Accessories · Review

Tecnoware Power Systems ERA PLUS Review

4.2 out of 5 stars· 92 reviews

Intro

A sudden power cut does more than plunge your home into darkness — it can knock your internet connection offline, shut down your security cameras, and leave your VoIP phone silent right when you need it most. For many people who work from home, run an online business, or simply rely on a stable connection for streaming and smart home devices, even a brief outage is more than an inconvenience. While traditional UPS units are designed to keep desktop computers and servers running, they are often bulky, expensive, and overkill for smaller always-on devices like modems, routers, and IP cameras. A compact DC mini UPS fills this gap neatly — it acts as a small battery backup that sits between your power adapter and your device, charging its internal battery while the mains is on and switching over instantly when the power drops. Small enough to fit behind a router or under a desk, these devices provide hours of backup power to keep your essential connectivity gear running until the electricity comes back.

Generalities

Choosing a mini UPS means thinking about which devices you actually need to keep running and how long you need them to last. Unlike a traditional UPS that plugs into a wall socket and feeds mains voltage to your equipment, a DC mini UPS sits on the low-voltage side — between the power adapter and your router, camera, or modem. This means it is smaller, quieter, and more energy-efficient, but it only works with devices that accept DC input at the right voltage and connector type. Battery capacity, measured in milliamp-hours, determines how long your gear stays powered; a 5,200 mAh battery can keep a typical home router running for several hours. Tecnoware, an Italian power protection specialist, brings its experience in industrial UPS design to this compact consumer-grade backup unit, aiming to deliver reliable protection in a pocket-sized package.

This review examines what the Era Plus brings to the table for home and small office users who want their internet and security systems to survive power cuts. We look at the battery capacity and real-world runtime, the connection options and device compatibility, the build quality and design, and how it stacks up against both traditional UPS units and simpler power banks. By the end, you will know whether this is the right backup solution for your connected devices.

Description

The Era Plus packs a 5,200 mAh lithium-ion battery behind a 25-watt DC output, enough to keep a typical fibre modem and Wi-Fi router running for up to 4 hours on a full charge. It operates at 5 volts and delivers current through two output options — a USB-C port and a USB-A port — so you can power two low-voltage devices simultaneously or charge phones and tablets in a pinch. The input accepts 20 volts DC, and the unit recharges its internal battery in roughly 4 hours once mains power returns. A key difference from a basic power bank is the pass-through design: the Era Plus sits permanently between your power adapter and your device, keeping the battery topped up while mains is present and switching to battery mode within milliseconds of an outage.

Tecnoware has kept the design refreshingly simple. The black plastic enclosure measures just 7.5 × 3.2 × 9.5 centimetres and weighs approximately 500 grams — small enough to tuck behind a router or mount on a wall near your CCTV setup. A single multifunction button with an LED indicator handles power on and off while showing charge status at a glance. The unit ships with four different DC tips, expanding compatibility beyond USB to include devices with barrel-style DC connectors — a practical touch that means your existing router or camera does not need a USB input to work with this backup. Surge protection and under-voltage cut-off are built in, shielding connected devices from power spikes and battery damage from deep discharge.

Day-to-day use is genuinely set-and-forget. You plug the Era Plus into your device's power adapter, connect your router or camera to the Era Plus output, and leave it alone. The LED shows green when everything is normal and switches to a warning colour during an outage. There is no fan, no audible alarm, and no configuration needed — it is silent and passive. The 25-watt ceiling means it is not suitable for anything that draws serious power, but for the routers, modems, VoIP adapters, and IP cameras it is built for, that limit is rarely an issue. The compact footprint also means no shelf or floor space sacrificed to a bulky UPS tower.

The inclusion of four interchangeable DC tips sets this apart from a plain USB power bank. These tips let you connect to non-USB devices — many home routers and CCTV cameras use barrel connectors rather than USB for power — extending the Era Plus's usefulness beyond USB-only gadgets. The unit also doubles as a standard power bank for charging smartphones, tablets, Bluetooth headsets, and smartwatches through its USB ports. A CE safety certification and plastic enclosure keep the cost and weight down, though the housing does not feel as premium as metal-cased alternatives. The 5-year warranty from Tecnoware is generous by consumer electronics standards and signals confidence in the internal battery and electronics.

Measuring just 7.5 × 3.2 × 9.5 cm and weighing around 500 g, the Era Plus disappears into any setup. It is currently rated 4.2 out of 5 stars from 92 customer reviews and holds the number 9 spot in the Computer Uninterruptible Power Supply Units bestseller ranking — impressive for a relatively niche product category. The manufacturer backs it with a 5-year warranty, and the battery cells are rated for an average lifespan of 6 years. Made in Italy, the Era Plus carries CE certification and ships with a Type F (German) and Type L power plug, so UK buyers may need an adapter.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Truly compact at 7.5 × 3.2 × 9.5 cm and roughly 500 g — disappears behind a router or under a desk without adding clutter, unlike bulky traditional UPS towers.
  • The 5,200 mAh battery provides up to 4 hours of runtime for a typical modem-router combo — enough to ride out most residential power cuts without losing internet.
  • Dual USB-C and USB-A outputs plus four included DC barrel tips mean broad device compatibility — works with modern USB-powered routers as well as older CCTV cameras and VoIP adapters.
  • Pass-through design eliminates manual intervention — the unit charges its battery while mains is present and switches to backup mode automatically within milliseconds of an outage.
  • Built-in surge protection and under-voltage cut-off safeguard both your connected devices and the UPS battery itself from electrical damage and deep discharge.
  • Completely silent operation with no fan and no alarm beep — ideal for bedrooms, home offices, or anywhere noise would be a nuisance.
  • A 5-year manufacturer warranty and 6-year rated battery life deliver peace of mind well beyond what most consumer electronics offer — Tecnoware clearly stands behind the product.
  • Doubles as a standard USB power bank for charging phones, tablets, and other gadgets, adding everyday utility beyond its primary backup function.

Cons

  • The 25-watt output ceiling rules out any device drawing more power — it cannot back up a desktop PC, gaming console, or any mains-voltage appliance.
  • Plastic enclosure feels functional rather than premium, and while it keeps weight and cost down, it offers less physical protection than metal-bodied alternatives.
  • Ships with Type F and Type L power plugs suited to continental Europe — buyers in the UK or other regions will need a plug adapter for the input side.
  • No audible alert when the unit switches to battery mode, so you may not notice a power cut until you check the LED or your connected devices lose power once the battery drains.
  • The 4-hour recharge time means that after a prolonged outage, you may face a gap in protection while the battery tops back up — faster charging would improve readiness for back-to-back cuts.

Use cases

This mini DC UPS is ideal for home users and small offices who need uninterrupted internet, security camera coverage, and VoIP phone service during power outages, without the bulk and noise of a traditional UPS.

Home Office Internet Backup

If you work from home, a power cut that kills your broadband can mean missed meetings, lost work, and awkward client conversations. Plug your fibre modem and Wi-Fi router into the Era Plus and you get up to 4 hours of internet after the mains drops — enough to finish your call, save your work, and notify colleagues before switching to a mobile hotspot. The silent, compact design fits neatly behind your desk without adding noise.

CCTV and Security Camera Backup

Security cameras become useless the moment the power goes out — exactly when you might want them recording the most. The Era Plus keeps IP cameras and CCTV systems running for hours during a blackout, and the included DC tips make it compatible with barrel-connectored cameras that cannot use USB power. Combined with surge protection, it also shields your expensive camera gear from voltage spikes.

VoIP and Landline Phone Backup

Traditional landlines often keep working during power cuts, but VoIP phones and digital voice services die with the router. The Era Plus keeps your VoIP adapter or IP phone powered so emergency calls can still go through — a genuine safety benefit for households that have dropped their analogue phone line. The compact size means it can sit right next to the phone base station.

Smart Home Hub and Sensor Continuity

Smart home hubs, Zigbee coordinators, and sensor bridges often sit in a corner and get forgotten — until a power cut disrupts your entire automation setup and requires manual restarts. The Era Plus keeps these low-power hubs alive through short outages, avoiding the hassle of re-pairing devices or waiting for everything to reconnect. Its dual USB outputs can power both a hub and a small network switch simultaneously.

Travel and Emergency Power Bank

Though designed as a fixed UPS, the Era Plus is portable enough to throw in a bag as a high-capacity power bank. With 5,200 mAh and both USB-C and USB-A outputs, it can charge a smartphone twice over or keep a tablet running through a long flight. It is not the lightest power bank on the market, but the dual-purpose functionality adds genuine value for occasional travel use.