The automatic self-testing software of the UPS will conveniently notify you when it is time to replace the internal battery of the unit. Likewise, it also shows the current charge status of the battery in case there was a power loss on the line.
The mains output connectors on the backplate are somewhat tight.
The APC BR1600MI is a high-powered UPS for computers and similar devices that firmly protects the hardware from harmful effects of power surges and rapid changes in voltage. Equipped with a simple LCD screen it is also surprisingly easy to use without remote controls.
Line-interactive
1600VA / 960 W
10 min / 4 min
10 ms typical
8 x IEC 60320 C14 outlets
16 hours
APCRBC166 replaceable lead-acid battery
Guaranteed battery backup and surge protection, Voltage regulation, 1 Gb network data line surge protection, UL1778-listed
LCD interface, Audible alarms, Automatic self-test, Battery failure notification
SerialData port, Ethernet
3 years
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.
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
Owing to the upgraded housing construction, the power supply unit can effectively provide up to 405 watts of power in case of power cut while having a 700 VA battery that powers devices connected to it.
The onboard software could be a tad bit more optimised.
The APC BE700G can shield the sensitive hardware and electronic devices from voltage and power surges as well as from complete power cuts. To make using the supply unit easier, it can be controlled from a computer or laptop via a USB cable.
Line-interactive
700VA / 405W
15.1 min / 3.9 min
6 ms typical, 10 ms maximum
8 x BS 1363 outlets
16 hours
BX750MI-FR replaceable lead-acid battery
Data line protection, Safety-agency approved, Full-time multi-pole noise filtering, UL1778-listed
LED screen, Adjustable voltage sensitivity, Audible alarms, Automatic self-test, Battery failure notification, Intelligent battery management
Data line (RJ45) port, DSL port, Ethernet
3 years
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 (BR1600MI)
Capacity Worth Two Units
This UPS from APC is a line-interactive model that will deliver the current from the battery once the power is lost, but that’s not the only thing that makes it worth your attention.
As for a start, the transfer time of the power that is supplied from the batteries to the connected device is usually under 10 ms, which is quick enough for the devices to not shut down completely in case the power goes off unexpectedly. When it comes to the charging time, however, it can take quite a while. With a total charging time of 16 hours, the process is most definitely not a quick one. That said, the 1600 VA-rated battery of the appliance justifies the long charging by allowing using the power supply with multiple high-powered electronic devices simultaneously.
For added convenience, the device features a handy LCD screen that will show the remaining battery charge as well as the approximate time for which the power supply can be used. The interface is easy to read, owing to the high-contrast elements and backlit design of the display. On top of the battery capacity of the main power supply, the display will conveniently show the status of the connected utilities.
Designed for Big Appliances
Another handy feature that is included in the box is an automatic voltage regulation system that will help with keeping your hardware safe no matter what. The system will automatically correct any voltage fluctuations that may occur, and, as a result, it will protect the internal components of the appliances connected to the UPS. Speaking of hardware, this UPS Pro series offers 8 outlets in total with 6 of them featuring backup surge protection and the other 2 equipped with surge protection only. While the former can provide enough power to the connected devices in cases of a complete power cut, the latter will only protect devices from harmful effects of a power surge.
Depending on the number of connected devices as well as their output wattage, the total runtime can vary from 150 minutes (40 watts), 50 minutes (120 watts) and 15 minutes (335 watts). While it definitely can handle multiple high-wattage appliances at the same time, the total runtime of the power supply will be rather limited, giving you just enough time to switch to a secondary power supply or shut down the hardware properly. As for the specifications of the appliance, it can boast a power throughput of 960 watts that enables using the UPS with devices that have high power consumption.
Wrapping things up, the APC BR1600MI uninterruptible power supply will be a good option for users looking for a reliable power source that will keep sensitive hardware and electronics protected in case of a sudden power or voltage surge.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07WG2CZ67 |
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 | £140.49 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00T7BYPDG |
APC (BE700G)
Versatility at Its Best
The BE700G from APC is a slightly smaller appliance compared to other models from the company included on our list, however, the size doesn’t make it any less effective. So what is so special about this specific product? Let’s take a closer look at its core features and find out.
First things first, the unit supports a wide variety of electrical devices and hardware thanks to a big number of ports located on the box. On top of the regular UK-plug based appliances, the UPS supports data ports as well as DSL, modems, network gear, and fax machines, thanks to the integrated RJ45 ports. As a neat bonus, this UPS also features a dedicated circuit breaker that can be used to reset the device after the power surge or short circuit.
Moving on, let’s talk runtime. With a total runtime of 15 minutes at half capacity and almost 4 minutes when all sockets are occupied, the BE700G is definitely an excellent backup solution for all the devices that can be at risk during voltage surges and power outages. Although the number of high-powered devices is limited by the total wattage of the UPS, it is still a great middle-ground solution for what it brings to the table.
What's Under the Bonnet?
Speaking of power, the appliance provides up to 405 watts of power, which makes it an optimal pick for the price. As for the volt-amperes, the UPS doesn’t lack potency in this department either, boasting 700 VA under its plastic bonnet, it can effectively power up high-powered devices in case of a power outage or sudden electrical surge.
With 8 BS 1363 sockets in total, you can connect quite a lot of devices, however, only 4 of them will be backed up by the battery of the UPS. The other 4 outlets provide the connected appliances surge protection against sudden voltage jumps or drops. The universal compatibility of the sockets enables connecting computers, laptops, monitors, as well as gaming consoles to one single box giving you that much-needed peace of mind. Although it doesn’t feature any fancy LCD screens or other sophisticated interface elements, the LED lights that indicate the status of the battery will do the job just fine.
All in all, the BE700G uninterruptible power supply will be a great option for users that are looking for a simple UPS device that is easy to use and won’t break a bank at the same time. Featuring a decent battery capacity as well as excellent protective systems, it can effectively guard all connected appliances against power surges.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B002RXED6A |
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 | $0.00 |
| 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 | $0.00 |
| 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.
4. How an Uninterruptible Power Supply Works, Tech-FAQ.
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