I'm shopping for a small, pure sine wave inverter. I'm interested in one that provides about 300 watts. Prices vary wildly, from around $40 to over $150 for a seemingly similar product. I'm not naive. I know you generally get what you pay for. But why this wide range of prices for similar-sounding items? What are the factors that determine quality in a small inverter like the one I'm shopping for?Thanks,-Speak

Many things:a) wattage rating. Cheaper ones are highly over-rated and won't provide spec'd ratings for very long. Surge ratings too.b) cooling fans that are always on vs. thermostat controlled. And they are loudc) weight. It simply takes more mass in certain components to hold up long term. I'm sure someone else knows more specifics on that.d) sine wave... it is really a 'true' sine wave?Spend the money. Cry once.

I’ve been happy with the Bestex brand but I don’t push their rated limits.

I can recommend the Go Power 300w pure sine waveIf shopping onlineAmazon shows the weight of items,Also demensions etcMore weight like the go power, means more Mass ... copper in the transformer coils, better Alu heat sink, better housing case

MrWizard wrote:I can recommend the Go Power 300w pure sine waveIf shopping onlineAmazon shows the weight of items,Also demensions etcMore weight like the go power, means more Mass ... copper in the transformer coils, better Alu heat sink, better housing caseGo Power makes good inverters.But here's the deal on inverters; The cheapest have dirty power and are not thermo-controlled, and have noisy fans that run all the time. The better ones are pure sine wave, clean power, that have thermo- controlled fans that run only when needed.The top tier (expensive) inverters (like Morningstar) don't have fans at all. I have a Samlex 300 watt PST series inverter that I bought from Best Converter about 5 years ago and am very satisfied. Very quiet thermo-controlled fan, when it comes on at all. They go for about $145 now.

In the old days in that power range they Recommended SamulexAs others have said GO Power is good tooAny good technician or an AM Radio can tell if it's really TSW v/s the MSW. Plug in a small (Say 100 watt) lamp and hold the radio near the cord. Not 100% but.. Well most MSW.. if you are between stations. YOu will know it.

Quality Question about Small Inverters | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

MrWizard
Moderator
Mar 11, 2020
I can recommend the Go Power 300w pure sine wave

If shopping online
Amazon shows the weight of items,
Also demensions etc
More weight like the go power, means more Mass ... copper in the transformer coils, better Alu heat sink, better housing case
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2020
I’ve been happy with the Bestex brand but I don’t push their rated limits.
2oldman
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2020
Many things:

a) wattage rating. Cheaper ones are highly over-rated and won't provide spec'd ratings for very long. Surge ratings too.

b) cooling fans that are always on vs. thermostat controlled. And they are loud

c) weight. It simply takes more mass in certain components to hold up long term. I'm sure someone else knows more specifics on that.

d) sine wave... it is really a 'true' sine wave?

Spend the money. Cry once.

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Quality Question about Small Inverters

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