather like hurricanes is a concern, this inverter is a great choice. It works with the 12V battery found in the majority of cars, and 1500W is enough to power your essential appliances. It’s also an excellent option for camping with amenities.
This inverter has extensive safety features, including protections against under and over-voltage, short circuits, and high temperatures. It comes with a two-year warranty as well, so you can purchase it with confidence.
Two power outlets and two USB ports mean that this inverter has the space to power several things at once if need be. It’s fairly compact and weighs just six pounds, making it simple to store and transport as needed. The vast majority of people who try the Energizer 1500W power inverter rate it highly.
PROS
- Well-rated by most consumers.
- Light and compact for ease of storage and transport.
- LCD for ease of monitoring.
- Safety Features: Overload, over-voltage, under-voltage, short circuits and high temperatures
CONS
- Modified rather than pure, meaning not ideal for powering medical equipment or sensitive electronics.
2. NDDI 1500W Car Power Inverter
Specification
| Warranty | N/A |
| Number of Outlets | 2 |
| USB Ports | 2 |
| Size | 11.2 x 6.5 x 3.1 inches |
| Type | Modified |
WHAT WE LIKE
Our next selection is the NDDI 1500W car power inverter. It can reach 3000W at peak power, so you don’t have to worry that an appliance with an energy-intensive start-up will fry it. It includes four easily replaceable fuses, making repairs much more manageable.
It’s ideal for camping and long road trips because it’s small and weighs less than five pounds. It includes two smart, silent cooling fans that automatically start when it reaches a certain temperature and is made from a fire-resistant material.
This inverter has two power outlets and two USB ports. The car converter included in your purchase will solve many of the issues you face trying to charge electronics while traveling.
PROS
- Easily replaceable fuses.
- Small and lightweight.
- Safety features: Overheating, over-voltage, under-voltage, overload and short circuits.
CONS
- The warranty is not listed, which is never reassuring when making an online purchase. You have to contact the company directly.
- Once again, it’s a modified inverter rather than a pure one. It’s off the table for anyone with a CPAP or other medical equipment.
3. AIMS 1500 Watt Power Inverter
Specification
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Number of Outlets | 3 |
| USB Ports | 1 |
| Size | 15.75 x 9.5 x 4 inches |
| Type | Pure |
WHAT WE LIKE
The AIMS 1500W power inverter is heavy duty and ideal to keep as a backup in case of power failures. It’s also an excellent option for anyone interested in living off the grid using solar power. With a maximum of 1500W continuous power and 3000W, if there’s a brief surge, this inverter can handle almost all of your needs.
This inverter works with a regular 12V battery. It can operate at temperatures ranging between 32 degrees and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and it has a fan that automatically kicks in to keep it cool if temperatures get higher than that.
It includes three outlets and one USB port, with safety features that include an automatic shutdown to prevent over or under-voltage damage.
PROS
- LED indicator lights.
- It’s a pure sine wave inverter, which means your CPAP, other medical equipment, and sensitive electronics are good to go.
- Safety features: Overload, high temperatures, over-voltage, under-voltage, short circuits.
CONS
- At 11 pounds, it’s not the sort of thing you want to have to pack.
- A bit on the expensive side, especially when compared with modified inverters.
4. Krieger 1500 Watts Power Inverter
Specification
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Number of Outlets | 2 |
| USB Ports | 2 |
| Size | 13.75 x 7.62 x 3.37 inches |
| Type | Modified |
WHAT WE LIKE
The Krieger 1500W power inverter is capable of handling 1500W of continuous power and a 3000W surge. It’s best suited as a backup in case of a hurricane or other storm-related power outages, but it’s suitable for camping, tailgating and other recreational activities too.
This inverter works with a typical 12V battery and weighs just under six pounds, so it’s relatively lightweight given the power it provides. You’ll have two power outlets and two USB ports to work with.
One of our favorite features is the LCD screen it has, which will indicate battery input, output, any issues with the voltage, and let you know when the temperature is too high.
PROS
- LCD screen.
- It can be operated via remote.
- An incredible three-year warranty for parts and labor.
- Safety features: Overload, over-voltage, under-voltage, high temperature and short circuit.
CONS
- Modified sine wave inverter, so best kept away from medical and other sensitive equipment.
5. VertaMax 1500 Watt
Specification
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Number of Outlets | 3 |
| USB Ports | 0 |
| Size | 16.7 x 10.6 x 5.1 inches |
| Type | Pure |
WHAT WE LIKE
Our final selection of the day is the VertaMax 1500W power inverter. Like the AIMS inverter we discussed, this one is a pure sine wave inverter rather than a modified one. As with all of the options we’ve listed, this one produces 1500W of continuous power and can handle a surge of up to 3000W.
This inverter comes with a one-year warranty and extensive safety features, including protection from over and under-voltage, high temperatures, and short circuits.
It’s powerful enough for televisions, computers and video game consoles, so whether you need to check in with the office while camping or just want to enjoy your favorite hobbies away from home, you’ll be able to. With this inverter, you’ll have three power outlets at your disposal.
PROS
- Pure sine wave inverter suitable for use with a CPAP or other delicate equipment.
- It can be operated via a remote.
- LCD screen that can monitor power use.
- Safety features: Thermal shutdown, short circuit protection, over-voltage protection, low voltage shutdown, and low/high voltage alarm
CONS
- It will depend on where you’re shopping, but likely the most expensive option we’ve covered.
- No USB ports, so if you lose the charging brick for your phone, you’re out of luck.
Common Questions
What will a 1500W inverter run? A 1500W inverter will run just about anything you need it to, which makes it a great choice whether you’re keeping it around for emergencies or you enjoy camping with the conveniences of modern life. In most cases, a 1500W inverter is enough to run even high-energy items like hairdryers, coffee machines and microwaves.
How many amps will a 1500W inverter produce? The number of amps a 1500W inverter will have depends on the load being drawn by whatever you’re powering. Thankfully, there’s a simple calculation you can do if you need to find out. If you’re using a 12V battery, the load divided by ten will equal the number of amps.
For example:
300W ÷ 10 = 30 Amps.
If you’re using a 24V battery, you divide by 20 instead of ten.
300W ÷ 20 = 15 Amps.
The number of watts your inverter is rated for doesn’t matter. You can apply these equations across the board.
Overall, all of these power inverters would be suitable investments. However, based on its durability, power, and safety features, our favorite is the Energizer 1500W power inverter.
