Renogy 1000W/2000W power inverter
(6 reviews)
From cigarette lighter to a real mains socket: the Renogy inverter keeps sensitive electronics powered, with an automatic mains transfer switch in 50ms.
- Power: 1000W continuous, 2000W surge
- Waveform: Pure sine wave, 220-240V
- UPS function: Mains/battery switch in 50ms
- Format: 2.6kg, wired remote included
- True pure sine wave with automatic mains switch
Detailed overview: Renogy 12V 1000W pure sine wave inverter
The Renogy 1000W/2000W inverter turns the 12V DC from a battery or vehicle into 220-240V AC, with a pure sine wave identical to mains power. It delivers 1000 watts continuous and handles surges up to 2000 watts for motor start-up or switched-mode power supplies, at a claimed conversion efficiency above 90%.
What sets it apart from a plain inverter is its UPS function (mains priority circuit): wire its AC input to a mains source or a generator, and the unit automatically switches between that supply and its battery output in under 50 milliseconds on a power cut, with no noticeable interruption for connected devices. That is a feature rarely found below several hundred pounds, usually reserved for dedicated backup inverters.
The metal housing packs in full protection: under and over-voltage warning lights, overheat and overload protection, short-circuit indication, an internal DC fuse and a cooling fan. Two AC outlets (one on the front, one on the back) and a wired remote control on an extendable cable round out the unit, handy for switching it off without reaching under a seat or into a battery locker.
At 2.6kg and a compact 34.2 x 17.3 x 7.6cm, it fits neatly in a motorhome, campervan, boat or utility room. One thing to plan for: at full power, the unit draws close to 90 amps at 12V, which calls for a battery able to supply that (lithium, or a sizeable lead-acid bank) and heavy-gauge cabling to the terminals. Powering it from a cigarette lighter socket will not unlock the full output: for the full 1000 watts, wire it directly to the battery.
In the Renogy range, this model fills the gap between budget backup inverters and higher-end kit: cheaper and more capable than the modified-sine Bestek 500W, it matches the continuous output of the Victron Phoenix 12/1200 at a noticeably lower price, with the automatic mains switch that the Victron does not build in.
EAN: 0810081408851
User manual / Instructions for use (PDF)
Comparison
Between £51 and £214, several 12V/220V inverters compete for attention, with frequent searches like "1000W inverter" or "Victron Phoenix vs Renogy". Here is how the Renogy 1000W/2000W stacks up against three of its most compared alternatives: the Victron Phoenix 12/1200, its direct benchmark on power and signal quality; the Victron Phoenix 12/500, cheaper but less powerful; and the Bestek 500W, the modified-sine entry-level option.
| Criterion | Renogy 1000W/2000W | Victron 12/1200 | Victron 12/500 | Bestek 500W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous / peak power | 1000 W / 2000 W | 1000 W / 2200 W | 400 W / 900 W | 500 W / not stated |
| Waveform type | Pure sine | Pure sine | Pure sine | Modified sine |
| Automatic mains switch (UPS) | Yes, under 50 ms | No (external add-on) | No (external add-on) | No |
| Weight | 2.6 kg | 7.4 kg | 3.9 kg | Not stated |
| Observed price | ≈ £110 | ≈ £214 | ≈ £120 | ≈ £51 |
On paper, the Victron Phoenix 12/1200 offers the same 1000 watts continuous with a slightly higher peak, but neither Phoenix builds in an automatic mains transfer switch (that needs a Filax accessory or a MultiPlus, both considerably pricier): that is exactly the Renogy's edge, at under half the price and nearly a third of the weight of the 12/1200. The Bestek 500W remains unbeatable on price for the odd emergency job, but its modified sine wave and lack of any transfer function limit it to less sensitive devices. The Victron Phoenix 12/500 still wins on standby draw (1W ECO mode) and its five-year warranty, but with less than half the Renogy's power. For genuine automatic backup power at a contained price, the Renogy remains the most versatile pick.
Related video
Video: Renogy 1000 watt 12v 240v pure sine wave inverter - Published on 27/11/2020
Our tester's review: Gilles Caron
You would expect a lot from an inverter priced around £110, and this one mostly delivers. The genuine pure sine wave causes no issues with a laptop, a power tool charger or a small kettle, unlike modified sine models that make some appliances hum. The UPS function is the real selling point: wire the AC input to your motorhome's shore power and let the unit switch itself over on a power cut, no scrambling to swap plugs. A couple of honest caveats. The rated idle draw (about 1A, or 12W) is higher than a Victron in ECO mode, which matters on a setup left plugged in for weeks. The supplied battery cable is decent but no more: consider upgrading it if you plan to draw the full 1000W continuously. For the price, well below an equivalent pure sine inverter with a built-in transfer switch, it is a genuinely good compromise for a reliable 230V socket without breaking the bank.
Frequently asked questions: Renogy 12V 1000W pure sine wave inverter
With 1000W continuous and a 2000W surge, it runs a laptop, a kettle or small kitchen appliance, a power drill, a pump or a small compressor fridge. Heavy cooking appliances (oven, hob, powerful heaters) stay out of reach.
Wire its AC input to the mains or a generator, and the unit passes that power straight through to the output. On a power cut, it automatically switches to battery power in under 50 milliseconds, too brief an interruption for most electronics to notice.
At full power, the unit draws roughly 90 amps at 12V. A small lead-acid battery will only last a few minutes: go for lithium or a sizeable lead-acid bank, with heavy-gauge cables and a fuse rated close to the battery.
Yes, that is one of its main intended uses given the compact 2.6kg format and the UPS function, which automatically switches between campsite shore power and the leisure battery.
Yes, about 1A (12W) on standby according to the manufacturer, higher than the 1W ECO mode on some higher-end inverters. On a setup left connected for weeks, it is worth switching off the mains input between uses.
Other products in the "12V → 220V converters" category
Bestek 500W power inverter
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500W of 220V in the car: the Bestek inverter turns your cigarette lighter or 12V battery into a mains socket to power small devices and charge on the road.
Bestek 12V 220V Converter 200W
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Of excellent quality, this small inverter converts a 12V current into a 220V current and also features 4 USB ports.
Victron Energy Phoenix 12/1200
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A thousand watts of true pure sine wave from a 12 volt battery: the reference among motorhome owners and sailors, with a five-year warranty.
Victron Energy Phoenix 12/500
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The inverter you fit once for a decade: true pure sine wave, an ECO mode that draws a single watt on standby, and five years of manufacturer warranty.
Published on 30/08/2026