Transformers available on the market vs Acupwr

See the Comparison chart above of the Best (Us) and the Rest (Them)

 As we keep saying, ACUPWR transformers/converters are the best available today. And “best,” in our case, means safest, most reliable, most long-lasting, best-built…the list goes on.

 But does the typical business or leisure traveller know this? Probably not, because most of what they’ll encounter while shopping for a voltage transformer/converter are inexpensive, chintzy, Chinese models that’ll put on a fireworks display when confronted with even a slight chance of overloading. They’re the models for sale at the “gray market” import/export electronics stores, and often what appear at the top of the page when conducting an online search.

There are some standout features that’ll distinguish a quality transformer/converter from a dangerous, poorly manufactured model. Quality models include copper wiring, high-quality insulation, thermal protection, UL approval, USA-built quality, safety, and reliability. Our foreign-made competition looks and performs cheaply. They all seem to use the same black, metal box often adorned with voltage meters (unnecessary), LEDs, and fancy details made to look impressive. Inside, they’re hazard-prone, dangerous, and unreliable due to inferior components and build quality. 

Compare Chinese-made products with ACUPWR’s and you’ll notice that ours is much larger. A typical 500-watt ACUPWR step up or step down model weighs roughly 10 pounds. The competition is pounds smaller (and it includes added weight from the metal box it’s enclosed in). That’s because we build our transformers with premium components like the aforementioned copper wire and larger laminated steel cores, all of which ably handle wattage overloads and never catch on fire. In fact, while our competitors ask you to buy a transformer that’s rated at 1.5 times the wattage of the appliance you’ll be powering, ACUPWR products are built to exceed their stated wattage by 20 percent. Read the reviews of brands such as Simran, Seven Seas, Goldsource, Rockstone, and others. It ain’t pretty.

 With this in mind, let’s take a look at the available voltage transformers/converters on the market and examine their claims and flaws. Then, we’ll explain how ACUPWR models stand above our competition. 

SIMRAN

Made in USA: No

Made in China: Yes

Copper Wiring: No

Fuse Protection: Yes

Thermal Overload Protection: No

Requires transformer model to be 1.5 times necessary wattage: Yes

Heavy Duty Construction: No

UL Certified: No

Meets IEC specifications: No

Unit size proportional with maximum wattage claim: No

Lifetime Warranty: No

Overall: Simran’s products resemble other inexpensive transformer/converters on the market. Reviews are uniformly negative, with stories of units catching fire when appliances rated under the stated wattage handling ability were used. These products do not meets safety standards, and without any consideration of quality and safety.

GOLDSOURCE

Made in USA: No

Made in China: Yes

Copper Wiring: No

Fuse Protection: Yes

Thermal Overload Protection: No

Requires transformer model to be 1.5 times necessary wattage: Yes

Heavy Duty Construction: No

UL Certified: No

Meets IEC specifications: No

Unit size proportional with maximum wattage claim: No

Lifetime Warranty: No

Overall: Goldsource’s transformers/converters are nearly identical to Simrans insofar as the types of models offered and identical features. They are most likely manufactured in the same factory using the same inferior parts and workmanship.

SEVEN STAR

Made in USA: No

Made in China: Yes

Copper Wiring: No

Fuse Protection: Yes

Thermal Overload Protection: No

Requires transformer model to be 1.5 times necessary wattage: Yes

Heavy Duty Construction: No

UL Certified: No

Meets IEC specifications: No

Unit size proportional with maximum wattage claim: No

Lifetime Warranty: No

Overall: As with the other brands, Seven Star voltage converters/transformers bear identical markings and design characteristics. The net result is poor quality, safety, and performance. 

KRIËGER

Made in USA: No

Made in China: Yes

Copper Wiring: NO

Fuse Protection: Yes

Thermal Overload Protection: No

Requires transformer model to be 1.5 times necessary wattage: Yes

Heavy Duty Construction: No

UL Certified: No

Meets IEC specifications: No

Unit size proportional with maximum wattage claim: No

Lifetime Warranty: No

Getting UL certification and “meeting” UL standards are two different things. Although Kriëger’s voltage converters and transformers claim to meet UL’s standards, they haven’t actually earned the certification that would allow them to put the familiar UL mark on the product. The Kriëger line uses fuse protection over thermal, evidence of a cheaper, less-safe product in comparison to ACUPWR. 

POWER BRIGHT 

Made in USA: No

Made in China: Yes

Copper Wiring: No

Fuse Protection: Yes

Thermal Overload Protection: No

Requires transformer model to be 1.5 times necessary wattage: Yes

Heavy Duty Construction: No

UL Certified: No

Meets IEC specifications: No

Unit size proportional with maximum wattage claim: No

Lifetime Warranty: No

One doesn’t have to look hard at a Power Bright converter or transformer before realizing that its cheap-o packaging is the same the one being used by Seven Stars, Goldsource, Simran, LiteFuze, Cow King (yes, some are manufactured under this name), and the other, usual suspects. 

ROCKSTONE

Made in USA: No

Made in China: Yes

Copper Wiring: No

Fuse Protection: Yes

Thermal Overload Protection: No

Requires transformer model to be 1.5 times necessary wattage: Yes

Heavy Duty Construction: No

UL Certified: No

Meets IEC specifications: No

Unit size proportional with maximum wattage claim: No

Lifetime Warranty: No

Rockstone’s voltage converters and transformers are pretty much identical to the other Chinese-made offerings. One thing noticeable about the brand’s 2000-watt model is its very small size; too small to satisfactorily handle that load. 

ACUPWR

Made in USA: Yes

Made in China: No

Copper Wiring: Yes

Fuse Protection: No

Thermal Overload Protection: Yes

Heavy Duty Construction: Yes

Free Plug Adaptor Included: Yes

Requires transformer model to be 1.5 times necessary wattage: No

Meets UL specifications: Yes

Meets IEC specifications: Yes

Negative reviews on internet: No

Unit size proportional with maximum wattage claim: Yes

Lifetime Warranty: Yes

Overview: ACUPWR transformers and converters are manufactured in the United States from the finest components, including copper wiring and laminated silicone steel cores. They’re subjected to bench tests beyond their stated wattage handling capability, ensuring that they’ll operate safely and reliably without risk of fire. Unlike the foreign-built competition, our products will shutdown when overloaded; theirs are famous for catching on fire.

ACUPWR is 100-percent confident of our product’s reliability and safety, so much, in fact, that we’re the only manufacturer to offer a lifetime warranty on all our products, and up to $10,000 damage coverage. We’ve never had to make good on the latter, while we always support our customers and their needs, concerns, and problems insofar as an ACUPWR product. We build heavy-duty transformers and converters, versatile for home, commercial, and industrial purposes. They look like the real deal, because they are…

There are plenty of generic-looking black boxes out there claiming to safely and reliably function as voltage converters and transformers. Only ACUPWR can stand up to its claims: American made reliability, safety, and longevity…backed up with a lifetime warranty.