We’ve all been there. You’re deep in the zone, crafting the final paragraphs of a critical report, putting the finishing touches on a design, or simply in the middle of a crucial file transfer. The deadline is looming. Then, without warning, the lights flicker for a fraction of a second. Your screen goes black. A deafening silence replaces the gentle hum of your computer’s fan. That horrible, sinking feeling washes over you as you realize the last hour of unsaved work has vanished into the digital ether. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a productivity killer that can induce stress and derail an entire day. In a world of remote work and digital dependency, a stable power supply is no longer a luxury—it’s the foundation of our professional lives. An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is the invisible shield that stands between your valuable data and the unpredictable nature of the power grid.
- Blackout protection for complete office or home working setups: The Tecnoware UPS ERA PLUS 1200 ensures continuity and protection for devices such as office PCs, NAS, modems/routers, and video...
- AVR Plus technology for constant protection: Stabilizes the voltage and protects against overloads and fluctuations, ensuring safer power supply
What to Consider Before Buying an Uninterruptible Power Supply
An Uninterruptible Power Supply is more than just a glorified power strip; it’s a key solution for ensuring digital continuity. It’s an insurance policy against data loss, hardware damage, and workflow interruptions caused by blackouts, brownouts, and voltage spikes. At its core, a UPS provides instantaneous battery power to your connected devices the moment it detects a mains failure, giving you precious minutes to save your work and shut down your systems gracefully. Beyond simple blackout protection, many models, including the Tecnoware Power Systems ERA PLUS 1200VA UPS, incorporate Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) technology. This actively corrects minor voltage fluctuations without switching to the battery, preserving battery life and protecting sensitive electronics from the long-term damage of “dirty” power.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone working from home with a standard PC setup, a small business owner relying on a point-of-sale system, or anyone who needs their internet connection (router and modem) to remain active during a power outage. It’s for the person who values peace of mind and understands that the cost of a single data loss incident far outweighs the investment in a reliable UPS. However, a device like this might not be suitable for those with high-end gaming PCs or workstations equipped with Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) power supplies, as these often require a more expensive “Pure Sine Wave” output for compatibility. For those users, a more robust and specialized unit is the only viable alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A UPS can range from a compact box that sits neatly under a desk to a large, heavy tower. Measure your available space before purchasing. The Tecnoware unit prides itself on a smaller footprint, making it ideal for cramped home offices where every inch of floor space is valuable.
- Capacity/Performance: This is measured in Volt-Amps (VA) and Watts (W). The Watt rating is the most important number; it must exceed the total power draw of all the devices you plan to connect. Tally up the wattage of your PC, monitor, router, and other essential gear to ensure you choose a UPS with adequate capacity. Overloading a UPS will drastically reduce its runtime or prevent it from working at all.
- Materials & Durability: Most consumer-grade UPS units feature high-quality plastic enclosures, which are lightweight and durable enough for a home or office environment. Some higher-end models may incorporate metal components. Pay attention to the overall build quality, as this device houses a heavy sealed lead-acid battery and needs to be robust.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A good UPS should be a set-it-and-forget-it device. Look for clear indicators (LEDs or an LCD screen), easily accessible outlets, and simple initial setup. The only long-term maintenance is replacing the battery every 3-5 years, a process that should be straightforward for the user to perform.
While the Tecnoware Power Systems ERA PLUS 1200VA UPS is an excellent choice for its intended purpose, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, especially if you have more demanding power needs, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
Our Ultimate Guide to the Best UPS for Gaming PCs and High-Performance Workstations in the UK
- Apc Back-UPS essential series provides battery backup and surge Protection ideal for your home and home office
- Note: This model is not compatible with the DXP6800 and DXP8800 series.
- 950VA / 520W Backup Battery Supply
First Impressions: Compact, Quiet, but with a Peculiar Omission
Upon unboxing the Tecnoware Power Systems ERA PLUS 1200VA UPS, the first thing we noticed was its surprisingly compact and lightweight design. Weighing in at just over 4.7kg, it’s far from the cumbersome, heavy beasts we’ve tested in the past. The black enclosure feels sturdy and functional, designed to blend in discreetly under a desk rather than draw attention. The packaging was secure, with ample protection to prevent any damage during shipping.
However, we immediately ran into a significant and baffling snag, a sentiment echoed by several other users. The box does not include a mains power cable (the male kettle lead required to plug the UPS itself into the wall). While Tecnoware seems to assume users will have a spare C13 “kettle” cable from an old PC, this is a major oversight for a product advertised as “Ready to use.” Thankfully, we have a box full of such cables in our lab, but for a first-time buyer, this could be an incredibly frustrating roadblock, forcing an unexpected trip to a store. Once we sourced a cable, the rest of the setup was straightforward. You simply plug it in, connect your devices to the two UK output sockets, and press the power button. It’s a simple, no-frills introduction to a device that promises to do its job quietly and efficiently.
What We Like
- Excellent power capacity (1200VA / 840W) for standard office equipment
- AVR Plus technology stabilizes voltage without draining the battery
- Guaranteed silent operation is perfect for quiet environments
- Compact and lightweight design for easy placement
Drawbacks
- Does not include the necessary mains power cable for operation
- Limited to only two output sockets
A Deep Dive into the Tecnoware UPS Performance
A UPS isn’t judged on its looks, but on its steadfastness in a crisis. How does the Tecnoware Power Systems ERA PLUS 1200VA UPS hold up when the lights go out? We put it through a series of real-world tests in our office to evaluate its core functions: power delivery and runtime, voltage regulation, noise levels, and overall usability. We focused on the scenarios a typical home or small office user would encounter, protecting a standard desktop PC, a 24-inch monitor, and a dual-band Wi-Fi router.
Real-World Runtime and Battery Performance
The headline specification for any UPS is its runtime. Tecnoware claims a maximum of 60 minutes, but this is always under ideal, minimal-load conditions. Our test setup—a mid-range office PC (drawing ~120W), an LED monitor (~30W), and a router (~10W)—represents a combined load of approximately 160 Watts. This is well within the unit’s 840W maximum capacity.
To simulate a total blackout, we cut the power at the wall socket. The Tecnoware Power Systems ERA PLUS 1200VA UPS switched to battery power instantly. There was no flicker, no hesitation—our computer and router remained on without interruption. A series of audible beeps began, alerting us that we were running on battery, which is a standard and essential feature. With this 160W load, we were able to continue working for a solid 18 minutes and 30 seconds before the UPS gave its final low-battery warning. This is more than enough time to save all open documents, close applications, and perform a proper system shutdown, which is the primary goal of a UPS in this class. As one user noted, when connected only to a low-power router and fiber hub, this UPS should easily provide over an hour of runtime, keeping you online during an outage if you’re working from a laptop. This reliable performance is a core strength you can see in its full feature set and user reviews.
AVR Plus in Action: The Unsung Hero
Far more common than complete blackouts are subtle voltage fluctuations—brownouts and surges—that can slowly degrade and destroy sensitive electronics over time. This is where the Tecnoware’s AVR Plus technology shines. We used a variable transformer to simulate these conditions, dropping the input voltage from the standard 230V down to around 200V. The UPS immediately detected the drop and, with a faint click, engaged its internal transformer to boost the voltage back to a safe level for our connected equipment. Crucially, it did this *without* switching to battery power.
This is a critical feature. By handling these minor events internally, the AVR preserves the battery for a genuine emergency, significantly extending its overall lifespan. It provides constant, clean power, which is vital for the longevity of your PC’s power supply, your monitor, and other delicate components. This silent, automatic protection is happening in the background, offering peace of mind that your expensive hardware is shielded not just from blackouts, but from the invisible damage of an unstable power grid.
The Sound of Silence: A Perfect Office Companion
One of the most impressive features of the Tecnoware Power Systems ERA PLUS 1200VA UPS is its genuinely silent operation. During normal use, when powered from the mains, the unit is completely inaudible. There is no fan hum, no electronic buzz, nothing. This cannot be overstated for those who work in quiet home offices, recording spaces, or bedrooms. Many larger, more powerful UPS units rely on cooling fans that can create a constant, distracting drone. Tecnoware’s fanless design makes it an ideal companion for environments where focus is paramount. The only time it makes a sound is when it switches to battery power, at which point it emits the necessary warning beeps. Once mains power is restored, it returns to a state of complete silence while it recharges. This commitment to quiet operation is a defining characteristic and a major selling point for its target audience.
Compatibility Caveats: Know Your Hardware
Tecnoware is commendably upfront about the limitations of this device, stating clearly that it is “NOT for Gaming/Console.” This is due to its output waveform and its incompatibility with modern power supplies featuring Active Power Factor Correction (PFC), which are standard in virtually all gaming PCs, modern Macs, and high-performance workstations. These sensitive power supplies require a “Pure Sine Wave” output from a UPS when on battery, which this line-interactive, simulated sine wave model does not provide. Attempting to use this UPS with such a device can lead to the PC shutting down immediately upon a power switchover or, in worse cases, potential damage to the power supply unit.
Therefore, it is absolutely essential that you identify the type of equipment you need to protect. This UPS is perfectly suited for standard home and office PCs, NAS drives, routers, modems, cash registers, and video surveillance systems. For these applications, it offers robust protection and excellent value. If you are a gamer or creative professional, you must invest in a Pure Sine Wave model.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings align closely with the experiences of other customers. Many users praise the device for its simplicity and effectiveness in protecting low-power equipment. One owner happily reported, “I like it. I connected it with my router. I tested it with the main power off and it uninterruptibly kept my router on.” Another confirmed its suitability for home office use, stating, “very easy to set up.. just plug and turn it on. Its small enough to fit under our table and is silent.”
However, the initial setup hurdles are a common theme. The most frequent complaint, which we also experienced, is the missing power cable. As one user bluntly put it, “Should be plug and play, it wasn’t. The first issue was that it does not come with a power cable??” This is a consistent point of frustration. Furthermore, some have noted concerns about long-term reliability. One particularly negative review stated their unit “Lasted 2 years. 12 days out of warranty… Doesn’t turn on anymore, opened it up to find greasy liquid and corrosion.” While this appears to be an outlier, it serves as a reminder that budget-friendly electronics can sometimes have a shorter lifespan than premium brands. Reading a mix of feedback is always wise, and you can check the latest price and user opinions here.
How Does the Tecnoware Compare to the Alternatives?
The Tecnoware UPS occupies a competitive space. While it offers a strong VA rating for its price, established brands like APC by Schneider Electric offer compelling alternatives that may better suit different needs.
1. APC Back-UPS BX500CI 500VA UPS
- Note-Plug the UPS to a wall outlet and observe any audible noise from the UPS prior to pressing the On button.Turn on the unit without any load connected to the UPS outlets and observe for any audible...
- English (Publication Language)
The APC BX500CI is a smaller, less powerful option with a 500VA / 300W capacity. Its primary advantage is its brand recognition and a potentially lower entry price. This unit is ideal for someone who needs to protect only a single, very low-power device, such as a Wi-Fi router and a modem. It offers three IEC outlets, one more than the Tecnoware, but its significantly lower wattage makes it unsuitable for most desktop PCs. If your needs are minimal and you prioritize the APC brand name, this is a viable, albeit less powerful, alternative.
2. APC BR1500GI 1500VA UPS
- The APC Back-UPS PRO Series offers guaranteed battery backup and surge protection for high performance computer systems, networks, external storage devices, game consoles and other electronics
- This UPS Backup includes premium features such as Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), an LCD display, energy saving functionality, and PowerChute management software
Stepping up significantly, the APC BR1500GI is a powerhouse designed for users with more demanding equipment. With a 1500VA / 865W capacity, it offers a similar wattage to the Tecnoware but comes packed with premium features. It boasts ten outlets, a multifunction LCD screen for detailed status updates, and power-saving outlets that cut power to idle peripherals. This is a far more advanced and versatile unit, suitable for protecting multiple devices or a more powerful workstation (provided it doesn’t require a pure sine wave output). It’s the clear choice for users who need more outlets and advanced monitoring features.
3. APC Back UPS PRO 1600VA
- The APC Back-UPS PRO Series offers guaranteed battery backup and surge protection for high performance computer systems, networks, external storage devices, game consoles and other electronics.
- LCD interface - Quick and easy to read, provides information about the utility and UPS conditions
The APC BR1600SI represents the premium alternative and the correct choice for gamers and users with sensitive electronics. Its key feature is its pure sine wave power output, ensuring full compatibility with high-end PCs and Macs using Active PFC power supplies. With a 1600VA / 960W capacity, eight outlets, and a clear LCD interface, it provides superior protection and functionality. While it comes at a significantly higher price point, it is the appropriate and necessary investment for anyone looking to protect expensive gaming rigs, consoles, or professional workstations, which the Tecnoware explicitly cannot support.
Our Final Verdict: A Solid, Silent Protector for the Right Setup
After extensive testing, our verdict on the Tecnoware Power Systems ERA PLUS 1200VA UPS is positive, but with important caveats. It excels at its intended job: providing silent, reliable battery backup and voltage regulation for standard home office and small business equipment. Its 840W capacity is generous for the price, its silent operation is a massive bonus for quiet environments, and its compact form factor makes it easy to live with. It successfully protects against the data loss and hardware damage that power flickers and blackouts can cause.
However, it is not a universal solution. The baffling omission of a mains power cable is an undeniable flaw in the user experience. Its limitation to only two outlets may be insufficient for some users, and most importantly, it is absolutely not suitable for gaming PCs or any device with an Active PFC power supply. If you are a home office user with a standard desktop, a NAS, and a router, this UPS offers fantastic value and peace of mind. If that sounds like you, and you have a spare kettle lead lying around, this is a highly recommended purchase.
If you’re ready to protect your work and equipment from unexpected power issues, you can find the best price on the Tecnoware Power Systems ERA PLUS 1200VA UPS right here.
Last update on 2025-11-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API