A UPS and a power conditioner serve different core purposes, but their functions can overlap. A UPS is primarily a backup power source that provides temporary battery power during a complete outage, allowing for a safe shutdown of equipment. While many UPS systems offer some level of power conditioning and surge protection, they may not be as robust in filtering out electrical noise. A power conditioner, on the other hand, focuses exclusively on delivering clean, stable power but does not provide battery backup. For mission-critical equipment that requires both clean power and uninterrupted operation during an outage, a combination of both a power conditioner and a UPS is often recommended.