Looking for a 200 watt power inverter?
Well, you’re in the right place.
Smaller 200W inverters are predominantly used in cars for travelers wanting to keep essential devices like phones, laptops and lighting charged.
Out of the entire range of car power inverters, this size is often the most popular.
I’ve written this article to give you an in-depth look at 200 watt inverters and the best products you can buy today.
So let’s jump straight in.
What can a 200 Watt Inverter Run?
Before we go any further I think it’s important to talk about what a 200 watt inverter can run. That way you will quickly know if it actually suits your need.
These are relatively low powered products when it comes to inverters. Generally, they are designed to be used in vehicles to power portable devices such as phone, laptops, tablets, and even mini-fridges.
To help you, I’ve put together a list of common appliances and average wattage to give you a better idea of what you can run with a 200 watt inverter.
| Appliance | Average Watts |
| Smartphone | 5 |
| Tablet | 10 |
| Digital Camera | 10-20 |
| Laptop | 30-60 |
| Small Fan | 25-40 |
| Mini-Fridge | 40-60 |
| LED Lighting | 10-30 |
| Portable Games Console | 5-10 |
| Small TV | 50-70 |
To work out your wattage requirement simply add up the watt rating of each device you want to run at the same time. You then need to buy an inverter with a bigger capacity than this. It’s common practice to buy 20% more capacity than you need as these products are not 100% efficient. So if you plan to draw 150W then a 200W inverter is best.
Uses for a 200 Watt Power Inverter
These products are designed to be used a portable solution to convert DC to AC power. Usualy, they are highly compatible with vehicles like cars or vans that have 12V cigarette lighter ports.
As they are relatively low powered units, they are not designed to be used for heavy duty work in commercial settings or with solar panel systems.
Best 200 Watt Power Inverter Reviews
1. LSSEDA 200W Power Inverter for Car
Let’s kick things off with a sleek device that should suit your needs.
LSSEDA offers a premium 200W car power inverter converting 12V DC to 110V AC power (The very least you’d expect right..?). We’ve found it delivers a whole lot more than you’d expect too!!
The main feature of this device is its multi-output ports. It has a PD USB-C 18W charging outlet, 3 AC outlets, a 12 V DC outlet, dual 2A USB ports, and dual QC 3.0 ports along with a cigarette lighter outlet. That’s A LOT of choice when it comes to plugging in your devices.
You can use the AC outlet to power laptops, lighting, TV, and DVD players.
The inverter offers a dual input power supply that you can plug into a car cigarette lighter or directly connecting it with the car battery with clips. USB ports help to quick charge your devices on the fly. Plus, an LCD screen keeps you aware of battery voltage and the current of the USB ports.
The quick press On/Off switch provides extra safety to the device while usage. Adding to this you’re protected by an in-built fuse from short circuits, electric shocks, reverse connections, and power overloads. A silent in-built smart cooling fan keeps the device cool after prolonged usage.
PROS
- Silent Cooling Fan
- Multi-Protection
- Intelligent LCD Display Screen
- Dual Input Power Supply
- Fast Charging
CONS
- No warranty
2. LEICESTERCN 200W Power Inverter Car Converter
The LeicesterCN power inverter provides 200W continuous power from 12V DC into 110V AC. A premium converter with 4 USB ports and 2 AC Outlets, so you can really keep everything charged up on your adventures.
This 200W inverter is suitable for charging devices like Tablets, laptops, smartphones, and GPS devices.
The device comes with multi-protection features like a built-in 15A fuse to protect against voltage fluctuations, power overloads, short circuits, and overcharging. It even has a smart cooling fan that reduces the heat during its working and protects from shortages. It offers a customized design and has a 2.6 feet cigarette lighter plug for convenient usage for backseats.
With a super compact size, it makes it an ideal companion for camping, road trips, and vacations when you need power on the go.
A neat addition is the LCD digital screen that shows the input voltage when plugged in and the total charging current for the USD ports. The inverter is made from durable ABS material that provides extra safety during bumps and falls.
For extra safety, the converter comes with an extra On/Off switch for the 2 AC outlets.
PROS
- Multi-Protection
- Customized Design
- LCD Digital Screen
- Individual Power Switch
CONS
- Consumes more power
- Loud fan
3. Rally 200 Watt Power Inverter
This Rally inverter easily converts the 12V DC power to 120 Volt AC power. It provides 200 watts continuous power and 400 watts of surge power. The device is conveniently shaped and it easily fits in the cupholder of your vehicle. The device has dual 110V outlets, one 12V outlet, and a USB port. The inverter is suitable for charging small electronic appliances and tools.
It has power On/Off switch and an integrated iPone charging facility. The USB ports can charge devices like MP3 players, cameras, and cellphones. It comes with security features like a low battery shut down that protects the battery from draining. It also has a built-in cooling fan, and the device is protected from overload, overheating, and voltage fluctuations.
PROS
- Low Battery Shutdown
- integrated iPod charging circuitry
- Convenient shape
CONS
- Noisy
4. Tripp Lite 200W Car Power Inverter
The Tripp Lite Car power inverter instantly converts 12V DC to 120V AC power with up to 400W of surge capacity.
The inverter comes with 2 AC outlets and 2 USB ports allowing you to quickly fire up multiple small appliances like DVD players, iPads, portable gaming consoles, and laptops.
Two USB ports give you the flexibility of multi-purpose charging for low-power appliances like mobile phones and tablets. What we love about the Tripp Lite is the uber convenient cup-holder design that slides into your vehicle’s cup holder. No longer will your devices be sent flying when you hit the brakes or swerve a bump in the road.
Suitable for all your power needs during a road trip, camping, or while car travel. It comes with the standard 12-volt cigarette lighter socket and so it is compatible with almost all vehicles. The device also has premium safety features like a built-in 20 amp fuse for protection from short circuits and overloads.
An integrated cooling fan and air vents on the sides keep things cool allowing for proper dissipation of the heat.
It’s everything you need in an innovative very well thought out design.
PROS
- 2AC and 2USB outlet
- Cup holder design
- Compact
- Safety protections
CONS
- Noisy fan
5. BESTEK 200W Car Power Inverter
The BESTEK Car Power inverter stands out from the rest for being more durable, affordable, and best design. This handy cupholder-shaped inverter provides 200W of continuous power and 400 watts peak.
This versatile inverter comes with 3 AC Outlets and 4 USB ports. The USB ports provide fast charging for all kinds of modern devices like iPhones and iPad.
You can simultaneously charge multiple devices like phones, laptops, and GPS units. The inverter is ultra-compact, smart-looking, and a space-saving device equipped with a cigarette lighter socket, AC Outlets, and USB ports.
It also has a 24-inch long cord to make it possible to reach anywhere in the car. Plus, compact size makes it easily fit in the glove box too. The inverter does not miss any important safety features like low battery alarm, shut down short circuit, and overload protection.
PROS
- Many USB ports and AC outlets
- Affordable and durable
- Built-in safety features
- Ultra-compact
- Ultra-portable
CONS
- Heats quickly
6. Ansee 200W Car Power Inverter
The ANSEE 12 Volt car power inverter is a modified sine wave inverter delivering up to 200W continuous and 400W peak power. The car power inverter converts DC 12V to 110V AC in a heartbeat. It’s up there with the market leaders in this category and why we’ve put it toward the top of the list. You’ll love its features and versatility!
It comes with two 3-pronged 110V AC outlets and 4 2.4A USB ports including one Quick Charge 3.0 port. This means you’ll keep everything powered on no problem and instantly quick charge modern devices like a smartphone.
The cigarette lighter socket allows you to easily charge appliances like lights, tablets, game consoles, and laptops. The Quick charge 3.0 USB port will charge your devices with 4X speed and takes just 35 minutes to charge 0% to 80%.
With so many charging options the inverter also has a smart LED screen to show battery input voltage, USB Output voltage, car temperature, and USB charging current. You get the facility to monitor the battery voltage in real-time!
For your safety, a built-in fuse for protects from short circuits and power overloads. You also get two extra replaceable fuses in the box, which is a nice touch. The device also has 8 different protection features that include protection from low voltage, high voltage, overheating, lightning protection, and short circuit protection. The smart double-sided cooling fan adds extra protection.
The travel-sized inverter is suitable for charging appliances on the go and it is compact enough to be stored easily.
PROS
- Quick Charge 3.0
- Smart LED Screen
- Built-in Fuse
- 8 Protection Systems
CONS
- Some users experienced low output voltage
7. Foval 200W Car Power Inverter
One of our favorite budget options is the Foval 200W Car Power Inverter. This inverter converts 12W DC into 120V AC power. The size of the inverter is compact so it even fits in a pocket. An extremely travel-friendly device that can power all your electronic devices without any problem. The inverter has a high-quality durable metal casing meaning it easily withstands any bumps and falls.
Made of aluminum shell, the equipment is lightweight and easy to carry around and store. An inbuilt noiseless fan keeps the inverter cool after long use.
From a safety perspective, it is also protected from overheating and short circuits. The inbuilt fuse protects your devices from voltage fluctuations and over-charging. Suitable for long-distance travel and all kinds of indoor and outdoor use.
PROS
- An affordable and pricier option
- Travel-friendly kit
- Features a noiseless cooling fan
- Built-in fuse
- Sturdy metal housing
CONS
- Heats fast
8. BMK 200W Car Power Inverter
The BMK 200W is an ideal device for those looking for power on the go. You will find 4 USB ports and 2 AC Outlets for multi-purpose charging. Handy if you need to keep the whole family’s phones fully juiced!
The travel kit has a compact size and it’s easy to store and carry around anywhere. A unique feature is a bright LCD screen showing the real-time current status of devices being charged. You can also see the battery voltage so you’ll know if you’re getting low on power.
Adding to this, the device has an on/off switch for alternating current for extra safety. Additional safety features include a 15A fuse to protect the device from overcharging and short circuits.
A noiseless cooling fan keeps the device free from overheating. Perfect for road trips, vacations, and camping adventures
PROS
- Noiseless cooling fan
- 2 AC outlets and 4 USB ports
- Intelligent LCD
- On/off switch & 15A fuse
CONS
- Loud fan
9. Yinleader 200W Car Power Inverter
The Yinleader is a premium car inverter with 2 AC outlets and dual USB ports. This device is ideal for charging and powering small appliances like phones, game consoles, kindle, and lights. Plus the Dual USB outlet can be used to charge devices like phones and tablets. The device is quite lightweight and compact due to its aluminium shell design making it easy to store and carry while remaining durable.
You can plug it directly into your car cigarette lighter outlet and get power anywhere you like. A silent inbuilt cooling fan makes sure the device remains cools while using. The device has complete protection from overheating, overcharging, and short circuits.
PROS
- Fast Charging support
- Compact and Lightweight
- Protection from damage
CONS
- Heats quickly
10. WUDNUM 200W Wireless Charging Car Power Inverter
The WUDNUM 200W car power inverter is a premium offering that works for 12V DC. The inverter comes with a 2.4A, Quick charge 3.0, and Type C USB charging port.
A unique feature is a wireless charging function that no other inverter in this range offers. That’s pretty epic if you ask me, les me say that again, WIRELESS charging from an inverter. What times we live in!
An inbuilt cooling fan prevents the device from overheating, while a mini slip fuse keeps the device safe from short circuits, over-voltage, and low voltage. A smart LED display shows input battery voltage when connected to the cigarette lighter plug and also shows the voltage when the devices are being charged.
An innovative ideal travel accessory that you will love to carry for your road trips and travel power needs.
PROS
- Wireless Charging for Mobiles
- USB Quick-Charge 3.0
- Advanced Safety Protection
CONS
- Highly sensitive touch control might be a problem sometimes
Considerations for Buying a 200 Watt Inverter
There’s a number of factors you should take into account when selecting the best 200 watt inverter for your needs. Let’s go through the details to consider.
Outlets
The first thing I look at specifically is the number and type of outlets available as this directly affects when you can plug into your unit. It’s a simple but important point.
For example, if you’re just planning to charge phones and tablets multiple fast-charging USB ports are going to be better for you. There will be no need to faff around with adaptors or losing your USB plug…(Someone always seems to steal mine!)
On the other hand, if you plan to run electronics like laptops or fans, you’ll need more AC three-prong plugs – like in the wall at home.
Take the time to work out what appliances you are running to help you decide on the outlets you need.
Ease of Use
200 watt power inverters should be VERY easy to use and most are designed to plug and play into your car 12V port. If this is your plan look for products that arrive with a cigarette lighter plug so you can use it immediately.
For most people, 200 watts is not enough oomph to use with leisure batteries or connect directly to a vehicle starter battery. If you do want to do this, a handy addition is alligator clip cables.
To be honest, these devices are so easy to use it should be pretty obvious how to connect and switch on. There’s certainly no need for anything like a professional electrician!
Price
Wondering how much a 200w inverter costs?
The great news is that they are very budget-friendly. You can expect to pay between $20 and $50 for a decent product. At the lower end of this scale, the devices are small and compact designed for people who just need basic DC to AC electricity conversion on the go. If you have a bigger budget of over $30 then you start to get more outlets and design features to aide the usability.
Safety
One aspect that can’t be ignored is safety, with any electronic device you should have at least basic safety protections. When drawing high load these little units can get hot quickly so if you plan on heavy use then it is wise to pick something with better systems such as cooling fans.
At the very least you should expect to have a built-in fuse to guard against overload, overheating, short circuit, low and over voltage.
Durability
The final thing to discuss is durability. To be honest this is important for any product you buy. The last thing you want is for you electricity supply to not work when you need it the most.
If you want a unit to use every day then look for highly durable build quality which uses materials like ABS plastic and aluminum along with heavy duty cables.
Pros and Cons of a 200 Watt Power Inverter
Still undecided? Let’s go through the advantages and disadvantages of 200W inverters.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cheap to buy | Wattage too low for most home appliances |
| Perfect to use in cars | Too small for solar systems |
| Enough capacity for phones and laptops | Quality can vary a lot |
| Variety of ports and outlets | Needs a vehicle or leisure battery |
| Very portable | |
| Wide choice of products |
FAQ – About 200 Watt Power Inverters
It will run as long as there is enough charge in your battery supply. If you use it with a vehicle engine running it will last as long as the engine is running and the battery is charged. At maximum capacity it will draw 200 watts an hour (Wh). With a 50Ah 12V battery you could run on full load for 3 hours or draw 100 watts for about 6 hours.
A 200 watt inverter can be used at home but won’t be powerful enough to run many home appliances. Most of these products are designed to be used in a vehicle to charge devices like laptops, phones and lighting while you travel. You can use it at home if you have a leisure battery to power the inverter.
These devices are not made for power tools. Although if your power tool uses less than 200 watts, you can try using it at your own risk. Generally, you won’t be able to power anything with a motor or heating element like a hairdryer.
It depends on various on what device you are trying to run and how much energy it uses. At full capacity 200w inverter will use 25% more amps than 150w inverter.
You can use this formula to calculate the amps or current drawn by any inverter of any capacity.
Current (amp) = Watts/Volts
For example, if your inverter is 200 watts and has a voltage of 10v then the current drawn will be = 200w / 10v = 20amp
At full load with a 100Ah 12V battery you could draw 200W for 6 hours.
200 Watt Inverter Summary
Now you have all the useful information you need when it comes to buying a 200 watt inverter.
Most of these products a fairly simple to use and designed to give you access to AC power in a car. All you have to do is plug straight into your vehicle DC outlet. Just remember to keep your engine running while drawing electricity otherwise you’ll quickly deplete your starter battery.
Once you’ve narrowed down your requirements you can simply use the list of the products above.
If none of these are quite right then take a look at the guides to 150 watt inverters and 300 watt inverters.
That’s it! Thanks for reading.
Hi, I’m Michael, the editor here at Watt A Lot.
After years of experience with off-grid power like solar panels, inverters, and batteries I decided I should share my hands-on knowledge with you. In my professional and personal life, I’ve needed to find electrical solutions for remote situations from owning a food truck, to running events at the top of mountains, to my converted campervan. So whether you’re looking for the best products or fixing an electrical problem, you can rest assured my advice comes from real hands-on experience.
