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APC Smart-UPS C SMC1000IC vs Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B

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

all judged against UPS units at a similar price

The APC Smart-UPS C SMC1000IC scores 6.5/10 overall, ahead of the Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B at 5.6/10.

The APC Smart-UPS C SMC1000IC leads on topology and waveform and capacity.

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

They score the same on runtime and battery and UK outlets and build.

The biggest difference is topology and waveform, where the APC Smart-UPS C SMC1000IC scores 8/10 to the Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B's 4/10.

APC Smart-UPS C SMC1000IC

APC Smart-UPS C SMC1000IC

6.5/10verdict: buy

The APC Smart-UPS C SMC1000IC is for people protecting a NAS, router, switch and a few other devices with a 600 W line-interactive UPS. It suits those who want pure sine output and eight IEC outlets for a small rack or desk setup. It is a better fit for clean shutdown than long ride-through, and NAS owners should check software compatibility first.

Typically about £502.58 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

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

Eaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B

5.6/10verdict: good, not the best

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 (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

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

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightAPC Smart-UPS C SMC1000ICEaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B
Topology and waveform25%8/104/10
NAS and server integration25%5/107/10
Capacity20%8/106/10
Runtime and battery15%5/105/10
UK outlets and build15%6/106/10
Overall6.5/105.6/10

Specifications

SpecAPC Smart-UPS C SMC1000ICEaton 3S Gen2 UPS 3S550B
Capacity (VA / W)1000 VA / 600 W550 VA / 330 W
TopologyLine interactiveOffline/Standby
Output waveformPure sine wave on batterynot listed
Outlets8x IEC 320 C136 UK outlets: 3 with battery backup and surge protection, 3 surge-only
USB / network managementRJ-45 Serial and USB ports, plus SmartConnect Ethernet portUSB port (HID-compliant), Eaton UPS Companion software, auto shutdown function; no Ethernet or network card
BatterySealed lead-acid, built in; replacement APCRBC142, user-replaceable, expected life 3-5 years12 V / 5 Ah sealed VRLA, one battery, user replaceable

Strengths and weaknesses

APC Smart-UPS C SMC1000IC

  • + Pure sine wave output on battery
  • + Eight C13 outlets on a 1000 VA / 600 W unit
  • + Battery is user-replaceable, with a listed replacement part
  • − Only 9 min 9 s at full load
  • − Half-load runtime isn't published

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need long runtime for working through extended outages
  • NAS owners who rely on built-in USB HID UPS support and can't confirm compatibility
  • Buyers who want online double-conversion topology
Read the full APC Smart-UPS C SMC1000IC 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
  • − 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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