Which single-phase smart UPS is the best value in 2026: APC, Eaton or Vertiv?
Short answer (UPSPLUSBATTERY list prices, 2 October 2026): for a 120 V online double-conversion UPS between 1500 and 3000 VA, the APC Smart-UPS SRT listed 7 to 8% below the Eaton 9PX and the Vertiv Liebert GXT5 at 1500 and 3000 VA. The 9PX and GXT5 were within 4% of each other at 1500, 2000 and 3000 VA. On a site that already runs one brand's network cards, software licences or service contract, those costs belong in the comparison too.
- Lowest list price, online, 1500 and 3000 VA: APC Smart-UPS SRT
- Lithium-ion versions: APC Smart-UPS SMTL (line-interactive) and Smart-UPS Ultra SRTL (online), Eaton 9PX-L, Vertiv Liebert GXT5LI
- Line-interactive, lower cost: APC Smart-UPS SMT, Eaton 5P and 5PX G2, Vertiv Liebert PSI5
- Not an IT UPS: Siemens SITOP (24 V DC in and out)
What counts as a single-phase smart UPS?
Here it means a 120 V UPS between 1500 and 3000 VA, in a rack or tower case, that takes a network card for remote monitoring and automatic server shutdown. Three families fit at the online double-conversion level: the APC Smart-UPS SRT, the Eaton 9PX and the Vertiv Liebert GXT5. One step down, line-interactive units cost less: the APC Smart-UPS SMT and the Vertiv Liebert PSI5, both with automatic voltage regulation (AVR), and the Eaton 5P and 5PX G2.
How do the APC SRT, Eaton 9PX and Vertiv GXT5 compare?
| APC Smart-UPS SRT | Eaton 9PX | Vertiv Liebert GXT5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 V models, 1500 to 3000 VA | SRT1500XLA, SRT2200XLA, SRT3000XLA | 9PX1500RT, 9PX2000RT, 9PX3000RT ("N" models include a network card) | GXT5-1500LVRT2UXL, GXT5-2000LVRT2UXL, GXT5-3000LVRT2UXL ("N" models include an RDU120 card) |
| Topology | Online double conversion | Online double conversion | Online double conversion |
| Network card | SmartSlot: Network Management Card 3 (AP9640, AP9641, AP9643) | Eaton Gigabit Network Card (Network-M3) | IntelliSlot RDU120, or RDU101 as an option |
| Monitoring and shutdown software | PowerChute Serial Shutdown (free); PowerChute Network Shutdown (free on Windows, Linux or a standalone ESXi host; subscription for vCenter, Hyper-V, Nutanix and other clusters) | Brightlayer Distributed IT - Lite, formerly Intelligent Power Manager (licensed per node, 60-day trial) | Vertiv Power Assist (free, up to 2 UPS); Vertiv Power Insight (free, up to 100 devices) |
| Lithium-ion version | Smart-UPS Ultra SRTL2K2RM1UC, SRTL3KRM1UC (SRTL1K5RM1UC from 5 October 2026) | 9PX1500RT-L, 9PX2000RT-L, 9PX3000RT-L | GXT5LI-1500LVRT2UXL, GXT5LI-3000LVRT2UXL |
| Lead-acid replacement battery | APCRBC155 (SRT1500XLA), APCRBC141 (SRT2200XLA), APCRBC152 (SRT3000XLA) | EBP-1613 (9PX1500RT) | GXT5-48VBATKIT (1500 and 2000 VA), GXT5-72VBATKIT (3000 VA) |
| External battery cabinet | XLA models are the extended-runtime versions | 9PXEBM48RT (9PX1500RT) | GXT5-EBC48VRT2U (1500 and 2000 VA), GXT5-EBC72VRT2U (3000 VA) |
Which one costs less?
UPSPLUSBATTERY list prices on 2 October 2026, in CAD before tax:
- 1500 VA: the APC SRT1500XLA listed 7% below the Vertiv GXT5-1500LVRT2UXL and 8% below the Eaton 9PX1500RT.
- 2000 to 2200 VA: the Eaton 9PX2000RT listed 4% below the Vertiv GXT5-2000LVRT2UXL; both are 2000 VA units. The closest APC SRT, the 2200 VA SRT2200XLA, listed below both.
- 3000 VA: the APC SRT3000XLA listed 7% below the Eaton 9PX3000RT and the Vertiv GXT5-3000LVRT2UXL, which were within $1 of each other.
Prices change. The current price is on each product page.
Is a lithium-ion UPS worth the extra cost?
The manufacturers publish longer lives for lithium-ion batteries. APC gives a battery design life of 8 to 10 years for its Smart-UPS SMTL models. Eaton gives a service life of up to 10 years for the 9PX-L, with a 5-year warranty. For comparison, APC gives 3 to 5 years for the lead-acid (VRLA) batteries in the Smart-UPS SMT1500C, SMT2200C and the SRT 1500 to 3000 VA models.
The price gap is large. On 2 October 2026, the Eaton 9PX1500RTN-L listed 36% above the 9PX1500RTN, and the 9PX3000RT-L 26% above the 9PX3000RT. The Vertiv GXT5LI-1500LVRT2UXL listed 57% above the GXT5-1500LVRT2UXL, and the GXT5LI-3000LVRT2UXL 30% above the GXT5-3000LVRT2UXL.
Worked example, Eaton 9PX 1500 VA (calculated from list prices on 2 October 2026):
- Lithium-ion premium: $4,379.99 (9PX1500RTN-L) minus $3,216.99 (9PX1500RTN) = $1,163.00
- Lead-acid replacement pack: $344.99 for a 9PX 1500 VA pack in our Eaton 9PX battery collection (Eaton lists the EBP-1613 for the 9PX1500RT)
- Lead-acid life: 3 to 5 years, the range APC publishes for the lead-acid batteries in its SMT1500C, SMT2200C and SRT models (our sources give no figure for the 9PX), so one to three pack replacements in ten years
- One replacement (5-year life): $344.99, which is $818.01 less than the premium
- Two replacements (about 4-year life): 2 × $344.99 = $689.98, which is $473.02 less than the premium, or about $237 per swap ($473.02 ÷ 2)
- Three replacements (3-year life): 3 × $344.99 = $1,034.97, which is $128.03 less than the premium, or about $43 per swap ($128.03 ÷ 3)
On parts alone, the lead-acid unit costs less over ten years in every case, and that assumes the lithium-ion battery reaches the 10 years Eaton gives as its upper figure. The lithium-ion unit pays back when each lead-acid battery swap also costs more than about $43 (3-year life) to $818 (5-year life) in labour, travel or downtime. At an unstaffed branch or a remote site, the travel alone can pass the lower thresholds. In a staffed server room the case is weaker, since Eaton specifies hot-swappable internal batteries on the 9PX and on-site staff can change them.
Which line-interactive units cost less?
For a network closet, a small office server or desktop equipment, a line-interactive UPS is usually enough. At 1500 VA on 2 October 2026, the APC SMT1500C listed lowest, followed by the Vertiv PSI5-1500RT120, the Eaton 5PX1500RTG2 and the Eaton 5P1500R. Compare watts as well as VA: Eaton rates the 5PX G2 at 1440 VA and 1440 W, and the 5P at 1440 VA and 1100 W.
One trap: the APC Smart-UPS C SMC1500-2UC has no SmartSlot (APC lists "Free slot 0"). It cannot take a Network Management Card, so PowerChute Network Shutdown is not an option. It connects through USB, serial and the SmartConnect cloud port. Its predecessor, the SMC1500-2U, was discontinued on 18 July 2023.
Where does Siemens SITOP fit?
Siemens SITOP is a 24 V DC UPS: it takes 24 V DC in and gives 24 V DC out. The SITOP UPS500S stores energy in double-layer capacitors: 2.5 or 5 kWs per basic unit, expandable to 20 kWs. The SITOP UPS1600 runs from UPS1100 battery modules. Neither feeds 120 V AC equipment such as servers or switches, so SITOP is not an alternative to the three families above. It belongs on a 24 V DC control circuit.
Which replacement battery does each model use?
| UPS model | Manufacturer's replacement battery |
|---|---|
| APC SMT1500C | RBC7 |
| APC SMT2200C, SMT3000C | RBC55 |
| APC SMT3000RM2UC | RBC43 |
| APC SRT1500XLA | APCRBC155 |
| APC SRT2200XLA | APCRBC141 |
| APC SRT3000XLA | APCRBC152 |
| Eaton 9PX1500RT | EBP-1613 |
| Vertiv GXT5-1000LVRT2UXL | GXT5-36VBATKIT |
| Vertiv GXT5-1500LVRT2UXL, GXT5-2000LVRT2UXL | GXT5-48VBATKIT |
| Vertiv GXT5-3000LVRT2UXL | GXT5-72VBATKIT |
| Vertiv PSI5-1500RT120, PSI5-2200RT120, PSI5-3000RT120 | PSI5-1500BATKIT, PSI5-2200BATKIT, PSI5-3000BATKIT |
Replacement batteries by brand: APC Smart-UPS batteries, Eaton 9PX batteries, Vertiv Liebert GXT5 batteries, Liebert and Vertiv batteries.
Frequently asked questions
Which single-phase smart UPS is the best value in 2026?
On UPSPLUSBATTERY list prices on 2 October 2026, the APC Smart-UPS SRT was the lowest-priced 120 V online double-conversion UPS at 1500 and 3000 VA, 7 to 8% below the Eaton 9PX and the Vertiv Liebert GXT5. Network cards, software licences and service contracts a site already has can outweigh that difference.
Is APC part of Schneider Electric?
Yes. APC is a Schneider Electric brand, and APC product pages now point to se.com, Schneider Electric's website.
Does a lithium-ion UPS pay for itself?
On parts alone, not over ten years. For an Eaton 9PX 1500 VA on list prices of 2 October 2026, the lithium-ion premium was $1,163.00, while one to three lead-acid replacement packs cost $344.99 to $1,034.97. Lithium-ion pays back when each lead-acid battery swap also costs more than about $43 to $818 in labour, travel or downtime, depending on whether the lead-acid battery lasts 3 or 5 years.
Can the APC Smart-UPS C SMC1500-2UC take a network management card?
No. The Smart-UPS C SMC1500-2UC has no SmartSlot, so it cannot take a Network Management Card or run PowerChute Network Shutdown. It connects through USB, serial and the SmartConnect cloud port.
Can a Siemens SITOP UPS protect a server rack?
No. SITOP units are 24 V DC UPS, with 24 V DC in and out. Servers and network switches on 120 V need an AC UPS such as the APC Smart-UPS, Eaton 9PX or Vertiv Liebert GXT5.
Sources
- Schneider Electric: SRT1500XLA, SMTL2200RM2UC data sheet, SRTL3KRM1UC, SMC1500-2UC data sheet, PowerChute Network Shutdown licensing
- Eaton: 9PX1500RT, 9PX1500RT-L, 5PX1500RTG2, 5P1500
- Vertiv: Liebert GXT5 120 V brochure, GXT5 accessories by model, Liebert PSI5 data sheet
- Siemens: SITOP DC UPS brochure
Updated 2 October 2026. Prices are UPSPLUSBATTERY list prices on that date, in CAD before tax.
