What Can a 2000W Inverter Run in a Campervan?
A 2,000W inverter opens up almost every appliance you would use in a campervan. Here is exactly what fits within that rating — and the few things that still do not.
For help choosing the right size, see our inverter size guide for campervans.
What a 2,000W inverter can run
Comfortably within range
| Appliance | Typical wattage |
|---|---|
| Laptop + phone + tablet charging | 30–150W combined |
| LED TV (up to 55") | 50–120W |
| CPAP with heated humidifier | 80–200W |
| Low-power induction hob (1,200W setting) | 1,200W |
| Travel kettle (750W–1,000W) | 750–1,000W |
| Microwave (check input watts) | 1,000–1,400W |
| Toaster (2-slice) | 800–1,000W |
| Coffee machine / espresso maker | 1,000–1,400W |
| NutriBullet blender | 600–900W |
| Air fryer (compact) | 1,200–1,500W |
| Small fan heater (low setting) | 700–1,000W |
| Electric drill / jigsaw | 500–1,000W |
| Small power tool (see tools guide) | 500–1,800W |
| Hair dryer (travel, 1,000W setting) | 1,000W |
A 2,000W inverter handles virtually everything a full-time van lifer would want to run, provided you do not use multiple high-draw appliances at the same time.
Borderline (1,500W–2,000W)
| Appliance | Typical wattage |
|---|---|
| Full-power induction hob | 1,800–2,000W |
| Domestic espresso machine (e.g. De'Longhi) | 1,400–1,900W |
| Standard hair dryer (high heat) | 1,500–2,000W |
| Angle grinder (large) | 1,500–2,000W |
These push a 2,000W inverter to its limit. They will technically work on a good-quality 2,000W inverter, but not simultaneously with other loads, and continuous use at this level causes thermal stress.
Will not run reliably (over 2,000W)
| Appliance | Typical wattage |
|---|---|
| Domestic kettle | 2,200–3,000W |
| Fan heater / convection heater | 2,000–3,000W |
| Large air conditioner | 1,000–3,000W |
| Washing machine | 1,500–2,500W |
| Electric shower | 7,000–10,000W |
A standard UK domestic kettle almost always exceeds 2,000W — usually drawing 2,500–3,000W. This is the most common frustration for van builders: a 2,000W inverter sounds sufficient, but it will not boil a normal kettle. You need a travel kettle rated at 750W–1,000W.
The simultaneous load problem
At 2,000W total capacity, running two 1,000W appliances at once (induction hob + microwave) exceeds the inverter's rating. Always total your simultaneous loads:
- Induction hob (1,200W) + laptop (65W) + phone charging (20W) = 1,285W ✓
- Induction hob (1,200W) + microwave (1,200W) = 2,400W ✗
Battery draw at 2,000W
A 2,000W inverter at full load draws approximately 185A from a 12V battery:
2,000W ÷ 12V ÷ 0.90 ≈ 185A
A 200Ah LiFePO4 battery (180Ah usable) at full inverter load depletes in under one hour. In practice, you rarely sustain 2,000W for extended periods — cooking for 20 minutes on an induction hob draws 2,000W × 0.33h ≈ 660Wh.
Size your battery to handle your actual cooking patterns, not the theoretical maximum draw. See our battery size calculator guide for the full calculation.
Is 2,000W enough for van life?
For most campervan builds: yes. The one common limitation is a domestic kettle. If you switch to a 750W travel kettle, a 2,000W inverter handles everything else a full-time van lifer needs.
If you want to run a domestic kettle, full-power hair dryer, or domestic-grade appliances: consider a 3,000W inverter or connect to a mains hook-up for those loads.
FAQ
Can a 2,000W inverter run a kettle?
Not a standard domestic kettle (2,200–3,000W). Use a travel kettle rated at 750W–1,000W — these work fine on a 2,000W inverter.
Can a 2,000W inverter run an induction hob?
Yes, on most settings. Full-power settings on a 2,000W induction hob push the inverter to its limit. Use 1,200W–1,500W settings for comfortable headroom. See our induction hob inverter guide for specific recommendations.
Can I run a 2,000W inverter on a 100Ah battery?
Yes, for short bursts. At 2,000W draw (~185A from 12V), a 100Ah LiFePO4 (90Ah usable) lasts about 30 minutes at full load. For cooking a meal (20 minutes at 1,200W), you use about 400Wh — achievable from a 100Ah battery with solar recharge.