Inverters offers a long run time (several hours) compared to UPS (5 to 10 minutes)
A UPS is used to keep a computer running for several minutes while the generator starts up (5 to 10 minutes). A UPS will beep continuously when power is off.
An inverter will run for hours and does not beep continuously. It will signal when power fails, when power is restored and when battery is low.
A UPS is cheaper to buy than an inverter.
UPS batteries have a short life span if there are regular power failures, but the batteries are cheaper to replace than inverter deep cycle batteries – usually one or more 12V 7Ah (12V 9Ah)
Neither UPS or inverter are absolutely silent, they have fans that cool the system down when running from the battery.
Maximum run times at different power, and different battery capacities
*Please consider inverter efficiency and maximum battery discharge when reducing the times below.
| Watts | 12V 100Ah | 12V 200Ah / 24V 100Ah |
| 50W | 19hr 12min | 38hr 24min |
| 100W | 9hr 36min | 17hr 48min |
| 150W | 6hr 24min | 12hr 48min |
| 200W | 4hr 48min | 9hr 36min |
| 250W | 3hr 48min | 7hr 40min |
| 500W | 1hr 55min | 3hr 50min |
| 750W | 1 hr 17min | 2hr 34min |
| 1000W | 57min | 1hr 57min |
| 2000W | 29min | 57min |