Intro

I was lucky enough to stumble upon an older UPS and decided to utilize it in my utility room, which now houses my main rack, including a UniFi 48-port switch, firewall, WAP, cloud key, and patch panel. In theory, if power shuts off, the UPS will kick on and provide power for my devices, thus ensuring internet connection does not end. It would be nice to have all of my cameras on the UniFi ecosystem so they will continue to power on as well, but as I am still using some Google cameras, I will have to make do with the 3 current UniFi cameras I have, 1 covering my office door, one on the office egress window, and another covering the interior of my front door. As my office is somewhat of a saferoom (see other posts on its rations, equipment, security, etc.), keeping these 3 cameras powered on during an outage will still be quite beneficial.

In today’s world of constant connectivity and sensitive electronics, power protection isn’t optional — it’s essential. The Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT stands out as one of the most dependable mid-range UPS systems available, blending strong performance, clear monitoring, and thoughtful design. After spending time with this model, here’s a full breakdown of how it performs in real-world use.

Design and Build Quality

The SMART1500LCDT has a sturdy, utilitarian design — exactly what you’d expect from Tripp Lite. Its matte-black chassis feels solid, and at around 27 pounds, it’s built like a tank. The front panel houses a bright LCD screen that displays input/output voltage, load percentage, battery status, and estimated runtime.

Buttons are intuitive: one for power, one to scroll through readings, and one to mute alarms. Everything is clearly labeled and easily visible even in dim environments, which is a nice touch for offices or network closets.

Power Capacity and Performance

This UPS offers 900 watts / 1500 VA of capacity, making it ideal for protecting desktops, workstations, networking equipment, or even small servers. During testing, it provided around 8–10 minutes of runtime with a moderate 400W load — plenty of time to save work and safely shut down systems. The actual load of my devices is around 240W, which should grant me, hopefully, around 15-20 minutes, but I will have to further test that claim.

The SMART1500LCDT also features Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), which keeps output steady without switching to battery mode every time the power dips or spikes. This helps extend battery life and keeps sensitive equipment safe from surges or brownouts.

Connectivity and Features

The rear panel is packed with thoughtful details:

• 10 outlets (five with battery backup, five surge-only)
• USB and serial ports for PC connectivity
• TEL/DSL and coaxial protection for phone and cable lines
• User-replaceable batteries, a huge plus for long-term ownership

With the included PowerAlert software, users can monitor the UPS, track events, and even configure automated shutdowns when power is lost — a great feature for unattended systems.

Noise and Heat

When running on AC power, the SMART1500LCDT is nearly silent. The fan only kicks in during battery operation or heavy load, and even then, it’s relatively quiet compared to other models in its class. Heat output is minimal, making it suitable for home offices and entertainment centers alike.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Strong 1500VA / 900W capacity suitable for multiple devices
• Excellent LCD status display
• Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) extends battery life
• Quiet operation and robust surge protection
• User-replaceable batteries

Cons:

• Bulky and heavy (not ideal for tight spaces)
• Software interface feels dated
• Limited outlet spacing for large power bricks

Verdict

The installation of this device was pretty straightforward, simply plug in power to the wall outlet, and then move all of the network equipment’s power cables to the UPS. I also see that it has internet/phone surge protection by plugging in your main internet line into it, and then a cable from the UPS to the, in my case, firewall; I am hesitant to do this as I would imagine network speed would be effected since the UPS is older, but I will definitely give this a try this weekend. I haven’t hooked this up to a PC yet to see what the software does, but if I can set up some notifications at least, I would be happy.

Overall, the Tripp Lite SMART1500LCDT is a rock-solid UPS that delivers exactly what it promises: reliable, intelligent power protection. It’s a great fit for home offices, prosumers, and small business setups that can’t afford data loss or downtime. While it’s not flashy or ultra-compact, it’s built to last — and that’s exactly what you want from a UPS.

⭐ Rating: 4.5 / 5

Onto the next upgrade!