The best AC-coupled home batteries in 2026

• Does not matter0, 0 models
• Yes, the whole home0, 0 models
• Yes, the essentials0, 0 models
• No, backup is not why I want one0, 0 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 matter0, 0 models
• Yes, on the roof0, 0 models
• Yes, a balcony set0, 0 models
• No panels0, 0 models
• Not yet, they are coming0, 0 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 matter0, 0 models
• I plug it in myself0, 0 models
• An installer0, 0 models
• Not decided yet0, 0 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 matter0, 0 models
• Indoors0, 0 models
• In a shed or garage0, 0 models
• Outdoors0, 0 models

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 matter0, 0 models
• Under 600 kWh0, 0 models
• 600 to 1,000 kWh0, 0 models
• More than 1,000 kWh0, 0 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 matter0, 0 models
• Any backup power0, 0 models
• Backs up house circuits0, 0 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 matter0, 0 models
• Under 1,200 W0, 0 models
• 1,200 to 2,500 W0, 0 models
• Over 2,500 W0, 0 models

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

• Does not matter0, 0 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 matter0, 0 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.