Which Renogy inverter gives the most watts per dollar?
If you want the most watts per dollar from a Renogy inverter, the Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter ranks #1 of 6 at 7.23 W/$. Second is the Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch, at #2 of 6 with 6.49 W/$. The middle of the list holds the Renogy 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter at #3 of 6, the Renogy 2000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch and Built-in Bluetooth at #4 of 6, and the Renogy 3500W 48V Solar Inverter Charger at #5 of 6.
Last comes the Renogy 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch, ranked #6 of 6 at 3.70 W/$. Watts per dollar is a good place to start. Surge, battery voltage, weight and extra features still decide which inverter fits a given setup.
| Product | Best current price | Watts per dollar | Value rank |
|---|---|---|---|
 Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter | $414.99 at Renogy | 7.23 W/$ | #1 of 6 |
 Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch | $461.99 at Renogy | 6.49 W/$ | #2 of 6 |
 Renogy 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter | $175.99 at Renogy | 5.68 W/$ | #3 of 6 |
 Renogy 2000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch and Built-in Bluetooth | $364.99 at Renogy | 5.48 W/$ | #4 of 6 |
 Renogy 3500W 48V Solar Inverter Charger | $769.99 at Renogy | 4.55 W/$ | #5 of 6 |
 Renogy 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch | $269.99 at Renogy | 3.70 W/$ | #6 of 6 |
Why does the 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter top the value list?
The Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter tops the list because $414.99 at Renogy buys 3000 W of continuous output, which works out to 7.23 W/$. Renogy rates its surge at 6000 W, with a surge duration of 1 s. Motors and compressors often pull a burst of power for a moment when they start.
Renogy lists a 12 V nominal battery voltage and a weight of 12.5 lb for this model. That weight lands it in the easy to carry (under 30 lb) class. Its output also places it in the 2000 W or more of continuous AC output group.
Once voltage and surge needs are met, watts per dollar is a sensible way to settle the choice.
Strengths
- Weight class: easy to carry (under 30 lb)
- Large-load output: 2000 W or more of continuous AC output
What changes with the 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch?
Price, weight and surge duration all change, starting with the surge duration: Renogy lists 2 s for the Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch, against 1 s for the Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter. The surge rating itself is 6000 W. Its price is $461.99 at Renogy, which brings its value to 6.49 W/$.
Renogy puts the weight at 14.8 lb. Even so, it stays in the easy to carry (under 30 lb) class. Renogy rates it at 3000 W continuous on a 12 V battery.
Weigh the higher price against what you need from the model.
How light is the 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter?
At 6 lb, the Renogy 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter is the lightest model here, against 8.2 lb, 12.5 lb, 12.8 lb, 14.8 lb and 23.8 lb for the others. Its $175.99 price at Renogy is also the lowest in the group, next to $269.99, $364.99, $414.99, $461.99 and $769.99. Renogy rates it for 1000 W continuous and a 2000 W surge, with a surge duration of 1 s.
Value comes to 5.68 W/$, good for #3 of 6. Add up the watts of everything you plan to run at once, and keep that total under the continuous rating. Leave some headroom.
An inverter that runs near its limit all day has no room for a new load.
Strengths
- Weight class: easy to carry (under 30 lb)
Where does the Renogy model with UPS and Bluetooth fit in the lineup?
It fits between the 1000 W and 3000 W models, since Renogy lists the Renogy 2000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch and Built-in Bluetooth at 2000 W continuous. Its surge rating is 4000 W, and Renogy gives a surge duration of 2 s. The model name itself, 2000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch and Built-in Bluetooth, names both a UPS transfer switch and Bluetooth.
At $364.99 from Renogy, it comes to 5.48 W/$ and ranks #4 of 6. Renogy lists its weight as 12.8 lb. On output, it belongs to the 2000 W or more of continuous AC output class.
What sets the 3500W 48V Solar Inverter Charger apart?
Battery voltage sets it apart: Renogy lists 48 V for the Renogy 3500W 48V Solar Inverter Charger, where every other model here lists 12 V. Its 3500 W continuous rating from Renogy is also the highest here, above 3000 W, 2000 W and 1000 W for the rest. Renogy's manual lists generator input as yes.
Renogy gives the enclosure rating as IP20. It costs $769.99 at Renogy, which works out to 4.55 W/$ and a rank of #5 of 6. This unit weighs 23.8 lb, which still fits the easy to carry (under 30 lb) class.
Match the inverter's battery voltage to the bank you own or plan to build. A mismatch rules an inverter out, no matter the price.
Strengths
- Weight class: easy to carry (under 30 lb)
Is the 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch worth the higher price?
On watts per dollar alone it is not, since the Renogy 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch ranks #6 of 6 at 3.70 W/$. It costs $269.99 at Renogy, while the Renogy 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter sells for $175.99. Differences from the 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter include the UPS Transfer Switch named in its title and a longer surge duration: Renogy lists 2 s for this model, against 1 s.
Its own ratings are 1000 W continuous and 2000 W of surge. It weighs 8.2 lb, per Renogy. Weigh the extra cost against how much the feature matters in your setup.
How do you choose a Renogy power inverter?
Start with your battery voltage, since the inverter has to match it. For a 48 V bank, the Renogy 3500W 48V Solar Inverter Charger is the model listed here. Next, add up the running watts of the loads you plan to use together.
Then check the starting draw of any motor, pump or compressor against both the surge rating and the surge duration. The models with UPS Transfer Switch in their names come at 1000 W, 2000 W and 3000 W: the 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch, the 2000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch and Built-in Bluetooth and the 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch. Weight matters less for a unit that stays mounted, and more for one you move often.
Every model here falls in the easy to carry (under 30 lb) class, from 6 lb up to 23.8 lb. For the most watts per dollar, the Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter leads at 7.23 W/$. After that, compare watts per dollar among the models that cover your voltage, load and surge needs.