9 Best Uninterruptible Power Supplies (Review) In 2021
Patrick has been passionate about technology for as long as he can remember. As a graduate of engineering, this allowed Patrick to expand on his passions, learning all about what goes on behind the scenes when designing some of the worlds greatest creations. After spending many years in the engineering industry, Pat now dedicates his time to writing, with a keen interest in electronics, smart devices and technology for the home.
1. CyberPower 1500VA Intelligent UPS
Key Features
Automatic voltage regulation (AVR)
High output capacity (1500VA/900W)
12 outlets
Multifunction LCD screen
If you’re looking for one of the best uninterruptible power supplies, the CyberPower 1500VA Intelligent UPS might be exactly that. Its impressive features and slim, modern design make it hugely useful in any home or office, without jeopardizing your interior design or decor. Plus, it features an attractive LCD display which shows detailed information regarding the battery and power conditions, such as, the load and battery capacity, estimated runtime, and current power input. With 12 outlets, all of which featuring surge protection using sinewave battery regulation, the UPS keeps your devices running smoothly during brownouts or surges. As far as the UPS battery goes, you can expect up to 12 minutes of additional power with a half load. Another neat feature is the device’s free management software which can be downloaded to your devices to keep a closer eye on your power usage, input, and output capacity.
Pros
3 year warranty
Up to $500,000 connected device guarantee
3-12 minute runtime (full/half load)
Sinewave battery regulation
Cons
Tower device requires more space
2. APC 650VA Backup Surge Protector and UPS
Key Features
8 outlets
3 year warranty
$75,000 connected device protection
Affordable
The APC 650VA Backup Surge Protector and UPS features all the basic features you could hope for in a UPS device, housed in a small yet sturdy unit. The device’s small size and 5ft power cable make it perfect for any office or living space and it can even be mounted on a wall for your convenience. While all 8 outlets feature surge protection, 4 of them also battery backup, giving you additional protection for the devices which need it most. If the power goes out, the UPS battery backup outlets run for up to 29 minutes at 100 watts, depending on the number of connected devices. For additional peace of mind and to keep your devices safe, the unit also comes with a 3 year warranty and up to $75,000 protection for your connected devices.
Pros
Small unit size
5ft power cable
Wall mountable
Replaceable battery
Cons
Lower output capacity (600VA)
Fewer outlets than other devices
3. APC 600VA Battery Backup and UPS
Key Features
5ft power cord
Wall mountable
7 outlets and 1 USB port
This APC 600VA Battery Backup and UPS features 7 outlets and 1 USB port, making it a convenient device for any desk or home entertainment system. While it features fewer outlets than some other devices, this allows the device to be much smaller, making it perfect for tighter spaces or even for wall mounting. The 7 outlets feature 5 battery backup and surge protection outlets, with the remaining 2 offering surge protection only. Thanks to its convenient size and 5ft cable, the APC UPS is perfect for almost any environment. The 3 year warranty protects the device and the battery can easily be replaced if necessary, while the $75,000 offers additional protection against your connected devices. With all these features, it’s even more impressive that this neat but of tech is affordable too, making it one of the best UPS backup batteries on a budget.
Pros
3 year warranty
$75,000 connected device protection
Replaceable battery
Affordable
Cons
Less outlets than others
Lower output capacity (600VA/330W)
4. CyberPower 1500VA Sinewave UPS
Key Features
Sinewave battery backup
12 outlets in total
3 year warranty
$500,000 protection guarantee
This robust and versatile UPS comes with some pretty impressive features which make it ideal for a number of users in various environments. The CyberPower 1500VA Sinewave UPS has 12 outlets and 2 USB outlets, the model by CyberPower is perfect for home work spaces, entertainment setups or offices where multiple devices require power with additional protection. This is easy thanks to 6 out of the 12 outlets which feature both surge protection and battery backup, ideal in case you experience a loss of power. An additional feature that helps provide a smooth power supply is the sinewave voltage regulation which converts DC into AC power in a consistent and reliable format. For additional protection, the device comes with a 3 year warranty which includes the battery and offers a guarantee of $500,000 against damages to connected devices.
Pros
Automatic voltage regulation
LCD screen with 22 degree tilt
2 USB charge ports
Warranty includes battery
Cons
2.5 minutes of power with full load
More expensive than others
5. AmazonBasics 800VA Standby UPS
Key Features
12 outlets
Standby device
5ft cord
6 dual-function outlets
The AmazonBasics 800 VA Standby UPS provides 12 power outlets in total, all of which offer surge protection, while 6 also provide battery backup for when the power goes entirely. This small and compact device comes in a durable black case with a 5ft power cable so you don’t have to worry about moving your devices near to the mains. As the power supply doesn’t feature a screen, you’ll have to figure out the power usage of each device to ensure you keep the load under 80% power consumption. This ensures optimal performance and reduces the risk of overloading the device. After a complete loss of power, the device continues to provide power for up to 2.3 minutes with a full load, or up to 12.5 minutes when powering a half load.
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Pros
Small, compact size
1 year warranty
Guarantee up to $75,000
Cons
No screen interface
2.3 minutes runtime with full load
6. CyberPower 650VA Compact UPS
Key Features
8 outlets
Eco-mode
Multifunction LCD display
Up to 8.4 minutes runtime
This CyberPower 650VA Compact UPS features 8 outlets with surge protection, 4 of which come with battery backup, while another 3 feature Eco mode. A unique feature of this device is its Eco mode which automatically switches off power to connected devices if it detects they are switched off or on standby mode. With this mode enabled, you can expect to reduce your power usage and lower energy costs which ultimately saves you money. The device also comes with an LCD display screen that conveniently provides useful information regarding the current power and load capacity as well as estimate running time.
Pros
Up to $100,000 protection for connected devices
3 year warranty
Simulated sinewave power regulation
Cons
Lower power capacity (650VA/390W)
7. APC 450VA Backup Battery Power Supply and UPS
Key Features
3 year warranty
$75,000
6 power outlets
Up to 37 minutes runtime (50W)
If you’re searching for a sleek-looking surge protector with battery backup, this APC 450VA Backup Battery Power Supply and UPS might be the best one for you. It boasts all the basic features you could hope for with the added benefit of an impressive runtime should a power failure occur. With a reduced load and 50W capacity, this APC unit runs for up to 37 minutes, giving you plenty of time to finish your tasks or save your work. Thanks to its slim black design and 5ft power cable, your UPS device and be positioned almost anywhere you like or it can be wall-mounted for your convenient use. For additional protection, the device comes with a 3 year warranty and $75,000 connected device guarantee.
Pros
Small, sleek design
Wall mountable
5ft power cord
Cons
Fewer outlets
Lower power capacity
8. Tripp Lite 1000VA Smart UPS
Key Features
AVR corrects under/overloading
8 power outlets
Multifunction LCD display
Replaceable batteries
This versatile UPS device features impressive battery power and voltage regulation through sinewave output. With 4 UPS and 4 surge protection outlets, the Tripp Lite 1000VA Smart UPS is capable of keeping your devices running smoothly through brownouts and surges, as well as giving you extra time to save your work during blackouts. The device can power a desktop computer and monitor for up to 60 minutes without power or up to 10 minutes with a half load. Keeping track of your power usage, battery, and load capacity and estimated runtime is easy thanks to the LCD display which shows you all the important information you need to know.
Pros
$250,000 insurance for connected devices
3 year warranty
Up to 60 minute runtime
Sinewave power output
Cons
Tower devices require more space
9. Tripp Lite 900VA Compact UPS
Key Features
Compact UPS system
12 power outlets
900VA/480W battery UPS backup
LCD display screen
This reliable and basic UPS with battery backup comes in a conveniently small size, making it suitable for most desks, office, or living spaces, and can be wall-mounted if you’re especially tight on space. The Tripp Lite 900VA Compact UPS with 6 outlets features surge protection and battery backup while offering 6 surge suppressions. This lets you connect your most important devices to the UPS outlets such as a desktop PC and monitor, giving you additional time to save your work or continue for up to 30 minutes. You can even keep track of power/load capacity and estimated runtime using the LCD display.
Pros
3 year warranty
$100,000 insurance for connected devices
Eco mode
10+ minutes of runtime
Cons
Lower power capacity than some
Features To Consider With Uninterruptible Power Supplies
Automatic Voltage Regulation
Automatic voltage regulation (otherwise known as AVR) is one of the best features found in 'line-interactive' UPS devices. This impressive feature helps to protect you against brownouts or power surges as it regulates the power going into and out of your device. It does this by making use of the internal battery power as a surge protector, utilizing the saved power to regulate incoming power. The best UPS devices feature either AVR or sinewave regulation (or both) to protect devices.
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Pure Sinewave Inverter
Sinewave inverters work by converting external power (DC) to AC power which your home devices use. While there are other ways of converting power, a sinewave inverter provides the smoothest power supply which assists in regulating power during surges or brownouts.
Cord Length
To many people, cord length won't matter much if they have sufficient power outlets near their work or entertainment setups. However, if you don't have an outlet near your desk in your home office or workplace, a long cord length is essential. The best uninterruptible power supplies usually come with a power cord of around 5ft which gives you plenty of space in pretty much any work environment.
Input Voltage
Finding the right input voltage isn't as complicated as it might sound. You simply need to look at the power requirements of the devices you'd like to connect and ensure the UPS offers sufficient voltage. This information can easily be found on your devices and in the UPS product description.
Output Capacity
When choosing the best UPS for your needs, you'll need to think about the output capacity you'll require. If you plan on connecting a TV or PC monitor, console, desktop computer or any other devices which require high power usage, it's essential to find a device that will meet your needs. However, if you only want to connect a couple of devices, then you won't need to worry much about the output capacity.
Number Of Outlets
The number of outlets you'll require on your UPS depends on home many devices you'd like to connect to it. Whether it's a home office, entertainment room or workplace, you could have several devices which you'd like to plug into your UPS for protection against surges and power loss. While more basic power supplies usually feature 6 outlets, the best options typically come with 12. These outlets usually have additional features such as protection against surges, or Eco modes which help save energy.
Battery Runtime
Estimating the battery runtime of a UPS is difficult as it depends on the specific model, the connected equipment, and their energy consumption. The best UPS systems come with 10+ minutes of battery power after a blackout if they have only a few, low energy pieces of tech connected. Alternatively, a full load may only have a battery life of 2-3 minutes, even with the best UPS.
Recharge Time
As soon as you start using your UPS, it begins charging. The time it takes for your UPS battery to recharge fully depends on the specific model and storage capacity. This kind of information can be found in the product description and should be consulted before making a purchase. However, you can expect an average device to charge in 4-24 hours.
Size
The size of any UPS is fairly standard so it won't vary much between each device. The size is usually perfect for it to sit on or under a desk, or if space is particularly tight, they can typically be mounted on a wall to save room. A tower UPS will take up a little more space than other types, but again, they can be easily moved or wall-mounted for your convenience.
Screen
Not all UPS systems come with an LCD screen but some of the best do. A screen display is perfect for showing you the battery capacity and load, energy usage, and expected running time. This impressive feature gives you ultimate control of your device and helps to monitor your device usage. Without a screen, you'll have to rely on the manufacturer's information and manually keep track of your device usage after a blackout. This can be difficult to do without a screen, especially when using multiple outlets with various energy requirements. For a safe and simple solution, the best idea is to choose one with a screen display to limit the risk of losing valuable work.
Replacement Battery
The best UPS back ups feature a replaceable battery which is ideal if you want to keep your device for a long period of time. While the average battery may last 3-5 years, some may last a little longer or shorter depending on the device's usage and capacity. If you've found a UPS with a replaceable battery, the manufacturer will typically sell replacement batteries for a fraction of the cost. This helps you save money and reduce waste.
Warranty
A warranty (and guarantee) is a hugely important feature to consider when purchasing a UPS. Since you have lots of equipment connected to the device, you'll want some reassurance that they'll be protected. The best UPS back ups come with a 3 year warranty which includes the battery, meaning you can get a replacement if the battery or device becomes faulty within that period of time. Insurance or monetary guarantees are also of great importance to keep your equipment safe from harm and to provide compensation in the off-chance that they're damaged when connected to a UPS. This essential information can be found in the product descriptions of each device and is crucial to be aware of before making any purchases.
Uninterruptible Power Supply FAQ
Q: How does an uninterruptible power supply work?
The uninterruptible power supply works by using an internal battery that holds charge as the unit powers other devices. This allows connected devices to continue working for a set amount of time after a blackout. Depending on the specific UPS and the number of devices connected, the amount of runtime varies. The best UPS devices also work by providing a consistent level of power to your devices as they regulate the external DC power, converting it into steady AC power for your connected equipment. This prevents fluctuations in power levels which you would otherwise experience during surges or brownouts.
Q: Should I keep my UPS plugged in all the time?
You should use your UPS system as often as you use the devices for which you want protection. If you want to protect your desktop PC, internet router or gaming system, you can simply keep them plugged into your UPS for continuous protection. The only adverse side effect is likely to be the battery's life which isn't a problem if it can be easily replaced. In short, your UPS should be used as often as you want protection and battery back-ups in case of power losses or surges.