Key facts (read this first)
- The 30% U.S. federal tax credit for residential batteries (≥3 kWh) now ends for expenditures after Dec 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). If you plan to buy, timing matters. IRS
- Installed prices vary widely by state—roughly $1,000–$1,700 per usable kWh in mid‑2025. Examples for a ~13 kWh system: CA $11.4k–$15.4k, DC $13.8k–$18.7k, CT $17.7k–$23.9k, MA $18.7k–$25.3k, OH $16.0k–$21.7k (before incentives). EnergySage
- California’s new SGIP equity program (opened June 2, 2025) can cover a big chunk of cost for eligible low‑income homes—$1,100/kWh for batteries plus $3,100/kW for solar, with 50% advanced payments to cut upfront outlay. California Public Utilities Commission
- “NEM 3.0” in California slashed solar export rates ~75% vs. old net metering, making batteries far more valuable for evening self‑consumption and targeted exports. EnergySage
- LFP (LiFePO₄) has become the dominant chemistry for stationary storage because of safety and cost trends, per NREL’s 2024–25 technology baseline. ATB
- Grid operators see growing system value from batteries; CAISO reports batteries are already shifting a “significant” chunk of afternoon energy and providing reliability services. caiso.com
- Safety to look for: UL 9540 certification and UL 9540A thermal‑runaway propagation testing (now even 9540B large‑scale fire test guidance for residential). UL Solutions
What a home battery actually does (in 30 seconds)
A residential battery stores daytime solar or off‑peak grid energy and discharges it when electricity is expensive or when the grid goes down. Systems are either AC‑coupled (battery has its own inverter; easier retrofit—e.g., Enphase, FranklinWH) or DC‑coupled / hybrid (shared inverter with solar; typically higher round‑trip efficiency—e.g., Tesla PW3, Panasonic EverVolt). Under policies like California’s Net Billing (NEM 3.0), shifting solar into the evening often beats exporting mid‑day power, so the battery’s economics improve. EnergySage
Expert take (why 2025 is different)
- Chemistry: “LFP [has] become the primary chemistry for stationary storage,” notes NREL’s 2024 Annual Technology Baseline—good news for safety and longevity. ATB
- Reliability: CAISO’s 2024 battery report shows batteries are now integral to ramping, frequency and peak support; charging itself has become a significant afternoon load as fleets scale. caiso.com
- Policy clock: IRS FAQs confirm OBBBA’s change—Section 25D battery credit isn’t allowed for expenditures after 12/31/2025. Homeowners eyeing storage should plan accordingly. IRS
The 7 best‑known home battery systems in 2025 (with real specs, performance & pricing)
How to read this: We list usable capacity (kWh), continuous/peak power (kW), round‑trip efficiency (RTE), chemistry, warranty, coupling, and typical 2025 pricing. Prices are pre‑incentive installed ranges from reputable marketplaces/reviews; your quote will vary by site and labor.
1) Tesla Powerwall 3 (PW3) — integrated hybrid workhorse
- Specs: 13.5 kWh usable; up to 11.5 kW continuous AC output; supports 20 kW DC solar; solar→home efficiency 97.5% and solar→battery→home 89%; whole‑home backup; up to 4 PW3 plus expansion packs. 10‑yr warranty. UL 9540/9540A. energylibrary.tesla.com
- Performance notes: High inverter power (can start heavy loads up to 185 LRA); strong backup capability in a single unit. energylibrary.tesla.com
- Pricing: Equipment pricing varies; independent 2025 reviews place fully‑installed single‑unit around $15–16k before incentives (market average—your quote may be lower/higher). EcoWatch
2) Enphase IQ Battery 5P (modular) — flexible building block
- Specs (per unit): 5.0 kWh usable; 3.84 kW continuous, 7.68 kW peak (3 s); 15‑year warranty; LFP; AC‑coupled; designed to stack (e.g., two units ≈ 10 kWh). UL 9540A/9540. Enphase
- Performance notes: High power per kWh and grid‑forming micro‑inverters ease backup design. Contentful
- Pricing: Recent marketplace guidance shows two 5P units fully installed typically $15k–$17k before incentives (single‑unit projects often quote in the $8k–$10k band). SolarReviews
3) Panasonic EVERVOLT Home Battery (EVHB) — hybrid with strong backup
- Specs: Modular cabinets at 9/13.5/18 kWh usable; inverter 7.6 kW AC; RTE ~90% (AC‑coupled) / 94% (DC‑coupled); 12‑yr warranty; AC + DC inputs (hybrid); CEC efficiency 97.5%. UL 9540/9540A. Panasonic FTP
- Performance notes: Three MPPTs and up to 15.2 kW DC input simplify new solar designs; 7.6 kW backup per cabinet is robust. Panasonic FTP
- Pricing: Typical installed EverVolt systems run about $15k–$20k depending on size and site. 8MSolar
4) SolarEdge Home Battery 10 kWh (400 V) — DC‑coupled efficiency
- Specs: 9.7 kWh usable; 5 kW continuous, 7.5 kW peak (10 s); peak round‑trip efficiency 94.5% when DC‑coupled to SolarEdge Home Hub; 10‑yr warranty; stack up to three. US Solar Supplier
- Performance notes: DC‑coupling avoids multiple conversions and can maximize yield with SolarEdge hybrid inverters. Solaris Shop
- Pricing: Typical installed cost cited around $12k for one unit (equipment + labor varies by installer). SolarReviews
5) FranklinWH aPower 2 — whole‑home power with long warranty
- Specs: 15 kWh usable; up to 10 kW continuous (15 kW 10 s); RTE ~90% (AC‑AC); LFP; 15‑yr warranty or 60 MWh throughput; AC‑coupled; UL 9540/9540A. franklinwh.com
- Performance notes: High surge to start large A/C loads; scales to multiple units via the aGate smart panel. franklinwh.com
- Pricing: Typical installed single‑battery projects often quote $17–18k pre‑incentive; some installers publish similar ranges. SolarReviews
6) LG Energy Solution RESU Prime 16H — proven high‑capacity DC battery
- Specs: 16 kWh usable; IP55; DC battery used with compatible hybrid inverters; 10‑yr warranty (details via manufacturer). lgessbattery.com
- Pricing: Equipment‑only benchmarks for LG Chem/RESU class products often land near $9k–$10k before BOS and labor; installed totals vary widely by inverter/installer. SolarReviews
7) BYD Battery‑Box Premium HVM (stackable) — scalable LFP tower
- Specs: Stack 3–8 modules per tower for 8.3–22.1 kWh usable; up to 3 towers in parallel (≈ 66 kWh); ≥96% round‑trip efficiency; LFP; UL 9540/9540A versions for U.S. market. Typically DC‑coupled with compatible hybrid inverters. bydbatterybox.com
- Pricing: Highly variable by inverter/market; commonly specified in whole‑home solar‑plus‑storage bundles (ask your installer).
New entrant to watch: EcoFlow Ocean Pro (permanent, whole‑home system)—10 kWh modules expandable to 80 kWh, inverter up to 24 kW continuous. Early U.S. launch reporting suggests five‑figure system pricing depending on scope; evaluate after U.S. field data accumulates. The Verge
How to choose (quick buyer’s framework)
- Right‑size energy (kWh) and power (kW):
- A typical 1‑battery system is 10–15 kWh usable. Prioritize power (kW) if you need to start large A/C or pumps (e.g., PW3 11.5 kW cont.; FranklinWH 10 kW; Enphase 5P pairs give ~7.7 kW combined). energylibrary.tesla.com
- Coupling strategy:
- Retrofits: AC‑coupled (Enphase, FranklinWH) means minimal solar rewiring.
- New solar: DC/hybrid (Tesla PW3, Panasonic EVHB, SolarEdge) can raise RTE and simplify design.
- Chemistry & safety:
- Pick LFP for mainstream home use (dominant stationary chemistry per NREL). Confirm UL 9540 listing and UL 9540A test data on the model datasheet. ATB
- Warranty you can decode:
- Look for years + energy throughput + end‑of‑life capacity (e.g., many 10–15 yr warranties; BYD lists 60% retained after 10 yr; FranklinWH includes 60 MWh throughput). bydbatterybox.com
- Policy & incentives (U.S.):
- Federal: The Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) includes stand‑alone batteries, but OBBBA ends eligibility for expenditures after 12/31/2025. Consult your tax pro for timing. IRS
- State/utility: Programs like CA SGIP (equity: $1,100/kWh battery + $3,100/kW solar; 50% upfront) can dramatically cut net cost. California Public Utilities Commission
Real‑world pricing & payback guidance (2025)
- Installed price snapshots (pre‑incentive): For ~13 kWh, EnergySage state trackers show $11k–$25k across the U.S. (CA ~$13.4k avg; DC ~$16.3k; CT ~$20.8k; MA ~$22.0k; OH ~$18.9k). After the 2025 federal credit (if eligible) and local rebates, net costs can fall by thousands. EnergySage
- Model‑specific benchmarks:
- Tesla PW3: many quotes land $15–16k installed per unit before incentives. EcoWatch
- Enphase 5P: two‑battery systems commonly $15–17k installed. SolarReviews
- SolarEdge 10 kWh: around $12k installed for one battery. SolarReviews
- Panasonic EverVolt: often $15–20k installed, depending on size. 8MSolar
- FranklinWH aPower 2: $17–18k installed is typical for one battery + aGate. SolarReviews
Where savings come from: In NEM 3.0 regions, batteries let you self‑consume and export during high‑value evening hours (some months see export prices multiple times higher than mid‑day), which is why installers now treat storage as standard in new solar designs. EnergySage
Installation & safety checklist
- Pre‑design: Have your installer run a load audit (which circuits need backup, A/C tonnage, well pumps, EV charging).
- Paneling: Whole‑home backup often needs a smart backup panel (Gateway, aGate, SmartBox) and adequate service conductors/breakers. energylibrary.tesla.com
- Codes & tests: Ask for proof of UL 9540 listing and UL 9540A test report; many AHJs also reference NFPA 855 for placement clearances and fire‑safety measures. UL Solutions
- Location: Follow manufacturer temp/humidity ranges; outdoor‑rated enclosures (NEMA 3R/4X) are common, but garages/basements are typical if allowed by local code. energylibrary.tesla.com
Quick picks by scenario
- Easiest retrofit (existing solar): Enphase IQ Battery 5P or FranklinWH (AC‑coupled, modular, strong backup options). Contentful
- New solar build, maximize efficiency: Tesla PW3, Panasonic EVHB, or SolarEdge 10 kWh (hybrid/DC‑coupled architectures).
- High‑surge loads (well pump, big A/C): Tesla PW3 (up to 11.5 kW cont., 185 LRA start) or FranklinWH (10 kW cont., 15 kW surge). energylibrary.tesla.com
- Large homes / future expansion: BYD Battery‑Box HVM or multi‑cabinet EverVolt (scales to tens of kWh). bydbatterybox.com
Bottom line
- If you’re in the U.S. and want the 25D federal credit, act before Dec 31, 2025; stack state/utility rebates where available (e.g., CA SGIP equity incentives are particularly rich). IRS
- Choose an LFP‑based, UL 9540/9540A‑tested system sized to your evening load + critical backup, and match AC vs DC coupling to whether you’re retrofitting or building new. ATB
- The models above are all credible picks; the “best” one is the one that fits your loads, panel, roof, rate plan, and budget.
Sources & further reading
- Tesla Powerwall 3 Datasheet (2025) — specs, efficiencies, power. energylibrary.tesla.com
- Enphase IQ Battery 5P datasheet & product page — capacity, power, 15‑yr warranty. Contentful
- Panasonic EverVolt Home Battery datasheet — hybrid inputs, capacities, RTE. Panasonic FTP
- SolarEdge 10 kWh battery (dealer specs) — 9.7 kWh usable, 5 kW cont., 94.5% RTE. US Solar Supplier
- FranklinWH aPower 2 datasheet — 15 kWh, 10 kW cont., 90% RTE, 15‑yr/60 MWh warranty. franklinwh.com
- BYD Battery‑Box Premium HVM (US) datasheet — scalable LFP, ≥96% RTE. bydbatterybox.com
- State price trackers (EnergySage): CA, DC, CT, MA, OH snapshots. EnergySage
- OBBBA & IRS updates: IRS FAQs on Sections 25D termination dates. IRS
- NEM 3.0 impact: EnergySage overview of ~75% export rate drop. EnergySage
- CAISO Battery Special Report (2024/2025) — operational insights. caiso.com
- NREL 2024 ATB (Residential Storage) — chemistry trend (LFP). ATB
- SGIP equity incentives (2025) — CPUC program & fact sheet. California Public Utilities Commission
