2000 Watt Inverters Compared: Amp Draw, Pure Sine and 24-Volt
A 2,000-watt inverter is the size most people land on for running a full-size microwave, a coffee maker or a mix of tools and appliances from a battery bank. At full load it draws close to 190 amps from a 12-volt battery, so the cabling matters as much as the inverter. Here is how the 2,000-watt inverters we carry compare.
- 2,000 watts divided by 12 volts is about 167 amps; with inverter losses, plan on about 185 amps at full load
- Pure sine wave for microwaves, chargers and electronics; modified sine wave only for heaters, lights and simple tools
- Check the continuous rating, not the name: the Xantrex PROwatt SW 2000 is rated 1,800 watts continuous and 2,000 watts maximum
- On a 24-volt system the current halves, to about 93 amps
Pick by what you are running
| Continuous power | Surge | Waveform | Full-load battery draw | Outlets and extras | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Samlex PST‑2000‑12
Best 2,000 W pure sine
|
2,000 W | Not listed | Pure sine | ~185 A at 12 V | 2 GFCI + hard-wire | BUY NOW |
|
Thor THPW2000
Best value pure sine
|
2,000 W | 4,000 W | Pure sine | ~185 A at 12 V | GFCI + hard-wire, USB | BUY NOW |
|
Samlex NTX‑2000‑12
Current Samlex mid-range
|
2,000 W | Not listed | Pure sine | ~185 A at 12 V | 2 outlets | BUY NOW |
|
Xantrex PROwatt SW 2000
Truck and RV installs
|
1,800 W | 3,000 W | Pure sine | ~167 A at 12 V | 2 GFCI + USB | BUY NOW |
|
Samlex SAM‑2000‑12
Budget pick
|
2,000 W | Not listed | Modified sine | ~185 A at 12 V | Not listed | BUY NOW |
Samlex PST‑2000‑24
For 24 V
|
2,000 W | Not listed | Pure sine | ~93 A at 24 V | 2 GFCI + hard-wire | BUY NOW |
How many amps does a 2,000-watt inverter draw?
2,000 watts divided by 12 volts is about 167 amps, but no inverter is 100% efficient, so plan on about 185 amps from a 12-volt battery at full load — more as the battery voltage sags. At 24 volts it is about 93 amps. The cable and fuse have to be sized for that current; our inverter calculator gives the cable size for your run.
Will a 2,000-watt inverter run a microwave?
Yes, most of them. Size on the microwave’s input watts, not its cooking watts: a 1,000-watt microwave draws roughly 1,500 watts, which leaves a 2,000-watt inverter some headroom. Use pure sine wave. Our 12 volt microwave guide covers the details.
What cable and fuse does a 2,000-watt inverter need?
Heavy cable sized for the current and the length of the run — the inverter calculator gives the gauge — and a fuse close to the battery, usually Class T at this current (our Class T fuse guide compares them). Check the inverter manual for the fuse rating. Samlex’s DC-2000-KIT includes a 200-amp fuse assembly and two 10-foot cables, and Go Power’s GP-DC-KIT4 is rated for 2,000 to 2,500-watt inverters.
Is the Xantrex PROwatt SW 2000 really a 2,000-watt inverter?
It is rated 1,800 watts continuous and 2,000 watts maximum, with a 3,000-watt surge. For loads that run near 2,000 watts for long periods, choose a model rated 2,000 watts continuous; for loads up to about 1,800 watts, the Xantrex is a good fit, and its ignition lockout suits truck installs.
Pure sine wave or modified sine wave at 2,000 watts?
Pure sine wave matches household power and runs everything. At this size most people are running a microwave, chargers or variable-speed tools, and those run hotter, hum or misbehave on modified sine wave — so pure sine is the usual choice. Modified sine wave costs less and is fine for heaters, incandescent lights and simple tools.
Bottom line
Decide the waveform first, then check the continuous rating. For a heavy-duty 12-volt pure sine inverter, the Samlex PST-2000-12 is the pick; the Thor THPW2000 is the value choice with the highest listed surge, and the NTX-2000-12 is Samlex’s current mid-range model. The Xantrex PROwatt SW 2000 suits truck and RV installs with loads up to 1,800 watts. For simple loads, the modified sine SAM-2000-12 saves money, and on a 24-volt bank the PST-2000-24 halves the current. Whatever you choose, budget for cable and a fuse sized for about 185 amps.
