For a van or small RV that plugs into shore power and wants loads to stay on when it unplugs. Pair it with a separate charger.
Amazon $269.98
For a van, boat or truck cab that only needs to charge laptops and run small electronics. Very low idle draw and a five-year warranty make it a better long-term buy than a cheap 300 W unit.
- 250 WContinuous
- 400 WSurge
- 0.4 AIdle draw
- YesUL listed
- 5 yearsWarranty
Price checked October 24, 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
- Draws about 0.4 A idle and under 0.1 A in ECO mode, so it can stay on all day
- Small and light enough to tuck behind a seat or in a cabinet
- Configurable low-voltage cutoff protects a lithium or AGM battery
- UL 458 certified, with two GFCI-protected outlets
- Only 250 W: laptops, chargers, a small TV or fan, nothing that heats
- Phone app needs a VE.Direct Bluetooth dongle sold separately
The Victron Phoenix VE.Direct family
Every Victron Phoenix VE.Direct model we rank, smallest first. Ratings compare each against its own size.
| Model | Continuous | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victron Phoenix 12/250 (this one) | 250 W | 3.4/5 | $108.80 |
| Victron Phoenix 12/375 | 375 W | 3.6/5 | $132.60 |
| Victron Phoenix 12/500 | 460 W | 3.7/5 | $133.96 |
| Victron Phoenix 12/800 | 800 W | 3.7/5 | $271.15 |
| Victron Phoenix 12/1200 | 1,200 W | 3.8/5 | $317.05 |
| Victron Phoenix 12/1600 | 1,500 W | 3.7/5 | - |
How it scores
The rating comes from 6 measured or published factors, each scored 0-100 against fixed reference points for its size. How we rank explains each one.
Specifications
| Model number | PIN121250510 |
|---|---|
| Output | |
| Type | Pure sine wave inverter |
| Continuous power | 250 W |
| Surge power | 400 W for 2 s |
| DC input range | 9.2 to 17 V |
| Idle draw | 0.4 A (5 W) |
| Power-saving draw | 0.1 A |
| Peak efficiency | 84% |
| Connections | |
| AC outlets | 2 |
| GFCI outlets | Yes |
| Hardwire terminal | No |
| USB ports | None |
| Transfer switch | No |
| Parallel units | No |
| Control and build | |
| Remote | Optional extra |
| App | Optional add-on |
| Display | No |
| Safety listing | LabTest certified to UL 458 (certificate LC20760-1) |
| Cooling | fan |
| Dimensions | 86 x 165 x 260 mm (3.4 x 6.5 x 10.2 in) |
| Weight | 6 lb |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Alternatives in this size
For RV and van owners who want a listed, hardwired 1000 W inverter with automatic shore-power transfer. It costs more than plug-in units, but it installs like an OEM part.
Amazon $397.34A small, well-protected inverter for laptops, TVs, CPAP machines and chargers in a van, truck or boat. Pick a bigger size if you want to run kitchen appliances.
Amazon $139.99Compare
Compare the Victron Phoenix 12/250 with any other 12V inverter →
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