Comparisons
All comparisons on VanLife Beacon — curated, sourced and field-tested.
Van base vehicles compared: Ducato vs Sprinter vs Crafter
The three chassis behind most European conversions — market support, drivetrain and the electric variants.
Read → comparisonDC-DC (B2B) chargers compared (Victron, Sterling Power, Renogy, BOS)
A DC-DC charger sits between the vehicle's starter battery (or smart alternator) and the leisure battery, converting a variable, often-unstable input into a proper multi-stage charge. These four cover the range from marine-grade B2B units to a solar-combined design and a parallel-scalable battery-integrated system.
Read → comparisonVan internet compared: Starlink Roam vs 4G/5G router vs eSIM data
There is no single best way to get online in a van — a satellite dish, a cellular router, and a data eSIM solve different problems and are commonly used together rather than as alternatives.
Read → comparisonDiesel heaters compared (Webasto, Eberspächer, Autoterm, clones)
The three units that heat almost every European van, from OEM-grade to the value pick — what you actually pay for, and why the unbranded clones are not ranked here.
Read → comparisonWhich lithium leisure battery for a UK campervan?
Fogstar Drift and Renogy Core Mini 12V LiFePO4 leisure batteries compared on usable capacity, discharge, weight and verified UK price.
Read → comparisonWhich power station runs a van without diesel?
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra, Anker SOLIX F3800 and Bluetti AC200L compared on their published specs for an all-electric van — capacity, AC output, solar input, weight and UK price.
Read → comparisonSolar panels & MPPT charge controllers compared (Victron, Renogy, Eco-Worthy, Büttner)
A solar array is only as good as the controller regulating it. These four MPPT units — from the Dutch industry standard to a German premium brand and two budget-friendly options — cover most van electrical builds.
Read → comparisonWhere to sleep: Park4Night vs Camping-Car Park vs ACSI
The apps and networks that find you a legal overnight spot across Europe — coverage, model and cost.
Read → comparisonVan toilets compared: cassette vs composting
Cassette is the EU default; composting is the off-grid alternative. What each really costs in money, water and hassle.
Read → comparisonTransit vs ProMaster vs Sprinter: North American base vans
The three chassis behind almost every North American conversion — market history, drivetrain, wheelbase range, payload and the interior width that decides whether a bed fits crossways. The Toyota HiAce is the dominant base vehicle across Australia, Japan and much of Asia, but it is not sold new in the United States or Canada, so it is left out of this comparison on purpose.
Read → comparisonMotorhome & campervan insurance and breakdown cover: what to check, provider by provider
This page does not rank insurers and does not state prices, coverage limits or exclusions as fact — policy wording changes, varies by country and by individual vehicle, and only the provider's own documentation and a qualified quote can confirm what applies. What follows is what each provider's own site says to check before assuming a van, a conversion or a route abroad is covered.
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