Boost and Trim Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) balances out the excessive or insufficient voltage of the electrical grid to a stable level. What is more, the system adjusts to power surges automatically so you don't have to configure it manually.
The software's user interface is a bit complicated.
The APC BR1500GI will be a perfect option for users that need extra protection for computer hardware and servers. The appliance features 10 outlets that can accommodate computers, laptops, monitors, and other gadgets and protect them from power surges with ease.
Line-interactive
1500VA / 865W
10 min / 4 min
10 ms typical (12 ms max)
10 x IEC-C13 outlets
8 hours
APCRBC124 replaceable battery
Boost and Trim Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), Automatic self-test, Data line surge protection, Resettable circuit breaker, Telephone data line surge protection
LCD graphics display, Adjustable voltage sensitivity, Adjustable voltage-transfer points, Audible alarms
USB charging port, RJ11 analogue phone line, RJ45 network line
3-year repair or replacement service
The One-step battery connector prevents it from discharging when the UPS isn't used. On top of that, the appliance is additionally equipped with a set of sockets that are protected from power surges.
The unit comes without a power cord.
The APC BX-series is a powerful UPS that boasts simple management and complex protection of your personal computer, laptop, gaming console, and pretty much anything that has a 3-prong UK plug. An excellent pick for home use.
Line-interactive
AC power surge protection, Data line protection: RJ-11 DSL/Modem/Fax/Phone protection
LED screen, Audible alarms, Automatic voltage regulation (AVR), Power management software
This UPS unit features the ability to start the battery from a complete halt, which will come in handy in case of a total power outage. For added convenience, the main unit features Type-A and Type-C USB charging ports.
It takes a considerable amount of time to fully recharge.
The APC BACK-UPS ES (BE850G2) is an ultimate middle ground for users that are still on the fence about getting an uninterruptible power supply device. It is reasonably priced and has all the great features APC is known for, including the power surge protection system.
Line-interactive
850VA / 520W
15 min / 4 min
6 ms typical (10 ms max)
8 x IEC-C13 outlets
16 hours
RBC17 replaceable battery
Automatic self-test, Data line surge protection, Safety-agency approved, Battery-protected and surge-only outlets
LED screen, Adjustable voltage sensitivity, Audible alarms, Cold-start capable
USB type-A, USB type-C, RJ45 analogue phone line, RJ45 network line
3-year repair or replacement service
Designed to deal with extreme cases of unexpected power losses, the appliance can give the user up to several minutes of runtime, which should be more than enough to shut down all the electronics safely.
The audible alarm sounds can be a bit annoying, however, it helps in determining the status of the UPS.
The CyberPower BR1000ELCD is a great pick for both home and office use due to the fact that it has a high-capacity 1000 VA battery and quite a few power sockets. Combined with excellent, out-of-the-box software, you can also control the power supply to all devices that are connected to the unit.
Line-interactive
1000VA / 600W
6 min / 1 min
4 ms typical
6 x 3 pin UK plug sockets
8 hours
RBP0117 replacement battery
Phone/Fax/Modem/DSL/Network protection, Automatic voltage regulation (AVR), Surge and spike protection, CE and RoHS certified
LCD sreen, Audible alarms, Energy-saving technology, Wall-mount installation
Simulated sine wave Output, USB charging port, Phone/Network protection RJ11/RJ45 (combo)
2 years
The data line protection can secure the phone, fax, and LAN lines from a complete loss of power in case of the power cuts and rapid voltage fluctuations. Moreover, it is equipped with power surge power sockets meant for bigger devices.
The user manual's instructions leave something more to be desired.
APC by Schneider Electric Back-UPS BX700UI is a great pick for the role of a budget UPS. It provides the connected devices with decent protection against voltage jumps, power surges and complete energy cuts. Equipped with a self-test feature, no loss of power will catch this device off-guard.
Line-interactive
700VA / 390W
8.2 min / 1.5 min
4 ms typical
4 x IEC-C13 outlets
6 hours
APCRBC110 replaceable lead-acid battery
Automatic voltage regulation (AVR), Telephone data line surge protection, Safety-agency approved
LED screen, Audible alarm, Intelligent battery management, Battery failure notification, Automatic self-test
USB port, Telephone/Network port
2-year repair or replacement service
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APC (BR1500GI)
Great for Computers and Servers Alike
The APC BR1500GI is one of the premium-grade uninterruptible power supply units that can deliver quite a lot of power to the connected electrical appliances in case a power outage or a sudden blackout happens.
One of the more distinctive features of the BR1500GI is a built-in automatic voltage regulation system (or simply AVR). Although the system’s name may sound unimpressive, in actuality, it is an exceptionally useful set of transformers that allow regulating the voltage automatically. But the real thing that makes it so useful is that you don’t need to disconnect the built-in battery to re-route the voltage to the appliances that need it the most. And to top all that, all of this is done automatically and can be customised according to the type of connected devices.
Once the appliances are connected to the UPS, it will provide them with power protection from harmful spikes and power surges. As a neat little bonus, you will be able to activate power management software that will come in handy for handling sensitive hardware. The only downside of said hardware, however, is its complexity. Despite being quite user-friendly overall, this part of the package will require you to read up the user manual thoroughly. To aid you in the process, this power supply model features a high-contrast monochrome display that shows the current battery charge, as well as the status of the devices connected to it.
Connect Anything You Want
When it comes to numbers, the BR1500GI has quite a lot to offer, right from the get-go. Starting out, the appliance features 10 IEC-C13 outlets that can accommodate multiple devices simultaneously. What sets this particular UPS from the competition, though, is the fact that can deliver up to 220 V to all outlets. Moreover, the total power output, in this case, will stay at a stable mark of 865 watts. Combined with a total battery capacity of a whopping 1500 VA, the power supply will keep the connected hardware up and running for up to 10 minutes at partial capacity and up to 4 minutes at the maximum capacity, which is quite amazing, to say the least. These given time frames should be more than enough to either save the data or to reconnect the linked devices to a secondary power source.
Finally, this BR1500GI from APC is one of the top picks for the role of an uninterruptible supply unit for both household and professional use. Perfect for computers, laptops, monitors and fully-fledged servers it provides users enough time to save sensitive data and the ability to switch to a more sustainable power source or backup without losing internet or phone connection.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £371.06 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B0041MP81Y |
APC (BX1400UI)
Protection of All Multimedia Equipment
The BX1400UI is yet another UPS model from APC but this time around it comes in a more compact package compared to the bigger products in the series. Like many other APC devices, this UPS is a line-interactive one, which requires it to be connected to an existing mains power line at all times in order for the appliance to operate properly.
First of all, if you worry that your electronic equipment may become damaged as a result of power grid problems, we recommend you to acquire the APC BX-series Uninterruptible Power Supply. The device has a simple design and can warn you about any malfunctioning in an electrical network. To make your life easier, the appliance features an LED indicator on the front panel that will show the status of the device. The Six IEC-C13 outlets boast protection against harmful interference and power surges.
The battery backup allows you to finish running processes and switch off different multimedia appliances or connect them to a different power source in the event of a voltage drop or an unexpected power surge. By the way, the total power output of the UPS is 700W, quite enough to hook up all your sensitive equipment. Moreover, the appliance can be used to protect modem, DSL line, modem, fax and phone lines by connecting cables to the respective RJ-11 connectors.
It's All About the Numbers
The maximum transfer time of this particular uninterruptible power supply varies from 8 to 10 ms where 10 ms being the maximum value. Although one could assume that it can be too long to maintain the continuous flow of electric current, in fact, the transfer time is short enough to keep every electrical appliance up and running in case of a power outage. The runtime, on the other hand, is limited to 11 minutes at half capacity and 2 minutes at full load, when multiple devices are connected to the UPS at the same time.
What makes this particular UPS a good long-term investment is a fact that you can replace the internal battery once the original one starts losing its total capacity, which is a nice addition, considering that most of the models in the same price range don’t have that feature.
In the end, the BX1400UI proved to be a good budget solution for users searching for a decent uninterruptible power supply that is both powerful enough to handle multiple electronic devices and quite affordable at the same time. The appliance is easy to use and paired with its great protection capabilities, it can be utilised with pretty much any electronic device in your house.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £137.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00T7BYPDG |
APC (BE850G2-UK)
Power Supply That Has it All
The APC BE850G2 is a slightly smaller UPS unit compared to other products included on our list but its compact size doesn’t diminish its capabilities.
To start things off, the appliance features 8 IEC-C13 power outlets with 6 of them having surge protection. In addition to that, it has two USB power ports (Type-A and Type-C) that can be used to charge smaller USB-powered devices. Similarly to other models on the list, the BE850G2 has an analogue RJ45 port for a telephone line, as well as an RJ45 LAN network cable outlet.
As a means of displaying the current status of the internal battery and the connected devices, the UPS unit has a set of bright LED lights that will conveniently show you the charge levels with 25% increments. The only real drawback of the BE850G2 is its charging time. To be more precise, it can take up to 16 hours to fully charge the internal battery of the appliance, which coupled with its relatively low wattage output doesn’t make the whole kit particularly outstanding. That being said, the power supply has its uses, especially for smaller server rooms and workstations that don’t carry a lot of data that needs protection.
On the bright side, however, once the battery is fully charged the power draw of the appliance is minimal and won’t exceed 2 watts per hour, which is much lower compared to more capacious alternatives.
Not As Simple As It Looks
Speaking of capacity, we couldn’t let the battery capacity be omitted. Under its plastic housing panels, the device has a replaceable RBC17 battery that has a capacity of 850 VA. Moreover, this rather compact appliance can deliver up to 520 watts of power in total, which makes it a decent option for the price.
The variety of different UPS devices from APC can be quite staggering at first, however, each one of these models is designed for specific purposes or to support certain hardware and types of electronic appliances. This model, for example, is able to accommodate multiple computers, laptops, monitors, and even a couple of smaller gadgets like phones and tablets simultaneously.
To wrap things up, the BE850G2 will be a good option for users looking for a high-quality uninterruptible power supply that will operate flawlessly and won’t break the bank at the same time. Reasonably compact and quite portable, it won’t take a lot of space on your working desk or in the server room but will prove to be an irreplaceable piece of hardware, especially when it comes to protecting data and internet connection during power surges.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £98.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B0828G42KN |
Cyberpower (BR1000ELCD)
Excellent Mid-Range Power Supply
The BR1000ELCD from Cyberpower is not just another regular backup power supply, underneath its plastic housing hides a powerful machine that is capable of keeping multiple power-consuming appliances online no matter what for quite some time, which is crucial during a power cut.
Starting off, this line-interactive uninterruptible power supply can show off a great battery capacity rated at 1000 VA. With this kind of power, you can effectively connect a laptop, multiple monitors, a computer with a modem and still have room for other appliances. The power transfer time of this model is nothing short of amazing, with only 4 ms to go, the appliance can instantly shift the power from the integrated battery to the connected devices in case of a power cut.
When it comes to protection, the BR1000ELCD has no shortage of that. Firstly, the appliance features an excellent power surge protection for each plug that it has so you can safely connect the required hardware without risk of losing data if a power cut does happen.
Secondly, it’s the automatic voltage regulation system that enables using sensible electronics in areas where the system voltage is unstable. As with many other similar products, the number of sockets that are backed up by a battery is limited and in this model - it’s only 3 outlets with the other 3 having surge protection only.
Digital and Other Capabilities
As for the software included in the box, it is quite convenient to use and actually brings a lot of benefits to the users that utilise it on a regular basis. The program enables monitoring the voltage and wattage values in real-time and ultimately control the power supply of the connected devices remotely.
The only gripe we have about this model, though, is its audible alarm system that is a bit too loud. That said, since it’s an alarm, there’s less of a chance you will miss the audible cue in case of an emergency so it’s not really that big of a problem.
Furthermore, the runtime of the battery is 6 minutes at half capacity and 1 minute when capacity is maxed out, which should give you some time to turn off the hardware properly. Moreover, the integrated software support enables using the desktop application to turn off the connected devices automatically, which is a neat little feature.
All things considered, the Cyberpower BR1000ELCD will be a great pick for users that need a reliable power source that is not afraid of sudden power surges or complete outages. Its internal battery is plenty capacious while its excellent protection systems alongside an automatic voltage regulator will ensure that no hardware components get damaged in case of a short circuit on the line.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £109.65 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B01GJZPPU4 |
APC (BX700UI)
Surprising Capacity
This particular APC power supply is slightly different from the other products from the company but not solely because of its design. On the contrary, the main aspect that separates the BX700UI from the regular crowd is its power transfer time. To elaborate on that, the 4 ms transfer time is a remarkable improvement over the standard 8-10 ms values that are common in bigger APC power supply units.
Since this model is a line-interactive one, it is required to be connected to a mains power socket in order to run properly. Once powered, it will take around 8 hours to fully charge the internal battery, which is almost as twice as fast as some other premium UPS products.
Moving down the list of features, it is important to not omit the actual runtime of the integrated battery. With up to 8 minutes of runtime when loaded at 50% of the total power capacity, it will be more than enough to switch off all the hardware and electronics connected to the UPS. As for the actual number of active connections, the appliance has 4 IEC-C13 sockets that are compatible with all 3-prong UK power plugs. Once the devices are connected to the power supply they will be backed up with a battery, given that it has been fully charged beforehand.
Plenty Powerful
Capacity-wise, the appliance utilises a 700 VA battery, which combined with a relatively short charging time makes the BX700UI a good compromise between bulky high-capacity power supplies and tiny yet low-power units. Although the actual runtime is rather short, the total power output rated at 390 watts will be sufficient to keep high-powered computers, laptops, and gaming consoles running just enough for you to switch to an alternative power source or to stop their operation properly in a safe mode.
In order to bring more convenience to the table, the BX700UI can be hooked up to a computer via a provided USB cable. When connected, you can use the PowerChute software that enables automatic shutdown of all connected hardware in a safe manner. Likewise, the program allows monitoring the voltage of the power grid and all the components connected to the UPS in real-time.
To sum things up, the BX700UI will be an excellent entry-level for users that are still on the fence about the idea of having an uninterruptible power supply at home. It is surprisingly simple to use, it has great protection against voltage surges, and it provides enough power to safely shut down all the connected appliances, and all in all - there’s not much more you could ask from a budget-friendly UPS.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | £82.03 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00T7BYV6W |
What Is an Uninterruptible Power Supply?
Most modern houses are stuffed with electrical devices. They all add to our life’s convenience, but electronic equipment is very sensitive to an unstable line voltage and power surges. The perfect solution is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) that can protect the vulnerable electronics as well as give you enough time to shut them down in a proper way. This device has a powerful battery backup to provide your electronics with temporary power supply and save all the important data on your computer if utility power fails. The UPS will secure your gaming PCs, computer monitors, all-in-one desktops and many other devices such as gaming consoles and laptops. In this review, we will help you pick the one your house or office needs to keep the hardware protected in case of a sudden voltage surge or even during complete power cuts.
In order to keep all the small gadgets powered in case of a major power cut, we also recommend taking a look at the best power banks that are available on the market. Perfect for home use as well as on the go, they will ensure that your phones and tablets are juiced up and ready to use at any given time.
What Features to Compare
UPS Type
The first tip we'd like to offer is, while choosing and purchasing an uninterruptible power supply, look at the UPS type. Today, there are two main types on the market: standby and line-interactive. The standby UPS is used to feed the plugged electrical appliances or recharge a flat battery (when the line voltage is satisfactory). During voltage interruptions or deviations, the device assures a battery backup. As for the line-interactive UPSs, they have an additional voltage stabilisation function. It means that in the case of voltage fluctuations the UPS stabilises a voltage using a transformer without any battery backup. If it is impossible to stabilise the voltage deviations during a power failure, the line-interactive UPS switches to a battery power supply in 3-4 milliseconds.
Battery Characteristics
The next thing you should keep in mind when choosing a UPS is battery characteristics. Firstly, consider the battery capacity measured in volt-amperes (VA) or Watts (W). Secondly, the UPS should have a 20% to 30% higher capacity than that of the electronics to be plugged in. To select an appliance with the appropriate power supply you should calculate how much energy would feed all the appliances you are going to connect to an uninterruptable power supply. For example, a 350-500 VA capacity would suffice for an LCD monitor, a PC with components of average parameters. UPS with 500-1000 VA power supply will feed game computers, high-power computers with two monitors. Uninterruptible power supplies with a capacity higher than 1000 VA will let you protect additional peripheral units. Another important characteristic is UPS wireless productivity. A standard UPS in household use provides your electronics with up to 15 minutes working under peak load conditions. This time is quite enough to save all your data and shut down your computer properly. Uninterruptible power supplies with reliable lead-acid batteries have a rather short recharge time, about 8 hours.
Power Surge Protection
One more important point in choosing a UPS is its power surge protection. In addition to a no-break power supply, modern devices provide efficient data line protection. For example, a telephone, a computer network. Each interface has input and output connectors. In between them, there is a filter correcting high-voltage interferences. You can connect a router to a USP via a network cable. The most modern uninterruptible power supplies support data transmission to your computer through a USB or a COM port. Thus, a UPS gives you essential data on battery backup condition and charging, on electric network performance; informs you if the UPS turns to a wireless power supply; properly shuts down the PC while you're away; saves all the open app data in case of a power surge or fault. You can monitor and adjust the device performance from your computer. UPS manufacturers usually supply specific software for this option.
Extras
The last important tip for selecting a UPS is to look through its extras. Contemporary devices have displays for monitoring UPS performance. As for the low-budget uninterruptible power supplies, LED indicators usually inform you about the device operation. Sophisticated models feature an LCD display with the detailed information on a USP condition and its performance, as well as an audible alarm. A quick UPS power battery replacement will add to your device's convenience. As a rule, the battery serves for 2–4 years depending on how often the battery backup is required. A replaceable device battery will prolong your UPS service life for a minimum of 2 years. Usually, UPS have both surge and battery backup outlets. You can use the former for appliances that need surge protection only. They will not affect a battery backup power, which will extend the battery useful life; the devices with more outlets of this kind are preferable.
Sources:
1. How to Select a Battery Backup for Your Computer, How-To Geek.
2. Matt Smith 5 Things You Need To Know In Order To Buy The Right UPS, MakeUseOf. September 10, 2013.
3. What is a Battery Backup? Lifewire.
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