Computer UPS Recommendations

[Duman]

Looking for a home PC UPS, large enough for a few minutes to allow a safe shutdown.

Don't need a rack server size, something in the 600VA-1KVA size. Prefer to keep it <$200.

Any of you IT or other geeks have a preference? Even a brand preference is good.

[DenverGP]

I picked this one up just over 2 years ago:
https://www.amazon.com/CyberPower-CP1500PFCLCD-Sinewave-Outlets-Mini-Tower/dp/B00429N19W

Got it on a flash deal for about $125, but currently listed at $200. It's been great, able to power my mid-end desktop PC, my high-end work laptop, 2 23" lcd monitors, a 27" lcd monitor, and a 24" lcd tv, along with a cable model and a couple routers. Typical battery run-time if I leave everything on is about 15 min. I use the software to power down my main desktop PC after 5 min, and if I manually turn off all the monitors, it'll keep my modem/routers powered for at least an hour.

When this one starts to die, I'll replace it with another identical unit.

[BushMasterBoy]

I only use APC products. Buy them used, add a new battery.

https://www.apc.com/us/en/country-selector/?ref_url=/

[asystejs]

I use a really old APC SU-700
Runtime with a PC and monitor is 10/12 minutes.
Plenty of time to save work and shut things down cleanly if the outage is not transient.
The RBC-5 battery lasts 3+ years and is simple to replace.

[Gman]

I use a 1KVA APC UPS to keep my network, VoIP phone, and NAS up. I don't keep anything critical on any of my PCs so it doesn't phase me if they go down in the few times we have power interruptions. My laptops already have a backup battery (internal battery).

ETA: Sam's Club has the APC Back-UPS Pro Tower Model # BN1375M2 (https://www.apc.com/shop/us/en/products/Back-UPS-PRO-BN-1375VA-10-Outlets-2-USB-Charging-Ports-AVR-LCD-interface/P-BN1375M2) 1375VA for $154.88 online. Looks like it's in-stock at my local store as well.

If you're looking for something smaller Sam's also has the APC Battery Back-UPS, 675VA (BN675M1) for $59.98.

[battlemidget]

Whatever you choose, look at the battery replacement routine, costs, and expected lifetime.

[TFOGGER]

I have 2 Tripp-Lite 1500VA units here at the shop to run the critical computers and network (VoIP phones are POE). I have an identical one at home running the network and the one desktop machine. Run time at the shop is about an hour, the one at home will go about 40 minutes.

[FoxtArt]

APC 1500VA (ebay) for probably $50-$100 model: BR1500G, nice thing is it is compatible with: https://www.amazon.com/APC-Back-UPS-External-Battery-BR1500G/dp/B0047E5B90?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0047E5B90

Batteries are cheap. This will give you the maximum possible runtime on a serious budget that I know of, and yes I have one and have swapped batteries on them. The supplemental increases runtime by 200%.

[whitewalrus]

APC or tripplite are what I have used, both work well. If you need sine wave, make sure you get one that offers this do not go cheap.

[Duman]

Thanks for the info!

[Brian]

I picked this one up just over 2 years ago:
https://www.amazon.com/CyberPower-CP1500PFCLCD-Sinewave-Outlets-Mini-Tower/dp/B00429N19W

Got it on a flash deal for about $125, but currently listed at $200. It's been great, able to power my mid-end desktop PC, my high-end work laptop, 2 23" lcd monitors, a 27" lcd monitor, and a 24" lcd tv, along with a cable model and a couple routers. Typical battery run-time if I leave everything on is about 15 min. I use the software to power down my main desktop PC after 5 min, and if I manually turn off all the monitors, it'll keep my modem/routers powered for at least an hour.

When this one starts to die, I'll replace it with another identical unit.

I love this model and have a ton of them in service between several locations. Agreed - just wait for a deal, as they go on sale often between amazon, microcenter, etc. I would say the sine wave functionality is worth it for the small premium.
And honestly, when the internal batteries start to go bad, they're super easy to replace and you're back up and running again. I usually put in 9ah batteries instead of 8ah batts. If you really depend on whatever you have plugged in, you may want to proactively plan on replacing the batteries every several (3 maybe) years, otherwise wait until it starts beeping at you and then swap out the batts with new. I've had some last a very very long time before they need batteries replaced. Also, use a labeler or something to indicate when you put fresh batteries into service.

APC devices are also great and have been around forever. You can't really go wrong with either of those two brands I think at this point.

I would say buy bigger than you think you need too, and don't plug anything into the battery side that doesn't really need it.

[Delfuego]

1000-1500va "Smart UPS" APC/Tripplite/Cyberpower. "Smart UPS" will be able to send shutdown commands to devices and let them power off gracefully if the AC power does not recover.

[TFOGGER]

I've often used 12v motorcycle batteries to "hot rod" older UPSes. It seems like the max the onboard charger can cope with is about 40 AH. I have notices most of the newer ones use higher voltage systems (24v?).

[Brian]

Cyberpower UPS mentioned above is on sale. Looks a tiny bit different than those I have with the same model #, maybe it was upgraded slightly this year.

https://slickdeals.net/f/13851599-cyberpower-cp1500pfclcd-pfc-sinewave-ups-130-b-h?src=frontpage
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1513053-REG/cyberpower_cp1500pfclcd_pfc_sinewave_ups.html/SID/29951c324bd411ea9ffb32fabf77f97d0INT