Most people can get through a power outage at home without much trouble—chances are that by the time you find the spare flashlight batteries and start the board games, the lights and TV will already be back on. But if you want to keep your home Wi-Fi and some other key electronics running in the event of a power outage, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) could be a worthwhile investment.
After spending 34 hours interviewing experts, looking at more than 100 models priced under $250, and testing the top candidates, we found that the CyberPower CP900AVR is the best UPS for people who want to back up some small electronic devices (like modem, router , PC, external hard drive, or game server) during a power outage of up to four hours.
Our choice
With five battery backup outlets and 10 total, this UPS can reliably keep your Wi-Fi running for up to four hours in the event of a power outage or keep your home office setup running long enough to save your work and shut it down.
The CyberPower CP900AVR will cover the basics for most people during common short-term power outages. In our tests, it provided enough power to keep your home broadband modem and Wi-Fi router running for four hours, meaning you can stay connected to the Internet during a power outage, call emergency services, follow news and weather changes, or just kill time on your favorite websites. . It requires no setup other than plugging it in, and includes automatic voltage regulation – an important feature that some cheaper models lack. Five of its 10 ports are battery-powered, and its compact shape—about the size of a three-ring binder—and 6-foot cord make it relatively easy to store under a desk or counter.
Main specifications:
Measured runtime with a 20W load (modem and router): 4 hours Measured runtime with a 300W load (modem, router, PC, hard drive): 17 minutes Peak power output measured: 738W Surge protection measured: 540.4 Slot Volts Number of outlets Battery: five. Warranty: Three years
Upgrade check
This UPS has the highest power output and runtime of any model we tested, so it can run more gears for longer than anything else. Plus, its high-quality power is compatible with even the most sensitive electronic devices.
The APC BR1500MS2 is the most expensive UPS we recommend for most homes or small offices, but it offers a lot of value in the additional features it includes. If you need to power as many (or more) devices in your computer workstation during a power outage, it can provide up to 847 watts – we had trouble finding home office equipment powerful enough to overload in our tests . Like our top pick, it can keep your average modem and router running for up to four hours, giving you more than enough time to save your work and wait out the power outage. About the size and shape of a small computer tower, it has 10 ports total, six of which support the battery, and adds two USB ports (one USB-A and one USB-C) for charging small devices without the need for an additional power adapter. Because it has a pure sine wave inverter, its power is as smooth as standard wall outlet power, making it safe and reliable for even sensitive equipment like a CPAP machine. Finally, the backlit display provides useful information such as remaining battery life and total wattage for devices connected to the unit.
Main specifications:
Measured runtime with a 20W load (modem and router): 4 hours Measured runtime with a 300W load (modem, router, PC, hard drive): 21 minutes Peak power output measured: 847W Surge protection measured: 593.2 Slot Volts Number of ports Battery: six. Warranty: Three years
Choose a budget
This UPS lacks premium features, but it has plenty of outlets and power to keep your home Wi-Fi network running for up to an hour and a half when the power goes out.
If you’re on a tight budget, the Amazon Basics Standby UPS 800VA is an affordable UPS with the battery and runtime of a more expensive model: It can keep a typical router and modem running for up to an hour and a half. Its maximum output is on the lower side (we measured up to 470 watts in our tests), but that should be plenty of power for the six battery-backed ports to support essentials like home Wi-Fi equipment. Unlike our other picks, this less expensive model uses standby power management rather than automatic voltage regulation (AVR). This should be fine in most cases, but it’s harder on the battery, and you shouldn’t use it with sensitive AV devices or medical equipment. Additionally, Amazon only offers a one-year warranty on its UPS models, unlike the three-year warranties offered by name-brand companies.
Main specifications:
Measured runtime with a 20W load (modem and router): 1.5 hours Measured runtime with a 300W load (modem, router, PC, hard drive): 6 minutes Peak power output measured: 470W Surge protection measured: 402.8 Volt slot Number of ports Battery-operated: six. Warranty: one year
