The Best UPS Battery Backups in 2026
Wirecutter’s top pick, the CyberPower LE1000DG, kept a modem and Wi-Fi router running for three hours in its tests. Popular Mechanics picks the CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD3 as best overall. On a tight budget, Wirecutter suggests the Amazon Basics Standby UPS 800VA.
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Quick answer
Wirecutter’s top pick, the CyberPower LE1000DG, kept a modem and Wi-Fi router running for three hours in its tests. Popular Mechanics picks the CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD3 as best overall. On a tight budget, Wirecutter suggests the Amazon Basics Standby UPS 800VA. Best for a home network: CyberPower LE1000DG, $130. Best for bigger setups: CyberPower CP1350AVRLCD3, $196. Best compact: APC BE600M1, $84.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for a home network | CyberPower LE1000DG | keeping your Wi-Fi up | $130 (Home Depot); $140 (Walmart, Best Buy) |
| Best for bigger setups | CyberPower CP1350AVRLCD3 | larger setups | $196 (Amazon, Walmart) |
| Best overall (Popular Mechanics) | CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD3 | home offices | $200 (Popular Mechanics) |
| Best compact | APC BE600M1 | small spaces | $84 (Popular Mechanics) |
A UPS keeps your router, modem, PC or NAS running through short outages and gives you time to save your work and shut down.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| UPS | Price noted | Battery / total outlets | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CyberPower LE1000DG | $130–$140 | 6 / 12 | Home network (Wirecutter) |
| CyberPower CP1350AVRLCD3 | $196 | 6 / 12 | Larger setups (Wirecutter) |
| Amazon Basics Standby UPS 800VA | — | — | Budget (Wirecutter) |
| CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD3 | $200 | 6 / 12 | Best overall (Popular Mechanics) |
| CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD | $240 | 6 / 12 | Most outlets (Popular Mechanics) |
| APC BR1500MS2 | $300 | — | Most advanced (Popular Mechanics) |
| APC BE600M1 | $84 | 5 / 7 | Compact (Popular Mechanics) |
The picks in detail
1. CyberPower LE1000DG
Best for: keeping your Wi-Fi upWirecutter’s[1] top pick for a home network. In its tests it kept a broadband modem and Wi-Fi router running for three hours, or it can power a home-office setup long enough to save your work and shut down. It needs no setup, has six battery-backed outlets out of 12, and includes automatic voltage regulation and a user-replaceable battery.
Price (Oct 2026): $130 (Home Depot); $140 (Walmart, Best Buy) Source
Pros
- Three hours of Wi-Fi in Wirecutter’s tests
- 12 outlets, 6 on battery
- AVR and replaceable battery
Cons
- Less output and run time than the upgrade pick
2. CyberPower CP1350AVRLCD3
Best for: larger setupsWirecutter’s[1] upgrade pick has the highest output and run time of any model it tested, an informative screen, USB ports and six battery-backed outlets (12 total). Like the top pick, it has automatic voltage regulation, surge protection and a user-replaceable battery. It’s the most expensive UPS Wirecutter recommends.
Price (Oct 2026): $196 (Amazon, Walmart) Source
Pros
- Highest output and run time Wirecutter tested
- AVR
- User-replaceable battery
Cons
- Most expensive Wirecutter pick
3. Amazon Basics Standby UPS 800VA
Best for: tight budgetsWirecutter’s[1] budget pick lacks premium features but has plenty of outlets and can keep a typical router and modem running for up to 90 minutes. Its maximum output is low; Wirecutter measured up to 470 W. Wirecutter notes it may be out of stock.
Price (Oct 2026): — (Amazon) Source
Pros
- Cheap
- Up to 90 minutes of Wi-Fi
Cons
- No premium features
- Low maximum output
4. CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD3
Best for: home officesPopular Mechanics’ best overall: 12 surge-protected outlets, six on battery, an LCD panel and a user-replaceable battery. Con: bulky.
Price (Oct 2026): $200 (Popular Mechanics) Source
Pros
- User-replaceable battery
- LCD panel
- 12 outlets
Cons
- Bulky
5. CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
Best for: lots of devicesPopular Mechanics’ most-outlets pick: a similar setup to the CP1500AVRLCD3, with six battery-backed outlets, AVR, a tiltable LCD and 12 total outlets that clearly mark which are on battery. Con: bulky.
Price (Oct 2026): $240 (Popular Mechanics) Source
Pros
- Ample outlets
- USB ports
- AVR
Cons
- Bulky
6. APC BR1500MS2
Best for: small businessesPopular Mechanics’ most advanced pick, with power management software that can remotely shut down connected devices during an emergency, plus AVR and an LCD panel. Con: bulky.
Price (Oct 2026): $300 (Popular Mechanics) Source
Pros
- Power management software
- Ample outlets
- AVR
Cons
- Bulky
7. APC BE600M1
Best for: small spacesPopular Mechanics’ best compact pick measures about 4.1 by 10.8 by 5.5 inches, with seven surge-protected outlets, five of them battery-backed. Con: no USB-C port.
Price (Oct 2026): $84 (Popular Mechanics) Source
Pros
- Relatively compact
- 5 battery-backed outlets
Cons
- No USB-C port
Also considered
Amazon Basics Standby UPS 600VA: Popular Mechanics’ budget pick, with eight outlets (four battery-backed), but no AVR.
CyberPower CP1500PFCRM2U: Popular Mechanics’ rack-mount pick at $360, with 8 battery-backed outlets.
APC SMT1500C: Popular Mechanics’ pick for battery life, but very large and $744.
What should you plug into a UPS?
Plug your modem and router into battery-backed outlets to stay online during short outages. See our best Wi-Fi routers. A UPS also protects a NAS from sudden shutdowns. Check which outlets are battery-backed and which are surge-only before you plug in.
AVR and replaceable batteries
Automatic voltage regulation (AVR) smooths out brownouts without draining the battery, and Wirecutter[1] says it can prolong battery life. Batteries wear out over time, so a user-replaceable battery, like those in the CyberPower LE1000DG, CP1350AVRLCD3 and CP1500AVRLCD3, lets you keep the unit going.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best UPS for a home network?
What is the best cheap UPS?
How long will a UPS run my Wi-Fi?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
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