If you are in the middle of 3D printing and the power suddenly goes out, your design is ruined. Moreover, your 3D printer might be gone too and your 500 bucks along with it.
But we know how to save you from the frustration – you need to invest in the best UPS for 3D printers. We have picked the five models that feature no less than 900W capacity and 3-minute runtime at full load to give you enough time to turn off your 3D printer properly. We also considered the unit’s topology, and such safety features as isolation transformer and surge protectors among others.
Other features: Line Interactive, PowerPanel® Personal software, Simulated Sine Wave, 120 VAC ± 5% output, Ethernet protection, ENERGY STAR® certified, 12 outlets
The CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD is the best battery backup in its class, It comes in an attractive design and is packed with unique battery and energy conservation features. It comes ready to use straight out of the box as you don’t need to make any battery connection.
Its main standout features are the automatic voltage regulation and GreenPower UPS design that reduces energy requirements better compared to other UPS devices. Its 6-year battery life is also pretty impressive thanks to the AVR feature that maintains a safe voltage whenever there are minor power fluctuations.
The CP1500AVRLCD is the best UPS you can get for a high-performance 3D printer or computer. It even offers Ethernet protection.
What We Liked:
We made the CP1500AVRLCD from CyberPower our top pick for all the right reasons. First off, CyberPower has been in the UPS game for ages producing reliable units.
The UPS comes in a slim rounded design that is more attractive than the basic box-shaped battery backups flooding the market. It is also less heavy compared to other models coming in at 25 pounds.
As if that’s’ enough, the UPS features an LCD screen that displays anything you’d want to know about its operation. You also get an intuitive user manual to help you wrap your head around its operation.
What Could Be Better:
We noticed a couple of users complain that the UPS does not output the power it displays on the screen. It could show 120volts on the display during a power outage but when you test it with a voltage meter it’s at 80 volts. Some also got their unit with an Ethernet port that is poorly secured. If you try to push a cable into the port, it falls back into the unit.
Other features: Line Interactive, PowerPanel® Personal software, Sine Wave, 120 VAC ± 5% output, ENERGY STAR® certified, 12 outlets
Yet another gem from CyberPower. The CP1500PFCLCD is a powerful UPS that offers the best power protection technology to your printer, computer and other electronic equipment. The units boasts a durable build made of thick molded plastic. It comes in a mini-tower design and lightweight body weighing a mere 25 pounds.
The CP1500PFCLCD is our upgrade pick because it has 1000 watt output which is 100w more than the CP1500AVRLCD reviewed above. Otherwise, it has the same 12 electrical outlets, 6 of which are battery and surge protected while the remaining 6 are only surge protected.
The UPS is perfect for anyone who has multiple printers, computers and other sensitive electronic gadgets that they would love to backup. It features the Power Factor Correction (PFC) Sinewave that provides cleaner output for equipment that are sensitive. It also corrects minor power fluctuations without switching to battery. This extends the battery life.
What We Liked:
There’s so much we loved about this UPS unit. First off, it produces pure Sinewave output alongside a sizeable 1500 VA/1000W load. It also has a feature that protects sensitive electronics.
The unit also features a colored LCD screen that can tilt up to 22 degrees for easy viewing. The LCD screen shows real-time status and alerts of the UPS.
Also featured are front facing USB charge ports, both Type A and Type C that provide power output with battery backup.
What Could Be Better:
There is a command-line software called PowerPanel Personal that bridges the system to monitor the activity of the UPS via USB. The software is direct download and most users wish it was an online repository, perfect for Linux. The UPS’s longevity is also questionable. We encountered many complaints from users that it works well for a while then fails and when it does, the warranty service is quite disappointing as you have to pay for the shipping when you return it for replacement.
Other features: 120V, 1.8-meter cord length, audible alarms, PowerChute software, Line Interactive, 10 outlets
Bang for your bucks? The APC BR1500G is a safe bet if that’s what you are up for. It is a line-interactive type of UPS that produces clean sine wave power output. The UPS comes in a nice professional looking design with a glossy finish on its front and a matte finish around it. It has a solid plastic build and because of its large batteries, weighs 26.6 pounds.
The unit offers excellent value for money because it offers what most high-end UPS models offers at a reasonable price. It comes with 10 power outlets with 5 of them being battery backup. The most distinguishing feature of the APC BR1500G is its option of installing an auxiliary battery. This doubles the battery capacity providing you with a massive amount of backup battery power.
The tower style UPS is best suited for anyone looking for great battery backup for medium-duty applications. It packs a lot of reserve battery capacity that allow you to finish printing your build or save your work whenever there’s a blackout.
What We Liked:
We found the APC BR1500G has some impressive features for its price point. It has a clear LCD screen that showcases everything you need to know about its functionality. You can use the PowerChute software to access even more information.
Although it doesn’t have any dedicated charging ports, you can plug your devices’ chargers into its outlets to charge. The UPS will charge the devices at the same speed you experience when you plug into a wall socket.
What Could Be Better:
The unit is bulky and heavy although its vertical orientation doesn’t take up much space. We feel it would also be much better if it featured USB or additional charging ports. Also, users have complained that the unit does not output the power it displays. If it can’t be trusted then it means it’s unreliable. Its batteries’ longevity is also subpar. Some users have had their batteries fail as early as 3 months after purchase.
Other features: LCD screen, AVR, 98% efficiency in line power mode, PowerAlert® device management software, 8 outlets
TrippLite is a renowned company with a great reputation for providing power protection for computers and other electronics. The SMART1500LCD is their latest UPS. It features 1500VA power capacity and thanks to its AVR circuitry, it can produce nominal 120v output over a wide area.
The UPS is a go-to for many because of its 98% efficiency in line power mode. Anyone with a fluctuating line power would appreciate how it quickly switches to the battery backup and uses the AC inverter to provide power whenever there’s an input fall out. Its impressive response time of about 2 to 4 milliseconds sets it apart from other units.
The UPS is an easy choice for anyone looking for an affordable yet highly functional power supply during blackouts. It offers surge suppression, long-lasting battery support and voltage regulation. Its 8 outlets are protected to keep your electronics on and protected.
What We Liked:
We appreciate that this UPS comes in a solid design with an internal fan to keep its components cool. It also features the AVR which gives it the ability to correct non-ideal voltage levels from the utility power. It also provides stable output voltages over a wide input range.
The LCD display of the SMART1500LCD is super-easy to read and provides all the essential information from battery capacity and line voltage to faults and the need to replace batteries
You also get the PowerAlert software from the Tripp website that allows you to gain access to the unit’s information via USB. You can customize alerts and choose different actions on it. Plus, it is compatible with various devices.
What Could Be Better:
As we found out, the unit is heavy and lacks USB charging ports. User also have experience of it shutting off unexpectedly and failing to restart automatically when there is a power outage. Its LCD screen is of questionable quality such that you can’t see the outline of numbers even if it is well lit. Its batteries are also irreplaceable which can be a deal breaker to some users. Users have also complained that the system’s fan is noisy and it runs all the time.
Other features: PowerPanel Personal software, 6 ft. power cord, AVR, simulated Sinewave technology, 10 outlets
Amazon is popular for highly rated products at low prices and the Amazon Basics Line-Interactive UPS is no exception. The unit comes in a compact and lightweight build that won’t take up much space in your workspace. It uses simulated sine wave output to provide surge protection and battery backup.
The Amazon 1500VA stands out because of its sleek mini tower design. It’s not as bulky as other UPS models within its range.
The unit is a fantastic option for anyone on a tight budget. It is an incredibly affordable UPS with sleek features and run time of a high-end model. Its maximum output is on the higher side, 900W which is pretty powerful for the 10 outlets to support your electronics.
What We Liked:
The UPS quite impressed us with its price point. It features AVR which helps protect your files and software from corruptions due to power fluctuations. It also comes with a free PowerPanel software download. You can use the software to access more information about the unit and monitor its operation.
Out of its 10 outlets, 5 are NEMA 5-15R battery backup and surge protector only outlets while the remaining 5 are surge protector only outlets.
The unit comes ready to use straight out of the box as its battery comes connected to the internal power cords.
What Could Be Better:
The unit does not restart automatically. When the full line voltage comes back and the battery gets depleted then when you shut off the unit, it does not restart on its own. We feel it could be a deal breaker to some people. It also does not come with a USB charging port. Also, when you plug it in, you get a faint but audible transformer buzz which can be so annoying.
There are a few aspects that you must consider to get your UPS right. If you are new to UPS systems and their operation, consider this buying guide an introduction to their basic concepts. You will also get to know the one that matches your needs.
A UPS (Uninterruptible Power System) is a battery backup power system that supplies power to electronics long enough for them to shut down properly whenever there is a blackout or the utility power fails.
A UPS system is handy as it helps prevent loss of important data, saves time and materials in 3D printing and reduces the stress a hard shutdown causes on your electronics.
A UPS is also a surge protector. It protects your connected electronics from power problems like abnormal voltages which can damage or reduce their lifespan.
A UPS protects a 3D printer from the stress of a hard shutdown. In case of a blackout, the printer will continue running and finish printing the build.
If the printer is not running but it’s on, the UPS will give you time to shut it down properly. Some UPS systems are also capable of protecting a 3D printer from surges and other power problems that can damage it or reduce its lifespan.
You wouldn’t know the best UPS for your 3D printer without knowing the essential features that make up a good one. The features include:
There are 3 main types of UPS systems based on topology or categories according to the type of power protection you need. The 3 topologies are: line-interactive, double conversion, and standby.
Line-interactive and standby UPSs can only provide short periods of battery runtime whenever there is a blackout. When utility power fails, they turn on the inverter which prevents interruption by producing power. They are best for protecting non-critical electronic devices.
Double Conversion, also known as online UPS, provides the best level of power protection for all of your critical electronic devices. It operates on AC/DC power seamlessly and constantly regenerates new and clean AC power through its continuous duty inverter.
If you are a technical geek who owns more electrical devices than just your 3D printer then you want to invest in the best battery backup for 3D printer that offers a huge power capacity. Whenever utility power fails or you get a blackout, the UPS will have enough power to allow the graceful shutdown of all of your critical devices. A 1500VA/900 unit like the Tripp Lite SMART1500LCD would suffice.
This is number of minutes a UPS can support all of your connected devices with power whenever there is a blackout. The number of watts supported affects runtime. A UPS with a large wattage load will have a short runtime.
The minimum runtime for a decent UPS system should be 5 minutes, the required runtime 30 minutes and the potential runtime 60 minutes.
This is a crucial feature. It exists in UPS systems mostly for safety reasons. It is used to transfer electrical power from a source of AC power to some equipment or device while isolating it from the power source. In essence, it prevents the load from generating harmful harmonics and only clean power is provided at the output.
Almost all UPS systems feature surge protection. Surge protection is crucial as it keeps your connected devices safe from the effects of a power surge. A UPS system with 10 outlets like the Amazon Basics Line-Interactive UPS will have 5 surge protectors. One with 8 will have 4 surge protectors.
If you are planning to connect a network device like a modem or Ethernet then you must ensure you get a UPS system with enough power output and runtime otherwise, they will go down.
Management software makes the UPS system easy to operate. You can access all the information about the unit and even customize alerts using the app. Most units come with a free download and they are usually compatible with various devices that you can connect to via USB.
This is an essential factor, especially if you have a small workspace cramped up with lots of electronics. If that’s the case, then you want to invest in a lightweight and compact unit like the Amazon Basics Line-Interactive UPS that can fit neatly into any space.
If you have no issue with space, then you can go for the likes of Tripp Lite SMART1500LCD that are large and heavy.
Different manufacturers offer different types of warranties for their US systems and batteries. The standard warranty period is 2 to 3 years on electronics and 2 years on batteries. Some like Amazon only offer 1-year warranty. Be sure to go for the best warranty deal. Some manufacturers believe in the quality of their products so much that they offer advanced replacement warranty.
UPS systems come with varying price tags. They can cost anything from 1500 to 250000. Home UPS systems are the most affordable. They provide battery backup for devices for a short time, just enough for you to save your data. Online UPS systems are the priciest because of their massive power loads. They are used by large firms.
Before you choose a UPS system, you must establish the number of devices you intend to connect to it. Most units will have more than 8 outlets, but then again you must check the number of outlets that are battery powered.
A UPS system will prevent your 22-hour print from getting damaged when your utility power fails, and protect your printer from power surges. Our Editor’s Choice, the CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD is a line interactive UPS system with enough power to support and protect your 3D printer and any other electronic devices you have. Its 12 outlets and Ethernet protection capability sets it apart from the rest. This is why it tops our list of 5 best UPS for 3D printers.
Our Upgrade Pick, the CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD stands out for its 1000watt output which is the only distinguishing factor between it and the CP1500AVRLCD. It also features USB charge ports which is a rare feature on other models.
Our third option, the APC BR1500G is the best you can get if you want a decent pennyworth. It offers virtually all the features and capabilities that most high-end UPSs offer at a reasonable price point.
