What is a good cheap pure sine wave inverter for a van?

The Renogy 1000W and 2000W pure sine wave inverters are the best value for most van builds — $120 and $200 respectively, with proper pure sine output, reasonable build quality, and good after-sales support from a brand with US-based customers. Avoid no-brand inverters under $80 that claim pure sine — they often output modified sine despite marketing claims.

What is the minimum inverter quality I should buy for a van build?

Buy pure sine wave and stick with brands that have real customer reviews and return policies: Renogy, Giandel, AIMS, or Victron (at the higher end). Modified sine wave inverters are cheaper but can damage sensitive electronics, run motors less efficiently, and cause CPAP machines to malfunction.

Budget Van Inverters: Continuous Power and Battery Limits

Compare budget inverters by documented continuous output, surge behaviour, waveform, protection and support, including the cost of safe installation.

You don't need to spend $500 on a Victron to power a laptop and induction cooktop. Here are the best budget inverters that deliver clean pure sine output without the premium price.

For context on sizing: what size inverter do I need?.

Best budget picks by wattage

Under 1,000W: Renogy 1000W Pure Sine (~$120)

The Renogy 1000W is the default recommendation for light van builds — laptop, phone, tablet, CPAP, and small appliances. Build quality is solid, pure sine output is confirmed, and Renogy has US-based customer support with an actual return policy.

Also consider: GIANDEL 800W Pure Sine (~$90) — slightly cheaper, similar quality. Fine for very light loads.

2,000W: Renogy 2000W Pure Sine (~$200)

The best value in the 2,000W class. Handles induction cooktops (1,500–1,800W), microwave (1,200–1,600W wall draw), hair dryer, and coffee maker. This is the size most van builders should start with.

Also consider: AIMS 2000W Pure Sine (~$200) — AIMS has a longer track record in the RV space, comparable quality.

3,000W: AIMS 3000W Pure Sine (~$350)

If you need 3,000W (large AC unit, 240V loads, or power tools), AIMS makes a well-regarded unit in this class. At 3,000W, you're close enough to Victron MultiPlus pricing that it's worth considering whether an inverter/charger makes more sense.

What to avoid

Unknown brand "pure sine" inverters under $80: Many of these output modified sine wave despite claiming pure sine. They may work fine on resistive loads (lights, heaters, simple motors) but cause issues with CPAP machines, variable-speed tools, and electronics with sensitive power supplies. Not worth the risk.

Oversized inverters for your build: A 3,000W inverter in a build that only needs 1,000W wastes battery power in standby draw and costs more. Size correctly.

Do you need Victron?

Victron inverters ($400–$600+) offer better efficiency (94–96% vs 85–90% for budget units), built-in monitoring via VictronConnect, and true inverter/charger capability in the MultiPlus/Quattro line. Worth it for full-time van life where efficiency matters, complex multi-source builds, or if you want the Victron ecosystem. Not necessary for weekend warriors or simple builds.

Worked planning check

An illustrative $180 inverter requiring $140 of cable, fuse, isolation and mounting is a $320 equipment decision before labour. If the selected battery cannot supply the calculated DC current, a low inverter price does not make the system usable.

The figures or dimensions in this example are explicit planning assumptions, not a product test or an installation specification. Replace them with your equipment data and actual measurements.

Planning questions

How do I calculate inverter battery current?

Divide AC watts by assumed inverter efficiency and loaded battery voltage. Add other DC loads, and check starting surge separately. Use the result as a design input rather than a fuse recommendation.

Does an inverter use power with nothing plugged in?

Usually it has an idle consumption; check the exact model and operating mode. Multiply idle watts by hours switched on to include it in the daily energy budget.

Can any lithium battery run a large inverter?

No. Check BMS continuous and short-duration current, battery voltage, cable, protection and terminals. Energy capacity alone does not establish output capability.

Use the free electrical planner to organise your daily loads and charging assumptions.