POWER INVERTERS

If you need a three-pin plug on the go, here are the best inverters

- Craig Cheetham

WHETHER it’s an emergency recharge for your laptop, the need to power a hand-held tool outdoors, or the convenience of a temporary energy supply on a camping weekend, being able to convert your car’s 12-volt DC electricity to a part-time 240-volt AC supply can be really handy.

That’s where a power inverter comes in useful. If it’s to give life to a low-wattage device such as a laptop charger, then a simple inverter that you plug into your car's 12V socket is an inexpensive and convenient accessory.

At the upper end of the scale, there are also heavier-duty inverters that will power devices with a peak output of up to 1600 watts — roughly the same as a vacuum cleaner or microwave. These are especially useful for using power tools, or powering appliances in off-grid camper vans. These are known as sine wave inverters, and they provide a more stable power supply.

How we tested

WE subjected our selected inverters to three tests — powering up an Apple MacBook with a completely depleted battery via a mains cable, operating a 60W table lamp and running a hand-held drill, of the type you might need to do minor DIY jobs. All of our inverters, bar one, passed the practical tests.