Every Business and Home Should Use a Battery Backup (UPS) for Their Router and Modem

When people think about battery backups (UPS — Uninterruptible Power Supply), they usually picture them protecting expensive servers or desktop computers.

However, one of the smartest uses for a battery backup, for homeowners and business owners alike, is keeping your Wi-Fi router and modem powered through outages and voltage fluctuations.

As someone who not only operates a business that depends on reliable internet but also used to lead an IT division, I can enthusiastically tell you that adding a battery backup to your networking equipment is one of the best and easiest tech investments you can make.

TL;DR: Why Use a UPS for Your Wi-Fi Router and Modem?

A UPS ensures your network backbone stays online during power outages and surges. Using a battery backup for your router and modem prevents:

• Internet disruptions
• Network device reboots
• Network and Wi-Fi reconnect delays
• Equipment damage

Additionally, implementing a router and modem UPS can help keep:

• Smart home and IoT devices connected
• Security systems online
• Cloud services operational
• Communication channels open

Implementing a battery backup for your router and modem is a simple and affordable way to dramatically improve network reliability and resilience.

Keep Your Internet Running During Power Outages

Just because your house or office loses power does not mean your internet has to go offline.

ISPs (internet service providers) typically keep external networks running even when local power is out. In other words, the cable or fiber running to your house or building is still delivering internet access. If you keep your router and modem powered via a UPS, you can:

• Keep working from a laptop or mobile device
• Work from any computers that also have a battery backup
• Stay connected to a VoIP phone call or virtual meeting
• Ensure smart devices, security systems, and cameras stay connected

I have personally used CyberPower UPS units for 15+ years for exactly this purpose. Integrating a battery backup helps me and my team stay connected when power issues hit the building, avoiding costly disruptions for our team and our clients.

I also use battery backups at home which ensures that security cameras remain active, my family’s internet remains available during storms, and I can even continue working from home when needed.

Skip Annoying Reboots and Reconnect Time

Even exceptionally short power events, like a 2-second surge or brownout, can cause your entire network stack to restart.

When that happens, the modem will have to re-sync with your ISP, the router will need to reboot, and then all your devices will need to reconnect to the network to begin functioning again.

This sequential process often takes 5-10+ minutes and interrupts everything from video calls to file transfers.

A UPS ensures that short power blips don’t cause your network to go down — saving you significant time and frustration.

Protect Your Equipment with AVR Technology

Many modern, high-quality UPS devices (including CyberPower models) feature Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR).

In addition to power outages, a UPS with AVR technology protect your networking equipment from:

• Power surges
• Brownouts (low voltage events)
• Voltage fluctuations

Without AVR, even minor power quality issues can slowly degrade modems, routers, and switches. AVR-equipped UPS units extend the life of your gear and help you avoid expensive replacements.

I would never recommend buying a UPS without the AVR feature.

Maintain Access to Cloud-Based Services

If your network remains online during a power outage, your cloud services remain accessible, including:

• Google Drive, Dropbox, and cloud file storage
• Cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) systems
• Remote desktop connections
• Collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams and Slack

This is especially valuable for remote workers and small businesses that rely heavily on cloud services to operate.

Ensure Smart Home Devices and IoT Systems Stay Online

More homes and small businesses are adopting Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as:

• Smart locks
• Security cameras
• Garage door controllers
• Environmental sensors

Many of these devices require a constant network connection to function or promptly send alerts. A UPS ensures your IoT devices stay connected to the internet, keeping your smart ecosystem operational during power fluctuations.

Of course, you want your key IoT devices to also have battery backup. Some of which do by default like security systems.

Cyberpower UPS providing battery backup for a Wi-Fi Access Point

Support Critical Communication During Emergencies

During storms or extended power outages, your internet connection may be your primary communication link:

• Wi-Fi calling
• VoIP phones
• Emergency alerts
• Messaging apps

By using a battery backup, you ensure that your router and modem remain online, helping maintain critical communication pathways for your family or business team.

High ROI: Save Money vs. Downtime Costs

For under $250, a quality UPS can prevent hundreds or thousands of dollars in lost productivity or damaged equipment:

• Avoid hours of troubleshooting network issues
• Maintain client calls and deadlines
• Protect sensitive equipment from damage

At Igniting Business, this small investment in CyberPower UPS units has paid off many times over in saved time and money over the past two decades we’ve been using their equipment.

Recommended UPS Models for Routers and Modems

You don’t necessarily need a massive UPS if it’s only powering your router and modem. However, I strongly recommend CyberPower UPS over APC and other brands based upon my own testing both at work and at home. View a full line up of CyberPower UPS options.

Or, to save you a bit of time, here are a couple devices that we use and recommend that vary in price, as well as total output watts and runtime.

CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS

The CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD is our favorite UPS that we use most frequently at Igniting Business to protect our office network stack. We also use this same model for high-end computers. The CP1500PFCLCD provides superior runtime for a modem, router, or other networking equipment.

Check prices for CP1500PFCLCD.

CyberPower AVRG900LCD

The CyberPower AVRG900LCD is ideal for a single modem and/or router setup for small offices or homes. This particular unit is a compact brick design that lays flat instead of a tower option. This model is very affordable but offers lower runtime. Note that I wouldn’t use this one to power a modern computer that uses more power, but it would be great for a modem or router.

Check prices for CyberPower AVRG900LCD.

Pro Tip: Use a Dedicated UPS for Networking Gear

To maximize reliability, I recommend dedicating a separate UPS to your modem, router, or primary Wi-Fi equipment — avoiding unnecessary load from other devices. Additionally, if you have multiple access points like we do, you can consider implementing multiple UPS to extent the amount of time your network stays active.

Bottom Line About Battery Backups for Wi-Fi Routers and Modems

Should you use battery backup (UPS) for your router and modem? Absolutely.

A battery backup keeps your network running through power outages, prevents equipment damage, avoids downtime and reconnect delays, and supports cloud services and IoT devices. It’s a smart, affordable upgrade for businesses and homes alike.

At Igniting Business — and in my own home — I’ve seen firsthand how valuable this setup can be. It’s one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to build resilience into your network.

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