Stay Powered: Top Uninterruptible Power Supply Units for 2025
Power outages never check your schedule first. Whether you’re running a home office, gaming setup, or small business, even a short loss of power can cause headaches, from lost files to fried hardware. That’s where a reliable uninterruptible power supply (UPS) steps in.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the top uninterruptible power supply units in Canada for 2025, what features actually matter, and how to choose the right size for your setup. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to keep your devices running smoothly when the lights flicker.
Top Uninterruptible Power Supply Units to Consider in 2025
Below are some top-rated UPS battery backup systems available, from plug-in desktop units to portable power stations that double as travel gear. Let’s take a closer look:
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Portable Power Station
Small, quiet, and fast to charge, the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Portable Power Station works like a compact UPS when plugged in and a portable battery when you need to move.
It packs 245 Wh of capacity and a 300W inverter that can handle surges up to 600W using EcoFlow’s X-Boost feature. The LFP battery lasts thousands of cycles, and the auto-switch time under 20 ms keeps laptops and routers alive through flickers.
With two AC outlets and quick USB-A and USB-C ports, it’s handy both at your desk and on the go. A full charge only takes about an hour.
Best for: Light home-office setups or small tech corners that need brief backup and easy portability.
Key specs that matter:
245 Wh LFP battery, 300W AC output (600W surge)
< 20 ms UPS switch time with AC pass-through
2 AC outlets + USB-A and USB-C ports
1-hour fast AC recharge
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Portable Power Station
The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Portable Power Station adds a little more of everything: 286 Wh of storage, 600W of continuous AC output (up to 1200W with X-Boost), and a faster < 10 ms auto-switch for smoother UPS use.
You can expand its capacity later to 858 Wh with extra batteries. Like the base model, it uses LFP chemistry for long life and supports one-hour fast charging. It stays quiet and compact, making it an easy fit beside a desk or TV stand.
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Portable Power Station
Best for: Home offices, small gaming rigs, or creative setups that need quick switching and longer runtime.
Key specs that matter:
286 Wh (base), expandable to 858 Wh
600W AC output (1200W X-Boost)
< 10 ms pro-grade UPS auto-switch
LFP battery, ≈3000 cycles to 80% capacity
1-hour fast AC charging
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Portable Power Station (2048 Wh)
For longer outages or bigger loads, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Portable Power Station (2048 Wh) brings 2048Wh of capacity and a 2,400W AC inverter (the “Max Plus” variant goes to 3,000W).
It’s quiet for its size and adds a 10 ms auto-switch to keep gear like NAS and small servers from dropping. You can scale capacity up to 10 kWh with extra batteries and integrate it with the EcoFlow app to set priorities, schedule charging, and enable “Storm Guard” modes.
Think multi-device home offices, fridges, sump pumps, or tool charging. It’s the kind of backup that lasts more than a few minutes and can carry you through multi-hour interruptions.
Best for: Homes or small offices that want all-day backup for multiple circuits or heavier appliances without installing a hard-wired system.
Key specs that matter:
2048 Wh base capacity, 2,400W AC output (Max) / 3,000W AC output (Max Plus)
~10 ms auto-switch UPS mode
Expandable to ≈10 kWh with extra batteries (Max Plus model)
automotive-grade LFP battery design, low-noise operation (≈25 dB light load)
App control with Storm Guard and smart charging
APC Back-UPS Pro BR1500MS2
The APC Back-UPS Pro BR1500MS2 is built for people who need steady, reliable protection without the noise or fuss. It offers 1500VA/900W of power with automatic voltage regulation, so small dips don’t drain the battery.
The sine-wave output keeps newer PCs and audio gear happy, while 10 outlets let you split essentials from extras. The front USB-A and USB-C ports make it easy to charge phones, and the LCD screen shows runtime and load in plain numbers. You can even swap out the battery yourself when it wears down.
Best for: Home offices or creative workspaces with computers, NAS devices, or modems that need steady backup power.
Key specs that matter:
1500VA / 900W, line-interactive UPS with true sine-wave output
6 battery + surge / 4 surge-only NEMA 5-15R outlets
Automatic voltage regulation, ~8–10 ms switch time
USB-A + USB-C charging; LCD status panel
User-replaceable battery; Ethernet + coax protection
CyberPower CP900AVR
This model hits a good balance of size and price. The CP900AVR provides 900VA/560W of backup power, enough for a desktop, router, and a few accessories. It uses automatic voltage regulation to handle minor sags without switching to battery, and the simulated sine-wave output suits most consumer gear.
There are 10 outlets, with five linked to the battery, and built-in Ethernet and coax protection to guard your connection. Setup is simple with the included PowerPanel software.
Best for: Everyday PC setups, home Wi-Fi networks, or entertainment corners that need short-term backup at a friendly price.
Key specs that matter:
900VA / 560W, line-interactive design
5 battery + surge / 5 surge-only outlets
Simulated sine-wave output with AVR
Ethernet + coax surge protection
3-year warranty with equipment coverage
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Uninterruptible Power Supply Unit
As you can see, not all UPS units work the same way. The right one depends on what you’re protecting, how long you need backup, and how much you’re willing to spend. Here’s what to consider when choosing the best UPS power supply for your setup.
UPS Type
UPS systems come in a few main designs, each balancing cost, protection, and performance differently.
Standby (Offline) UPS
The most basic and affordable type. It passes wall power directly to your devices until the voltage drops or fails, then quickly switches to battery.
Transfer time: About 4–8 milliseconds.
Best for: Home PCs, routers, modems, and entertainment systems.
Why it works: Simple protection for short outages and basic electronics.
Line-Interactive UPS
A step up in protection. This type includes Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) to fix small surges and sags without draining the battery. The inverter is always connected, so it switches faster when power fails.
Transfer time: Usually under 4 milliseconds.
Best for: Home offices, small servers, and network gear.
Why it works: Handles unstable power better and preserves battery life.
Online (Double-Conversion) UPS
The best UPS power supply for critical systems. It continuously converts incoming AC to DC and then back to clean, stable AC output. That means your devices always run on inverter power, completely isolated from the grid.
Transfer time: Zero (no interruption).
Best for: Data centers, high-end servers, and lab or medical equipment.
Why it works: Delivers flawless, uninterrupted power for sensitive electronics.
Portable Power Stations (PPS) with UPS Function
A newer hybrid option that blends backup power with mobility. These portable power station units use large rechargeable batteries, often LiFePO₄ (LFP), and include a UPS or EPS (Emergency Power Supply) mode that automatically kicks in during an outage.
How it works: When plugged in, wall power flows through to your devices while charging the internal battery. If power fails, it switches to battery within 10–30 milliseconds.
Best for: Home users, remote workers, or campers who want flexible backup for routers, laptops, or small appliances.
Why it works: Provides both home backup for outages and portable power for camping, road trips, and other outdoor activities.
Battery Type
The battery determines how long your UPS runs and how often you’ll need to replace it.
Sealed Lead-Acid (VRLA): Reliable, low-cost, and common in standard UPS units. Typically lasts 3–5 years, but heavy and heat-sensitive.
Lithium-Ion: Lighter and longer-lasting, up to 8–10 years, and recharges faster. Great for office and business use.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄): Used in most portable power stations with UPS mode. Extremely safe, cool-running, and can last 3,000+ cycles.
Tip: Choose VRLA for budget setups, lithium-ion for longevity, or LFP for portable, low-maintenance reliability.
Power Output and Clean Energy
If you’re running gaming PCs, workstations, or any system with an active PFC power supply, pick a UPS with pure sine wave output. It delivers smooth, stable current that prevents performance hiccups and extends device life.
Also look for Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR). It corrects small voltage swings without switching to battery, helping your UPS last longer.
Outlets and Load Management
UPS units have two outlet types:
Battery + Surge outlets: Keep your critical gear running during an outage.
Surge-only outlets: Protect devices from spikes but don’t use battery power.
Certification and Safety
Always check for CSA or cUL certification if you’re in Canada. These markings confirm the UPS meets national safety standards and is suitable for local power grids.
How to Calculate What Size of UPS You Need?
Once you know which UPS type and what features fit your needs, the next step is figuring out how much power it should deliver. Sizing is simple. You only need a few numbers and a bit of common sense.
Step 1: Identify What You Need to Protect
Decide what must stay on during an outage. This could be your desktop PC, monitor, modem, router, and maybe an external drive or NAS. If you’re running a business, you might also include servers, network switches, or POS systems.
Make a quick list. Knowing your must-have gear will help you avoid overspending on unnecessary capacity.
Step 2: Find the Total Wattage
Check the power label on each device for a number ending in “W” (watts). If it only shows amps (A) and volts (V), multiply them:
Amps × Volts = VA
Then estimate watts by multiplying VA × 0.8 (most modern devices have a power factor around 0.8–0.9).
Typical examples:
Desktop PC: 200–400W
Gaming PC: 400–600W
Laptop: 30–60W
Monitor: 20–40W
Router or modem: 10–20W
Add everything up.
For example: PC (300W) + Monitor (30W) + Router (15W) + Modem (15W) = 360W total.
Understand VA vs. Watts
UPS units are often marketed by their VA rating, for example, “1500VA.” That number represents “apparent power,” while watts represent “usable power.”
The relationship is:
Watts = VA × Power Factor (PF)
Most home and office UPS models use a PF of 0.6 to 0.9. Always size by watts first; if your UPS can handle the wattage, the VA rating will naturally be sufficient.
Step 3: Add a Safety Buffer
Never size your UPS to match your total load exactly. Running at full capacity shortens battery life and limits performance. Add 20–30% headroom for safety.
Example: If your total load is 360W, multiply by 1.25, and you get 450W. You’ll want a UPS rated for at least 450W (or around 700–800 VA, depending on power factor).
Step 4: Decide on Runtime
How long do you want the UPS to keep things running?
1–5 minutes: Enough time to save work and shut down safely.
10–20 minutes: Keeps Wi-Fi and small devices on through short flickers.
30+ minutes: For longer tasks or outages. This requires a higher-capacity UPS, external battery packs, or a portable power station with UPS function.
Manufacturers list runtime estimates at different loads. Check those charts before you buy.
Conclusion
Choosing the top uninterruptible power supply comes down to how you use your devices and how much power you need when the grid blinks. A desktop UPS like the APC or CyberPower unit keeps your computer safe and steady, while portable stations from EcoFlow offer flexibility and long battery life. Each option fills a slightly different role, from quick saves to full-day protection. Think about your setup, match it to the right capacity, and you’ll have a dependable backup ready whenever the power doesn’t cooperate.
*The brands referenced in this article are provided for informational purposes only and do not indicate any partnership with EcoFlow.
FAQs
What is the best UPS battery type?
For Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), the best battery type is typically Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP). While traditional Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA) batteries are the cheapest upfront, LiFePO4 offers superior safety, a much longer lifespan (up to 10+ years), and lighter weight, resulting in a lower total cost over time.
Standard Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) is lighter than LFP but poses a slightly higher thermal risk and has a shorter cycle life. Modern portable power stations with UPS functionality almost universally use the long-lasting and safe LiFePO4 chemistry for reliable home backup.
How long will a UPS keep my systems running?
The length of time a UPS will run your systems, known as runtime, is highly variable, depending entirely on the UPS’s battery capacity and the total wattage of the devices you have plugged in.
For a standard desktop computer and monitor, a typical small-to-midsize UPS unit is designed to provide power for 5 to 15 minutes. This duration is generally sufficient to allow you to save your work and execute a safe, graceful shutdown of the operating system.
Larger, commercial-grade UPS systems with external battery packs can extend this runtime to 30 minutes or even several hours for mission-critical operations.
Do I need a pure sine wave UPS or is simulated enough?
You should choose a pure sine wave UPS if you are protecting sensitive or high-end electronics, particularly modern desktop computers and servers that use Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) power supplies, as well as high-quality audio or video equipment.
Pure sine wave output is a smooth, clean waveform identical to utility power, ensuring maximum stability, efficiency, and quiet operation for these devices. A simulated (or stepped) sine wave is a cheaper, choppier approximation that is typically adequate for basic, less-sensitive equipment like simple modems, routers, and older PCs.
How do I calculate which UPS wattage I need?
To correctly calculate the UPS wattage you need, first list every device you plan to connect to the battery backup and find the maximum power consumption of each device in Watts (W), usually found on the power supply label or specifications.
Next, add all these wattages together to find your total power load. Finally, for safety and optimal performance, add a 20% to 25% buffer to this total wattage.
For example, if your total equipment load is 400W, you should select a UPS that has a Watt capacity of at least 500W, as the Watt rating is the true limit of the usable power the UPS can deliver.