In this article, you will learn about 1000 watt inverters.
At this size they provide the perfect balance of power and portability to use in vehicles, remote buildings, RVs, and adventures like camping.
They are powerful enough to run small to medium-sized appliances without being too expensive or cumbersome. Below we will go through what makes a top-quality product and factors for you to consider.
What Will a 1000 Watt Inverter Run?
A 1000 watt inverter will run most appliances and electronics rated below this power level. You can also run multiple devices as long as the total output stays below 1000.
To stay safe though you should really draw no more than 800 watts during prolonged usage. This is because inverters are not 100% efficient.
You’ll be able to run various things including lighting, radios, TVs, computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, refrigerators, small coffee makers, dishwashers, fans, pumps, games consoles, slow cookers, and other small to medium sized appliances.
Here is a list of appliances you can power and their average wattage:
Appliance | Watts |
Smartphone | 5 |
Tablet | 10 |
Laptop | 30-60 |
32 inch TV | 50-80 |
Clock radio | 2-5 |
Fans | 30-60 |
Mini-fridge | 40-80 |
Small refrigerator | 200-400 |
60 Watt Light Bulb | 60 (duh…) |
Small blender | 300-400 |
Games console (PS5) | 70-200 |
Orbital sander | 400 – 700 |
Qualities of a Good Inverter
In order to make the right decision, it’s important to know the qualities of a decent 1000 watt power inverter.
Firstly, you want to make sure you’re picking a reputable brand that delivers what they promise. Aka – a full 1000 watts of power without any glitches. If there are fluctuations and inconsistencies in the electricity supply they can damage your appliances and devices. The other important quality to look for is size, weight, and compactness. As we said you’re probably looking for something that covers you in a number of scenarios.
You want something that doesn’t occupy much space during travel and camping but still provides ample oomph for the whole family! A pure sine wave inverter is always recommended to supply sensitive devices with an uninterrupted and smooth flow of current. Don’t worry, there are some brilliant modified sine wave inverters too that serve the same purpose.
Education: Buying a 1000 watt power inverter
By now you should have a better understanding of continuous 1000 watt power inverters. They are available in all different shapes and sizes plus a whole host of features. To help you dissect what is best for you then keep reading.
Outlets
The first big thing to consider is how many outlets you need. This is decided by what you want to run from the unit. Is it just one machine or phone charging for the whole family. If you expect lots of use from USB ports then make sure to choose something with 3 or 4 ports. On the other hand, if you want to run multiple home appliances then you’ll need a product with multiple AC three pin plug outlets, just like in the wall at home.
Installation
How technically minded are you? If the answer is ‘not very’, then choosing a device arriving with all the necessary wires and connections is helpful. For example, you’ll need alligator clips to connect to your battery, or even a handy cigarette lighter cable for your car.
Safety
Safety is king. With any electrical device, there is a risk of overheating and fire, plus for inverters, you want to make sure your gadgets are protected from damage. To keep you completely safe ensure your chosen machine offer guards from power shortages, overloads, short circuits, overcharging, and low battery. Look for features like fuses, smart cooling fans, alarms, and LCD monitors.
Features
Finally, there’s a whole host of features to find on various makes and models. You can plump for something simple or go for all the mod-cons which include Bluetooth, remote control, LCD screens, smart fans, mounting systems, fast-charge, and much more!
Price
Want to know how much a 1000 watt inverter costs?
Well, the price of a 1000w power inverter varies depending on a number of factors. You can expect to pay anything between $70 to $300. You should understand that you’ll get what you pay for! If you spend less than $100 then don’t expect the best quality or performance, these cheaper models might not cope so well with running high loads for long periods of time. Plus the added features will be limited.
If you are looking for a 1000 watt pure sine wave inverter then it will cost you around $200 or more as the technology is more expensive. The quality of the product will be much higher and you’ll be able to run a much wider range of appliances too.
Pure sine wave vs modified sine wave
The battle of modified and pure sine wave technology rages on! Put simple, pure sine wave enables you to run more sensitive devices that need a smooth flow of voltage these include medical equipment, LED TVs, or motorized tools – all of these need to draw a constant clean flow of power. If you’re just looking to charge gadgets and run simple appliances then modified sine wave will be adequate, and cheaper.
Tips for Installing a Power Inverter
If you’re curious about how to use a power inverter then don’t worry. I’ll go through the best way to install your equipment so you can start enjoying off-grid power quickly. Before we start, I will say that if you are not sure then consult the help of a professional and don’t rely completely on this guide!
Here’s a step by step installation:
Step 1. On your leisure or vehicle battery, identify the positive/red and negative/black terminals. This is where you will hook up.
Step 2. Ensure your cables are connected to the input terminal (red and black) on your power inverter. You can use alligator clips cables or O-rings to make the next step easy.
Step 3. Hook up the corresponding cables and battery terminals. e.g. black to black (negative to negative) and red to red (positive to positive.) Ensure the conductive metal surfaces are securely connected together.
Step 4. Turn on your power inverter to check that everything is running smoothly – usually signaled by a green LED light.
Step 5. You can now plug in your appliances and devices to run them via the AC and USB ports as you need.
Pro tip: If you are running your inverter from a vehicle starter battery, ensure you run the engine when the inverter is connected to avoid quickly exhausting your battery.
FAQ About 100 Watt Inverters
Yes. Many electrical appliances in the home require less than 1000 watts to run. Therefore, you can use a 1000 watt inverter to run various appliances at home including refrigerators, TVs, and games consoles.
You can charge your phones, iPads, and other small devices easily. You can easily run a 100-watt bulb or a fan on these inverters. Any small refrigerator that requires less than 800 watts can operate on a 1000 watt power inverter.
As these inverters are meant for small to mid sized appliances you cannot run a deep freezer or a big refrigerator. Anyhow, mini-refrigerators or smart refrigerators needing less than 800 watts can easily run. But, it will run until the battery lasts. To know how long the battery will run check the Wh energy storage of the battery. Remember, an inverter doesn’t have a power source of its own.
Yes you can use these inverters for a semi truck. But, you will have to connect the inverter directly with the batteries.
From a 12V inverter, you will draw a maximum of 83.3 amps on full load. From a 24V inverter, you will draw a maximum of 41.6 amps at full capacity.
1000 Watt Inverter Summary
If you’ve read this far you should now be an expert on 1000 watt power inverters.
You should have an in-depth understanding of the products available and the different features to choose from. The great thing about 1000 watt inverters is the ability to use them in so many different situations.
They are just about small enough to be portable while offering a decent amount of power to run many different appliances.
If you’re still not sure what to choose, then you can’t go too far wrong with the above reviews.
Thanks for reading!