24 guides
UPS battery backup
A UPS covers minutes: the flicker, or the time to save and shut down. Choose it from what has to stay on.
A UPS is a battery and an inverter that sit between the wall and your gear. A small standby unit suits a modem and router. A computer with an active-PFC power supply needs a sine wave unit, which both APC and CyberPower sell.
On a load near its rating, a UPS lasts minutes by both makers' figures. If you need hours, that is a power station's job.
Best picks and comparisons
Best picks
Best UPS battery backup for a home
A UPS for the router, one for a home office, and one for a gaming PC, chosen from APC's and CyberPower's own numbers.
Compare
APC vs CyberPower
Pure sine wave or simulated, runtime, warranty and software, from both makers' pages, with a verdict by use.
Start here
UPS
A UPS for your router and modem
How a small battery backup can keep Wi-Fi up through short outages.
UPS
Choosing a UPS Battery Backup for a Desktop Computer
Choose a desktop UPS from your PC and monitor load, power-supply requirements and shutdown software. Check the CP1500PFCLCD against your setup.
UPS
Line-Interactive vs Standby UPS: Which Battery Backup to Buy
Standby UPS units switch to battery for outages or voltage outside tolerance. Line-interactive models add AVR. Compare voltage correction, runtime and waveform.
UPS
Choosing a 1500VA Sine Wave UPS for a Home Office
Plan which office devices share battery power, check the SMT1500C capacity, and separate SmartConnect monitoring from automatic computer shutdown.
Every guide in this class
UPS and battery backup24
UPS
A UPS for your router and modem
How a small battery backup can keep Wi-Fi up through short outages.
UPS
Choosing a 1500VA Sine Wave UPS for a Home Office
Plan which office devices share battery power, check the SMT1500C capacity, and separate SmartConnect monitoring from automatic computer shutdown.
UPS
Choosing a Pure Sine Wave UPS for a Home Network Closet
Map your ONT, router, switches and access points before sizing a network UPS. Check PR1500LCD specifications, runtime and monitoring requirements.
UPS
How to Estimate Battery Backup (UPS) Runtime for Your Devices
Estimate UPS battery backup runtime by measuring your real load and reading the maker's runtime chart at that load. Includes steps and checks.
UPS
Choosing a Battery Backup (UPS) for Your Garage Door Opener
How to choose a battery backup (UPS) for your garage door opener: motor surge, sine wave output, garage temperatures, and runtime at your own load.
UPS
Using a Power Station as a Battery Backup (UPS): Pass-Through and Switchover Time
Some power stations can stand in for a UPS. Learn how pass-through charging and switchover time decide whether your computer stays on during an outage.
UPS
Why Is My UPS Beeping? What Each Battery Backup Alarm Means
A beeping UPS is telling you something: on battery, low battery, overload, or a worn battery. Learn what each alarm means and what to do next.
UPS
Choosing a UPS Battery Backup for a Gaming Console and TV
How to pick a UPS for a gaming console and TV: sine wave output, sizing from your own watt numbers, outlet layout, and realistic runtime.
UPS
Choosing a UPS Battery Backup for Security Cameras and an NVR
Size a UPS for your NVR, PoE switch, and router from your own numbers, check runtime at your load, and keep cameras recording through an outage.
UPS
How to Size a Battery Backup UPS for an Aquarium Air Pump or Filter
Keep your aquarium air pump or filter running in an outage. Learn how to size a UPS from your pump's label and the maker's runtime chart.
UPS
Choosing a Battery Backup (UPS) for a Gas Boiler and Circulator Pump
How to pick a battery backup (UPS) for a gas boiler: pure sine wave output, sizing from the nameplate, runtime at your load, and a safe hookup.
UPS
UPS VA vs Watts: How to Read a Battery Backup (UPS) Rating
VA and watts are not the same on a UPS. Learn which number to size by, how to find your load, and what to check on the spec sheet before you buy.
UPS
Line-Interactive vs Standby UPS: Which Battery Backup to Buy
Standby UPS units switch to battery for outages or voltage outside tolerance. Line-interactive models add AVR. Compare voltage correction, runtime and waveform.
UPS
Choosing a UPS for a Home Security Alarm Panel and Keypad
How to choose a small UPS for a home alarm panel, keypad, and internet gear: check the panel battery, measure your load, and read the runtime chart.
UPS
Choosing a UPS Battery Backup to Keep a Cordless Landline Phone Working
A cordless phone base goes dead when the power does. Here is how to choose a small UPS that keeps the base and your modem running in an outage.
UPS
How to Choose a UPS Battery Backup for a Pellet Stove
Size a battery backup (UPS) for your pellet stove: find its running and igniter watts, check for sine wave output, and match runtime to your outages.
UPS
UPS vs Surge Protector Strip: Which Battery Backup (UPS) Your Electronics Need
A surge protector stops spikes. A UPS also keeps power on during outages. Here is how to tell which one your electronics need and what to check.
UPS
Do UPS External Battery Packs Add Enough Runtime to Be Worth It?
When a UPS external battery pack is worth it, which units accept one, and how to check runtime at your own load before you buy.
UPS
Choosing a UPS Battery Backup for a Desktop Computer
Choose a desktop UPS from your PC and monitor load, power-supply requirements and shutdown software. Check the CP1500PFCLCD against your setup.
UPS
Choosing a UPS for a Home Office NAS
Check the exact NAS and UPS pairing, USB or network signaling, shutdown settings and runtime before relying on automatic storage protection.
UPS
When to replace a UPS battery in your battery backup
How to tell your UPS battery is failing, how often to plan a swap, and how to match the right replacement cartridge to your battery backup.
UPS
How to test UPS battery health before the next outage
Check your UPS battery with the maker's self-test and runtime guidance, recognize damage, and choose a replacement that matches your exact model.
UPS
Choosing a battery backup (UPS) for a fiber ONT and router
How to choose a UPS that keeps your fiber ONT and router running in a power cut: measure your load, read runtime charts, and check outlets.
UPS
Can a UPS battery backup run a refrigerator during an outage?
Most desktop UPS units are not built for a fridge compressor. See which ratings to check and how to find your refrigerator's real draw.
Newsletter
Get a reminder to check your backup gear before storm season.