What is the best Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)?

There isn't a single "best" UPS for everyone—it depends on what you're protecting. However, for most home users and PC enthusiasts, one model consistently stands out.

Best overall for most people

• APC Back-UPS Pro 1500VA / 900W - $219.99 (Best Buy)

This is an excellent choice if you want to protect a desktop PC, monitor, networking gear, or a gaming setup. It offers:

• 1500VA / 900W capacity
• Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR)
• User-replaceable battery
• LCD status display
• Automatic PC shutdown software
• Good reliability and widespread replacement battery availability

It's consistently recommended for home offices and enthusiast PCs.

Best alternatives

If you have a modern gaming PC with an active-PFC power supply, a pure sine wave UPS is worth the extra money.

• CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD - Pure sine wave output
• 1500VA / 1000W
• Excellent for gaming PCs and workstations
• Often offers more wattage than similarly priced APC models.

For enterprise or server applications:

• Eaton 9PX - Online (double-conversion) UPS
• Extremely clean power
• Designed for servers and critical equipment rather than home use.

Which one should you buy?

What to look for

When shopping for a UPS, prioritize:

• Pure sine wave output if your PC has an active-PFC power supply (common in quality power supplies).
• Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) to handle brownouts without using the battery.
• User-replaceable batteries, which can extend the life of the unit by several years.
• Enough wattage, not just VA. Check the combined power draw of your equipment.

If you tell me what you're protecting—for example:

• a gaming PC (CPU/GPU specs),
• a Mac,
• a NAS,
• networking equipment,
• or an entire workstation—

I can recommend the ideal UPS size (VA/W) and estimate how many minutes of runtime you'll get during a power outage.

The "best" Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) depends heavily on your gear —whether you are backing up a simple Wi-Fi router, a high-end gaming PC with an Active PFC power supply, or a home-office workstation.

The top-performing and most reliable UPS models on the market are categorized below by use case:

• 1. Best Overall for Most PCs & Home Offices: CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD Intelligent LCD UPS Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Capacity: 1 5 0 0 V A/9 0 0 W
  • Why it's great: It offers a great balance of capacity, a helpful LCD diagnostic display, Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) to smooth out minor sags and surges without draining the battery, and plenty of outlets. Note that it outputs a simulated sine wave, which is fine for most electronics, but check your PSU requirements.
• 1. Best Sine Wave Pick for Sensitive / High-End PCs: APC Back-UPS Pro BR1500MS Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Capacity: 1 5 0 0 V A/1 0 0 0 W
  • Why it's great: It provides a pure sine wave output, which is crucial if you have a high-end desktop PC with an Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) power supply. A simulated sine wave can sometimes cause modern PC power supplies to buzz, shut down, or fail to switch over cleanly to battery power.
• 1. Best Budget Pick for Routers & Modems: Amazon Basics Standby UPS 800VA Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Capacity: 8 0 0 V A/4 7 0 W
  • Why it's great: If you just want to keep your internet running during a brief blackout, this barebones, affordable standby unit can keep a standard modem and router powered for over an hour, though it lacks advanced AVR.
• 1. Best Compact / Eco-Friendly Option: CyberPower EC850LCD Ecologic Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
  • Capacity: 8 5 0 V A/5 1 0 W
  • Why it's great: Features 12 total outlets (6 with battery/surge, 6 surge-only) alongside eco-controlled outlets that cut power to idle peripherals to save electricity. Ideal for lighter workstations, media centers, or networking closets.[1]

To help narrow down the ideal choice, let me know:

• What specific devices are you planning to plug into the UPS (e.g., a gaming PC, NAS, console, or just a router)?
• What is your estimated budget?

If you mean the best UPS for a typical home office, gaming PC, or workstation, my top pick right now is the CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD.

• CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS - $239.95 (Staples)

Why I recommend it

• 1500VA / 1000W capacity — plenty for a desktop, monitor(s), router, and other networking equipment.

• Pure sine-wave output — a particularly good choice for modern PCs with active-PFC power supplies.

• Automatic voltage regulation (AVR) helps with brownouts and voltage fluctuations without constantly using the battery.

• 12 outlets, with six providing battery backup.

• LCD shows load and battery information.

• User-replaceable battery.

• Current retail pricing I found is around $240, though prices fluctuate.

• CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD - $239.95 (Staples)

• APC Back-UPS Pro BN1500M2 - $202.99 (Staples)

• CyberPower CP1350PFCLCD - $219.95 (Best Buy)

• APC Back-UPS Pro 1000VA - $239.00 (Best Buy)

My picks by situation

The key is to choose based on watts, not just VA. For example, a "1500VA" UPS may provide only 900–1000W of actual load capacity.

If you tell me what you're trying to power (e.g. gaming PC + 2 monitors, refrigerator, router, TV, whole house, NAS/server, etc.), I can recommend the exact UPS size and model—and estimate how many minutes of backup you'll get.

The "best" Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) depends heavily on whether you are trying to keep a modest Wi-Fi router alive, protect a high-end gaming PC, or safeguard a heavy workstation. [1][2]

The top-performing UPS options categorized by use case and budget feature prominently in expert testing and user consensus:

1. Best Overall for High-End PCs & Sensitive Electronics: [CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.newegg.com/cyberpower-cp1500pfclcd-nema-5-15r/p/N82E16842102134)

• Type: Line-Interactive, Pure Sine Wave [1]
• Capacity: 1500VA / 1000W[1]
• Why it’s great: Modern high-performance desktop computers use Power Supply Units (PSUs) with Active PFC (Power Factor Correction). Standard cheap UPS units output a simulated/approximated sine wave that can cause Active PFC systems to crash or buzz when switching to battery. This CyberPower model outputs a pure sine wave , features automatic voltage regulation (AVR), and has a robust 1000W capacity, making it ideal for gaming rigs and sensitive electronics.[1]
• Alternative: The [APC Back-UPS Pro 1500VA (BR1500MS2)Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.walmart.com/ip/APC-UPS-1500VA-900W-Sine-Wave-UPS-Battery-Backup-Black-BR1500MS2/306058241) is APC’s direct equivalent pure-sine competitor—equally exceptional, though often slightly more expensive.[1]

2. Best for Home Networks & Wi-Fi: CyberPower LE1000DG Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Type: Standby / Line-Interactive
• Capacity: 1000VA / 550W
• Why it’s great: Recommended by outlets like The New York Times Wirecutter as a top pick for home networks. It provides ample juice to keep a modem and router running for up to three hours during a blackout, ensuring your smart home and internet stay functional without paying for a massive workstation-tier battery.

3. Best Value / Mid-Range Workhorse: [APC Back-UPS Pro BN1500M2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/9985790/APC-Back-UPS-Pro-10-Outlet/)

• Type: Line-Interactive (Stepped approximation to a sine wave)
• Capacity: 1500VA / 900W
• Why it’s great: If you don't specifically require a pure sine wave output for your gear, the BN1500M2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is an incredible value . It features 10 total outlets (5 battery backup + surge, 5 surge-only), built-in AVR to correct minor voltage fluctuations without draining the battery, and handy front USB charging ports.[1]

Quick Buying Checklist

Before choosing, keep these technical details in mind:

• Sine Wave vs. Simulated Sine Wave: Buy a Pure Sine Wave model if you have a high-end desktop PC with an Active PFC power supply. For routers, modems, lamps, or basic electronics, simulated sine wave is fine and saves money.
• Wattage (W) vs. Volt-Amps (VA): Always look at the Watt rating rather than the VA rating to measure if it can handle your equipment's actual power draw under load.
• Battery Replaceability: Ensure the unit features user-replaceable, hot-swappable batteries so you can swap in a fresh battery in 3 to 5 years instead of throwing away the whole unit.[1][2][3]

To help narrow down the ideal choice, tell me:

• What specific devices (e.g., a gaming PC, a NAS drive, a Wi-Fi router) do you plan to plug into the UPS?
• Roughly how long do you need it to stay powered during an outage?

There is no single "best" Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) because the right choice depends heavily on your power needs (wattage), how long you need devices to stay alive during an outage, and whether you are protecting a simple Wi-Fi router or a high-end gaming PC.

Top-rated models are categorized below by their best use cases:

Add to listBest Overall / Heavy Duty: [APC Back-UPS Pro BN 1500VA (BN1500M2)Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.bestbuy.com/product/apc-ups-battery-backup-pro-1500va-900w-tower-10-outlets-lcd-display-usb-a-usb-c-ports-black/JXKZPRCSQ7/sku/6165881?utm_source=feed)

• Capacity: 1500VA / 900W
• Best for: Gaming PCs, home offices, and workstation setups.
• Why it's great: It features 10 total outlets (6 battery backup + surge, 4 surge-only), Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) to smooth out brownouts without draining the battery , and a handy LCD status screen.[1]

Add to listBest for Home Networks & Modems: CyberPower CP900AVR Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Capacity: 900VA / 560W (approximate)
• Best for: Keeping your internet router, modem, and small electronics running during a blackout.
• Why it's great: Highly recommended by outlets like The New York Times ' Wirecutter for offering a compact footprint, reliable runtime for home networks, and built-in AVR at a very accessible price point.

Add to listBest Budget / Compact Option: APC Back-UPS BE600M1 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

• Capacity: 600VA / 330W
• Best for: Single monitors, entry-level desktop setups, or individual electronics.
• Why it's great: Small, affordable, and reliable for keeping a single critical device or small hub alive long enough to safely save your work and shut down.

To help narrow down the exact model you need, tell me:

• What devices are you planning to plug into the UPS?
• What is the total wattage or power draw of those devices?
• Do you need it to run for hours , or just 5–10 minutes to safely shut things down?

If you mean the best UPS for a typical home office, gaming PC, workstation, or NAS, my pick right now is:

• CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD - $239.95 (newegg.com)

🏆 Best overall: CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD

It hits the sweet spot of capacity, pure-sine output, features, and price. Current 2026 comparisons consistently put it near the top.

• 1500VA / 1000W
• Pure sine wave — important for modern PCs with active-PFC power supplies and many NAS systems
• 12 outlets, 6 battery-backed
• Automatic voltage regulation (AVR)
• LCD status display
• USB connectivity and USB-C charging
• User-replaceable battery
• Around $240 currently in U.S. listings

For comparison, the APC BR1500MS2 is also excellent, but it's 1500VA/900W and currently costs substantially more.

Other good choices

• CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD - $239.95 (newegg.com)

• APC Back-UPS Pro BR1500MS2 - $344.01 (Walmart - Adorama)

• APC Back-UPS Pro BN1500M2 - $202.99 (Staples)

• APC Back-UPS Pro BX1500M - $189.99 (Staples)

• Best premium/enterprise: APC Smart-UPS — better monitoring and designed for serious servers/network equipment, but considerably more expensive.

• Best APC option: APC BR1500MS2 — pure sine wave, excellent software/support, replaceable battery.

• Best budget: APC BX1500M or a CyberPower 1500VA model, if your equipment doesn't require pure sine wave.

• For a gaming PC/NAS: I'd strongly favor pure sine wave rather than choosing solely by VA rating.

One important point: a 1500VA UPS isn't intended to keep a powerful PC running for hours. Its primary purpose is to give you enough time to save work and shut down cleanly; runtime falls rapidly as load increases.

If you tell me what you're powering (e.g., gaming PC + 2 monitors, Mac + monitor, NAS/server, router, whole home office) and approximately how many watts it uses, I can recommend the exact UPS size/model I'd buy.

The "best" Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) depends heavily on what you are plugging into it—whether it’s a sensitive high-end gaming PC with an Active PFC power supply, a home router, or a full home office setup. Industry consensus across tech reviewers points to CyberPower and APC as the top brands, divided by specific use cases.

The top-performing UPS options categorized by user needs include:

- **Capacity:** 1500VA / 1000W
- **Why it’s great:** It features a **pure sine wave output** , which is critical for modern computers using Active PFC power supplies (simulated/stepped sine wave models can cause buzzing, overheating, or system shutdowns on high-end PCs). It also features Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) to correct minor voltage fluctuations without draining the battery, an informative LCD screen, and plenty of capacity to safely shut down a heavy rig during a blackout.[](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tWSIX18GRk&vl=en&t=100) [[1]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tWSIX18GRk&vl=en&t=100)[[2]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSFOCMUda7s&t=486)[[3]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9Kr7et7XTw)

- **Capacity:** 1500VA / 900W
- **Why it’s great:** APC (by Schneider Electric) is a legacy staple for reliability. The Back-UPS Pro series offers robust AVR, strong surge protection, user-replaceable batteries, and a clear interface. While some models in this tier use a simulated sine wave rather than a pure sine wave, it handles general electronics, consoles, and mid-range PC setups brilliantly.[](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tWSIX18GRk&vl=en&t=100) [[1]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tWSIX18GRk&vl=en&t=100)[[2]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSFOCMUda7s&t=137)[[3]](https://www.reddit.com/r/truenas/comments/1s86zem/reliable_ups_in_2026_thats_semi_affordable_apc_vs/)

- **Capacity:** Varies (850VA–1000VA)
- **Why it’s great:** If you don't need to power a massive monster PC and just want to keep your Wi-Fi router, modem, or a simple work laptop alive for hours during an outage, these smaller line-interactive units offer great value, built-in LCD status screens, and reliable surge protection without the high cost of a 1500VA pure sine wave unit.[](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-uninterruptible-power-supply-ups/) [[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-uninterruptible-power-supply-ups/)

Key Factors to Keep in Mind:

• Pure Sine Wave vs. Simulated Sine Wave: If you have a modern desktop computer, home server (like a NAS), or high-end audio gear, always buy a Pure Sine Wave UPS (like the CyberPower PFC series). For simpler items like lamps, routers, or basic electronics, simulated sine wave is fine.
• Wattage, Not Just VA: Check the wattage (W) rating of the UPS, not just the Volt-Amps (VA). Your UPS wattage capacity must exceed the maximum draw of your equipment.

If you want to narrow this down, tell me:

• What specific devices are you planning to plug into the UPS?
• How long do you need the battery to keep things running during an outage?

I can recommend the exact capacity and model you need.

If you mean the best UPS for a typical home office, desktop PC, or gaming PC, my top pick right now is:

• CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD - $239.95 (Walmart - Staples)

🏆 Best overall: CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD

• 1500VA / 1000W
• Pure sine-wave output — important for modern PCs with active-PFC power supplies
• Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR)
• LCD showing load, voltage, and estimated runtime
• 12 outlets, with 6 battery-backed
• USB connectivity for automatic PC shutdown
• Currently around $240 in the U.S.

For a gaming PC, workstation, NAS, or substantial home-office setup, this is the one I'd buy. Current 2026 comparisons consistently put it among the strongest choices in this class.

Good alternatives

• APC Back-UPS Pro BR1500MS2 - $299.99 (Walmart)

• APC BX1500M - $189.99 (Walmart)

• Eaton 5S1500LCD - $279.99 (newegg.com)

• CyberPower LX1500GAVR - $189.00 (Walmart)

• APC Back-UPS Pro BR1500MS2 — excellent premium choice; 1500VA/900W, pure sine wave, AVR, USB-C, and replaceable battery. Great if you prefer APC.

• APC BX1500M — good lower-cost option at roughly $190, but uses simulated sine wave, so I'd favor the CyberPower pure-sine model for a gaming PC.

• Eaton 5S1500LCD — solid choice for a small business or more IT-oriented environment.

• CyberPower LX1500GAVR — good value if pure sine wave isn't necessary.

What I'd choose by situation

One important point: don't choose based on VA alone. The watt rating is what ultimately limits what you can run. A 1500VA UPS typically provides around 900–1000W of usable output.

If you tell me what equipment you want to plug into the UPS (PC model/PSU, monitors, router, NAS, etc.), I can recommend the exact UPS size and estimate how many minutes of backup you'll get.

The "best" Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) depends entirely on what you are plugging into it—whether it's a high-end gaming PC, a home office router, or a full entertainment center. Industry testing and expert consensus highlight a few standout models depending on your specific needs:

Add to listAPC Back-UPS Pro 1500VA SineWave (BR1500MS) — Best overall for gaming PCs and high-end electronics. It provides pure sine-wave power output, which is crucial for modern computers with Active PFC (Power Factor Correction) power supplies. It features Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), plenty of capacity (9 0 0 W / 1 5 0 0 V A ), and user-hot-swappable batteries. You can view details on the APC Back-UPS Pro 1500VA SineWave Go to product viewer dialog for this item..[1]

Add to listCyberPower LE1000DG / CP900AVR — Best value for home networks and general use. Praised frequently by outlets like The New York Times Wirecutter , CyberPower's mid-range line-interactive AVR units offer great runtime, reliable surge suppression, and a compact footprint without breaking the bank. Ideal for keeping Wi-Fi routers, modems, and basic desktop setups alive during a blackout. [1][2]

Add to listAPC Back-UPS Pro BN1350M2 — Best runner-up for mid-range home offices. Offers 8 1 0 W / 1 3 5 0 V A with standard stepped approximation sine wave, integrated USB-A/USB-C charging ports, and reliable dataline (coax/ethernet) surge protection.[1]

Quick Selection Guide

1. For Gaming PCs & Sensitive Hardware: Look for a Pure Sine Wave UPS (like the APC Pro 1500VA SineWave or CyberPower PFC Sinewave series). Modified sine wave units can cause buzzing or failure in sensitive modern power supplies.[1]
2. For Wi-Fi Routers & Modems: A standard line-interactive AVR unit with lower capacity (6 5 0 V A to 1 0 0 0 V A ) is more than enough to keep your internet running for 30–60 minutes during an outage.

To help narrow down the exact model you need, tell me:

• What specific devices are you planning to plug into it (e.g., a gaming desktop, a NAS drive, a simple router)?
• How long do you need the battery to keep things running during an outage?

If you mean the best UPS for a typical desktop PC, gaming PC, home office, NAS, or networking setup, my top pick right now is the CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD.

• CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS - $239.95 (newegg.com)

🏆 Best overall: CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD

It hits the sweet spot of capacity, pure-sine output, features, and price:

• 1500VA / 1000W
• Pure sine wave output — important for modern PCs with active-PFC power supplies and many NAS/server power supplies
• Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) for brownouts and voltage fluctuations
• 12 outlets, with 6 battery-backed
• LCD showing load, battery status, runtime, etc.
• USB connectivity for automatic computer shutdown
• Currently around $240, which is competitive for a 1500VA pure-sine UPS.

For most people, this is the one I'd buy.

Other excellent choices

• CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD - $239.95 (newegg.com)
• APC Back-UPS Pro BR1500MS2 - $344.01 (Walmart - Adorama)
• APC Smart-UPS 1500VA - $1,170.00 (Dell)
• Eaton 5S 1500VA - $332.03 (Best Buy)

The APC BR1500MS2 is a very good alternative and also provides pure sine wave, but it's currently considerably more expensive than the CyberPower in many listings.

For a server, NAS, homelab, or business, I'd step up to the APC Smart-UPS or an Eaton model. They're more expensive, but they're designed for more demanding environments and management requirements.

One important thing

Don't choose a UPS based only on VA. You also need to look at watts and your actual load. A 1500VA/1000W UPS is generally a very comfortable size for a desktop + monitors + networking equipment, but a high-end gaming PC under heavy load may require more.

If you tell me what you're plugging into it (e.g. gaming PC + 2 monitors, NAS + router, whole home office, server rack) and approximately how much power it uses, I can tell you exactly which UPS I'd buy and what runtime to expect.