APC and CyberPower are two great competing brands racing to show who’s the best. You can’t go wrong with their products across the board, but you have to choose those with a higher price because quality costs. There are very cheap products from both competitors but that does not mean that they are “good”. Having an UPS is mandatory if you have a Synology NAS. Read my previous article: Synology: Why Do You Need an UPS? On the Internet boards, people have different opinions and some prefer APC over Cyberpower; more than anything else, this is a matter of “taste”. I personally use a Cyberpower model (CP1500EPFCLCD) because I really like the central LED with all the information and the USB charging ports.

It’s been a good 8 months since I have been using it and I haven’t had any problems. It is instantly recognized by Synology and, to this day, the battery is still at the highest level. The European version has 6 Schuko sockets and the American version has 10 NEMA 5-15R sockets. The price is only $ 250 and you can find a new battery in any Internet store at a maximum price of $ 30. The main advantage is that it can be changed quickly and easily. You can read my in-depth article on Cyberpower UPS.

There are also economic APC and Cyberpower models that only cost $ 70 or less, but I do not recommend them. The battery does not last long and they can only hold the router and a small 2-bay Synology for a few minutes. My Cyberpower keeps my Synology, with a router and other LED lights, online for over 4 hours. All the advantages of two APC and Cyberpower models in the same price range will be described below. For my test I compare the CP1500EPFCLCD Cyberpower model vs the BR1500GI APC model (I have both models for years).

• Cyberpower UPS advantages based on my experience with Synology NAS

1. Nice design, although old.
2. Good price.
3. Quality materials.
4. Battery is easy to replace.
5. Frontal USB power charge.
6. Reliable.
7. 100% silent when working in the background.
8. Easily recognized by Synology NAS.

• Cyberpower UPS disadvantages based on my experience with Synology NAS

1. Noisy: humming when charging the battery.
2. Battery doesn’t charge very fast.
3. It is heavy and bulky.

• APC UPS advantages based on my experience with Synology NAS

1. 10 Schuko sockets.
2. Battery is easy to replace.
3. Reliable.
4. Nice design, although old.
5. Easily recognized by Synology NAS.

• APC UPS disadvantages based on my experience with Synology NAS

1. Much higher price than Cyberpower.
2. Strong plastic smell.
3. Noisy: humming when charging the battery.
4. Battery doesn’t charge very fast.
5. Volume button and power button placement allows dust and dirt to settle more easily.
6. It is heavy and bulky.

Note: In my opinion, all UPS manufacturers have fallen behind and the technology they offer is not quite up to date. This is 2020 and, frankly, we cannot bear to see these bulky and heavy models any longer. We need something very efficient, but light, with rechargeable lithium batteries and a more modern design. Cyberpower and APC, if you read this post, it’s time you up your game!

This post was updated on Tuesday / August 23rd, 2022 at 12:57 PM