Choosing between the APC Back-UPS Pro BR1500MS2 Pure Sine Wave UPS (1500VA/900W) and the CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS (1500VA/1000W) is a pure-sine tower fork for a NAS plus network stack, not a surge-strip versus UPS debate. Both list about 1500VA, pure sine on battery, AVR on the utility path, and HID UPS USB that Synology, QNAP, and NUT usbhid-ups recognize. Specs and street prices below come from manufacturer sheets and current Amazon listings, not a lab shootout.
This head-to-head sits beside the broader shortlist in Best UPS Battery Backups for NAS and Network Gear. The question here is narrower: APC BR1500MS2 for PowerChute and brand stocking, or CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD when wattage headroom, LCD runtime cues, and street price matter more. Neither is an online double-conversion unit; both are line-interactive towers that ride mild sags on AVR and invent only when the wall feed fails or leaves the AVR window.
| Attribute | APC Back-UPS Pro BR1500MS2 Pure Sine Wave UPS (1500VA/900W) | CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS (1500VA/1000W) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 | 4.7 |
| Price | $249.99 checked Jul 2026 | $227.95 checked Jul 2026 |
| Capacity | 1500VA / 900W | 1500VA / 1000W |
| Waveform | Pure sine wave (line interactive, AVR) | Pure sine wave (line interactive, AVR) |
| Runtime | Up to 73 min at 100W | 10 min at 500W half load, 2.5 min at full 1000W |
| Outlets | 10 NEMA 5-15R (6 battery + surge, 4 surge-only) | 12 NEMA 5-15R (6 battery + surge, 6 surge-only) |
| Data port | USB (PowerChute / NAS auto-shutdown) | USB HID (NAS/PC auto-shutdown) + serial |
| Charging ports | USB-A + USB-C, 3A total | USB-A + USB-C |
| Extras | Coax + Ethernet surge protection, LCD | Not listed |
| Battery | User replaceable | Not listed |
| Transfer time | Not listed | 4 ms |
| Dimensions / weight | Not listed | 14.0 x 3.9 x 11.0 in, 24.9 lb |
| Warranty | Not listed | 3 years including batteries, $500,000 CEG |
| Buy | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Quick verdict
Most people should buy the CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD. It lists a higher watt ceiling (1000W vs 900W), a color LCD with estimated runtime, and a street price that often undercuts the APC. The APC BR1500MS2 still wins when you prefer PowerChute, APC replacement-battery stocking, and staying inside the Back-UPS Pro line.
Price and value
Winner: CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD. Catalog anchors sit near $228 for the CyberPower and $250 for the APC, with street pricing often favoring CyberPower by a noticeable gap. For a home NAS, router, and switch, the CyberPower is the clearer dollars-per-watt story. Pay the APC premium when PowerChute and APC battery availability are the real requirements.
Capacity and waveform
Winner: CyberPower on watts; tie on waveform. Both advertise 1500VA and pure sine output for Active PFC NAS and desktop PSUs. The split that matters is continuous wattage: CyberPower lists 1000W, APC lists 900W. A loaded multi-bay NAS plus a PoE switch and modem can eat that headroom fast. VA is not a substitute for watts. If the stack is light (two-bay NAS + router), either clears the floor; if you also park a desktop or mini PC on the same tower, the CyberPower margin is the safer paper pick.
| Axis | APC BR1500MS2 | CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1500VA / 900W | 1500VA / 1000W |
| Waveform | Pure sine | Pure sine |
| Topology | Line-interactive + AVR | Line-interactive + AVR |
| USB | HID-compliant | HID-compliant |
| Software path | PowerChute | PowerPanel / HID |
| Display | Status / LCD class (model-dependent) | Color LCD with estimated runtime |
| Battery outlets | Check sheet (battery vs surge) | 6 of 12 on battery |
| Typical catalog price | ~$250 | ~$228 |
| Best fit | APC ecosystem + PowerChute | Watt headroom + value |
AVR and brownout behavior
Winner: tie on paper (both list AVR). Both are line-interactive towers with AVR: boost and buck trim mild brownouts and swells so the battery stays reserved for real cuts. Neither is online double-conversion, so deep sags and blackouts still transfer to inverter. Confirm the load sits on battery-backed outlets, not surge-only ones. For dirtier utility feeds where continuous regeneration matters more than AVR trim, step up to a true double-conversion UPS instead of either of these towers.
USB/HID/NUT shutdown
Winner: slight edge to CyberPower for LCD runtime cues; tie for HID/NUT. Both expose HID USB that Synology DSM, QNAP QTS, and NUT usbhid-ups commonly recognize for graceful shutdown. APC adds a PowerChute software path for Windows and some appliance workflows. CyberPower's color LCD showing estimated runtime helps when you glance at the tower during a cut. Pair either unit with a USB cable to the NAS (or a NUT host), then test an unplug in a maintenance window so logs show a clean transfer. HID status reporting is separate from AVR voltage correction; see HID UPS.
Outlets and layout for NAS+network
Winner: CyberPower for a clear 6-of-12 battery split; APC still workable if you map outlets carefully. CyberPower lists 12 outlets with 6 on battery. That layout fits a NAS, modem, router, and switch on battery while leaving surge-only sockets for printers or lamps. APC Back-UPS Pro towers also mix battery and surge outlets; read the rear panel legend before you hang a fragile pool on a surge-only bank. Keep the critical path short: NAS + network gear on battery, non-critical loads elsewhere. For a wider shopping shortlist across brands, see Best UPS Battery Backups for NAS and Network Gear.
Noise, size, and weight
Winner: neither is a silent bookshelf toy; expect tower bulk and fan spin. CyberPower lists about 25 lb; APC's BR1500MS2 is a similarly bulky under-desk tower. Both can spin the fan under sustained load or on battery. Plan floor or rack-adjacent space, cable strain relief, and airflow. If you need whisper-quiet living-room placement, neither 1500VA sine tower is the right product class.
Who should buy which
Buy the CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD if you want 1000W headroom, a color LCD with runtime estimates, HID/NUT-friendly USB, and the stronger street-price value for a home NAS plus network stack.
Buy the APC BR1500MS2 if you want the Back-UPS Pro / PowerChute path, widely stocked APC replacement batteries, and brand familiarity even at a lower 900W ceiling and often higher price.
Skip both if the load is a single router shelf (a compact 600VA unit is enough), you need online double-conversion for dirty power, or the stack exceeds ~900 to 1000W continuous (step up in VA/W class).
Bottom line
APC BR1500MS2 and CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD both beat simulated-sine standby boxes for Active PFC NAS gear, but they win different fights. CyberPower is the overall pick for most buyers: more watts, useful LCD, and better value. APC is the pick when PowerChute and the APC ecosystem matter more than the sticker. Specs here are from maker sheets and Amazon listings, not a lab shootout. Confirm current street pricing, then View on Amazon for the CyberPower or the APC before you order.
For AVR basics, see AVR. For USB shutdown protocol, see HID UPS. For a multi-model shortlist, see Best UPS Battery Backups for NAS and Network Gear.
