For years, Tesla Powerwall has been the go-to advice for “normals” searching for a painless, low-effort expertise from their first residence photo voltaic and battery backup options. Its CEO’s current involvement in controversial politics, nevertheless, signifies that folks at the moment are distancing themselves from the once-trailblazing firm. It begs the query: what different residence photo voltaic battery options are there?
UPDATE 24AUG2025: added a brand new V2X possibility.
Electricians and contractors usually reward the smooth, energy-dense Tesla Powerwall, for good causes. However the Powerwall isn’t the one top-shelf residence battery in the marketplace, however lengthy wait occasions, Elon’s antics, and the proliferation of actually good built-in alternate options from legacy EV manufacturers might need you looking for Tesla alternate options already. If that’s you, the following logical step is to re-think the model’s photo voltaic battery choices as nicely – listed below are among the finest choices on the market.
As I used to be placing this listing collectively, I spotted there have been loads of methods for me to current this data. “Greatest batteries ..?” Too opinion-based. “Most cost-effective batteries ..?” An excessive amount of analysis and a fast descent into Temu-grade nonsense. Ultimately, I went with the identical resolution I’ve been utilizing on my 0% EV financing lists: alphabetical order, by model. Get pleasure from!
Bluetti EP800 + B500
When you’re in a smaller house or renting and may’t (or don’t need to) add a hardwired battery resolution to your house, Bluetti’s EP800 + B500 modular system is a candy “center floor” possibility that mixes the Bluetti EP800 off-grid inverter and the corporate’s B500 battery packs in a floor-standing unit that can be utilized and not using a photo voltaic roof but in addition performs nicely with most rooftop PV choices.
The fundamental EP800 + B500 bundle provides about 9.9 kWh of capability for below $9,000 as I kind this, and the system can scale as much as practically 20 kWh by including extra B500 packs. The system places out 7.6 kW of energy – greater than sufficient, in different phrases, to maintain some lights on and your fridge and meals (and meds) chilly.
What’s extra, it really works nice with Bluetti’s AC300 or AC500 gear in order for you an possibility that’s a bit extra moveable for those who transfer rather a lot or plan on shifting quickly.
EG4 14.3 kWh PowerPro
Two of the house photo voltaic installers I talked to in getting ready this submit talked about the EG4 14.3kWh batteries, and its specs (on paper, a minimum of) examine properly with the Powerwall 3.
| Battery | Usable capability (kWh) | Steady energy output (kW) | Roundtrip effectivity | Common worth per kWh* | Coupling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 97.5% | $926 | DC or AC |
| EG4 14.3kWh PowerPro | 11.44 | 10.24 | 99% | $786 | DC |
“The EG4 PowerPro photo voltaic battery from EG4 Electronics is the strongest various to the Tesla Powerwall,” writes Kristina Zagame, from the house photo voltaic specialists at EnergySage. “(The EG4) has the same capability, that means it’ll final the same period of time, and a barely decrease energy output, which suggests it received’t have the ability to energy fairly as many units on the similar time. And, primarily based on quotes by EnergySage, EG4 batteries are typically a bit extra reasonably priced in comparison with Tesla.”
Enphase IQ Battery 10
When you’re searching for a one-brand resolution for EV charging and whole-home battery backup however don’t need to be “locked in” to GM or Tesla’s ecosystem, Enphase provides a full line of Made-in-the-USA options that could possibly be best for you.
“Power techniques developer Enphase Power is offering an much more holistic strategy to managing residence energy utilization with the introduction of latest EV charger expertise referred to as the IQ line,” wrote Scooter doll, when the model first launched its EV charging options again in 2023. “The Enphase IQ is Wi-Fi enabled and integrates seamlessly right into a buyer’s present residence system that may be managed along with your telephone.”
Franklin WH aPower 2
When you love the smooth, minimalistic styling of the Tesla Powerwall 3 however nonetheless favor to spend your cash elsewhere, the Franklin WH aPower 2 provides equally smooth styling and beats the Tesla providing on usable vitality storage capability by 1.5 kWh. That’s practically a full day of preserving a contemporary fridge working.
The Franklin can also be designed to be simply retrofit into an present photo voltaic system, but it surely loses out to the Powerwall on worth per kWh, at $1,176 (vs. $926 for the Tesla unit).
GM Power Dwelling System
Arguably essentially the most absolutely built-in EV + battery backup + photo voltaic possibility on the market outdoors of Tesla, the GM Power Dwelling System guarantees to do all the pieces a traditional residence photo voltaic battery does, plus work seamlessly along with your GM EV to offer even extra flexibility – whether or not meaning utilizing the electrical gas saved in your EV to carry out that for much longer in an emergency, or utilizing the vitality saved in your house’s photo voltaic battery to energy an escape in your EV is as much as you.
GM Power and GM’s automobile sellers listing Qmerit as their set up companion, they usually’re nice, however for those who “have already got a man,” you’ll be able to order the Dwelling System instantly from GM Power’s web site for $12,700 (as I kind this).
The GM Power Dwelling System system contains:
- GM Power PowerBank
- GM Power PowerShift Charger
- GM Power Dwelling Hub & Inverter
Sigenergy V2X
As among the earliest and most enthusiastic EV adopters, Tesla followers have additionally been among the many loudest advocates for utilizing the vitality saved their vehicles’ batteries to again up their properties — and even the grid itself. Sadly for them, the slow-selling Cybertruck is the one Tesla car that formally helps that type of “V2X” bidirectional charging, and even that solely works with Tesla’s personal Powershare residence resolution, which continues to be lacking a few of its initially promised options years after launch.
When you’re one of many many Tesla homeowners annoyed by these delays, there’s excellent news: Tesla autos at the moment are able to bidirectional charging (V2X) because of a powerful Powerwall competitor, Sigenergy, which might embody a common bidirectional DC charger.
This system is what the Tesla Powerwall was imagined to be.
FRED LAMBERT
Our personal Editor-in-Chief, Fred Lambert, just lately went on a Sigenergy deep dive with Sylvain Juteau, President of Roulez Electrique, and got here away deeply impressed with the system. I’ve included the video, above, and you’ll learn extra concerning the system itself at this hyperlink.
StorEn vanadium circulate BESS
If lithium-ion’s ten-year cycle life or overhyped hearth danger makes you nervous, StorEn Applied sciences is creating a consumer-focused battery resolution primarily based on vanadium circulate chemistry. Their system guarantees to final 25 years or extra with no capability loss, so you’ll be able to cost and drain the battery absolutely every day and with out stressing about put on … however there are a few downsides.
First, they’re not but accessible to most people – solely to StorEn’s early buyers in (what I perceive to be) a type of quasi-Kickstarter deal.
Second, the StorEn batteries are considerably bulkier than a Powerwall. That stated, for those who’ve bought the room and also you’re sufficiently old to comprehend that 25 years isn’t truly a brilliant very long time, the StorEn resolution may to be a brilliant compelling, practically maintenance-free setup which may outlast each your photo voltaic panels and the roof they’re mounted on.
So, keep in mind how I began this off saying that I wouldn’t flip this right into a “finest batteries” submit? That’s partly pushed by the truth that I’m neither an electrician, a chemical engineer, or somebody who’s researched hundreds of end-user expertise surveys to provide you with no matter metrics I’d have to confidently and appropriately name one battery “one of the best.”
Our mates and photo voltaic business specialists at EnergySage, although? They’ve bought all three of these issues on employees, they usually actually, actually just like the Villara VillaGrid+.
“The Villara VillaGrid+ stands out as one of the best battery in the marketplace, scoring highest in EnergySage’s rigorous Gear Score System, explains EnergySage’s Kristina Zagame. “That stated, (the Villara VillaGrid+) will not be essentially one of the best Tesla Powerwall various. It’s a really completely different (and far pricier) battery.”
What places the VillaGrid+ on high? In line with Zagame, all of it comes right down to the battery’s lithium-titanium-oxide, or LTO chemistry. “In contrast to extra conventional lithium-ion batteries, LTO has higher recharge capabilities for longer life cycles, and doesn’t comprise any carbon, which makes it further secure. The one draw back is you’ll positively shell out extra money upfront for the VillaGrid+.”
That extra cash may even purchase some further peace of thoughts, as Villara backs its LTO batteries with a 20-year guarantee in comparison with Tesla Powerwall and its (and nearly everybody else’s) 10-year deal. I couldn’t discover a worth, however Villara’s different merchandise, like VillaGrid 5.75 kWh battery, are available at practically double Powerwall’s per kWh value. Take a look at the specs, beneath, then tell us for those who suppose the novel chemistry and extra guarantee are price it within the feedback.
| Battery | Usable capability (kWh) | Steady energy output (kW) | Roundtrip effectivity | Common worth per kWh* | Coupling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 97.5% | $926 | DC or AC |
| Villara VillaGrid+ | 11.5 | 10 | 98.5% | Get quote | DC or AC |
Authentic content material from Electrek.
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