With storm season approaching in Australia, protecting you devices and galvanising your gaming experience is more important than ever. Well that's where the APC Back-UPS Pro 2200VA for Gaming (BGM2200B-AZ) by Schneider Electric comes in. The APC Back-UPS is a beast of a backup power system designed with gamers in mind. Offering a 2200VA (1320W) battery, pure sine wave output for sensitive electronics, and even a limited amount of RGB lighting to match your specific setup. After using it for a while with my PS5, monitor, and router plugged in, I can confidently say it’s the kind of device you only truly appreciate in those critical, power-loss moments.
The feature that really stands out is how smartly it manages power, especially with devices prioritised to power down in a specific order. For example, my router remains the last device to turn off, so even if my PS5 and monitor go offline, I still have internet access for a little while longer. This has proven to be a subtle yet highly useful feature for staying connected, even when power is limited.
This prioritisation isn’t something you’ll find in most UPS units, and it really gives this model an edge over its competitors. It’s ideal for staying connected even when you lose primary power, whether that’s for staying in touch during a storm or continuing to work remotely for a little while longer, after all most of us now have handheld gaming devices or laptops etc these days, so having internet connectivity really is the most important thing of all.
Let’s address the elephant in the room though; the APC Back-UPS Pro is not a small device. It’s a substantial piece of equipment coming in at 292 mm tall, 105 mm wide, 409 mm deep and weighing in at a pretty hefty 12.56KG so, it requires some forethought around its placement in your setup. Once I made space between my PC and PS5 though, I quickly got used to its presence. Plus, the sleek black design with customizable RGB lighting adds a touch of personality to what’s typically a very utilitarian piece of hardware. The RGB lights can be set to match the rest of your setup or toned down if you prefer it to blend in.
It’s one thing to know that your UPS can keep your devices safe in theory, but the real appreciation comes when it springs into action. Obviously I had done some “limited testing” by turning off my powerpoints while gaming, any my initial reaction was yeah that could be cool, the fact that I had turned power off and my room was still powered was kind of a novelty, but it's not until you're not testing it and the same thing happens that you realise just how invaluable it could be. Recently however, I experienced an unexpected power outage while in the middle of an online gaming session. My room suddenly went dark, that is, except for my gaming setup, which stayed on just long enough for me to finish the match I was in, say goodbye to my fellow gamers, and safely exit the game. Rather than a hard shutdown that would have lost my progress and seemed like I'd rage quit, the Back-UPS Pro gave me the time to properly exit without losing data or damaging my hardware.
Since this device is designed for high-performance gaming setups, it didn’t flinch under the load of my PS5, monitor, and router. The power delivery was smooth, thanks to its pure sine wave output, and I didn’t feel any lag or power fluctuations during that crucial window.
In terms of performance, it really shines with its 2200VA (1320W) capacity. That’s enough to support my gaming and office setup with ease. It also provides smooth power delivery with its pure sine wave output, which is ideal for high-end electronics that demand stable power. I’ve never noticed any hitches in the power supply, and the unit runs quietly, with only a slight hum during active use.
It’s crucial to have realistic expectations about what the APC Back-UPS Pro is designed to do. This UPS isn’t meant to keep your system running through a full blackout; rather, it’s a safeguard, giving you a buffer of about 10–15 minutes to save your work, exit games, and power down safely. It provides peace of mind, ensuring that a sudden power loss won’t lead to data corruption, unsaved progress, or, worst of all, damage to your expensive hardware.
If you’re hoping to keep gaming or working uninterrupted through an extended outage, this isn’t the solution for that scenario. However, it shines as a reliable “emergency exit” device that helps you protect your setup. The pure sine wave output means your devices will receive clean, stable power until it’s time to shut down, no sudden drops or fluctuations that could cause harm.
In day-to-day operation, it’s a “set it and forget it” device. The LEDs on the front provide clear, instant feedback on battery status, connection, and load capacity, so I know at a glance if there’s anything to be concerned about. Schneider Electric has kept the user interface simple, which I appreciate. There’s nothing confusing here, just straightforward reliability.
Overall, the Schneider Electric APC Back-UPS Pro is an investment in peace of mind. It sits quietly on my table, mostly unnoticed, until I truly need it. When that moment comes, it does exactly what it promises, and I’m grateful for every second it gives me to save my work, finish a game, or simply stay online.
For anyone serious about protecting their gaming or office setup, I can’t recommend this UPS enough. It’s already saved me from losing hours of progress, kept my equipment safe, and kept me connected in ways I didn’t even realise I needed. It’s absolutely one of those devices you don’t think about until you need it, and then when you do, you’ll wonder how/why you ever lived without it.
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