[WJW]

I don't think that's true. There are plenty of low-power setups that consume less than 2 watts, for an instant gain of 6/7ths or 85%. DC-to-AC-to-DC conversion is less than ideal, but even at a low estimate of only 90% efficiency at each step, that'd still be only a 1.0-(0.9^3)= ~28% loss.

[p1mrx]

I don't think % efficiency tells the whole story, because those numbers are measured under load. A 12V->240V inverter probably burns a lot of power just sitting idle, so the efficiency curve starts at 0%. You really need to know (or measure) that curve's overall shape.