Head-to-head · Best UPS Battery Backups

Eaton 5P 1550 vs Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT

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

Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.0 vs 4.1). The gap is mostly about home office users wanting basic protection — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #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 →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best UPS Battery Backups

Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT

4.1

$239.03as of Jul 7

The Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT is a line-interactive tower UPS designed for desktop computers and audio/visual equipment, offering 1500VA/900W power capacity with 10 outlets including 5 battery-protected ones. Users praise its reliable performance and AVR functionality, with many reporting it successfully protected their systems during power outages. However, some reviewers have noted issues with continuous fan noise after battery replacement and USB port compatibility problems with certain devices. This unit is ideal for users seeking basic power protection for home offices and entertainment systems but may not suit those requiring extended runtime or quieter operation.

Strengths

— Provides 1500VA/900W power-handling capacity suitable for entry-level PCs and home entertainment systems
— Includes 10 built-in outlets with 5 battery-protected and 5 surge-only options
— Features LCD screen with real-time UPS and power status including input voltage, output voltage, load percentage, and runtime

Watch-outs

— Fan runs continuously after battery replacement, causing noise issues
— Some users report difficulty with USB port recognition for certain devices
— Outlets are positioned too close together, requiring extension cords for some setups

$239.03 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

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.

Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT

The Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT provides a built-in USB port for OS-level shutdown and an LCD screen showing real-time power status, features not available in the APC BR1500G. However, it has continuous fan noise issues and outlet spacing limitations that the Eaton 5P 1550 avoids with its rackmount design and better runtime options.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Eaton 5P 1550	Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT
VA Rating	1550 VA	1500
Wattage	1100 W	900
Topology	Line-interactive	Line-Interactive
Waveform	True Sine Wave	Sine Wave
Outlets	6 C13	10
Runtime	upwards of 70 minutes	8–10 minutes
Input Voltage	230V default (200/208/220/230/240V)	120V
Battery Type	Sealed, lead-acid	Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA)

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