The best power stations for the home in 2026

• Does not matter3, 3 models
• Yes, the whole home1, 1 model
• Yes, the essentials3, 3 models
• No, backup is not why I want one3, 3 models

A battery keeps the whole home running only with a route that switches the whole panel over, and the essentials (the fridge, lights, a furnace fan) with one that switches chosen circuits. We go by the backup each maker states, and a model that states none is left out of both.

• Does not matter3, 3 models
• Yes, on the roof3, 3 models
• Yes, a balcony set0, 0 models
• No panels0, 0 models
• Not yet, they are coming3, 3 models

A battery keeps what your panels make in the day for the evening. A balcony set needs a battery made for it, and without panels a battery charges from the grid, so we keep only models that can.

• Does not matter3, 3 models
• I plug it in myself1, 1 model
• An installer3, 3 models
• Not decided yet3, 3 models

A plug-in battery goes into a wall socket, and some need an electrician only for more power. A larger system is connected to the fuse box by an installer.

• Does not matter3, 3 models
• Indoors1, 1 model
• In a shed or garage3, 3 models
• Outdoors1, 1 model

Indoors every battery will do. In an unheated shed or garage it has to charge below freezing or warm itself, and outdoors it needs a model made for it, rated IP65 or better.

• Does not matter3, 3 models
• Under 600 kWh3, 3 models
• 600 to 1,000 kWh3, 3 models
• More than 1,000 kWh3, 3 models

Your bill gives it in kWh. A rough guide to the size is half a day’s use: under 600 kWh a month any battery helps, 600 to 1,000 about 10 kWh of storage, above that about 17. It is one maker’s rule of thumb, so we leave out only systems that cannot grow to that size.

• Does not matter3, 3 models
• Any backup power2, 2 models
• Backs up house circuits2, 2 models

What keeps working in a power cut, as the maker states it: one socket on the battery, or circuits in the house.

• Does not matter3, 3 models
• Under 1,200 W0, 0 models
• 1,200 to 2,500 W0, 0 models
• Over 2,500 W3, 3 models

The continuous AC output the maker states, which sets how many appliances run on the battery at once.

• Does not matter3, 3 models
• 5% & up0, 0 models
• 20% & up0, 0 models
• 30% & up0, 0 models
• 50% & up0, 0 models

Below what the same store usually asked in the 30 days before, at a store we followed on all those days.

• Does not matter3, 3 models
• Alexa0, 0 models
• Google Home0, 0 models
• Apple HomeKit0, 0 models
• SmartThings0, 0 models
• Home Assistant0, 0 models
• Matter0, 0 models

Based on the voice assistants and Matter support the maker lists. A model that lists none of them is left out.