The Best UPS Battery Backups

TL;DR: The APC BR100MS2 is a high-capacity, well-rounded choice for most people.

Why We Recommend It

The APC BR1500MS2 is a powerful pure sinewave UPS system that delivers cleaner, more stable power for protecting high-end electronics.

It combines 10 power outlets with surge protection (six with battery backup) and 900 watts of power to keep power-hungry devices like desktop PCs and monitors running for a while.

The BR1500MS2 includes a pair of USB charge ports for powering smartphones and tablets at up to 15 watts. And you can use it to give surge protection to Ethernet networks and coaxial cables.

The built-in battery is replaceable, too. You might need to temporarily shut down devices while you swap them out, but this system offers lots of extra power with a single UPS.

An added bonus is the LCD readout on the front; it’s clear and intuitive and lets you know how much power is left. And the power management software includes automatic shutdown.

• Who else recommends it? Popular Mechanics also gives this APC model high marks for its advanced features, particularly its energy management features.
• What do buyers say? The BR1500MS2 holds an average 4.4-star overall rating based on over 3,200 Amazon reviews, and 78 percent of customers rate it 5 out of 5 stars.

TL;DR: The APC Back-UPS Pro BR1500G has fewer frills, but it delivers solid backup and protection.

Why We Recommend It

If you’re less interested in a UPS backup with all of the premium features, the APC BR1500G is an excellent bet.

This device can also deliver over 800 watts of power, so you can safely charge any device at the speed you typically experience by plugging it directly into a wall outlet.

During hands-on testing, we simulated a power outage by flipping a circuit breaker in the house. This UPS immediately kept our test computer running with plenty of time to save our work and shut it down.

While this APC model has 10 outlets, only five are connected to the battery (the other five have surge protection, though). But five outlets should adequately cover most setups.

This unit is vertically oriented, so while it doesn’t have a large footprint, it resembles a computer tower.

And though it’s a bit expensive, the APC BR1500G is a great battery backup for medium applications.

• Who else recommends it? CGMagazine also likes this model’s build, port selection, and overall performance.
• What do buyers say? The APC BR1500G has over 3,000 reviews on Amazon and an average 4.4 star rating. Happy shoppers note its reliability and overall value.

TL;DR: If you want reliable backup power on a budget for home use, this pick’s for you.

Why We Recommend It

The Amazon Basics Standby UPS 800VA is compact and affordable, making it an ideal option for use with home desktops and other gadgets.

It offers 12 outlets with surge protection, and half of them offer battery backup. And in the event of a power surge, this unit can keep devices powered long enough to shut down properly.

However, this budget UPS backup lacks the power of our other picks, maxing out at around 450 watts, and uses standby rather than automatic voltage regulation, which won’t be great for all kinds of gear.

But if you’re on a tight budget, the Amazon Basics Standby UPS 800VA offers ample ports and surge protection for less sensitive devices.

• Who else recommends it? Wirecutter also favors this model as a budget-friendly pick while Popular Mechanics gives a nod to the slightly less potent 600VA version.
• What do buyers say? This Amazon favorite has over 14,000 buyer reviewers, averaging 4.1 stars overall, and earns a perfect 5-star rating from over 65 percent of shoppers.