In today’s world, Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) can be termed as an essential purchase for any home or office. Especially if you are running a business where any work delay or data loss can cost a considerable sum of money, power cuts can be catastrophic.

When power shuts down all of a sudden, servers become unresponsive or, even worse, corrupted. Under these circumstances, owning the best UPS for home and office becomes a necessity. It becomes an essential hardware, such as a computer, servers, or backup servers.

The UPS included in this buyer’s guide have a wide range of applications. From small UPS for homes with little power consumption to powerful UPS intended for large enterprises, these electronics have your back.


Make no mistake, though. They are reviewed in no particular order. In the end, a separate buyer’s guide portion will take you through the process of finding the most suitable UPS device for your home or office needs. So let’s get started.

CyberPower PFC Speaker Pure Sine Wave Tower UPS

This mini-tower UPS device provides an uninterrupted output of up to 1000VA on 600W. This makes it the best UPS for home theaters, computers, and workstations. Besides the CP1500PFCLCD, this model comes with a surge protection warranty for 3 years. Thus, if anything goes wrong, you can get your device repaired.

It features an advanced multifunctional CP with a color LCD to provide quick status updates and information about alarms. Now, the alarm can be a little too loud for some people. However, you can always turn it off with a single push of a button. Other differentiating features are the 2 USB ports for quick charging, 10 battery backup plugs, AVR to correct power fluctuations, and a tilting screen for easy viewing.

In addition, it comes with several energy-saving features that conserve energy when in use. Overall, considering the battery capacity, power factor correction features set, and efficiency, this is the best value for the money you can get.

Pros

  • The AVR increases battery lifetime
  • Excellent value for the money
  • Low noise levels
  • Convenient USB ports to charge portable devices
  • Energy-saving features
  • 3 years limited manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

  • It may be an outdated product for some users
  • Customer support is unpredictable

Buy CyberPower PFC Speaker Pure Sine Wave Tower on Amazon

BXTERRA BM850AVRLCD UPS

In this age of smart appliances, BxTerra has come up with an intelligent UPS. Like the previously reviewed UPS, it provides battery backup with the help of an LCD in a mini-tower form factor. It has augmented AVR, 10 outputs, surge safety, and an easily replaceable battery — everything you need to protect your electronics safe from the dreaded power surges and voltage spikes.

While its features look similar to CP1500PFCLCD, there’s one notable difference — design. This UPS can be easily mistaken for a high-tech component in a home entertainment system due to its stylish, compact, and sturdy design. Setting it up is also easy as it is a plug-and-play device.

If you are a fashion and trend-conscious geek trying to improve the performance and efficiency of your home entertainment or gaming environment, go for this UPS.

Pros

  • Compact, sleek, stylish, and sturdy design
  • Straightforward setup process
  • LCD has many useful additional features like wire fault
  • Available in four different sizes

Cons

  • UPS lacks built-in energy settings for Mac OS

Buy BXTERRA on Amazon

APC’s Smart-UPS WithSmartConnect (SMT1500C)

While you can protect some of the equipment all the time and all the equipment some of the time, protecting all the equipment all the time is rather difficult. Luckily, with the help of APC’s Smart-UPS, you can do just that. With a maximum power rating of 1000W and an output of 1500VA, this device has tremendous potential thanks to its amazing features.

It has eight surge-safe NEMA 5-15R outputs, along with smart battery management and AVR. Additionally, it houses an intuitive LCD, Green mode for power saving, and a smart slot for a network management card, making it a highly useful package of goodies. Ultimately, you get approximately eight minutes of uninterrupted supply at 800W power out — more than enough to turn off your devices safely.

That said, although this is slightly expensive than previous models, this top-of-the-line UPS is definitely one of the best UPS for home or office use.

Pros

  • Incredible load capacity and power
  • AVR and smart battery management
  • Feature-rich device
  • Suitable for both home and office use

Cons

  • The PowerChute management software needs some getting used to
  • Expensive

Buy APC’s Smart-UPS WithSmartConnect on Amazon

CyberPower AVRG750U AVR UPS System

The second CyberPower UPS on our list ups the ante with additional features but is slightly underpowered. It supports max wattage of 450 and a load capacity of 750VA. Because of this reason, it becomes an ideal UPS to power a single desktop PC at home or office.

Along with the usual AVR for UPS, this particular model has Data Line protection, RFI/EMI filters to prevent radio interferences, 12 NEMA 5 15 surge-protected outputs, USB connectivity, and three RJ-11s for phone protection. It is also very quiet. All of these features add up to offer approximately a 15-minute runtime under 140W load.

As a whole, considering the features, price, and performance, the AVRG750U is perfect for not-too-hungry home and office PCs and people who live for those extra features.

Pros

  • Has 12 NEMA 5-15 outputs
  • Effectively blocks radio frequency interferences
  • It can be mounted vertically or horizontally
  • Like all CyberPower models, it is reasonably quiet

Cons

  • Again, we are not very impressed with the customer service

Buy CyberPower AVRG750U AVR on Amazon

APC BE600M1 UPS Battery Backup

If you are looking for a budget UPS that is reliable enough to do low-power jobs like keeping the Wi-Fi on during power outages, then APC’s BE600M1 is the most suitable option. Just don’t expect any premium features and hours-long performance from the device, and you should be fine.

It’s a very standard UPS with seven NEMA 5-15 outlets (5 battery backup and 2 surge-only), a 1.5A USB port, and adjustable alarm settings. Its load capacity is 600V, and it supports up to 330W of power. That means it works like a charm for 23 minutes under a load of 100W.

In general, the APC BE600M1 is perfect for keeping your IoT devices up and running during the power cuts due to the right combination of budget-friendliness and features.

Pros

  • 3 years limited warranty
  • Budget-friendly UPS
  • Just enough power to keep your IoT up and running

Cons

  • Limited NEMA 5-15R outlets
  • If anything goes wrong, component replacement is time-consuming.

Buy APC BE600M1 on Amazon

TRIPP LITE SMART1500LCDT UPS

For almost a century, Tripp Lite has been a leading power and electronics manufacturer. And this product, in particular, is a testimony of their experience in the business. It supports 900W of power up to 1500VA load capacity. That is more than enough to keep your consoles, modems, printers, routers, or high-performance workstations up and running for a while.

In terms of features, it has AVR to prolong battery life, built-in surge protection, noise filtering to shield your devices from transient voltages, HiD compliant USB port, and an energy-efficient recyclable battery. What’s more, its multifunction and rather large LCD screen gives easy access to detailed UPS and battery settings, as well as other critical information.

One of the few limitations is its cumbersome weight, which causes problems during relocation and inability to autostart. However, SMART1500LCDT is still worth the attention because of its excellent performance at a fair price.

Pros

  • The recyclable battery is energy efficient
  • Very easy to install
  • HiD compliant USB port
  • Responsive customer support

Cons

  • This UPS is rather heavy
  • No autostart functionality

Buy TRIPP LITE SMART1500LCDT on Amazon

APC’s SMT3000RM2UC UPS Battery Backup Pure Sinewave

This is APC’s first cloud-enabled UPS for distributed IT, allowing you to access cloud monitoring features from any internet device anywhere. It maximizes UPS performance by offering proactive advice. Cool, isn’t it?

Moreover, the SMT3000RM2UC is a pure sine wave battery backup with highly efficient AVR, 8 NEMA 5-15R outlets, switchable outlet groups, and smart battery management software that regulates charging voltage hence prolonging battery life. In addition, it’s smart connect is compatible with leading RMM solutions making it easy to monitor from a particular platform.

Supporting 2700 W power and a load that can go as far as 3000VA, this means the machine is suitable for all home and office environments. At 100 Watt power out, it can keep your devices running smoothly for more than three hours. That is quite impressive. However, this much power does require shelling out a huge sum of money.

Pros

  • High-performance UPS intended for professional environments
  • Available in two styles — horizontal and vertical
  • Switchable outlet groups give a user more control
  • It comes with a PowerChute software

Cons

  • This UPS will empty your pockets

Buy SMT3000RM2UC UPS Battery Backup Pure Sinewave on Amazon

What to Look for in the Best UPS for Home and Office

It’s not like every UPS is manufactured in the same way. You have to look for specific features that are relevant to your needs. The main aspects you should consider are:

Support

How many devices are you planning on plugging with the UPS? Some high-end UPS can connect with up to 10 devices at a time, while others top out at two. Therefore, check the instruction manual for information about connected devices before you settle on a particular model.

Power Requirements

First things first; before you even invest in a UPS, calculate the total load of the devices you are planning to use a UPS for. Simply add the wattage of each device. To do that, you can dig into the manufacturer’s documentation, or some devices have this information written on their hardware. The main idea is to look for a UPS that can fulfill your power requirements. To stay on the safe side, we recommend purchasing a UPS that supplies at least 20 to 25 percent more power than the combined wattage number of every connected device.

Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR)

AVR is a form of power management. It is also called line-interactive topology that regulates any sudden dips or power surges. UPS with AVR feature a small transformer that acts as a buffer to compensate for the fluctuations without relying on the battery. The UPS only turns to the battery power when this transformer can’t handle the voltage variations anymore. Hence, it reduces the wear and tear of the battery and prolongs its life.

Pure Sine wave Inverter

A battery’s pure sine wave inverter converts DC current into AC power, which you need to power most home appliances. It produces clear and smooth waveforms, whereas a modified sine wave inverter will generate choppier waveforms. You should avoid using UPS with modified sine wave inverter for devices that run with a powerful motor, as they cause inconsistent speed, heat buildups, and can damage the components.

Runtime

Runtime is typically measured in minutes. It gives an estimate of how long the backup power can last. Keep in mind that a UPS is not intended to power your equipment for extended periods. However, it should provide sufficient enough power to kickstart your standby power source or properly shut down your workstation. Depending on your requirements, make sure it offers ample runtime. Also, the higher the out power, the lower will be the runtime.

VA Rating — At least 600VA

Most UPS for home office use include their VA output rating in the name. Make sure whatever model you settle on has at least a 600-volt ampere (VA) rating. While most people aren’t familiar with the VA rating, it’s very similar to the power’s wattage. It ensures how much runtime you can get. Also, note that you will always get slightly less wattage out of the UPS than the VA rating written on its package. However, actual results also depend on the type and number of devices being powered, as mentioned earlier.

Portability

Not all UPS are portable. Especially the UPS intended for big enterprises are obviously heavy and cannot be carried in your bag. So if you are often traveling, you should invest in a compact and portable option. Some portable UPS even have a solar charging port to reduce dependability on the electricity. For a home theater UPS, a long cord helps if your wall outlet isn’t easily accessible. In most cases, a 5-foot cord is more than sufficient.

Conclusion

That is all about the best UPS for home and office use. We hope you enjoyed this article. All the products mentioned above have been tried and tested over the years and remain a popular choice worldwide. Each of them comes with its own advantages and shortcomings. Keep them in mind, and you will never make a bad purchase. Besides, you should always choose one according to your unique power output requirements. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the different types of UPS?


There are three main types of UPS: Online double conversion, Offline UPS, and Line-Interactive UPS.

What are online double conversion UPS, and what are they used for?


In online double conversion UPS, incoming power is converted to DC and then back to AC — hence double conversion. Such UPS are suitable for big data centers.

What are Line Interactive UPS, and what are they used for?


Line Interactive UPS configuration provides both battery backup and power conditioning. Such UPS are perfect for areas where power outages are rare, but power fluctuation is very common. These UPS can support a variety of voltage fluctuations before switching to the battery.

Which type of UPS is best for home and office?


Offline UPS, also known as battery backup or Standby UPS, is ideal for home and office. It is economical, and an excellent offline UPS with AVR will maintain power during minor power sags outages and surges.

How often should I charge the battery of my UPS?


Most UPS these days use lead-acid batteries. These batteries can self-discharge after a while. Therefore, we recommend charging the storage capacity of the battery every three to four months. Failing to do so will result in permanent loss of storage capacity within 20 to 30 months.

What is the longest-lasting UPS?


Well, it depends on the number of devices you have powered through the UPS. Generally, CyberPower models are considered to be the longest-lasting UPS in the market.

Which UPS Brand is best for home?


Any of the brands mentioned above that suits your requirements will be an excellent choice for your home.

What is the difference between UPS and Inverter?


An inverter, as the name suggests, merely converts AC power into DC power or DC power into AC power, whereas a UPS powers your devices as it comes with a battery for storage.

What is the ideal temperature for the UPS room?


Today, most UPS are designed for optimum operation in 0 to 40 degree Celsius (or 32–104 Fahrenheit) temperatures.

What is the lifespan of a UPS battery?


Well, it depends on the kind of battery you have. The standard life of a VRLA battery is 3–5 years, while wet-cell batteries can last up to 20 years. However, a battery’s lifespan depends on your usage, discharge cycles, and regular maintenance.