How to Choose a UPS in Kenya (2026): What Size You Need
Power cuts and surges are the main reason computers, routers and CCTV recorders fail in Kenya. A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) keeps them running through a blackout and protects them from surges. This guide shows what size you need and what each costs.
What size UPS do you need?
Add up the power (watts) of what you will plug in, then pick a UPS rated at least a third higher. As a guide:
| Equipment | Power | UPS size |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi router and fibre box | about 20 W | 600 to 650VA (runs about an hour) |
| CCTV recorder and 4 cameras | about 40 W | 650 to 850VA |
| Desktop PC and monitor | 150 to 250 W | 1000VA (10 to 15 minutes to save and shut down) |
| Two desktops, or a PC and printer | 400 to 500 W | 1600 to 2000VA |
| Server or network cabinet | 500 W and up | an online UPS, 2000VA and up |
Never plug a laser printer into a small UPS: it draws far more power when it warms up than the UPS can supply.
Prices: small UPS for home and office
- Dahua PFM3350 600VA 3 PIN UPS: KES 4,690
- EVI 650VA 360W Line Interactive UPS: KES 4,690
- APC Easy 650VA UPS 4 Ports: KES 10,490
- Dahua PFM3350 1000VA 3 PIN UPS: KES 6,390
- APC Easy UPS BV 1000VA: KES 15,490
- EVI 1600VA 900W Line Interactive UPS: KES 13,990
See every model on our UPS page, or by brand: APC and EVI.
Line-interactive or online UPS?
A line-interactive UPS (most units under KES 25,000) corrects low and high voltage (AVR) and switches to battery in a few milliseconds when power goes. It suits PCs, routers and CCTV.
An online UPS such as the EVI 1000VA 900W Rack Mount Online Single Phase UPS (KES 29,990) runs the equipment from the battery all the time, so there is no switch-over at all and the power is perfectly clean. Use one for servers, medical and lab equipment, and anything that must never restart.
Battery life and replacement
UPS batteries last about two to three years in Kenya's heat and frequent outages. When a UPS that used to run for 15 minutes now lasts one or two, replace the battery, not the whole UPS. We stock replacement UPS batteries.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a UPS in Kenya?
A 600 to 650VA UPS for a router or one PC costs around KES 4,700 to 10,500. A 1000VA unit is about KES 6,400 to 15,500, depending on brand. Online UPS for servers start around KES 30,000.
How long will a UPS last during a blackout?
A 650VA UPS runs a router for about an hour, but a desktop PC for only a few minutes. A UPS is mainly for riding through short cuts and shutting down safely; for long outages you need a larger battery bank or an inverter.
What does VA mean on a UPS?
VA (volt-amperes) is the UPS's capacity. The usable power in watts is usually 50 to 60 percent of the VA figure for line-interactive units, so a 1000VA UPS supplies about 500 to 600 W.
