APC Easy UPS 700VA BVX700LI vs Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against UPS units at a similar price

The Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B scores 5.6/10 overall, ahead of the APC Easy UPS 700VA BVX700LI at 4.2/10.

The APC Easy UPS 700VA BVX700LI leads on topology and waveform.

The Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B leads on NAS and server integration and runtime and battery.

They score the same on capacity and UK outlets and build.

The biggest difference is NAS and server integration, where the Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B scores 7/10 to the APC Easy UPS 700VA BVX700LI's 1/10.

APC Easy UPS, 700VA, Tower, 230V, 4x IEC C13 Outlets, AVR

APC Easy UPS 700VA BVX700LI

4.2/10verdict: skip

This is a small tower UPS for someone who wants to ride out short power cuts on a router, modem or small NAS. It gives four battery-backed C13 outlets and automatic voltage regulation in a compact 4.2 kg case. It is a poor fit for anyone who needs the UPS to shut a NAS or server down cleanly, because APC lists no USB compatibility.

Typically about £80.48 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B

5.6/10verdict: wait for deal

The Eaton 3S Gen2 3S550B is a small standby UPS for a home desk or a compact homelab. It suits someone protecting a NAS, router and switch who wants USB-triggered shutdown and a user-replaceable battery. It doesn't suit anyone who needs a confirmed waveform, a published runtime or network management.

Typically about £83.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	APC Easy UPS 700VA BVX700LI	Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B
Topology and waveform	25%	5/10	4/10
NAS and server integration	25%	1/10	7/10
Capacity	20%	6/10	6/10
Runtime and battery	15%	4/10	5/10
UK outlets and build	15%	6/10	6/10
Overall		4.2/10	5.6/10

Specifications

Spec	APC Easy UPS 700VA BVX700LI	Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B
Capacity (VA / W)	360 W / 700 VA	550 VA / 330 W
Topology	Line-interactive	Offline/Standby
Output waveform	Stepped approximation to a sine wave	not listed
Outlets	4 x IEC 320 C13, battery-backed and surge-protected	6 UK outlets: 3 with battery backup and surge protection, 3 surge-only
Runtime at half load	6 minutes at half load (180 W); about 1 second at full load (360 W)	not listed
USB / network management	USB compatible: No; no network management card or software listed	USB port (HID-compliant), Eaton UPS Companion software, auto shutdown function; no Ethernet or network card
Battery	Sealed lead-acid, 12 V, 7.0 Ah	12 V / 5 Ah sealed VRLA, one battery, user replaceable

Strengths and weaknesses

APC Easy UPS 700VA BVX700LI

+ Compact 4.2 kg tower with a 360 W / 700 VA rating
+ Four battery-backed, surge-protected C13 outlets
+ Input range of 140-300 V AC with AVR
− APC lists USB compatible as No
− Stepped approximation to a sine wave
− Owners report fading runtime and hard battery swaps

Skip it if:

Buyers who need automatic NAS or server shutdown over USB or network
Anyone whose equipment needs a pure sine wave on battery
Buyers who want easy battery swaps and long runtime

Read the full APC Easy UPS 700VA BVX700LI review ›

Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B

+ USB port is HID-compliant, with automatic shutdown support
+ Battery is a single user-replaceable sealed unit
+ Six UK outlets, three of them with battery backup
− Offline/standby topology; Gen2 waveform not confirmed by Eaton
− Half-load runtime isn't published by the manufacturer
− No Ethernet port or network card

Skip it if:

Buyers who need a confirmed pure sine wave output
Anyone needing network-card monitoring for several servers
Users who need a published runtime figure before buying

Read the full Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B review ›

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