Is the Renogy 1000 W inverter with UPS worth buying?
Short answer for this review: the 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch costs $269.99 at Renogy and ranks #5 of 5 here on watts per dollar. Renogy rates it at 1000 W of continuous output, the same 1000 W it lists for the plain 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter.
| Power and capacity | |
|---|---|
| Continuous AC output | 1000 W |
| Surge output | 2000 W |
| Size and moving it | |
| Weight | 8.2 lb |
| Product | Best current price | Watts per dollar | Value rank |
|---|---|---|---|
 Renogy 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch | $269.99 at Renogy | 3.70 W/$ | #5 of 5 |
 Renogy 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter | $175.99 at Renogy | 5.68 W/$ | #3 of 5 |
 Renogy 2000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch and Built-in Bluetooth | $364.99 at Renogy | 5.48 W/$ | #4 of 5 |
 Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter | $414.99 at Renogy | 7.23 W/$ | #1 of 5 |
 Renogy 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch | $461.99 at Renogy | 6.49 W/$ | #2 of 5 |
What does it offer on paper?
It has a 12 V nominal battery input. Renogy lists a surge rating of 2000 W that it can hold for 2 s.
A longer surge window helps loads that start hard. The plain 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter also has a 2000 W surge rating, but Renogy lists it for 1 s.
How heavy is it, and is it easy to move?
It weighs 8.2 lb, which puts it in the easy to carry (under 30 lb) class. The 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter weighs 6 lb, against 8.2 lb here.
Weight matters less for an inverter that stays bolted near the battery. It matters more if you move it often.
Does it have a UPS transfer switch?
Yes, going by its model name, 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch. No switchover time is listed for this model, so the name is the only evidence of the feature here.
What does each watt cost?
At $269.99, it delivers 3.70 W/$, ranked #5 of 5. The others come in at 5.68 W/$ for the 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter, 5.48 W/$ for the 2000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch and Built-in Bluetooth, 7.23 W/$ for the 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter and 6.49 W/$ for the 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch.
Watts per dollar sorts inverters by price efficiency. It does not account for features like a transfer switch.
Where is it strong, and where does it fall short?
At 8.2 lb it is in the easy to carry (under 30 lb) class, and its surge hold is 2 s against 1 s for the plain 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter. Its weak point is value: 3.70 W/$, ranked #5 of 5.
For $175.99, the 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter gives the same 1000 W and the same 2000 W surge.
Who should buy it?
Look at a UPS-type inverter when you want loads moved to the battery during an outage. If your loads are small and you already plan to switch power by hand, a plain inverter of the same size may be enough.
The price gap is $269.99 against $175.99. Bigger loads call for a bigger inverter, so add up your watts first.
Is the plain 1000 W model the better deal?
On value it is, at 5.68 W/$ and #3 of 5 against 3.70 W/$ and #5 of 5 for the 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch. The 1000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter costs $175.99 and weighs 6 lb.
Its surge hold is 1 s, against 2 s for the UPS model.
What does stepping up to 2000 W with Bluetooth get you?
The 2000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch and Built-in Bluetooth steps up to 2000 W continuous and 4000 W of surge for 2 s, according to Renogy. It costs $364.99 and ranks #4 of 5 at 5.48 W/$.
At 12.8 lb it is still easy to carry (under 30 lb). Its full name, 2000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch and Built-in Bluetooth, includes Built-in Bluetooth.
Which 3000 W inverter leads on value?
The 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter tops this list at 7.23 W/$, ranked #1 of 5. Renogy rates it at 3000 W continuous and 6000 W of surge, held for 1 s.
It sells for $414.99 and weighs 12.5 lb.
When does the 3000 W UPS model make sense?
Pick the 3000W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter with UPS Transfer Switch if you want a transfer switch and 3000 W of continuous output. Renogy lists a 6000 W surge for 2 s.
At $461.99 it ranks #2 of 5 on value, at 6.49 W/$, and it weighs 14.8 lb.