The 850VA by APC ($88.07) is an affordable backup power supply that can be deployed in the home or in a small office. With a capacity of 450-watt/850-volt ampere output, the unit is able to keep things running without issue for a few minutes and can even shut down idle devices automatically to help preserve power.Bottom line: The APC 850VA is perfect for homeowners who wish to protect electronic devices from surges and power outages.One more thing: Should the battery inside get worn out, you can replace it on your own without having to buy a whole new UPS.
Why the APC 850VA is the best
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There's really nothing worse than experiencing a power outage and things going horribly wrong with devices being damaged and content lost due to inability to save. This is where an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) comes into play. The 850VA by APC is selected as the best overall option for not only protecting devices connected to the unit from electronic surges but also offering great value.
There are a total of 10 outlets, six tied to the onboard battery. That allows for a PC, monitor(s), sound system and a router to be safeguarded from outages, giving you time to safely shut them down without losing your work and risking damage. APC offers a three-year warranty with the 850VA and $75,000 insurance to cover connected hardware. While a total of 10 devices can be connected to the UPS, six of them will have access to power should mains electricity go offline.
Lastly, two USB ports are available for portable device charging (and these are even connected to the internal battery). A neat feature of this particular backup power supply is the ability to be configured to shut down devices automatically when idle. Should power be cut off to the unit, it will detect what hardware is currently idle and remove access to the stored power to provide more up time for electronics that require the extra juice.
The Tripp Lite 1300VA ($129.93) sports enough power to keep everything plugged in running long enough for safe shut down of sensitive electronics. Again, like other options priced in this range, there's an LCD screen to relay information. Four ports are surge protected, while the remaining four are connected to the internal battery. A USB interface joins Ethernet and coax line suppression options.Bottom line: Priced aggressively at $130, Tripp Lite's 1300VA is well positioned for those seeking high capacity without forking out.One more thing: There's a three-year warranty included with a competitive $250,000 insurance.
This 1500VA/900 Watt storage tower ($214.95) has more than enough juice to keep your electronics running and charging for even longer when the grid cuts out. There's also an LCD screen on the front that displays current battery level, load level, other status readings and more. The extra capacity comes at a cost, however, and this beast of a UPS will set you back just over $200.Bottom line: If you have the money to invest in a UPS with serious capacity for the home, the CP1500PFCLCD is an ideal purchase.One more thing: Take advantage of the onboard USB ports for phones and tablets.
When a large UPS unit (giant black slabs of plastic) just won't look right in your home, APC has a unique option worth considering. The BG500 ($261.28) is a 500VA/300W battery inside a sleek casing with a total of four outlets — two of which are connected to the battery. This UPS unit allows for the tracking of energy use, turning on and off connected equipment, and can even reboot network equipment in the event of loss of connectivity.Just be prepared to pay out more for the design and build.Bottom line: It's a sleek UPS that offers a modern take on battery bakups. Sporting enough power to save up to two devices from dying during a power cut for some time, this is a solid, but pricey addition to the home.One more thing: Web browsers can be used to manage the UPS remotely, with the ability to activate and turn off individual outlets.
Having external units is all well and good, but should you be tight on space or simply wish to have a UPS that can be installed inside a server rack, APC has a 1000VA/600W solution ($381.23). A total of six outlets are available on the rear, four of which are hooked up to the battery. This unit, in particular, has a few tricks up its sleeve, including network-grade supply conditioning to protect devices against surges and other damaging power noise.Management can be carried out via USB and Ethernet, and there's a small LCD display on the front.Bottom line: If you have a server rack at home or for the office, this rackmount UPS is an ideal option to save space by utilizing free rows in a server unit.One more thing: Solid state automatic voltage regulation (AVR) boosts low input voltage and trims high voltage without battery operation.
Conclusion
You really can't go wrong when choosing a UPS from a reputable brand, especially when it's only going to be backing up a few electronic devices. That said, we feel the BE750G represents a great balance between affordability and capability.
The 850VA by APC ($88.07) is an affordable backup power supply that can be deployed in the home or in a small office. With a capacity of 450-watt/850-volt ampere output, the unit is able to keep things running without issue for a few minutes and can even shut down idle devices automatically to help preserve power.Bottom line: The APC 850VA is perfect for homeowners who wish to protect electronic devices from surges and power outages.One more thing: Should the battery inside get worn out, you can replace it on your own without having to buy a whole new UPS.
Updated October 19, 2017: We checked the guide to ensure we're offering only the best backup UPS batteries for your PC.
