APC BR700G Review: Entry Level UPS for 2022
Protecting your unsaved office work or having enough power to save your online gaming data is now possible when a power blackout happens.
With 420 watts of power, whether you are gaming online or working hard on your office project, APC BR700G gives you ample time to save your game and work data when an unexpected power outage struck.
Besides protecting desktop computers and gaming consoles, this battery backup UPS from APC is also ideal for protecting most business electronics, computer peripherals and network devices.
In this review of APC BR700G, I will do an in-depth review of its functional features as well as areas where there is room for improvement.
Pro Buying Tips
Always get UPS that provides multiple status indicators like power loads and battery bar graph at a glance.
With built-in Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), BR700G provides you will peace of mind whenever unexpected adverse voltage conditions occur.
APC BR700G comes equipped with an automatic battery self-test to ensure early detection of batteries that are due for replacement.
In addition, this 420 watts UPS offers an amazing lifetime data recovery warranty – which means professional data recovery will be provided in the event of data loss due to unit failure.
This UPS tower from APC offers $150,000 Equipment Protection Policy, on top of a 36 months warranty and data recovery services.
APC BR700G – Core Features
3 Minutes Run Time at Full Load
If you happen to run at full power capacity at 420 Watts, you will get a guaranteed 3 minutes of run time should a power outage strike.
Automatic Voltage Regulation
Runtime and battery life can be maximized when harmful irregular voltages are corrected and voltage levels are kept at a safe level without going through a battery discharge.
Multiple Status LCD Screen
Real-time power load and battery bar graph and other key UPS status are provided at a glance without having to wade through multiple configuration screens and buttons.
Battery and Surge Protection Outlets
There are 6 outlets in total and 3 of them provide both power and surge protection while the remaining three are mainly for devices and equipment that require surge protection.
Hot-Swappable Batteries
Hot-swappable batteries [RBC17] are available to facilitate the uninterrupted replacement of faulty or used batteries, be it planned or unplanned.
Audible Alarms
An alarm will be triggered upon any abnormal changes in power voltage or UPS power status. It is also possible to disable the alarm for a specific duration.
Any trigger alarm can be muted by pressing a button on the front panel.
Battery Failure Notification
In the spirit of preventive maintenance, this early-warning fault analysis of batteries is a pretty useful feature to have.
Power Management Software
Using a USB port connection, the Powerchute software can be installed for the collection of additional information and more management settings.
Warranty Period
APC BR700G comes with a 36-month warranty and a $150,000 Equipment Protection Policy.
Key Specs: Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT
- Product Dimension: 17.32 x 10.08 x 5.67 inches
- Product Weight: 15.76 pounds [7.14kg]
- Output Volt Amp Capacity: 700 VA
- UPS Topology: Line-Interactive
- Form Factor: Tower
- Output Watt Capacity: 420 Watts
- Waveform Type: Stepped approximation to a sinewave
- Replacement Battery Model: RBC17
- Half-load Runtime: 10 minutes (240 watts)
- Battery Recharge Duration: 12 hours
- Joules Rating: 354 J
- Interface Port: USB
- Warranty: 3 years limited warranty
Who Should Get it?
If you are a college student or work-from-home business owner with modest usage of computing equipment (nothing power-hungry) and network equipment (laptop, monitor, Internet router/modem, and printer) this APC UPS should be perfect for you.
Who Should NOT Get it?
I am not gonna lie, the power capacity of this UPS is only 420 watts, it is not really a lot but more than enough for decent office equipment and basic computing setup.
If you are expecting to plug in a laptop and a desktop computer and some more computing peripherals, this model is probably NOT for you. Instead, we would recommend that you check out this more powerful APC model.
Alternative Brands and Models
If you are looking for a higher power capacity model that could fuel your powerful-hungry gaming setups as well as heavy graphic rendering works, APC BX1350M (810 Watts) might be for you.
Where to Buy APC BR700G?
Besides Amazon, this model can also be purchased on eBay.
Buyers’ Opinions, Feedback and Reviews
Just as with most UPS devices, some buyers mentioned having some amount of noticeable buzzing noise. Personally, I kept mine in the study room hence the buzzing noise is not really an issue for me at night.
The LCD Screen display is set to dim after a minute of usage, some users do wish that it will stay lit throughout the day which I believe may not be ideal at all.
If the LCD screen stayed on 24 by 7, the LCD screen will probably burn out fast due to wear and tear.
Yes, I do agree with some buyers that having only 3 outlets with both power and surge protection is really a little on the low side. But if you are not under a budget constraint, getting this model should provide you with more protection outlets.
What Else to Know about APC BR700G?
Below are some useful downloads for APC BR700G should you need more information before getting one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off the alarm?
Any alarm triggered by an event can be muted by pressing a button on the front panel.Â
How long will BR700G protect against power outage?
Depending on the power usage level, the amount of wattage used by your electrical equipment will determine how much run time is available in the event of a power outage.
Can I monitor BR700G over a network?
No. BR700G can only be power managed via USB connection. If you wish to monitor your UPS over the network, this model might be for you.
Bottomline – Should You Get One?
If you are looking for an entry-level UPS system with modest functions and features, BR700G is definitely more than sufficient for you.Â
It is highly recommended that you size up your UPS power load requirement if you are not sure of how much power your computing equipment and peripherals will need. Read up the UPS sizing-up section on this post.
