Belkin AC Anywhere
Price £59.99
Tel 08706 003030
Web www.argos.co.uk (ref 676/6032)
Size 145 x 120 x 67mm
Power rating 300W
Claimed efficiency None quoted
The name of this device perfectly sums up the nature of inverters: invest in one of these and you are guaranteed mains power anywhere you go.
The Belkin has a stylish design, is exceptionally well made, and is very easy to use. It has a maximum surge power of 500W, which is significantly less than that of other products on test, although this didn't affect our fluorescent tube. In fact, it illuminated just as quickly as it does with proper mains electricity, and the resulting light output was completely even and flicker-free.
In terms of extra features, the unit is well-equipped with both an automatic cut-out and a low-battery alarm. And the adaptor supplied with it allows the unit to be connected directly to the battery; safety isn't compromised because there's an in-line fuse on the unit's input power lead. Belkin even includes a spare fuse, in case you push the unit too hard. What stops this unit from scoring more points, however, is a short lead and efficiency that is somewhat lower than the other devices on test here.
Verdict A smart, effective device that is let down only by rather low efficiency.
Rating * * *

Moore Power KV1000
Price £199.99
Tel 01273 615348
Web www.moore-power.co.uk
b 300 x 154 x 67
Power rating 1000W
The Moore Power KV1000 is an impressively powerful device, which we tested with a 400W power drill as well as with the tube. The tube operated just as it did when it was run on mains power: a fast start was followed by flicker-free light. And the drill seemed as enthusiastic as usual, even under load. Part of the reason for this success is not so much the 1000W output capacity, as the huge 2000W surge reserve.
This unit can be permanently installed, thanks to screw flanges on the chassis plate. One very useful, feature is the remote power switch, which allows you to switch the inverter on and off without your having to reach under tables to the unit itself. There is also a two-pin plug socket on the front panel for shavers and similar devices
Verdict You get a lot for your money, but the high price might put off budget-conscious caravanners.
Rating * * *

Ring RIN1000
Price £149.99
Tel 0113 276 7676
Web www.ringautomotive.co.uk
Size 250 x 225 x 74mm
Power rating 1000W
This 1000W leviathan can be permanently wall-mounted. It has heavy-duty power leads with 16mm 2cross sections that are more akin to jump leads. At 1.8m long, they're a good length, and have screw terminals for easy battery connection.
The front panel has two three-pin sockets and an LED display that shows how hard the inverter is working, and how much reserve is left. It also shows how much surge reserve is required by an appliance on start up.
Both the drill and the fluorescent tube worked just as well off the inverter as they do off the mains. Our only niggle is that the 1000W quoted is for a maximum of 30 minutes use. For continuous use, power drops down to 800W.
Verdict A sturdy, powerful and practical device.
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Polco 378.01
Price £39.99
Tel 01980 676 400
Web www.caeurope.co.uk
Size 200 x 103 x 66mm
Power rating 300 Watts
While it isn't the best of all the inverters on test in any one particular area, this Polco inverter is by far the best all-rounder. And at just less than £40 for 300W, it's incredibly good value for money, working out at 13p per Watt. The only other unit that beats this figure is the Draper 72174.
The standby current draw is frugally low, yet there's a meaty 600W reserve of surge power – so it seemed strange that the test light didn't blink into life as quickly as it did with some lesser-powered models.
The Polco can be permanently wall-mounted, and a couple of brackets that are moulded into the chassis plate make for easy installation. At the device's rear, there are two threaded studs to which you attach the leads directly to the battery. This inverter features various pleasing extras in the form of a low-battery alarm, a generous lead length, and an extra cigarette lighter lead for in-car usage.
Verdict Versatile, powerful, and exceptionally good value.
*** BEST BUY ***
Rating * * * *

Polco 377.01
Price £29.99
Tel 01980 676 400
Web www.caeurope.co.uk
Size 156 x 103 x 62mm
Power rating 150W
The garish sticker and dull black plastic finish makes this one of the less stylish products on test. Yet despite this, it's well-made, sturdy, and everything works exactly as it should. The fluorescent tube took a few seconds to come on, but when it did the illumination it provided shed was flicker-free.
The Polco's three most impressive electrical properties are its ultra-low standby current, exceptionally high efficiency, and an impressive surge power reserve of 300W. And despite the budget price, Polco hasn't held back on features. Not only do you get the usual low-battery cut-out, but you also get a low-battery warning light on the front panel. The 12V power lead is a very generous 82cm long. This will make the device easy to use in he front or rear seats of most cars.
Verdict This is a good all-rounder with plenty of features provided at a very low price.
Rating * * * *

Frost E165
Price £49
Tel 01706 658619
Web www.frost.co.uk
Size 180 x 105 x 58mm
b 150W
SkyTronic's version of a Modified Sine Wave is closer to the Pure Sine Wave, than is the case with other manufacturers' inverters. Once lit up, our fluorescent tube was as flicker-free as it is when hooked up to a domestic plug socket.
The lamp took a while to start up, due to a maximum surge power of only 200W – just 50W more than the continuous use power. And in all other respects, the unit was merely adequate. The 60cm lead is an acceptable length, but others on test are longer. And while there's a low-battery cut-out, there is no alarm to let you know what's happening. But there is a low standby current, which means minimal battery drain when the unit is switched on but idle.
Verdict Average performance and few features..
Rating * *

Draper 72174
Price £44.99
Tel 023 8026 6355
Web www.draper.co.uk
Size 200 x 225 x 56mm
Power rating 400W
There's very little to choose from between this and the Best Buy: for the extra few pounds, you get a further 100W and a surge power reserve of 800W. Having said that, seemingly high surge reserves don't always equate to good starting performance. Our fluorescent tube didn't really struggle to get going, but less powerful inverters did the job more quickly.
Once illuminated though, the light was entirely flicker-free. Our test revealed an exceptionally low standby current draw, and impressive efficiency. Connections at the rear consist of two 4mm threaded studs to which you can attach either your crocodile clips or your car's cigarette lighter. The only complaint we have about this product - and it is a very minor complaint - is the fact that it has a rather noisy cooling fan.
Verdict A powerful and efficient inverter that comes at a sensible price.
*** EDITOR'S CHOICE ***
Rating * * * * *

Ring MP75
Price £24.95
Tel 08457 626625
Web www.halfords.com
Size 132 x 65 x 52mm
Power rating 75W
Sometimes a product's greatest strength is also its biggest flaw. At first glance the Ring seems to have been brilliantly designed. It is stylish, compact and has no trailing wires. The cigarette lighter plug section can even be swivelled and locked, to allow fitment in the most awkwardly positioned sockets.
Yet the lack of wires means that in the car the three-pin plug can be used only in close proximity to the cigarette lighter. In other words: right next to your car's dashboard. If you were using it to charge a mobile phone on a long car journey, it would be a real nuisance if your cigarette lighter socket were positioned anywhere near the gears. You might wonder how Ring has managed to get a 75W output from such a small unit. But the full 75W output can only be achieved for five minutes at a time. For continuous use, maximum output drops to 56W.
Verdict A cheap and compact unit that is let down by a lack of leads
Rating * *

Draper 72173
Price £29.99
Tel 023 8026 6355
Web www.draper.co.uk
Size 160 x 130 x 56mm
Power rating 200W
This device's blue alloy housing looks very stylish, but that finned exterior isn't just about style; it also keeps the unit cool with the help of the integral fan. In terms of efficiency, this model was the best of all the inverters we tested. But once hooked up to our test light and battery, we were surprised that the whopping 400W surge reserve didn't get the fluorescent tube started instantly. And once it kicked in, there was a persistent flicker, suggesting that the Modified Sine wave produced was not as smooth as some. Without a doubt, our biggest moan is the short power lead: 30cm is especially restrictive for in-car usage. Like many models here, this inverter boasts a low battery cut-out, but this is not preceded by an alarm or warning light.
Verdict Stylish and efficient, but let down by a short lead.
Rating * * *

Screwfix 43494
Price £21.99
Tel 0500 414141
Web www.screwfix.com
Size 124 x 135 x 60mm
Power rating 120W
At just less than £22, this 120W device seems like seems a bargain. But the 120W output isn't all that high, and you need to remember that with all Screwfix products you must pay £5.50 p&p unless you spend more than £45. Even so, you still get a lot for your money.
The 76cm lead is more than adequate, the 120W power rating is a true indication of the unit's continuous output, and the circuitry is extremely efficient. Handy features include low-battery cut-out, and a warning light to let you know when this is about to happen. For short periods, the product has a generous surge reserve of 240W, which made our fluorescent lamp blink into life just as enthusiastically as it would from a mains socket. There was, however, a very slight, but stubborn flicker, that indicated a coarser than usual Modified Sine Wave.
Verdict Solid performance at a budget price.
Rating * * *

Moore Power KV300
Price £89.99
Tel 01273 615348
Web www.moore-power.co.uk
Size 185 x 105 x 50mm
Power rating 300W
This is a really handy multi-purpose piece of kit. The power lead has the usual cigarette lighter plug on its end, for trouble-free, in-car usage. But the handy adaptor, with two crocodile clips joined to a cigarette lighter socket, makes it a doddle to connect the unit directly to a battery. And don't worry about safety, because the power input also boasts an in-line fuse, while a fan and the finned exterior helps keep the circuitry cool.
This unit is surprisingly compact considering its 300W output. And although it has a 600W surge reserve, our fluorescent tube's start-up was actually surprisingly slow. But once it got going, it was flicker-free and it proved to be one of the most efficient devices on test.The 85cm power lead is long enough, standby current is low, and it there's a low-battery alarm.
Verdict Compact, efficient and very easy to use.
*** EDITOR'S CHOICE ***
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