APC by Schneider Electric BX850M vs CyberPower CP850AVRLCD: Specification Comparison
The APC BX850M and CyberPower CP850AVRLCD are both 850VA/510W line-interactive UPS units in compact tower form factors, targeting small office, home office, and workstation protection at 120V AC. Both use sealed lead-acid batteries, offer AVR, and carry UL1778 and ENERGY STAR certifications. This comparison evaluates the three dimensions that matter most to installers and IT buyers: outlet count and protection architecture, battery runtime and recharge characteristics, and connectivity, standards compliance, and warranty coverage.
In This Guide
- How do the outlet count, surge rating, and AVR protection architecture compare?
- What do the battery runtime and recharge time specs mean for actual downtime protection?
- How do USB interface, certifications, operating environment, and warranty coverage differ?
- Which should you choose: the BX850M or the CP850AVRLCD?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
How do the outlet count, surge rating, and AVR protection architecture compare?
The APC BX850M provides 8 total NEMA 5-15R outlets: 4 with battery backup and 4 with surge protection only. APC specifies a surge energy rating of 1,103 Joules. The unit includes Boost AVR and an LCD status display. Data line protection covers 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet (RJ-45) and coaxial cable for CATV/SATV/modem/audio-video.
The CyberPower CP850AVRLCD is specified with 9 outlets total (the SKU description states '9 OL'). CyberPower's specs do not state a joule surge rating in the provided data, nor do they break down the battery-backup vs. surge-only outlet split. Output voltage is listed as 120 VAC ±5%. No data line protection ports are specified in the provided CyberPower spec set.
For buyers who need coax or Ethernet data line surge protection, only the BX850M carries confirmed specs for those ports. The CyberPower unit has one additional outlet (9 vs. 8) per the product description, but the backup-vs.-surge breakdown is not specified in the provided data.
What do the battery runtime and recharge time specs mean for actual downtime protection?
The APC BX850M specifies runtime of 2.1 minutes at full load (510W) and 8.9 minutes at half load (255W), with a 12-hour recharge time. Battery type is sealed lead-acid; capacity is not stated in the provided APC specs.
The CyberPower CP850AVRLCD specifies its battery as Sealed Lead-Acid, 12V / 9Ah. Runtime figures and recharge time are not provided in the supplied CyberPower spec data. The 9Ah capacity figure allows installers to estimate runtime independently using load calculations, but no manufacturer-stated runtime numbers are available here for direct comparison.
Buyers comparing runtime directly will find only APC-supplied figures in this dataset. The CyberPower 9Ah battery spec is a useful engineering input but does not substitute for a published runtime curve. At half load, the BX850M's 8.9-minute spec is sufficient for graceful shutdown of a workstation; equivalent CyberPower runtime cannot be confirmed from the provided specs.
How do USB interface, certifications, operating environment, and warranty coverage differ?
The APC BX850M includes a USB interface for PC communication and software integration. Certifications listed are UL 1778, FCC Part 15 Class B, ENERGY STAR, and California CEC Battery Charger. No operating temperature range or warranty duration is stated in the provided APC specs.
The CyberPower CP850AVRLCD carries UL1778, cUL 107 5th edition, FCC DOC Class B, RoHS, and ENERGY STAR certifications. An operating temperature range of 32–104°F (0–40°C) is specified. CyberPower includes a stated 3-Year Limited Warranty. No USB or communication interface is mentioned in the provided CyberPower specs.
The CyberPower unit adds cUL (Canadian UL) and RoHS compliance not listed for the APC unit in the provided specs, and it carries an explicit 3-year warranty versus no warranty term stated for the BX850M. The APC unit lists a USB interface for monitoring; no equivalent is confirmed for the CyberPower in the supplied data. Buyers deploying in Canada or requiring RoHS compliance have a confirmed spec advantage with the CyberPower.
Which should you choose: the BX850M or the CP850AVRLCD?
Our take: The BX850M is the stronger choice when data line protection, confirmed runtime figures, and USB-based monitoring integration are required at the point of installation. The BX850M specifies 1,103 Joules of surge protection, 8.9 minutes of runtime at half load, and includes RJ-45 plus coaxial data line protection — none of which appear in the CyberPower's provided spec set. Conversely, the CP850AVRLCD holds three concrete advantages: an explicit 3-Year Limited Warranty (versus no warranty term stated for the BX850M), cUL and RoHS certifications absent from the APC listing, and a specified 12V/9Ah battery that aids independent runtime planning. The CyberPower also lists one additional outlet (9 vs. 8), though the backup/surge split is unspecified. For a domestic workstation or small network closet where the installer needs confirmed runtime data and data port surge coverage, the BX850M's published specs are more complete. For Canadian deployments or RoHS-regulated environments, the CP850AVRLCD's certifications and warranty term are differentiating factors.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | APC by Schneider Electric BX850M | CyberPower CP850AVRLCD |
|---|---|---|
| VA Rating | 850 VA | 850 VA |
| Watt Rating | 510 W | 510 W (per SKU description) |
| Form Factor | Compact Tower | Desktop / Mini-Tower |
| Input Voltage Range | 88–139 V | 90–142 VAC |
| Output Voltage | 120 V | 120 VAC ±5% |
| Total Outlets | 8 | 9 |
| Battery Backup Outlets | 4 x NEMA 5-15R | — |
| Surge-Only Outlets | 4 x NEMA 5-15R | — |
| Surge Energy Rating | 1,103 Joules | — |
| Battery Type | Sealed Lead-Acid | Sealed Lead-Acid, 12V / 9Ah |
| Runtime at Full Load | 2.1 min | — |
| Runtime at Half Load | 8.9 min | — |
| Recharge Time | 12 hours | — |
| Communication Interface | USB | — |
| Data Line Protection | RJ-45 (10/100/1000) + Coax | — |
| Operating Temperature | — | 32–104°F (0–40°C) |
| Certifications | UL 1778, FCC Part 15 Class B, ENERGY STAR, CA CEC | UL1778, cUL 107 5th, FCC DOC Class B, RoHS, ENERGY STAR |
| Warranty | — | 3 Year Limited |
| Dimensions | 7.48 x 3.58 x 12.20 in | 3.9 x 9 x 10.2 in (99 x 229 x 259 mm) |
| Weight | — | 15 lb (6.8 kg) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the BX850M or the CP850AVRLCD?
The BX850M is the stronger choice when data line protection, confirmed runtime figures, and USB-based monitoring integration are required at the point of installation. The BX850M specifies 1,103 Joules of surge protection, 8.9 minutes of runtime at half load, and includes RJ-45 plus coaxial data line protection — none of which appear in the CyberPower's provided spec set. Conversely, the CP850AVRLCD holds three concrete advantages: an explicit 3-Year Limited Warranty (versus no warranty term stated for the BX850M), cUL and RoHS certifications absent from the APC listing, and a specified 12V/9Ah battery that aids independent runtime planning. The CyberPower also lists one additional outlet (9 vs. 8), though the backup/surge split is unspecified. For a domestic workstation or small network closet where the installer needs confirmed runtime data and data port surge coverage, the BX850M's published specs are more complete. For Canadian deployments or RoHS-regulated environments, the CP850AVRLCD's certifications and warranty term are differentiating factors.
Which UPS gives me longer battery runtime — the BX850M or CP850AVRLCD?
Only the APC BX850M provides manufacturer-stated runtime figures in the available specs: 2.1 minutes at full load (510W) and 8.9 minutes at half load (255W). The CyberPower CP850AVRLCD specifies a 12V/9Ah battery, which allows an installer to estimate runtime, but CyberPower does not publish runtime numbers in the provided spec data. A direct apples-to-apples comparison cannot be made from the supplied specifications.
Does either UPS protect network or coax lines, not just power outlets?
Yes — the APC BX850M explicitly lists data line protection for 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet (RJ-45) and coaxial cable (CATV/SATV/modem/audio-video). The CyberPower CP850AVRLCD does not specify any data line protection ports in the provided specs.
Which unit has the better warranty, and does either carry Canadian or RoHS certification?
The CyberPower CP850AVRLCD carries an explicit 3-Year Limited Warranty; no warranty term is stated in the provided APC BX850M specs. For certifications, the CP850AVRLCD also adds cUL (Canadian UL 107 5th edition) and RoHS compliance, which are not listed for the BX850M in the supplied data. Buyers in Canada or subject to RoHS requirements should note this difference.
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