2 best backup batteries

Backup batteries, often associated with Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), play a crucial role in providing temporary power during electrical outages or disruptions. Here are key points about backup batteries:

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): A UPS is a device that provides battery backup when the electrical power fails or drops to an unacceptable voltage level. It ensures a continuous supply of power to connected devices, allowing users to save their work, shut down equipment properly, or continue working for a short period.
Types of UPS Systems:
- Standby UPS: Activates its battery when it detects a loss of power.
- Line-Interactive UPS: Adjusts voltage to correct minor power fluctuations without switching to the battery.
- Online (Double-Conversion) UPS: Provides a constant, clean power supply by converting AC to DC and then back to AC.
Battery Types:
- Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA): Commonly used in UPS systems, SLA batteries are reliable, maintenance-free, and suitable for a wide range of applications.
- Lithium-ion: Becoming more common due to their higher energy density, lighter weight, and longer lifespan.
Capacity and Runtimes: UPS systems are rated by their capacity (in volt-amperes or watts) and runtime (the duration the battery can support connected devices). The capacity should match the power requirements of the connected equipment.
Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR): Many UPS systems include AVR to stabilize voltage, protecting connected devices from brownouts and overvoltages.
Monitoring and Management: Advanced UPS systems may offer monitoring features such as battery status, load levels, and notifications through software or network connectivity.
Installation and Maintenance: Proper installation is crucial for UPS effectiveness.Regular maintenance, such as battery replacement when needed, ensures reliable performance.
Applications: UPS systems are used to protect a variety of electronic devices, including computers, servers, networking equipment, medical devices, and critical infrastructure.
Surge Protection: In addition to providing backup power, UPS systems often include surge protection to safeguard connected devices from voltage spikes.
Energy Efficiency: Modern UPS systems often feature energy-saving technologies to improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption during normal operation.

It's important for users to select a UPS system based on their specific needs, considering factors such as the power requirements of connected devices, the duration of backup needed, and any additional features required for their application. Regular testing and maintenance help ensure the reliability of the backup battery system when it's needed most.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best backup batteries on the market

APC UPS, 600VA UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector, BE600M1 Backup Battery Power Supply, USB Charger, Back-UPS Series Uninterruptible Power Supply

APC

Based on 13 reviews Check latest price

Product description

APC 600VA UPS Battery Backup and Surge Protector with USB Charging Port, APC UPS Back UPS (BE600M1). Operating temperature: 0 - 40? C. Alarm when on battery, distinctive low battery alarm, overload continuous tone alarm. Nominal output voltage: 120 V

600VA / 330W Backup Battery power supply
7 Outlets (NEMA 5-15R): 5 UPS Battery Backup with Surge Protection Outlets, and 2 Surge Protector Only Outlets
One USB Charger Port (1.5A) for cell phones and other portable electronics
5' Power Cord, right-angle 3-prong wall plug (NEMA 5-15P), wall-mountable, plus FREE Windows PC power-management software (Mac OS uses native "Energy Saver" Settings)
REPLACEABLE BATTERY: The battery can be replaced when needed with RBC model APCRBC154 (sold separately)
Backed by APC's 3-YEAR warranty, plus a $75,000 connected-equipment policy

User questions & answers

Question:	weird Q: a recent outage trapped elder lady in her power recliner. can this be used
Answer:	We have a dual electric recliner sofa. After being temporarily "trapped" during an power outage, we purchased the APC UPS, 600VA BE600M1 APC UPS Battery Backup system. This week we had a 3 day outage, and the UPS worked like a champ. A must have for anybody with electric recliner chair or sofa.
Question:	How long will it power my system while the power is off
Answer:	I had my desktop computer, 2 monitors, and my modem/router combo plugged into the ups battery power. It lasted less than 20 minutes when the power went out, and there was no additional warning when the battery was about to shut off. It just had this intermittent double beep for about 15- 20 minutes, then bang, everything off. Pretty disappointed. I guess you get what you pay for.
Question:	How often does the battery need to be replaced
Answer:	I have had APC batteries last 7-8 years, the shortest was 13 months (12-month warranty, figures!). I have bought replacement batteries from other vendors, don't last at all. I had a beautiful APOC SUA1500, Batteries Plus sold me 2 x SLA batteries duct taped together (yes, literally) and they were NOT made for a backup power suppl;y as they stated, leaked, corroded the entire inside of my very expensive unit! I certainly regret that decision! Batteries Plus said they had the APC batteries, but when I got to the store they did not, ordering them, would take a long time, so I tried their option - will NEVER shop at Batteries Plus again! Just yesterday I had one APC battery die. Bought new unit Dec 17, 2017, today is March 31, 2020. Just over 3 years, their average. No complaints.
Question:	Does it have ethernet ports
Answer:	No, and generally you'll want to avoid surge protectors or UPS's with built in surge protectors that have multiple ports (i.e. coaxial, Ethernet, phone) since these devices turn on at different voltage levels. So once a surge comes in on the LINE (HOT) side of the AC outlet and the voltage has reached a certain level, the surge will be directed to both the NEUTRAL and the SAFETY GROUND, but as soon as that happens, some of the surge makes it's way into the COAX, ETHERNET, and PHONE ports and if you have something plugged into those ports then it goes into the devices. A recent study (see: http://incompliancemag.com/article/lightning-surge-damage-to-ethernet-and-pots-ports-connected-to-inside-wiring/) confirms this. The best place to secure PHONE, and COAX connections is where they enter the house and where they can have a short (less than 10 foot connection to a buried GROUND ROD). If you secure phone & coax at the service entrance and protect your electronics with Type 3 Surge Protectors you won't need to secure the Ethernet connections.Also, it's not a good idea to rely on the Surge Protector inside a UPS as those have a higher clamping voltage generally in the 650-800 Volt range and that means until the voltage reaches 800 volts, your electronics is getting zapped. You can't plug a UPS with an MOV surge protector into an existing MOV based surge protector for compliance (safety) issues, but you can plug a UPS with an MOV surge protector or an MOV surge protector into a Series Mode filter since the filter does not rely on sacrificial MOV's. The Series Mode filter starts to work at 121.4 VAC on a 120 VAC line and it totally eliminates the surge instead of diverting it and hoping the surge can make it's way back through your house wiring to the buried ground rod from the main electrical panel.

Product features

Reliable battery backup and surge protection

When the power goes out, the BE600M1 provides guaranteed power for computers, external hard-drives and other electronics, including your wireless router so you can maintain a network connection for your IoT devices when you need it most! Ideal for the home and home offices, the Back-UPS BE600M1 offers plenty of power and outlets, plus a 1.5A USB Charging port.

The Features and Benefits of an APC Back-UPS

Why use an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) by APC? Watch this short video for insight into the features & benefits of this BE600M1 Back-UPS.

A UPS for the Internet of Things (IoT)

Every connected SmartHome needs a UPS to help keep your wifi on and available, so that your SmartHome stays, well...smart!

CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD Intelligent LCD UPS System, 1500VA/900W, 12 Outlets, AVR, Mini-Tower Black

CyberPower

Based on 10 reviews Check latest price

Product description

A mini-tower UPS with line interactive topology, the CyberPower Intelligent LCD CP1500AVRLCD provides battery backup (using simulated sine wave output) and surge protection for desktop computers, workstations, networking devices, and home entertainment systems. The CP1500AVRLCD uses Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) to correct minor power fluctuations without switching to battery power, which extends battery life. AVR is essential in areas where power fluctuations occur frequently. The CP1500AVRLCD comes with a three-year warranty (including coverage of batteries) Battery Backup Supplies power long enough for equipment to properly shut down when utility power fails. Helps prevent loss of data and minimizes the component stress caused by a hard shutdown. Surge Protection Diverts excess voltage away from sensitive electronic equipment during an AC power surge or power spike to prevent damage. Data Line Protection Prevents power surges that travel through telephone, coaxial, and Ethernet lines from causing damage to electronics. Line Interactive Topology Exists when a line interactive UPS has an auto transformer that regulates low voltages (e.g., brownouts) and over voltages (e.g., spikes) without having to switch to battery. Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) Provides clean, consistent AC power by automatically regulating low voltages and over voltages, within defined tolerances, when incoming utility power has minor fluctuations. Simulated Sine Wave Output Uses pulse wave modulation to generate a stepped, approximated sine wave to supply cost-effective battery backup power for equipment that does not require sine wave output. GreenPower UPS Bypass design Is a patented design that allows utility power to bypass the UPS transformer, when AC power is stable, which reduces energy consumption, noise, and heat buildup. Multi-function LCD panel displays immediate, detailed information on the UPS battery and power conditions, alerting users to potential problems before they can affect critical equipment and cause downtime. Ultra quiet design minimizes noise during operation for a quieter work environment. PowerPanel personal software provides a user-friendly dashboard interface for controlling and monitoring the UPS. Free software download available here. Energy Star: This model is an Energy Star certified Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system. Energy Star is the trusted, government-backed symbol for energy-efficient products and practices that help save money and protect the environment. Automatic voltage regulation: Yes – single boost (10%).

1500VA/900W Intelligent LCD Battery Backup Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) System
12 NEMA 5-15R outlets: battery backup & surge protected outlets, surge protected outlets safeguard desktop computers, workstations, networking devices and home entertainment equipment
Multifunction LCD panel: Displays immediate, detailed information on battery and power conditions, including: Estimated runtime, battery capacity, load capacity, etc.
Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR): Corrects minor power fluctuations without switching to battery power, thereby extending the life of the battery
3-year warranty – Including the batteries, 500,000 dollar connected equipment guarantee and free PowerPanel personal edition management software (Download)

User questions & answers

Question:	is this a better product than the apc BR1500G
Answer:	I purchased an APC BR1500G about five months ago for a high wattage new computer build. The build got delayed because of the demands of my academic job. On September 8th, when it was pretty clear that Hurricane Irma was going to directly hit Naples, I thought about re-purposing my UPSs (four CyberPower 1000s, and the yet unused BR1500) for supplying light, power for my receiver (for listening to local radio broadcasts), and charging my iPhone and two iPads when the power inevitably went out. The afternoon of Sep 9th, I plugged all five units into the wall to make sure that they had time to fully charge before the hurricane hit. Being twice as heavy as the CyberPower units, I had great expectations for the BR1500. Also, because it was new, I expected it to perform to its full potential. Before anyone asks, yes, I read the manual's instructions for reversing the battery for the initial charge. Irma hit Naples in the late afternoon Sep 10th with Cat-4 winds, and the power went out at about 6:00pm. While it was still light, I tried to ready the APC for its job for the night. For over an hour, I tried to coax power from the unit. I tested the battery and found it to be fully charged, but when inserted in the unit, the APC remained dead. I found that I could get power out of it if I kept the battery cover off and laid it on its side, but the current out the AC side was intermittent, at best. Giving up on the APC, I used what I thought to be the newest of my CyberPower UPSs. That first CyberPower unit provided power to three 35W LED lamps, and the receiver for over eight hours that first night when I shut it down. It lasted an additional three hours the second night, while it was supplying light, running the receiver, and charging all three iDevices which were depleted during the day. I got similar results from the second, and third CyberPower units (one of which was at least three years old). The power came back on the fifth day after the hurricane, and I never got to the fourth CyberPower UPS. When I read the warranty instructions for the BR1500G, they demanded that the faulty unit be sent directly to APC and not returned to the seller. I decided to eat my mistake and include the BR1500 in the refuse bin with all of the rest of the hurricane debris (I removed, and kept the battery). When we're not having a hurricane, power outages seldom last for more than a few seconds, and are mainly 1-2 sec brownouts, so I never really got to test the CyberPower units in any real-world application before the hurricane. I have Thanksgiving week off and I intend to complete the computer build I started in May. For me, choosing the CP1500 CyberPower for backup of the new computer was a no-brainer . In my opinion, APC makes undependable units that I intend to avoid at all costs.
Question:	What is maintenance like on an UPS? Isn't the battery constantly being overcharged? How often should you replace a battery in an UPS
Answer:	I purchased mine in August 2008 and it's March 2016 now. The software is only just telling me now that I need to replace the batteries, so I'd say for me at least the battery life has been fantastic, with no maintenance. This is in contrast to another CyberPower Unit I had, a CP1000AVR, and an APC unit I had, neither of which lasted even half as long as this unit has. I can't recall if maybe those units weren't line interactive, but all I can say is that this UPS has been fantastic and zero maintenance until now. Replacement batteries are $68 on Amazon or as low as $32 at other online sellers.
Question:	Can it run a Keurig
Answer:	Look at the back of your coffee maker and see that it will use more than the 815 watts this will allow so no. My Mr Coffee uses 900 watts. I just looked up the power consumption for a normal Keurig home brewer and it is 1,500 watts at peak power.
Question:	Would this computer be good to host a game server
Answer:	This "computer" is the most POWERFUL of them all! Asking for it to host a game isn't even a valid question it does so well! Though the screen is not that great you could easily PLUG a monitor into it.

Product features

Why Do You Need a UPS System?

Even brief power outages can result in data loss or potential hardware damage. A UPS system provides battery backup power to keep your devices running during short outages and provides enough runtime to properly shut down electronics during extended outages.