The 7 Best UPS Battery Backups 2024 - UPS Battery Backup Reviews

Keep your essential devices online and protected from the damaging effects of power outages and surges.

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Between a modem, desktop computer, and network-attached storage (NAS), modern computing setups require a reliable power source to function effectively. If you work from home or own a small business, you know that nothing halts your workday and puts you behind like an unexpected power outage. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) keeps your essential devices temporarily online, which provides a window for you to hit send on that last-minute email.

While a standard power strip or surge protector offers sufficient, albeit basic, protection, a UPS ensures devices are properly shut down and are protected from data loss. Beyond just keeping your devices running, the best UPS battery backups also shield sensitive electronics from potentially damaging power surges and fluctuations throughout the day. Read on to see our recommendations covering a range of needs and budgets.

The UPS you choose should come with enough outlets to accommodate all the devices you need to plug in, with some room for additional devices in the future. Pay attention to the distinction between battery-backed outlets, which offer surge protection and battery power during outages, and surge-protected-only outlets, which, as the name suggests, only offer surge protection.

Every model we write about offers surge protection as a standard feature, even on outlets that don’t offer battery power. Batteries enable a UPS to power your devices once the grid fails. That’s why it’s essential to choose a UPS with enough battery-backed outlets to support the devices you want to keep online.

More advanced UPS models typically offer more outlets (and more that are battery-backed). For example, the more affordable Amazon Basics Standby UPS 600VA has eight outlets, four of which have battery backup, while the more advanced CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD3 has 12 outlets, six of which have battery backup. In addition to AC outlets, some UPS models have USB-A or USB-C ports to connect your smartphone and other devices. These ports easily charge your devices without taking up an outlet.

It’s also important to ensure replacing the battery on the UPS you choose is straightforward and easy. This simplifies maintenance and increases the device’s lifespan. Advanced UPS models typically include battery health monitoring features, so you’ll get a heads up when a battery nears the end of its life. On average, UPS batteries last three to five years before needing replacement, though this lifespan varies depending on usage.

Automatic voltage regulation, or AVR, stabilizes inconsistent incoming voltage. It converts fluctuating voltage from the power source into a steady, consistent output for connected devices. This protects sensitive electronics from power irregularities without relying on the UPS battery. As a bonus, AVR reduces wear and tear on the battery, potentially extending its lifespan. Not all models include this feature, particular those priced on the lower end.

A cable that’s at least five feet long offers greater flexibility in terms of where you place your UPS. A five-foot-long cable reaches wall outlets that are farther away and positions the UPS conveniently for your devices. You’ll have the freedom to place the UPS in the best spot for your setup, such as under a desk or in a server rack. Remember, a short cable potentially limits where you place the UPS, so it’s always a good idea to go longer, not shorter.

UPS models that support management software give you greater control over the UPS from a phone or computer to remotely shut down connected devices, and some support “graceful shutdown,” which automatically shuts down connected equipment if you’re unable to do it when the connected devices reach a predetermined power level. Other features worth considering include an LCD display to monitor a UPS’s status, expandable battery capacity, and an audible alarm during power disturbances.

Setting up a UPS is straightforward: Simply plug the UPS into a wall outlet, and connect your devices to the UPS. This plug-and-play simplicity means a UPS device is great for anyone, no matter their level of technical know-how. But be aware of the following safety guidelines before powering on a UPS in your home office.

Companies advise against connecting devices like copiers, laser printers, or space heaters to a UPS, as these can overload the device. Instead, use a separate surge protector. Additionally, never plug a UPS into a surge protector or vice versa. It’s also important to avoid plugging a UPS into an extension cord because this can potentially overload the cord and create a fire hazard. It’s recommended to always plug your UPS directly into a grounded wall outlet. Doing so will ensure your UPS operates safely while providing the best possible protection for your devices.

To find the best uninterruptible power supply, I researched dozens of models from the leading brands in this space. My selection process focused on several key features, including battery life, AVR, number of outlets, and other advanced features like power management software. As someone who has worked from home for the past five years, I understand the critical need for a reliable power source to keep devices online. My personal experience and circumstances informed my choices, as I considered the models that could protect devices and provide sufficient battery backup during outages.

This CyberPower model offers everything you need in a powerful and reliable UPS. It includes 12 surge-protected outlets, with six of those backed by battery power. This gives you ample space to connect various devices, from your home office setup to more fun devices like your PlayStation 5, smart TV, or gaming desktop. The front of the UPS also features both a USB-A and USB-C port for connecting mobile devices.

An LCD panel displays information about battery and power conditions. If the power goes out, this model’s replaceable battery runs for up to 12 minutes at half load, giving you plenty of time to safely power down. AVR to correct minor power fluctuations is another big plus, as is the three-year warranty.

This UPS offers a similar setup to our best overall pick with six battery-backed outlets, AVR, and a tiltable LCD panel. Its 12 total outlets give you plenty of room for all of your devices, and it clearly marks the outlets that are battery-backed, so there’s no confusion. It’s also cleverly designed with extra space for two of the outlets, making it easier to plug in bulky power bricks.

The CyberPower model contains two USB ports—one USB-A and one USB-C—on its front, and an LCD display gives you detailed information on battery capacity and current load. An alarm sounds when something is wrong with either the device or your setup (like the battery is low or the UPS capacity is overloaded), plus there’s a button to mute the alarm as needed.

The UPS supports data line protection, so your devices stay safe from power surges that travel through Ethernet. The cord is a foot shorter than our top pick, but this model provides slightly more output capacity, so it’s worth checking out if you want a ton of outlets.

Most UPS models offer limited battery life, even at half load, which isn’t ideal for IT professionals or network administrators. This APC model, however, delivers impressive battery runtime, with up to 23 minutes at half load in the event of an outage. That’s almost double of what other top models offer, giving you ample time to save your work and safely shutdown your devices.

Beyond excellent battery life, this model comes with a number of advanced features, including cloud-based remote power monitoring, remote diagnostics, and email notifications with recommended actions. It also supports graceful shutdown.

All of these premium features means this UPS costs more and is noticeably larger than other options on the list. That said, its combination of extended runtime and management features make it a worthwhile investment, particularly for small businesses that want to protect their hardware and data.

The Amazon Basics Standby UPS 600VA provides basic backup on a budget, but it lacks the more advanced features of other options. It has eight outlets total, including four battery-backed outlets to plug in devices like a modem, laptop, or NAS. And with an output of 360 watts, it’s the perfect option for home offices, with space to connect multiple devices simultaneously.

There’s a good amount of space between outlets on the Amazon UPS to easily accommodate two larger power bricks without crowding other nearby outlets. Additionally, it has a user-replaceable battery and supports power management software.

As we said, it lacks more advanced features, including AVR, but it’s still a solid, affordable option.

Most UPS devices take up a lot of floor or desk space. This one, however, measures approximately 4 by 11 by 5.5 inches, which is more compact than most for easier integration into your current home office.

Even with its smaller design, this UPS packs a punch with seven total surge-protected outlets, five of which offer battery power. It offers 300 watts of output power—perfectly suitable for a more modest setup.

The UPS automatically switches off from the battery backup when your power comes back on. And when the time comes, you can replace its battery instead of replacing the entire unit.

There are some tradeoffs to the more compact design. For instance, more advanced models contain a few more outlets. You also miss out on an LCD screen and AVR. However, these compromises bring the cost down on this space-efficient UPS.

This APC model features power management software and AVR and comes with an LCD panel, all of which make it another great advanced UPS for home offices and small businesses.

The APC’s power management software boasts several additional features, including the ability to remotely shut down your connected devices during an emergency. This prevents potential corruption or data loss. The device also supports a graceful shutdown feature, which automatically shuts down connected equipment if you’re unable to do it when the connected devices reach a predetermined power level.

The UPS offers both data line and coaxial line safeguards to give you extra peace of mind during power disturbances. An informative LCD screen on the front panel displays crucial information, such as battery capacity, load capacity, the number of power events that have occurred, and any system errors.

For added convenience, the UPS is equipped with both a USB-A and a USB-C port on the front to charge your phone or tablet in the same place as your home office equipment.

This CyberPower UPS easily integrates into a server setup because of its rack-mounting feature. The design makes it an excellent choice for small businesses that have a data center or server room, keeping the UPS close to the devices it’s protecting. It fits into racks as small as 14 inches in depth.

The device features eight battery-backed outlets and an LCD panel, which displays information on battery and power conditions. The screen also shows alerts about potential issues before they affect your devices.

Like other CyberPower models, this one supports management software for monitoring the UPS remotely. Other features include data line protection and an estimated battery runtime of 10 minutes at half load.

Brandon Russell is a freelance writer covering gear and technology. He started his journey as a news writer at a small newspaper and later began reviewing smartphones, movies, and video games. In his free time, he enjoys the slower, more intentional experience of using a 35mm film camera and making short videos about movies he grew up watching.

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