Customer Ratings & Reviews

Anyone who has ever used a desktop computer knows an uninteruptible power supply (UPS) can be a lifesaver. Momentary outages can destroy hours of work if not backed up before it happens. But if your computer and monitor are plugged into a UPS, it's like the power outage never happened. A battery in the UPS immediately takes over and keeps the power flowing long enough to save your work and shut down safetly. But what about your internet connection? Are yourr cable modem, wireless router and associated wi-fi devices connected to a UPS too? Doubtful, given the limited number of outlets on most UPS devices. That's why this new Home Network Battery Backup from power backuppower legend APC may be just the ticket for a lot of folks. It is designed specificially for just that purpose, providing backup power to ensure the devices that give you your internet connection and wi-fi also keep going, for up to two hours, if you lose power. Rated at 450 volts/255 watts, it is a little brother to the beefier backup systems made for more power hungry desktop computers, monitors and printers. Despite being physically smaller, there's still four backup oulets, wisely spaced to accommodate most power bricks, and two extra outlets that only provide surge protection. In my house, that was perfect since I have a cable modem, wireless router and hub for my smart lighting setup. None of these pull much power so the lower power rating (compared to a computer UPS) is just fine. As with all APC units, this one was dead simple to use -- attach the UPS to an outlet, plug in all your network devices, and hit the power button. A solid green light tells you it is working. It blinks when the power outlet dies and it is operating on battery power. The only new wrinkle, for those who have not bought a UPS lately, is a jumper that disconnects the battery from the UPS during shipping -- new federal safety regs. You must slide in the jumper to make the UPS funtional before you plug it in. Unlike some bigger UPS units, this one has no computer connection or even an app to keep you informed what is going on. You monitor its status based on how fast the light behind power button flashes. You can also activate an audible alarm if that is your preference. How long the battery lasts depends what you have plugged into the UPS but it is rated at up to 2.1 hours. The APC Home Network Battery Backup also provides full time surge protection to every device plugged into it, regardless of whether battery back is being provided. That's extra piece of mind if you live in a storm prone region. So if keeping internet service going in your house is important, even if you lose power, this could be a good short term solution. If power is off for days instead of just a few hours, this is not going to solve all your problems. But it will protect you from power surges. Overall, the APC Home Network Battery Backup provides good insurance against power glitches and brief outages for not a lot of money. Recommended.

Shuts off all the time on its own. Really a waste of money

I have always use APC and they are very reliable, I will recommend this product

It is what it is...a battery backup device. When the power goes out, the unit kicks in and provides power to your devices. The battery connection method is improved over previous models, making it easier for beginners. And, just like any battery backup device, the battery run time in a power outage depends on the amount of devices plugged into that side of the unit. The more power required to run your equipment, the less time you have to properly shut down your equipment before the APC exhausts its power.

I have several of these around my house for light applications. I wouldn't run a computer or anything important on them unless you just need a couple of moments of battery power in an outage to shut down. I have one on my gas water heaters (yes, they require electric, and not much at all - so it keeps my heaters running in an outage), I have another on a whole-house water shut-off valve, and I have yet another on my cat's automatic litter box. So far so good. The only "buyer beware" is that unlike many APC products where the battery is user serviceable, on these - they are NOT - which means after a couple years they're going in the garbage which is a huge environmental faux-paus on APC's part in this day and age.

Works as described. Just installed. Manufacturing date was 2016 though.

I have had this for a few weeks now not much to say until I loose power

Like seriously this is one of the best surge protectors I ever had! I was staying at the place one time and had my desktop there and this surge told me how bad their outlet was and I was prepared. It's nice to know if the electrical wiring is good or bad for your desktop use. This really does protect your computer. I heavily highly recommend it. APC is the best brand for your protection. I would totally buy another one in a heartbeat.

I bought this battery backup solely to run my modem and wireless router. I have another battery backup unit on my desktop. This 450VA unit seems to do the job very well but I've yet to have any power outages. The router and modem pull about 20 to 30 watts together so I believe this battery backup will do fine for a couple hours. I also have confidence that this unit will perform for the next several years without issue. I will update this review if it does not meet expectations.

I bought this to use on my work computer. The PC itself is a laptop, but I use it with a docking station and external monitors, and Windows gets very confused whenever we have a power glitch. 450 VA is more than enough reserve to keep things stable through a 10-15 minute interruption. The form factor looks a little goofy, but it fits perfectly in the narrow space behind my desk. I've installed several APC units over the years, and they've always been reliable.

This is used in an office setting. It is that it has done exactly what it was intended to do. When there have been electrical knockouts, the electronics utilized through this have stayed on as if nothing happened, no effect on them, full protection and seamless maintained power supply. We've never had to test the battery for too long, but other than that our device has been through what we bought it for and performed flawlessly.

But for the price, it does what I need. Price/quality wise, not bad.

This is the third APC UPS that I have owned. They all work well enough although they have not really been tested by an electrical surge. They do maintain power to my computer when there is an electrical outage. These UPS' have lead-acid batteries which eventually lose their ability to hold a charge. Turns out that when these units are on sale it's less expensive to buy a new unit rather than just replace the battery. The battery usually lasts a little over three years.

Good battery backup, keeps my server powered for long enough to sh

What can I say? It is a basic UPS. It does what it's supposed to do. Simple setup, 4 battery backup/surge plugs and 2 surge-only plugs, basic features, good price. Enough for what I needed it for which was to provide surge and backup power for my home entertainment center. Works as advertised. Haven't had a power failure yet so can't attest to run times but if all my devices are powered off or in low-power state I would guess it would run for at least an hour or two.

Offers peace of mind for power surges and blackouts. We use these for 600+ PCs we set up at our business sites. In this case, I bought this for my daughter in her college dorm room. It added a little length from the limited power outlets in her room for plugging in devices closer to where she wanted them. But more importantly protected her devices in an old dorm building that is known for power surges that have destroyed others' electronic devices.

My power regularly momentarily switches off, be it a downed line somewhere or a regular scheduled maintenance on a line somewhere. I can live with that; problem is that I am usually editing a document at the time. After resuming power and work, I find out I have to reaccomplish some of the work that did not get saved. After getting this battery backup, I no longer have to worry about losing my work because momentary power lapses in the grid means this puppy keeps my computer up and running.

Got this on deal at bestbuy - perfectly fits into my requirements

While writing this review it sounded to alert me of a problem. The computer continued to work, never lost internet or even my viewing of my monitor as all are plugged into the UPS. Have now purchased four and could not have had better results! The kids are happy too never getting booted off a game or having to reboot to a computer.

I needed a small unit for my entertainment center which also includes my internet modem and this has been doing just fine over the last month or so. I've had a few outages and my internet stayed on and my wife was able to keep watching Plex. Obviously, if the outage was long enough I would have shut everything off properly before the battery drained but I haven't had to do that yet.