Head-to-head · Best UPS Battery Backups

APC Back-UPS 600VA vs Eaton 5P 1550

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Eaton 5P 1550 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (3.9 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about data center users needing rackmount protection — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #4 in Best UPS Battery Backups

APC Back-UPS 600VA

3.9

$83.99as of Jul 7

The APC Back-UPS 600VA BE600M1 offers significant improvements over its predecessor with faster transfer times, enhanced surge protection, and extended battery life. Reviewers noted it provides 67 minutes runtime at 40 Watts compared to 43 minutes on the older model. The unit is more compact at 10.8 x 4.1 x 5.5 inches and includes a 1.5A USB port. However, it lacks Ethernet surge protection found on previous models. Users recommend it for home offices and small workstations where reliable power backup is needed.

Strengths

— 67 minutes runtime with 40 Watt load versus 43 minutes on previous model
— 6ms typical transfer time versus 8ms on previous model
— 490 Joules surge energy rating versus 340 Joules on previous model

Watch-outs

— No Ethernet line surge protection (RJ45 port) included
— Battery life expected to be 3-5 years with 3-year warranty

$83.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best UPS Battery Backups

Eaton 5P 1550

4.0

$1,099as of Jul 7

The Eaton 5P1550GR is a rackmount UPS designed for data center environments, offering 1550 VA / 1100 W capacity with true sine wave output. Reviewers noted its compact 1U form factor and 6 C13 outlets with programmable groups for managing critical and non-critical equipment. The unit features ABM battery management technology that extends battery life and provides advance warnings for replacement. While the device offers solid performance for its class, reviewers pointed out that battery replacement requires user intervention and the included power cord is only 6 feet long. This UPS is best suited for users requiring reliable power protection in rackmount environments.

Strengths

— 1U rackmount form factor with compact footprint suitable for data center environments
— True sine wave output waveform for reliable power delivery to sensitive equipment
— 6 C13 outlets with programmable groups for critical and non-critical device management

Watch-outs

— Battery replacement requires user intervention and is not plug-and-play
— Limited runtime options without extended battery capability
— Power cord is only 6-foot length which may require additional cable management

$1,099 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

APC Back-UPS 600VA

The APC Back-UPS 600VA offers faster transfer times and a more compact design compared to the CyberPower PR1000LCDRT2U, which is discontinued. However, it lacks Ethernet surge protection, unlike the Tripp Lite OMNI 1500LCD which provides more comprehensive surge protection for home setups.

Eaton 5P 1550

The Eaton 5P 1550 offers a 1U rackmount form factor and true sine wave output, features not available in the Tripp Lite OMNI 1500LCD. However, it requires user intervention for battery replacement and has a shorter power cord compared to the more user-friendly APC Back-UPS Pro 1500VA.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	APC Back-UPS 600VA	Eaton 5P 1550
VA Rating	600	1550 VA
Wattage	330W	1100 W
Topology	Standby	Line-interactive
Waveform	True Sine Wave	True Sine Wave
Outlets	7	6 C13
Runtime	67 minutes (40W load)	upwards of 70 minutes
Input Voltage	120 volts	230V default (200/208/220/230/240V)
Battery Type	Lead-Acid battery	Sealed, lead-acid

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