CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
The usual pick for a gaming PC or workstation: 1,000 W, sine wave, AVR and a color LCD at a moderate price.
Amazon $239.95$239.95
1,500 VA / 1,000 WLine-interactive, Sine wave
A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) keeps a computer, router or server running through a blackout long enough to save work and shut down, and cleans up brownouts and surges on the way. These rankings cover mains-powered units from CyberPower, APC, Eaton and Tripp Lite, Vertiv, Amazon Basics and Goldenmate, from a $60 standby unit for a router to a rackmount online system. Portable power stations with a UPS mode and DC mini UPS units for routers are left out.
Watts, not VA, set what a UPS can carry. The VA figure on the box is apparent power; the watt rating is the real limit. A PC that draws 450 W needs a unit rated well above 450 W, and the price per 100 W of real output is how the ranking compares cost.
Topology is the next choice. A standby UPS passes mains straight through and switches to battery when power fails. A line-interactive UPS adds automatic voltage regulation (AVR), which corrects brownouts and surges without touching the battery. An online double-conversion UPS runs everything from the battery all the time, so there is no transfer at all, at several times the price.
Waveform matters for some power supplies. Many units output a simulated, stepped sine wave on battery. Most PC power supplies cope, but active-PFC supplies can shut down on it, so gaming PCs and workstations are better on a sine wave unit.
Runtime is shorter than most buyers expect. A UPS is built for minutes, not hours. Several makers print the runtime at 100 W, and some print half-load and full-load figures; where a maker publishes none, the ranking marks runtime as estimated.
Outlets come in two kinds on most units: battery-backed outlets for the computer, router and modem, and surge-only outlets for printers and peripherals. Check how many of the outlets are battery-backed.
Prices were last checked November 9, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon or the retailer's site at the time of purchase apply. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Top Picks
APC BX1500M
The affordable 1500 VA pick from APC, for a desktop PC with a conventional power supply.
Amazon $189.99$189.99
1,500 VA / 900 WLine-interactive68 min
$299.99
1,500 VA / 900 WLine-interactive, Sine wave73 min
Shop by Size
Desktop (under 1,000 VA)
15 rankedCompact tower units under 1,000 VA, for a router, modem, NAS or a single PC.
Top rated: CyberPower EC850LCD $119.95
Tower (1,000 to 2,000 VA)
18 rankedTower UPS units of 1,000 VA and up for a gaming PC, workstation or a full home-office desk.
Top rated: CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD $239.95
Rackmount and online
12 rankedRack-format units and double-conversion online UPS systems for servers, network gear and sensitive equipment.
Top rated: CyberPower CP2000PFCRM2U $449.95
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Best Desktop UPS Battery Backups Under 1,000 VA
- CyberPower EC850LCD#1 of 15Full review
A desktop UPS with an LCD and power-saving outlets, for a home office PC with peripherals.
Amazon $119.95$119.95850 VA / 510 W-- - Eaton 5S700#2 of 15Full review
A quiet line-interactive UPS with AVR for a home PC and network gear.
Amazon $172.47$172.47700 VA / 420 WLine-interactive- - Tripp Lite INTERNET750U#3 of 15Full review
A budget line-interactive UPS with AVR for a home PC.
Amazon $121.36$121.36750 VA / 450 WLine-interactive22 min - Tripp Lite AVR900U#4 of 15Full review
A budget AVR UPS with software shutdown for a home office PC.
Amazon $155.99$155.99900 VA / 480 WLine-interactive, Simulated sine- - APC BE850G2#5 of 15Full review
A desktop UPS with longer runtime for a PC, monitor and router.
Amazon $137.70$137.70850 VA / 450 W-35 min
Best Tower UPS Battery Backups, 1,000 to 2,000 VA
- CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD#1 of 18Full review
The usual pick for a gaming PC or workstation: 1,000 W, sine wave, AVR and a color LCD at a moderate price.
Amazon $239.95$239.951,500 VA / 1,000 WLine-interactive, Sine wave- - Goldenmate 2000VA/1600W Lithium UPS#2 of 18Full review
The highest-output tower UPS here, with a lithium battery, for a workstation or home server.
Amazon $683.99$683.992,000 VA / 1,600 WLine-interactive, Sine wave- - CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD#3 of 18Full review
A sine wave UPS with an LCD for a mainstream desktop PC or workstation.
Amazon $179.95$179.951,000 VA / 600 WLine-interactive, Sine wave- - Goldenmate 1500VA/1200W Lithium UPS#4 of 18Full review
A 1,200 W lithium UPS for a high-end PC or workstation.
Amazon $499.99$499.991,500 VA / 1,200 WLine-interactive, Sine wave- - CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD3#5 of 18Full review
A lower-priced 1500 VA UPS with AVR and an LCD for a PC with a conventional power supply.
Amazon $199.95$199.951,500 VA / 900 WLine-interactive, Simulated sine-
See all 18 best tower UPS battery backups, 1,000 to 2,000 VA
Best Rackmount and Online UPS Battery Backups
- CyberPower CP2000PFCRM2U#1 of 12Full review
A short-depth 2U rackmount UPS with more output for a loaded rack.
Amazon $449.95$449.952,000 VA / 1,200 WLine-interactive, Sine wave- - CyberPower OR2200PFCRT2U#2 of 12Full review
A high-output 2U rack or tower sine wave UPS for a workstation or small server.
Amazon $740.95$740.952,000 VA / 1,540 WLine-interactive, Sine wave- - CyberPower CP1500PFCRM2U#3 of 12Full review
A short-depth 2U rackmount UPS for a network rack or small server.
Amazon $359.95$359.951,500 VA / 1,000 WLine-interactive, Sine wave- - CyberPower OL2200RTXL2U#4 of 12Full review
A high-output online rack or tower UPS for a loaded server rack.
Amazon $1,875.95$1,875.952,200 VA / 1,800 WOnline (double-conversion), Sine wave- - CyberPower OL1500RTXL2U#5 of 12Full review
A rack or tower online UPS with room to add battery modules, for a server room.
Amazon $1,395.95$1,395.951,500 VA / 1,350 WOnline (double-conversion), Sine wave-
How We Rank
Each UPS is ranked within its group (desktop, tower, or rackmount and online) and scored on price per 100 W, output, topology and waveform, runtime at 100 W, features and warranty.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per 100 W of rated real output | 25% |
| Output | rated real power in watts | 15% |
| Topology and waveform | standby, line-interactive or online, and sine or simulated sine on battery | 20% |
| Runtime | maker-stated runtime at a 100 W load | 10% |
| Features | AVR, LCD, USB charging, management and a lithium battery | 15% |
| Warranty | warranty length and connected-equipment guarantee | 15% |
How we rank explains each factor in full.