Victron Phoenix 12/375
#5 in Up to 1,000 WFull review
A compact, frugal inverter for electronics in a van, boat or truck.
Amazon DRSA $132.60$132.60
The Victron Phoenix 12/375 is the better 12V inverter overall, rated 3.6 to 3.4. The Victron Phoenix 12/375 leads on value and efficiency. The Victron Phoenix 12/250 wins on idle draw. The Victron Phoenix 12/250 costs $23.80 less ($108.80 vs $132.60).
Victron Phoenix 12/250
#8 in Up to 1,000 WFull review
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.
Amazon DRSA $108.80$108.80
Prices were last checked October 24, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Victron Phoenix 12/375 for value ($0.35 per continuous watt vs $0.43 per continuous watt) and efficiency (86% peak efficiency (maker rating) vs 84% peak efficiency (maker rating)).
- Choose the Victron Phoenix 12/250 for idle draw (0.4 A idle (about 5 W) with nothing plugged in vs 0.5 A idle (about 6 W) with nothing plugged in).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every up to 1,000 W 12V inverter; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Victron Phoenix 12/375 | Victron Phoenix 12/250 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.6/5 | 3.4/5 |
| Value 30% | 51 $0.35 per continuous watt | 34 $0.43 per continuous watt |
| Idle draw 15% | 67 0.5 A idle (about 6 W) with nothing plugged in | 77 0.4 A idle (about 5 W) with nothing plugged in |
| Safety listing 15% | 100 LabTest certified to UL 458 (certificate LC20760-1) | 100 LabTest certified to UL 458 (certificate LC20760-1) |
| Warranty 15% | 100 5-year warranty | 100 5-year warranty |
| Features 15% | 25 optional remote, app add-on; no hardwire terminal | 25 optional remote, app add-on; no hardwire terminal |
| Efficiency 10% | 11 86% peak efficiency (maker rating) | 0 84% peak efficiency (maker rating) |
Specifications
| Victron Phoenix 12/375 | Victron Phoenix 12/250 | |
|---|---|---|
| Output | ||
| Type | Pure sine wave inverter | Pure sine wave inverter |
| Continuous power | 375 W | 250 W |
| Surge power | 600 W for 2 s | 400 W for 2 s |
| DC input range | 9.2 to 17 V | 9.2 to 17 V |
| Idle draw | 0.5 A (6 W) | 0.4 A (5 W) |
| Power-saving draw | 0.1 A | 0.1 A |
| Peak efficiency | 86% | 84% |
| Connections | ||
| AC outlets | 2 | 2 |
| GFCI outlets | Yes | Yes |
| Hardwire terminal | No | No |
| USB ports | None | None |
| Transfer switch | No | No |
| Parallel units | No | No |
| Control and build | ||
| Remote | Optional extra | Optional extra |
| App | Optional add-on | Optional add-on |
| Display | No | No |
| Safety listing | LabTest certified to UL 458 (certificate LC20760-1) | LabTest certified to UL 458 (certificate LC20760-1) |
| Cooling | fan | fan |
| Dimensions | 86 x 165 x 260 mm (3.4 x 6.5 x 10.2 in) | 86 x 165 x 260 mm (3.4 x 6.5 x 10.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.6 lb | 6 lb |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |