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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.

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The short answer

Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 4.0). Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT is best for: home office users wanting basic protection. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Eaton 5P 1550
Ranked #4 in Best UPS Battery Backups
Eaton 5P 1550
1 sourceall derived$290as of Oct 10

The Eaton 5P1550GR is a rackmount UPS for data center environments, rated 1550 VA / 1100 W with true sine wave output. Reviewers noted the compact 1U form factor and the 6 C13 outlets, which can be grouped programmatically so critical and non-critical equipment are handled separately. ABM battery management extends battery life and warns you ahead of a replacement. Performance is solid for the class, though swapping the battery is on the user and the included power cord runs only 6 feet. It fits anyone who needs dependable rackmount power protection.

Strengths
  • — 1U rackmount form factor with compact footprint suitable for data center environments
  • — 6 C13 outlets with programmable groups for critical and non-critical device management
  • — Optional Gigabit Network Card (Network-M2) adds network manageability features
Watch-outs
  • — Battery replacement requires user intervention and is not plug-and-play
  • — Limited runtime options without extended battery capability
$290 · Buy at newegg.comFull review →
Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best UPS Battery Backups
Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT
1 source$297.42as of Oct 11

The Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT is a line-interactive tower UPS for desktop computers and audio/visual equipment, rated 1500VA/900W with 10 outlets, 5 of them battery-protected. Users report reliable performance and effective AVR, with many crediting it for keeping their systems up through outages. Two recurring problems: continuous fan noise after a battery replacement, and a USB port that doesn't play well with certain devices. Home offices and entertainment systems needing basic power protection are the fit; extended runtime and quieter operation are not what it offers.

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
  • — Outlets are positioned too close together, requiring extension cords for some setups
$297.42 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Eaton 5P 1550

The Eaton 5P 1550 is a 1U rackmount unit with true sine wave output, where the CyberPower OR1000LCDRM1U, also a 1U rackmount, puts out a simulated sine wave. It is rated 1550 VA and 1100 W against that CyberPower's 1000 VA and 600 W, and it costs less. Its input defaults to 230V and its outlets are 6 C13, where the Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT is a 120V tower with 10 outlets.

Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT

The Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT is rated 1500VA and 900W, the same as the CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD and slightly above the 865 W of the APC BR1500G. Like the APC it has 10 outlets, 5 of them battery-backed. Its output is listed as sine wave, where the APC's is a stepped approximation to a sine wave, and it is a tower where the Eaton 5P 1550 and the CyberPower OR1000LCDRM1U are 1U rackmount units.

Specs side-by-side

SpecEaton 5P 1550Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT
VA Rating1550 VA1500
Wattage1100 W900
TopologyLine-interactiveLine-Interactive
WaveformTrue Sine WaveSine Wave
Battery TypeLithium-ionValve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA)
Outlets6 C1310
Runtimeupwards of 70 minutes8–10 minutes
Input Voltage230V default (200/208/220/230/240V)120V
MaterialMetalMetal
Voltage230 volts120 volts
Dimensions—15.6"D x 5.75"W x 8"H
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