Best camper van inverter and inverter/charger: 14 pure-sine 12 V units compared by €/kW, efficiency and idle draw
· 14 min read
The Votronic SMI 1700 ST-NVS is the best 12 V inverter here on the spec sheet — 93 %, 10 W standby, mains priority, five years, the cable and fuse printed in the manual; the Victron Phoenix 12/1200 is the one to leave switched on at 7 W idle; the Renogy 1,000 W is the cheapest 230 V with a transfer switch; and if the van plugs in, the ECTIVE CSI 15 is the cheapest inverter/charger and the Victron MultiPlus-II the one with a real charger. Fourteen pure-sine inverters and inverter/chargers from 1,000 to 2,400 W, ranked on price per kW, peak efficiency, no-load draw, weight per kW, warranty and whether they have a transfer switch — from published datasheets, with peak watts, charger current, cable and fuse sizes shown as the makers state them.
I have not bench-tested these; the method box says what the score is and which columns I could not read this run. The number that matters most is not in the table: the current your battery can deliver. 2,000 W at 12 V is about 170 A, and the battery guide lists which 100 Ah units can do it. Every inverter here is a box with a weight you can place next to that battery in VanPlot.
Best overall, with mains priority
Votronic MobilPOWER SMI 1700 ST-NVS
93 %, 10 W standby, mains priority, IP21, 5 years — and the cable and fuse printed in the manual.
Overall 7.2 / 10 · 5.2 kg · ≈ €626
Best to leave switched on
Victron Phoenix 12/1200 VE.Direct
7 W idle with ECO mode, 850 W rated at 40 °C, ≈ €184.
Overall 6.7 / 10 · 7.4 kg · ≈ €184
Best budget with transfer switch
Renogy 1,000 W 12 V pure sine with mains priority
1,000 W pure sine with a transfer switch for ≈ €153 and 2.6 kg.
Overall 6.7 / 10 · 2.6 kg · ≈ €153
Cheapest inverter/charger
ECTIVE CSI 15
Inverter, 20 A charger and transfer switch for ≈ €260.
Overall 6.5 / 10 · 6.6 kg · ≈ €260
Best value 2 kW combi
ECTIVE CSI 20
A 2 kW combi at ≈ €185 per kW, 90 mm tall.
Overall 6.4 / 10 · 7.4 kg · ≈ €369
Most efficient
Victron Phoenix Smart 12/2000
94 % peak efficiency, 4,000 W surge, Bluetooth built in.
Overall 6.3 / 10 · 13 kg · ≈ €551
Best for a hot locker (rated at 40 °C)
Votronic MobilPOWER SMI 1200 ST-NVS
1,200 W rated at 40 °C, 3.8 kg, 8 W standby, 5 years.
Overall 6.3 / 10 · 3.8 kg · ≈ €627
Best for shore power
Victron MultiPlus-II 12/3000/120-32
120 A charger, 32 A transfer, PowerAssist, 2,400 W with 40 and 65 °C ratings printed.
Overall 5.5 / 10 · 20 kg · ≈ €864
The comparison
| # | Product | Overall | Price per kW continuous (€/kW) | Peak efficiency (%) | No-load draw (W) | Weight per kW (kg/kW) | Warranty (years) | Mains priority / transfer switch (0 no / 1 yes) | Peak, charger, transfer, cable and fuse (as reported) | W × H × D | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Votronic MobilPOWER SMI 1700 ST-NVS Best overall, with mains priority inverter, 1,700 W, transfer switch | 7.2 | €368 4.2 | 93 % 8.0 | 10.0 W 7.3 | 3.1 8.9 | 5 y 10.0 | yes 10.0 | 1,700 / 2,100 / 3,000 W (an older datasheet says 1,500 W continuous); > 93 %; standby 10 W; IP21; −20 to +45 °C; 50 mm² cable, 250 A fuse per manual; remote with 5 m cable (Votronic) | 440 × 90 × 265 mm | 5.2 kg | ≈ €626 |
| 2 | Victron Phoenix 12/1200 VE.Direct Best to leave switched on inverter, 1,000 W | 6.7 | €184 9.2 | 91 % 4.0 | 7.0 W 10.0 | 7.4 1.6 | 5 y 10.0 | no 0.0 | 1,200 VA; 1,000 W at 25 °C, 850 W at 40 °C; 2,200 W peak; 91 % and 7 W zero-load from the US-model sheet (230 V column not read); VE.Direct port, Bluetooth via dongle; IP21 (Victron) | 362 × 117 × 232 mm | 7.4 kg | ≈ €184 |
| 3 | Renogy 1,000 W 12 V pure sine with mains priority Best budget with transfer switch inverter, 1,000 W, transfer switch | 6.7 | €153 10.0 | 90 % 2.0 | n/p — | 2.6 9.7 | 2 y 0.0 | yes 10.0 | 2,000 W surge; > 90 % (one reseller says > 88 %); mains priority < 50 ms; no-load not published by Renogy (a third-party review measured 1.4–1.6 A) (Renogy) | 342 × 76 × 173 mm | 2.6 kg | ≈ €153 |
| 4 | ECTIVE CSI 15 Cheapest inverter/charger inverter/charger, 1,500 W, 20 A charger | 6.5 | €173 9.4 | 90 % 2.0 | n/p — | 4.4 6.6 | 3 y 3.3 | yes 10.0 | 3,000 W for 2 s, 2,250 W for 10 s; charger 20 A (30 A per one reseller), 10.5–14.4 V, IUoU; transfer < 10 ms; idle not published for the CSI 15 (ECTIVE) | 450 × 90 × 220 mm | 6.6 kg | ≈ €260 |
| 5 | ECTIVE CSI 20 Best value 2 kW combi inverter/charger, 2,000 W, 20 A charger | 6.4 | €185 9.1 | 90 % 2.0 | 11.8 W 5.6 | 3.7 7.8 | 3 y 3.3 | yes 10.0 | 4,000 W peak; 86–90 %; idle ≈ 0.98 A (11.8 W); charger 20 A (ECTIVE) or 30 A (two resellers); transfer < 16 ms (ECTIVE) or < 10 ms (resellers); ECO mode; 3-year warranty from 15 Dec 2025 (ECTIVE) | 480 × 90 × 220 mm | 7.4 kg | ≈ €369 |
| 6 | Victron Phoenix Smart 12/2000 Most efficient inverter, 1,600 W, Bluetooth | 6.3 | €344 4.8 | 94 % 10.0 | 8.0 W 9.1 | 8.1 0.4 | 5 y 10.0 | no 0.0 | 2,000 VA / 1,600 W at 25 °C; 4,000 W peak; 94 % max; 8 W zero-load, ECO ≈ 0.6 W; DC 9.3–17 V; 13 kg (dealer) vs 'around 12 kg' (manual); no internal DC fuse — external required; Bluetooth built in (Victron) | 485 × 125 × 219 mm | 13 kg | ≈ €551 |
| 7 | Votronic MobilPOWER SMI 1200 ST-NVS Best for a hot locker (rated at 40 °C) inverter, 1,200 W at 40 °C, transfer switch | 6.3 | €523 0.0 | 93 % 8.0 | 8.0 W 9.1 | 3.2 8.7 | 5 y 10.0 | yes 10.0 | 1,200 W continuous rated at 40 °C and 12.0 V — the only maker here rating at 40 °C; 1,400 W short, 2,000 W peak; > 93 %; standby 8 W; 25 mm² cable, 175 A fuse, battery ≥ 110 Ah per manual; retailers quote 1,000 W and 10 W (Votronic) | 305 × 90 × 265 mm | 3.8 kg | ≈ €627 |
| 8 | ECTIVE SI 15 inverter, 1,500 W | 5.5 | €195 8.9 | 90 % 2.0 | 10.8 W 6.5 | 3.4 8.3 | 3 y 3.3 | no 0.0 | 3,000 W for 2 s, 2,250 W for 10 s; 86–90 %; idle ≈ 0.90 A (10.8 W at 12 V); USB port; 5.1 kg (Vanstudio) vs 6.1 kg (another listing) (ECTIVE) | 360 × 90 × 220 mm | 5.1 kg | ≈ €292 |
| 9 | Victron MultiPlus-II 12/3000/120-32 Best for shore power inverter/charger, 2,400 W, 120 A charger | 5.5 | €360 4.4 | 93 % 8.0 | 15.0 W 2.7 | 8.3 0.0 | 5 y 10.0 | yes 10.0 | 3,000 VA; 2,400 W at 25 °C, 2,200 W at 40 °C, 1,700 W at 65 °C; 5,500 W peak; 93 %; zero-load 15 W, AES 10 W, search 4 W; 120 A charger; 32 A transfer; IP22; 400 A / 2 × 50 mm² per manual (Victron) | 546 × 147 × 275 mm | 20 kg | ≈ €864 |
| 10 | ECTIVE SI 20 inverter, 2,000 W | 5.1 | €225 8.1 | 90 % 2.0 | 12.0 W 5.5 | 3.1 8.8 | 3 y 3.3 | no 0.0 | 4,000 W peak; 86–90 % (one reseller: up to 92 %); idle ≈ 1.0 A (12 W); soft start; USB (ECTIVE) | 385 × 90 × 220 mm | 6.2 kg | ≈ €450 |
| 11 | Victron MultiPlus Compact 12/2000/80-30 inverter/charger, 1,600 W, 80 A charger | 5.1 | €406 3.2 | n/p — | n/p — | 7.5 1.4 | 5 y 10.0 | yes 10.0 | 2,000 VA / 1,600 W at 25 °C; 80 A charger; 30 A transfer switch, < 20 ms; PowerAssist; 300 A fuse / 70 mm² per community-cited manual; the 230 V peak, efficiency and zero-load columns were not captured this run (only the 120 V model's), so they are unscored (Victron) | 520 × 125 × 255 mm | 12 kg | ≈ €649 |
| 12 | Dometic SinePower DSP 1312T inverter, 1,300 W, transfer switch | 4.1 | €392 3.5 | 89 % 0.0 | n/p — | 3.7 7.8 | n/p — | yes 10.0 | 1,300 W at 25 °C (Dometic's own title says 1,200 W); 2,400 W for 3 s; > 89 %; standby 200 mA per manual, idle quoted as 2.5 / 1.3 A by a retailer — unresolved, so unscored on idle; integrated mains priority; −20 to 60 °C; warranty not shown (Dometic) | 405 × 118 × 284 mm | 4.8 kg | ≈ €510 |
| 13 | Dometic SinePower DSP 2012 inverter, 2,000 W | 3.9 | €451 1.9 | 90 % 2.0 | 9.6 W 7.6 | 2.6 9.7 | n/p — | no 0.0 | 4,000 W for 3 s; > 90 %; idle < 0.8 A (9.6 W), standby < 0.3 A; quiet fan; 70 mm² cable and 300 A fuse within 1 m of the battery per manual (one retailer says 500 A); remote included; warranty not shown (Dometic) | 360 × 97 × 272 mm | 5.2 kg | ≈ €902 |
| 14 | Renogy 2,000 W 12 V pure sine with UPS inverter, 2,000 W, transfer switch | 3.4 | n/p — | 90 % 2.0 | 18.0 W 0.0 | 2.4 10.0 | 2 y 0.0 | yes 10.0 | 4,000 W peak; 90 % max; < 18 W idle; mains priority < 50 ms; < 51 dB; internal backup DC fuse; 442 × 220 × 92 mm (UK page) vs a 482 mm footprint on the EU page (Renogy) | 442 × 92 × 220 mm | 4.8 kg | n/p |
How these are rated — and what I did not do
I have not run these units side by side. This is a spec-sheet comparison: every number in the table is a manufacturer or retailer figure, linked per product and checked September 2026. Where makers publish energy figures under different conditions they are shown as reported and kept out of the score, because a number measured at 32 °C cannot be ranked against one measured at 25 °C. What can be ranked fairly is arithmetic on published dimensions, weight, capacity and price — the things that decide whether a unit fits your layout, what it costs you in payload, and what it costs per litre. That is what the score is.
Each metric is scaled 0–10 across this set (best = 10, worst = 0), then weighted:
- Price per kW continuous (€/kW) — 30 % (lower is better)
- Peak efficiency (%) — 20 % (higher is better)
- No-load draw (W) — 20 % (lower is better)
- Weight per kW (kg/kW) — 10 % (lower is better)
- Warranty (years) — 10 % (higher is better)
- Mains priority / transfer switch (0 no / 1 yes) — 10 % (higher is better)
- Price per kW uses continuous watts at 25 °C as each maker states them (Votronic rates at 40 °C, which is stricter). The Renogy 2,000 W has no captured EU price and is excluded from that metric.
- No-load draw is the maker's figure; ECTIVE and Dometic publish amps, converted here at 12 V. ECO / search modes (Victron ≈ 0.6–4 W, Votronic ≈ 0 W) are shown, not scored. Units with no published or unresolved idle figure (Renogy 1000, ECTIVE CSI 15, Dometic 1312T, MultiPlus Compact 230 V) are excluded from it.
- Efficiency is the maker's peak figure; ECTIVE's '86–90 %' is scored at 90. The Victron Phoenix 12/1200's 91 % and 7 W come from the US-model sheet because the 230 V column was not read this run; the MultiPlus Compact's 230 V efficiency and idle were not captured at all and are excluded.
- Mains priority / transfer switch is scored because it decides whether the same sockets work on hook-up; charger current, transfer time, peak watts, cable and fuse sizes are shown as reported.
- Manufacturer pages could not be opened from this build environment this run; figures come from the makers' published datasheets, manuals and listings as indexed, cross-checked between retailers, with every disagreement shown in the product's reported line.
No affiliate links: product links go to the manufacturer or the spec page the numbers came from. If a spec here is wrong, tell me and I will fix it and note the change.
How to choose: the battery decides the inverter
Amps before watts. 2,000 W at 12 V is about 170 A, and most 100 Ah drop-in lithium batteries stop at 100 A — the battery guide lists which ones deliver 150 or 200. Buy the inverter your bank can feed: 1,000–1,300 W on one 100 A battery, 2,000 W on two in parallel or a 150 A unit, 3,000 W on 200 A or more. A bigger inverter on a small bank trips the BMS the first time the kettle goes on.
Then hook-up or not. If the van will plug into a campsite even occasionally, a transfer switch (mains priority) means the same sockets work on shore and off-grid, and an inverter/charger adds the charger that refills the bank overnight — 20 A (ECTIVE CSI) to 120 A (MultiPlus-II) decides whether that is a night or two hours. If the van never plugs in, a plain inverter and a separate DC-DC charger from the alternator is lighter and cheaper; the sizing post covers the charging side.
Idle draw is the number that empties the bank. 7–18 W around the clock is 14–36 Ah a day, the fridge’s share again. Victron’s ECO mode, Votronic’s standby and a physical switch are the three fixes; a unit with a published idle figure is a unit whose maker has thought about it.
Heat, cable and place. Ratings are at 25 °C unless stated; Votronic rates at 40 °C, Victron prints the 40 °C figure, most say nothing. An inverter in a closed bench in July is at 40 °C. Put it within 1.5 m of the battery on the cable the manual specifies (25–70 mm² here) behind a fuse sized to that cable (175–400 A), with air around it. The units in this table are 342–546 mm long and 2.6–20 kg; the weight post puts the electrical bay low and ahead of the rear axle, and every unit here is a box you can place in the planner next to the battery it feeds.
The inverters, in order
1. Votronic MobilPOWER SMI 1700 ST-NVSBest overall, with mains priority
Overall 7.2/10 · 440 × 90 × 265 mm (10.5 L outside) · 5.2 kg · ≈ €626 (from €626 geizhals.de (Oct 2025); €870.29 solarcamp24.de, Sep 2026) · reported: 1,700 / 2,100 / 3,000 W (an older datasheet says 1,500 W continuous); > 93 %; standby 10 W; IP21; −20 to +45 °C; 50 mm² cable, 250 A fuse per manual; remote with 5 m cable (Votronic)
Top because it has no weak metric: 93 %, 10 W standby, mains priority, IP21, 5 years, 3,000 W peak from 5.2 kg, and a manual that prints the cable (50 mm²) and fuse (250 A). Two continuous ratings circulate — 1,700 W on Votronic's page, 1,500 W on an older datasheet — and the price spreads from €626 to €948 by shop.
Reasons to buy
- 93 %, 10 W standby, mains priority, IP21, 5 years
- 3,000 W peak from a 5.2 kg unit
- Cable and fuse printed: 50 mm², 250 A
Reasons to avoid
- Price spread €626–948 across shops
- Two continuous ratings in circulation (1,500 vs 1,700 W)
- No Bluetooth
Not a planner preset yet; place a generic item and type these dimensions and weight in. Specs: votronic.de, husatech.de, geizhals.de.
2. Victron Phoenix 12/1200 VE.DirectBest to leave switched on
Overall 6.7/10 · 362 × 117 × 232 mm (9.8 L outside) · 7.4 kg · ≈ €184 (from €184.47 geizhals.de, 2026) · reported: 1,200 VA; 1,000 W at 25 °C, 850 W at 40 °C; 2,200 W peak; 91 % and 7 W zero-load from the US-model sheet (230 V column not read); VE.Direct port, Bluetooth via dongle; IP21 (Victron)
The inverter you can leave switched on: 7 W idle, an ECO mode that cuts it by about 85 %, and the 40 °C rating printed (850 W). 1,000 W is a kettle at a stretch and not an induction plate, and it is a 7.4 kg toroidal unit — heavy per kW. The 91 % and 7 W figures came from the US-model sheet; the 230 V column was not read this run.
Reasons to buy
- 7 W idle and an ECO mode that cuts it by ~85 %: the inverter you can leave on
- Publishes the 40 °C rating (850 W), which most do not
- 5-year warranty at ≈ €184
Reasons to avoid
- 1,000 W: a kettle, not an induction plate
- 7.4 kg toroidal — heavier per kW than the Ective or Renogy
- No mains priority; Bluetooth needs a dongle
In the planner: pick Inverter and choose the preset “Victron Phoenix 12/1200” — it drops in at these dimensions and this weight, so the fit and the axle load are checked before you order. Specs: victronenergy.com, victronenergy.com, geizhals.de.
3. Renogy 1,000 W 12 V pure sine with mains priorityBest budget with transfer switch
Overall 6.7/10 · 342 × 76 × 173 mm (4.5 L outside) · 2.6 kg · ≈ €153 (€152.99 de.renogy.com (was €169.99), Sep 2026; €124.50 lichtex.de) · reported: 2,000 W surge; > 90 % (one reseller says > 88 %); mains priority < 50 ms; no-load not published by Renogy (a third-party review measured 1.4–1.6 A) (Renogy)
≈ €153 for 1,000 W pure sine with a transfer switch in a 2.6 kg, 76 mm-thin case: the cheapest 230 V in the guide. Renogy publishes no idle draw (unscored) and no 40 °C rating, and the warranty is 2 years. For a van that mostly charges laptops and plugs in on campsites, it is enough.
Reasons to buy
- 2.6 kg and 76 mm thin — fits behind a seat base
- Mains priority built in at ≈ €153
- The cheapest way to 230 V in the guide
Reasons to avoid
- No published idle draw — unscored on it
- 2-year warranty
- No 40 °C rating; a hot locker derates it by an unknown amount
In the planner: pick Inverter and choose the preset “Renogy 1000 W PSW” — it drops in at these dimensions and this weight, so the fit and the axle load are checked before you order. Specs: de.renogy.com, pv.lichtex.de.
4. ECTIVE CSI 15Cheapest inverter/charger
Overall 6.5/10 · 450 × 90 × 220 mm (8.9 L outside) · 6.6 kg · ≈ €260 (from €259.66 geizhals.de (Aug 2026); €309 womoshopping.com) · reported: 3,000 W for 2 s, 2,250 W for 10 s; charger 20 A (30 A per one reseller), 10.5–14.4 V, IUoU; transfer < 10 ms; idle not published for the CSI 15 (ECTIVE)
The cheapest inverter/charger here: 1,500 W, a 20 A charger (30 A per one reseller), a transfer switch under 10 ms, 6.6 kg, ≈ €260. Idle is not published for the 15 (unscored). A 20 A charger takes a night to refill 200 Ah on shore power, which is fine if you sleep there.
Reasons to buy
- The cheapest combi here: inverter, charger and transfer switch for ≈ €260
- 6.6 kg
- 10 s 2,250 W rating stated
Reasons to avoid
- Idle not published — unscored
- 20 A charger
- Efficiency 86–90 %
Not a planner preset yet; place a generic item and type these dimensions and weight in. Specs: ective.de, vanstudio.de, geizhals.de.
5. ECTIVE CSI 20Best value 2 kW combi
Overall 6.4/10 · 480 × 90 × 220 mm (9.5 L outside) · 7.4 kg · ≈ €369 (€369 womoshopping.com, Sep 2026; €529.09 energiefabrik-leipzig.de) · reported: 4,000 W peak; 86–90 %; idle ≈ 0.98 A (11.8 W); charger 20 A (ECTIVE) or 30 A (two resellers); transfer < 16 ms (ECTIVE) or < 10 ms (resellers); ECO mode; 3-year warranty from 15 Dec 2025 (ECTIVE)
2 kW combi with transfer switch at ≈ €185 per kW and 90 mm tall. ECTIVE's own page and its resellers disagree on the charger (20 or 30 A) and transfer time (16 or 10 ms); 86–90 % efficiency and 11.8 W idle are mid-table. The 3-year warranty is new from December 2025.
Reasons to buy
- 2 kW combi with transfer switch at ≈ €185 per kW
- 7.4 kg, 90 mm tall
- 3-year warranty
Reasons to avoid
- 20 A charger (maybe 30): a 200 Ah bank takes a night on shore power
- ECTIVE and its resellers disagree on charger and transfer figures
- 86–90 % against Victron's 93
Not a planner preset yet; place a generic item and type these dimensions and weight in. Specs: ective.de, ective.de, womoshopping.com.
6. Victron Phoenix Smart 12/2000Most efficient
Overall 6.3/10 · 485 × 125 × 219 mm (13.3 L outside) · 13 kg · ≈ €551 (€550.90 schnell-und-sicher-handelskontor.de, Sep 2026; geizhals from €454.91 (2025 listing); up to €848) · reported: 2,000 VA / 1,600 W at 25 °C; 4,000 W peak; 94 % max; 8 W zero-load, ECO ≈ 0.6 W; DC 9.3–17 V; 13 kg (dealer) vs 'around 12 kg' (manual); no internal DC fuse — external required; Bluetooth built in (Victron)
The most efficient unit here at 94 %, with 4,000 W of peak and Bluetooth built in. It is 13 kg, 485 mm long, has no mains priority and costs ≈ €344 per kW — the price of a Victron toroidal. For a system that will carry a compressor or a pump with a hard start, the peak is what you are buying.
Reasons to buy
- 94 % peak efficiency — the highest here
- 4,000 W peak for motor start-up
- VictronConnect over built-in Bluetooth
Reasons to avoid
- ≈ €344 per kW, the priciest plain inverter in the table
- 13 kg and 485 mm long
- No mains priority: add a transfer switch if you plug into shore power
Not a planner preset yet; place a generic item and type these dimensions and weight in. Specs: victronenergy.com, victronenergy.com, schnell-und-sicher-handelskontor.de.
7. Votronic MobilPOWER SMI 1200 ST-NVSBest for a hot locker (rated at 40 °C)
Overall 6.3/10 · 305 × 90 × 265 mm (7.3 L outside) · 3.8 kg · ≈ €627 (from €627.30 geizhals.de (2025 listing); €787 fritz-berger.de (RRP €991.50)) · reported: 1,200 W continuous rated at 40 °C and 12.0 V — the only maker here rating at 40 °C; 1,400 W short, 2,000 W peak; > 93 %; standby 8 W; 25 mm² cable, 175 A fuse, battery ≥ 110 Ah per manual; retailers quote 1,000 W and 10 W (Votronic)
The only inverter here rated at 40 °C: 1,200 W in a hot locker is 1,200 W, where the others quietly derate. 93 %, 8 W standby, mains priority, 3.8 kg, 5 years, cable and fuse printed. ≈ €523 per kW is the most expensive watt in the table, and retailers understate it as 1,000 W.
Reasons to buy
- Rated at 40 °C: 1,200 W in a hot locker is 1,200 W
- 3.8 kg, 93 %, 8 W standby, mains priority, 5-year warranty
- Manual prints cable, fuse and minimum battery
Reasons to avoid
- ≈ €523 per kW
- Retailer copy understates it (1,000 W) — read Votronic's sheet
- No Bluetooth
Not a planner preset yet; place a generic item and type these dimensions and weight in. Specs: votronic.de, geizhals.de, solarkontor.de.
8. ECTIVE SI 15
Overall 5.5/10 · 360 × 90 × 220 mm (7.1 L outside) · 5.1 kg · ≈ €292 (€292.31 ective.de, Sep 2026; €219 eBay) · reported: 3,000 W for 2 s, 2,250 W for 10 s; 86–90 %; idle ≈ 0.90 A (10.8 W at 12 V); USB port; 5.1 kg (Vanstudio) vs 6.1 kg (another listing) (ECTIVE)
1,500 W with a 10-second 2,250 W rating stated rather than a bare peak, 5.1 kg (or 6.1, depending on the listing), 3 years. No mains priority and an efficiency given as a range. ≈ €195 per kW.
Reasons to buy
- 1,500 W with a 10 s 2,250 W rating stated, not just a peak
- 3-year warranty
- German support and manuals
Reasons to avoid
- No mains priority (the CSI series has it)
- Efficiency stated as a range, 86–90 %
- Two weights a kilo apart
Not a planner preset yet; place a generic item and type these dimensions and weight in. Specs: ective.de, vanstudio.de.
9. Victron MultiPlus-II 12/3000/120-32Best for shore power
Overall 5.5/10 · 546 × 147 × 275 mm (22.1 L outside) · 20 kg · ≈ €864 (from €864.42 geizhals.eu (Aug 2026); €924.33 svb.de (May 2026); RRP €1,176) · reported: 3,000 VA; 2,400 W at 25 °C, 2,200 W at 40 °C, 1,700 W at 65 °C; 5,500 W peak; 93 %; zero-load 15 W, AES 10 W, search 4 W; 120 A charger; 32 A transfer; IP22; 400 A / 2 × 50 mm² per manual (Victron)
The shore-power answer: a 120 A charger fills 300 Ah in under three hours, a 32 A transfer switch and PowerAssist handle a weak campsite hook-up, 2,400 W with the 40 °C and 65 °C figures printed and 5,500 W peak. It weighs 20 kg, stands 546 mm tall, idles at 15 W unless in search mode, and needs 400 A of fusing on 2 × 50 mm².
Reasons to buy
- 2,400 W with the 40 °C and 65 °C figures printed
- 120 A charger fills a 300 Ah bank from shore in under three hours
- 5,500 W peak, IP22, 5 years
Reasons to avoid
- 20 kg, 546 mm tall — a wall of its own
- 15 W zero-load: 30 Ah a day if never in search mode
- ≈ €360 per kW; needs 400 A of fusing and 2 × 50 mm² cable
Not a planner preset yet; place a generic item and type these dimensions and weight in. Specs: victronenergy.com, victronenergy.com, geizhals.eu.
10. ECTIVE SI 20
Overall 5.1/10 · 385 × 90 × 220 mm (7.6 L outside) · 6.2 kg · ≈ €450 (€449.90 solarcamp24.de, Sep 2026; geizhals from €352.51 (2023 data)) · reported: 4,000 W peak; 86–90 % (one reseller: up to 92 %); idle ≈ 1.0 A (12 W); soft start; USB (ECTIVE)
2 kW at 6.2 kg with soft start and 3 years. At ≈ €225 per kW with no mains priority, the Renogy 2 kW (with one) and the ECTIVE's own CSI 20 (combi, similar price) make it hard to justify unless you already have a charger.
Reasons to buy
- 2 kW at 6.2 kg and 90 mm tall
- Soft start for compressor loads
- 3-year warranty
Reasons to avoid
- ≈ €225 per kW — the Renogy 2 kW does the same with a transfer switch for less
- No mains priority
- 12 W idle
Not a planner preset yet; place a generic item and type these dimensions and weight in. Specs: ective.de, solarcamp24.de, geizhals.de.
11. Victron MultiPlus Compact 12/2000/80-30
Overall 5.1/10 · 520 × 125 × 255 mm (16.6 L outside) · 12 kg · ≈ €649 (from €649 geizhals.de, 2026; €628.99 heise (May 2026)) · reported: 2,000 VA / 1,600 W at 25 °C; 80 A charger; 30 A transfer switch, < 20 ms; PowerAssist; 300 A fuse / 70 mm² per community-cited manual; the 230 V peak, efficiency and zero-load columns were not captured this run (only the 120 V model's), so they are unscored (Victron)
The standard European self-build combi — inverter, 80 A charger, 30 A transfer, PowerAssist — scored on fewer metrics than it deserves, because the 230 V model's efficiency and zero-load columns did not surface this run (only the 120 V model's did, and I will not mix them). 12 kg, 520 mm, ≈ €649. If you are building a Victron system, this or the MultiPlus-II is the centre of it.
Reasons to buy
- Inverter, 80 A shore charger and transfer switch in one 12 kg box
- PowerAssist tops up a weak campsite hook-up from the battery
- The standard combi in European self-builds; VE.Bus ecosystem
Reasons to avoid
- 12 kg and 520 mm long
- 230 V efficiency and idle figures not captured this run — scored on fewer metrics
- No Bluetooth without a VE.Bus dongle
In the planner: pick Inverter and choose the preset “Victron MultiPlus C 12/2000” — it drops in at these dimensions and this weight, so the fit and the axle load are checked before you order. Specs: victronenergy.com, victronenergy.com, geizhals.de.
12. Dometic SinePower DSP 1312T
Overall 4.1/10 · 405 × 118 × 284 mm (13.6 L outside) · 4.8 kg · ≈ €510 (€509.99 talk-point.de, Sep 2026) · reported: 1,300 W at 25 °C (Dometic's own title says 1,200 W); 2,400 W for 3 s; > 89 %; standby 200 mA per manual, idle quoted as 2.5 / 1.3 A by a retailer — unresolved, so unscored on idle; integrated mains priority; −20 to 60 °C; warranty not shown (Dometic)
Mains priority and a −20 °C rating in a 4.8 kg unit — and Dometic's own pages call it 1,200 W in the title and 1,300 W in the spec, while the manual's 200 mA standby and a retailer's 2.5 A idle cannot both be right, so it is unscored on idle. ≈ €392 per kW.
Reasons to buy
- Mains priority and a −20 °C rating in one box
- 4.8 kg
- Smart standby
Reasons to avoid
- Dometic's own pages disagree on whether it is 1,200 or 1,300 W
- Idle draw unresolved between manual and retailer
- ≈ €392 per kW
Not a planner preset yet; place a generic item and type these dimensions and weight in. Specs: dometic.com, campingplus.de.
13. Dometic SinePower DSP 2012
Overall 3.9/10 · 360 × 97 × 272 mm (9.5 L outside) · 5.2 kg · ≈ €902 (€902.19 campingwagner.de (RRP €1,019), Sep 2026; geizhals from €676.88 (2023 data)) · reported: 4,000 W for 3 s; > 90 %; idle < 0.8 A (9.6 W), standby < 0.3 A; quiet fan; 70 mm² cable and 300 A fuse within 1 m of the battery per manual (one retailer says 500 A); remote included; warranty not shown (Dometic)
The unit whose manual prints exactly what builders need — 70 mm² cable, 300 A fuse, within 1 m — and the most expensive plain inverter here at ≈ €451 per kW with no mains priority and no warranty shown. 5.2 kg, 9.6 W idle, quiet fan, remote included.
Reasons to buy
- Manual prints the cable (70 mm²) and fuse (300 A) — the two numbers builders get wrong
- 5.2 kg, remote included
- Dometic dealer network across Europe
Reasons to avoid
- ≈ €451 per kW: the most expensive plain inverter here
- No mains priority on this model (the 1312T has it)
- Warranty not shown — unscored
Not a planner preset yet; place a generic item and type these dimensions and weight in. Specs: dometic.com, media.dometic.com, campingwagner.de.
14. Renogy 2,000 W 12 V pure sine with UPS
Overall 3.4/10 · 442 × 92 × 220 mm (8.9 L outside) · 4.8 kg · price n/p (EU price not captured this run (listed at de.renogy.com, amazon.de)) · reported: 4,000 W peak; 90 % max; < 18 W idle; mains priority < 50 ms; < 51 dB; internal backup DC fuse; 442 × 220 × 92 mm (UK page) vs a 482 mm footprint on the EU page (Renogy)
Last only because I could not capture an EU price (excluded from its score): 2 kW with a transfer switch at 4.8 kg and 92 mm, 18 W idle, 2 years. Renogy's UK and EU pages give lengths 40 mm apart. When priced, it is the budget 2 kW with mains priority.
Reasons to buy
- 4.8 kg for 2 kW with a transfer switch
- 92 mm thin
- Publishes its idle draw and its fan noise
Reasons to avoid
- Price not captured — excluded from its score
- 18 W idle is 1.5 A all day: 36 Ah if left on
- Two published lengths 40 mm apart
Not a planner preset yet; place a generic item and type these dimensions and weight in. Specs: eu.renogy.com, de.renogy.com.
FAQ
What size inverter does a camper van need?
Add up what runs at once, not what you own: a laptop and phone chargers are under 150 W; a kettle 2,000 W; an induction plate 1,800–2,000 W; a hairdryer 1,200–2,000 W; a coffee machine 1,000–1,500 W. A 1,000–1,300 W unit (Phoenix 12/1200, Renogy 1000, Dometic 1312T, Votronic SMI 1200) covers everything but the hot appliances; 1,500–2,000 W covers one hot appliance at a time; 2,400–3,000 W (MultiPlus-II) covers two. Every step up needs more battery current: 2,000 W at 12 V is about 170 A.
Inverter or inverter/charger (combi)?
An inverter/charger (MultiPlus, ECTIVE CSI, Renogy inverter charger) adds a shore-power charger and a transfer switch that passes the campsite's 230 V straight to the sockets and charges the battery, switching to inverter in 10–20 ms if the hook-up drops. If the van will ever plug in, a combi replaces two boxes; the charger current decides how fast the bank refills — 20 A (ECTIVE CSI) is a night for 200 Ah, 80–120 A (Victron) is two to three hours. If the van never plugs in, a plain inverter is cheaper and lighter.
What is mains priority (Netzvorrangschaltung)?
A built-in transfer switch: when 230 V shore power is present it is passed through to the inverter's sockets, and when it is not the inverter takes over. It saves wiring a separate changeover switch and means the same sockets work on hook-up and off-grid. Renogy, Votronic (NVS), Dometic 1312T and the combis have it; the Victron Phoenix, ECTIVE SI and Dometic 2012 do not.
How much power does an inverter use when idle?
Published no-load figures here run from 7 W (Victron Phoenix 12/1200) to 18 W (Renogy 2,000 W); the MultiPlus-II draws 15 W. Left on for 24 hours that is 14–36 Ah from a 12 V bank — a day of fridge. Victron's ECO mode and Votronic's standby cut it to about 1 W by polling for a load; use them, or a switch.
What cable and fuse does a 2,000 W 12 V inverter need?
Makers who print it say: Dometic DSP 2012 — 70 mm² and a 300 A fuse within 1 m of the battery; Votronic SMI 1700 — 50 mm² and 250 A; Votronic SMI 1200 — 25 mm² and 175 A; Victron MultiPlus-II 12/3000 — 2 × 50 mm² and 400 A; Victron Phoenix 12/800 — 16 mm² up to 1.5 m, 25 mm² to 3 m. The fuse protects the cable, so it is sized to the cable, and the cable is sized to the current and the run. Keep the run under 1.5 m and the inverter next to the battery.
Will a 100 Ah battery run a 2,000 W inverter?
Not at full power: 2,000 W is about 170 A at 12 V, and most 100 Ah drop-in lithium batteries have a 100 A BMS — the battery guide lists which. You need two 100 A units in parallel, one 150–200 A unit, or an inverter you never run above about 1,200 W. Lead-acid is worse: a 100 Ah AGM cannot deliver 170 A for more than moments without damage.
