Types of Inverters

Most modern power inverters produce either modified square (or modified sine) waves, or pure sine (or true sine) waves.

Modified 
Sine Wave Inverters don't provide the smooth peaks and valleys that AC power from a home's electrical outlet does, but it can deliver power that is consistent and efficient enough to run most devices. This type of inverter is relatively inexpensive, and probably the most popular type.

Pure Sine Wave Inverters are the most expensive, but they also deliver the smoothest and most even wave output. Any device will run on a pure sine wave, but some sensitive equipment, like certain medical equipment and variable speed or rechargeable tools, requires this type of inverter to operate correctly. Radios, for example, work better with pure sine wave inverters because the modified square wave inverter's less-smooth waves disrupt the radio's reception, causing static and other noise.