Comparisons 3 min read

Eaton, APC, or Riello: Who Wins in 2026?

Discover our comprehensive comparison of the best UPS units for 2026. Eaton, APC, and Riello compete to secure your home lab.

See our picks
S By Selfhostr Team · no sponsored content
Eaton, APC, or Riello: Who Wins in 2026?
ⓘ ⓘ This article may contain affiliate links (no extra cost to you, it funds the site). As an Amazon Associate, Selfhostr earns from qualifying purchases. See the disclosure.
⚡
Load-dependent: see APC spec sheet for the BR1600SI
Maximum runtime
🔌
No USB charging outlets on the Eaton Ellipse PRO 1200 FR (USB communication port)
Number of USB outlets
💡
960 W (1600 VA) for the APC BR1600SI
Total capacity WATTS
🤖
USB/RS-232 ports and optional network card on the Riello SEP 1500
Compatibility with smart systems
📊 Our Verdict (out of 100)
🏆 APC Back-UPS Pro BR1600SI 92/100

Excellent for systems requiring high autonomy.

Eaton Ellipse PRO 1200 FR 85/100

Ideal for applications where efficiency is a priority.

Riello Sentinel Pro SEP 1500 90/100

On-line double-conversion UPS, network monitoring via optional card.

👍 What we like

  • ✓Impressive autonomy and number of outlets.
  • ✓EcoControl outlets to save energy on peripherals (Eaton).
  • ✓Monitoring via USB/RS-232 or optional network card (Riello).

👎 What to watch

  • ✕Relatively high price compared to standard models.
  • ✕None of the three models has built-in wireless connectivity.
  • ✕Higher installation and configuration complexity than expected.

🏆 Our picks

Affiliate links · same price for you
Best Choice
APC Back-UPS Pro BR1600SI

APC Back-UPS Pro BR1600SI

Voir sur Amazon

Amazon · price and availability on the listing

Good Value for Money
Eaton Ellipse PRO 1200 FR

Eaton Ellipse PRO 1200 FR

Voir sur Amazon

Amazon · price and availability on the listing

Innovative Alternative
📦

Riello Sentinel Pro SEP 1500

Voir sur Amazon

Amazon · price and availability on the listing

See all our recommended gear in the shop.

📑 Contents ▾

When looking to secure your home lab with a UPS, three names stand out: Eaton, APC, and Riello. For the year 2026, these brands continue to improve their offerings to meet the growing needs of autonomous technology users. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert in self-hosting, each model has its advantages and disadvantages that deserve close attention.

Why this choice matters

Inverters from Eaton, APC, and Riello are essential for home hosting because they provide protection against unexpected power outages. Furthermore, these devices maintain power supply during peak times, thus preventing any degradation of electrical equipment. Users also seek an inverter offering sufficient connection spaces to plug all their home lab equipment without overloading the outlets.

Buying criteria

Runtime: The duration for which the inverter can keep connected devices running after a power outage.

Number and type of outlets: Inverters must provide enough connection spaces for all your equipment without overloading.

Efficiency: ratio of output power to input power; not to be confused with rated power (W and VA). See the manufacturer’s spec sheet.

To rate inverters, we reviewed their ability to maintain continuous power during prolonged outages (actual runtime depends on load: see the runtime charts in the manufacturers’ spec sheets). We did not test these products ourselves: the figures on this page are indicative orders of magnitude that we have not verified; refer to the manufacturers’ spec sheets.

1. APC Back-UPS Pro BR1600SI

The APC Back-UPS Pro BR1600SI is one of the most versatile and powerful models on the market for 2026, with a runtime that depends on the connected load (see the manufacturer’s spec sheet). It features 8 IEC C13 outlets (6 battery-backed with surge protection, 2 surge-only) and has no USB charging outlets.

2. Eaton Ellipse PRO 1200 FR

The Eaton Ellipse PRO 1200 FR stands out for its energy-saving features (efficiency: see the manufacturer’s spec sheet). It delivers 750 W / 1200 VA and has 8 French outlets, 4 of which are surge-only, including EcoControl outlets to save energy on peripherals.

3. Riello Sentinel Pro SEP 1500

The Riello Sentinel Pro SEP 1500 is an on-line double-conversion UPS (1500 VA) with 4 IEC C13 outlets, USB and RS-232 ports, and a slot for an optional network card for remote monitoring; it has no built-in wireless connectivity.

Comparison table

ProductRuntimeNumber of outletsEPR (%)Price (€)
APC BR1600SIsee spec sheet8 (IEC C13)see spec sheetsee live price
Eaton Ellipse PRO 1200 FRsee spec sheet8 (FR)see spec sheetsee live price
Riello SEP 1500see spec sheet4 (IEC C13)see spec sheetsee live price

Note: Prices may vary by store and promotions.

Use cases

The choice of inverter will largely depend on the number of devices you wish to protect. If your home lab includes multiple computers and servers, the APC BR1600SI is recommended for its extended runtime and comprehensive connectivity. For users concerned with energy efficiency, the Eaton Ellipse PRO 1200 FR offers a good balance between performance and savings.

Pitfalls to avoid

Avoid buying an inverter solely based on nominal power WATTS as it does not guarantee sufficient autonomy for your setup. Also, verify connectivity features and remote control options if you seek advanced capabilities.

Verdict

In conclusion, the choice of inverter depends on specific needs regarding protection from electrical outages. Our recommendation is the APC Back-UPS Pro BR1600SI for its runtime and versatile features. Check our [recommended hardware] page to discover other essential products for your home lab.

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