Best UPS Backup Batteries of 2024
When the power goes out, an uninterruptible power supply keeps you working
Katie Dundas
Katie Dundas Katie Dundas is a writer with a passion for cameras, drones, and fitness tech. She writes for Business Insider, Travel Trends, and other magazines. lifewire's Editorial Guidelines updated on April 16, 2024 Stephen Slab 
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LCD Monitor
Many outlets
Small footprint
Hot-swappable battery
No USB port
big and responsible
The APC Back-UPS Pro 1500 is a utilitarian device, but it has a small LCD screen that displays important information such as input voltage, battery status, and current load, which is a nice touch. While simulating a power outage by flipping the circuit breakers in the house, the UPS immediately kept our test computer running with enough time to save my work and shut it down.
The device also delivers over 800 watts of power, so you can safely charge any device at the speeds you normally experience by plugging the same charger directly into a wall outlet. It's a bit pricey, but a good backup battery for medium-sized applications.
Although this APC model has 10 outlets, only 5 are connected to the battery (the other 5 are surge protected, however). We think five outlets should be enough to cover most setups. The unit is oriented vertically so it resembles a computer tower although it does not have a large footprint.
Outlets: 5 Batteries, 5 Surge Protection | Battery Backup: 1500VA/865W | Sine Wave: Analog
Many outlets
Cheap
Documentation is sparse
The Tripp Lite AVR750U is an affordable device suitable for very limited uses. Despite its smaller battery, the Tripp Lite will give you enough time to save your work and shut down safely.
Keep in mind: If you decide to go this route, the Trip Lite sits horizontally on the floor, so it will take up more space than you're used to.
Outlets: 6 Batteries, 6 Surge Protection | Battery Backup Power: 750VA/450W | Sine Wave: Simulated in Battery Backup Mode, Pure in Standard Mode
LCD panel
ecological model
Twelve outlets
short term power
The CyberPower EC850LCD is a UPS like the others on this list, but it has a secret. When the CyberPower unit detects that a plugged-in device is in standby or vampire mode, three outlets (12 in total) shut down the output. This can ultimately save you real money.
So, the EC850LCD is a fairly modest device, but it allows you to save your work and shut down safely.
Outlets: 6 Battery Outlets, 3 Surge Protected Outlets, 3 Eco | Battery Backup: 850VA/510W | Sine Wave: Analog
wide spacing plug
vertical direction
Short running time
While a UPS is useful for keeping your computer running, for those of us who work from laptops, keeping the internet up and running is just as important. The Cyperpower CP800AVR is designed to keep your network equipment up and running.
There are four plugs with battery backup and four more with surge protection. The outlets are well spaced so you can plug in your devices using larger plugs, like the ones that come with routers and modems. Automatic voltage regulation can fix small power fluctuations without completely draining the battery. This is better for your power consumption and overall battery health. You can place the UPS upright or down, depending on what works best for you.
Outlets: 4 Batteries and Surge Protection, 4 Surge Protection | Battery Backup: 800VA/450W | Sine Wave: Analog
Tiltable LCD panel
USB port
expensive
The Cyberpower CP1500PFCLCD has many features we like to see in a UPS. Its vertical orientation results in a smaller footprint. The LCD screen can be tilted up to 22 degrees, making it easier to read from the floor, and can display a wealth of information such as wattage and remaining run time. Speaking of run time, at 1,000W of power, you will need 83 minutes.
There are 12 plugs on the back of the tower. Six of them are battery backup plugs and the other six only have surge protection. You'll also find USB-A and USB-C plugs for charging mobile devices. It's a bit pricey, but we like it as a reliable pickup for midrange computer systems.
Outlets: 6 Batteries, 6 Surge Protection | Battery Backup: 1500VA/1000W | Sine Wave: Pure Sine Wave
- Show me the cheapest one. The APC Back-UPS 425VA is the cheapest option and is designed to keep some low-power devices online during a power outage.
- I'm a gamer. Nothing says "gamer" like a UPS with built-in RGB lighting and 900W of power. APC Gaming UPS does just that. It also has a total of ten outlets: five with battery backup and five with surge protection only.
- My space is limited. If you work from home, a dormitory, or somewhere with limited space, a compact UPS like the APC BE600M1 is just what the doctor needs.
- I run a small business. The average home computer user rarely needs the big, powerful APC UPS 2200VA Smart-UPS with SmartConnect, but if you run a small office or small server, buy this product.
When purchasing a UPS, the most important consideration is its compatibility with the power supply. Before connecting anything, check what your device requires and make sure it matches.
Generally speaking, you don't need a UPS to last too long, but it should be long enough to initiate backup power or properly shut down protected equipment. Some only run for a few minutes, while others can power all night long. Make sure the battery runtime is sufficient for your needs.
How many devices do you need connected to the UPS? Some can accommodate up to 12 devices, while others can only accommodate up to 2 devices. Some also offer USB ports, but not all.
Some UPS units are suitable for home or business use, while others are suitable for travel and outdoor use. If you need to take your device with you, you'll want one with a more portable design that can easily fit into your handbag. You might even want a solar charging port so you're not completely reliant on electricity.
FAQThe answer depends on which devices your UPS will support and for how long. If you have several desktop computers or home entertainment systems to connect to, a 750 VA battery backup is available. It gives you enough time to save your work and shut down your device properly without any incident. However, for commercial setups such as server farms, you'll need something larger. Nearly 2200 VA of backup power provides ample protection for even the most power-hungry technologies.
Not all UPS have replaceable or "hot-swappable" batteries. However, unless you need to keep the UPS on battery power for an extended period of time, there is no need for "hot-swappable" batteries at all. Typical battery life is probably 3 to 5 years, which means you should not use "hot-swappable" batteries. No need to replace batteries frequently.
Any device can benefit from connecting to a UPS, but items that should be connected to a UPS are sensitive electronics, such as televisions, home theater receivers, or computer desktops. While a UPS can effectively serve as a power strip for any device, prioritizing anything that might be damaged by a sudden power outage allows you to get the most out of your UPS. Some other use cases for UPS include electronic equipment that should not lose power for any reason, such as fish tanks and home security systems.
Anything that plugs into the wall runs on AC, or alternating current. For a battery to power an AC device, it must provide power in a sine wave. Pure sine waves have a cleaner output and are suitable for sensitive electronics such as newer televisions, servers, computers, audio equipment, and appliances that use AC motors (such as refrigerators or microwaves). Older TVs, water pumps, and motors with brushes can use a modified sine wave output because they are less sensitive. When using a modified or stepped sine wave output, the device will run hotter and less efficiently.
