Head-to-head · Best UPS Battery Backups

APC Back-UPS 600VA 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 narrow margin (unrated vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about home office users wanting basic protection — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #7 in Best UPS Battery Backups

APC Back-UPS 600VA

UnratedNo cited reviews$83.99as of Aug 1

The APC Back-UPS 600VA BE600M1 improves on the model before it with faster transfer times, better surge protection, and longer battery life. Reviewers measured 67 minutes of runtime at 40 Watts, against 43 minutes on the older unit. It's also more compact, at 10.8 x 4.1 x 5.5 inches, and adds a 1.5A USB port. What it drops is the Ethernet surge protection previous models included. Users recommend it for home offices and small workstations that need reliable power backup.

Strengths

— 67 minutes runtime with 40 Watt load versus 43 minutes on previous model
— 490 Joules surge energy rating versus 340 Joules on previous model
— Compact design at 10.8 x 4.1 x 5.5 inches versus 12 x 3.3 x 7 inches

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

Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT

4.5

1 source$239.75as of Jul 31

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

— 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

$239.75 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

APC Back-UPS 600VA

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

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	APC Back-UPS 600VA	Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT
VA Rating	600	1500
Outlets	7	10
Runtime	67 minutes (40W load)	8–10 minutes
Dimensions	4.13"D x 10.79"W x 5.47"H	15.6"D x 5.75"W x 8"H
Voltage	120 volts	120 volts
Topology	Standby	Line-Interactive
Waveform	True Sine Wave	Sine Wave
Input Voltage	120 V AC 1 phase	120V
Battery Type	Lead-Acid battery	Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA)
Material	Plastic	Metal
Wattage	—	900

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