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Whole-Home Backup Batteries, Compared

Home battery specs are a maze of watts, watt-hours and expansion modules. This ranks whole-home backup systems by price per kWh of storage, the clearest value number, alongside output power, how far they expand and split-phase 240V.

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Sorted by value ($ per kWh), best first. Tap a column heading to re-rank.
$ / kWh ▲SystemPriceCapacityExpands toOutput240VBest for

Indicative starting-config prices as last reviewed 11 July 2026. Home batteries are heavily discounted, sale prices can be $1,000+ below MSRP, so confirm the current deal. DIY systems need a licensed electrician; factor installation into the total.

How to read this. $ per kWh is the value metric: total price divided by usable storage, just like price per terabyte for drives. Capacity is how long it runs; output is whether it can start big appliances; expands to is the ceiling if you add modules. 240V split-phase is needed to power well pumps, dryers and central AC or to feed a whole-home transfer switch. The cheapest per kWh (DIY wall-mount) need an electrician; plug-and-play units cost a little more but you set them up yourself.
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Best value home battery?

Per kWh, DIY LiFePO4 wall systems (EG4) win at ~$300-400/kWh but need installation. Among plug-and-play, Bluetti and Anker Solix lead at ~$500-600/kWh. Sort by value above.

How many kWh to back up a house?

Essentials (fridge, lights, internet) need ~5kWh. To run pumps or AC, aim for 10kWh+ with 240V split-phase. Most systems expand, so start small and grow.

Do I need 240V split-phase?

Only for large appliances (well pump, dryer, water heater, central AC) or to feed a whole-home transfer switch. For 120V essentials you can skip it.