If you know anything about solar batteries, you also know that the Tesla Powerwall is one of the best batteries on the market today. But just as there are reasons to buy a Powerwall, you may find reasons not to buy a Powerwall, particularly the way this brand and its founder find themselves in every other news article.
While it is a bummer that external factors are making such a wonderful product less appealing to many of us, we are now in an era where you can choose from a variety of other batteries that are as impressive as the Tesla Powerwall, and may even be better in some aspects. Keep reading to discover six other solar batteries that make excellent alternatives to the Powerwall.
1. Alpha Smile ESS G3
Key facts:
- 3.8-60.5 kWh storage capacity
- 3.68 kW or 5 kW continuous power output
- Lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry
If you look beyond the fact that Alpha ESS is a China-based manufacturer who names its battery “Smile”, you’ll notice that its products pack in some of the best specs. The Smile battery, for instance, has cutting-edge lithium-iron-phosphate chemistry, which Tesla did not introduce until its latest model, the Powerwall 3.
LFP batteries are popular for being more fire-resistant, more energy-dense, and offeringa higher number of charging-discharging cycles. The Smile ESS G3 comes with a single-phase, 3.68 or 5 kW inverter tied to a 10 kWh battery module. The integrated inverter is similar to what Tesla does with its Powerwall 3, and saves you the hassle of choosing another product and connecting it separately. The battery is modular in nature, and you can choose from an energy storage capacity ranging from 3.8 kWh all the way up to 60.5 kWh.
A notable feature of the battery is its ability to capture more precise data, as the company claims. This accuracy is helpful if you are participating in a virtual power plant (VPP) program. This precision also makes the battery more suitable for off-grid scenarios than several other batteries, as the makers claim.
The only possible drawback of the G3 may be its shorter warranty of 5 years, compared to 10 years on Tesla and most other reliable brands. However, it does offer a 10-year performance warranty, which is the industry standard. Overall, the Smile G3 is a noteworthy solar battery, and we are not surprised to learn that it has won multiple awards.
2. SigenStor (Sigen Energy)
Key facts:
- 5-48 kWh storage capacity
- Up to 10 kW continuous power output
- Lithium-iron-phosphate chemistry
It would be a mistake to call the SigenStor a ‘solar battery’, because it is an innovative product that combines three major components into one package. The SigenStor ESS is a large, sleek device that houses a solar battery, a solar inverter, and New Zealand’s first DC Home EV charger.
SigenStor uses LFP batteries and a 25 kW EV charger in its unit. Like most other modern batteries, SigenStor is modular, meaning you can use as many modules of LFP batteries as you like to have an energy storage capacity of up to 48 kWh, which is way more than most homes need. Interestingly, you can even skip the battery part altogether and just have the inverter and EV charger combo on your wall.
Sigen Energy is a relatively new company, but it has an established presence in 50+ countries and has hundreds of patents, lending credibility to its name.
3. FranklinWh
Key facts:
- 15-225 kWh storage capacity
- 10 kW continuous power output
- Lithium-iron-phosphate chemistry
- 15-year product warranty
FranklinWH’s aPower solar battery was itself a great product with a few forgivable flaws. However, with the aPower 2, FranklinWh not only eliminated the flaws but also upped its game significantly. For instance, while the previous model had a measly 5 kW power output, the second generation boasts a mighty 10 kW output, which means you can run almost everything from air conditioners to washers with your battery, although we’d suggest being more conservative during outages.
The aPower 2 has an exceptional 15-year product warranty, which beats not only the Tesla Powerwall but pretty much any well-known battery product on the market. A noteworthy feature is FranklinWh’s ‘whole home ecosystem’, which allows the battery to work with a backup generator. More importantly, it also comes with the coveted V2L (vehicle to load) capability, which means you can power your home with your electric vehicle’s battery using your FranklinWh unit.
Lastly, just like the Powerwall, FranklinWh’s battery also offers smart circuits and a ‘Storm Hedge’ feature. The smart circuits function allows you to group different loads in categories and choose which category to prioritise in which scenarios. The Storm Hedge feature activates upon receiving a National Weather Service (NWS) alert, charging the battery to full capacity and keeping it ready for a possible blackout.
4. BYD Battery-Box Premium
Key facts:
- 13.8-983 kWh storage capacity
- 5.12-20.48 kW continuous power output
- Lithium iron phosphate chemistry
- Available in both high and low voltage
Two days prior to writing this article, BYD, a Chinese electric battery and car maker, surpassed Tesla’s car sales. But BYD has been far more than that. While experts call it the hottest EV company on the planet, BYD’s battery technology also helps it build one of the best solar batteries on the market.
The BYD Battery Box comes in a modular, stackable design and both low-voltage and high-voltage options. In fact, BYD is a pioneer of stackable batteries, and its battery box models offer tremendous convenience thanks to easy stackability and no wires and plugs to connect modules to one another.
BYD’s batteries are especially suitable for small and mid-sized businesses, as they offer not only a high-voltage option but also an unbelievable expandability of up to 983 kWh!
5. Sungrow SBR
Key facts:
- 9-100 kWh storage capacity
- 3.8-15.3 kW continuous power output
- Lithium iron phosphate chemistry
- 100% depth of discharge
Sungrow may not be as popular as Tesla, but it is a big player in solar electronics and energy storage. It has a presence in 180 countries, and BloombergNEF has labelled it the ‘most bankable energy storage company.’
Sungrow’s SBR batteries are high-performance LFP units with a simple, stackable design. An important feature of the SBR is its 100% depth of discharge, which means users have the entire storage capacity to use, unlike many other batteries, which have a DoD of around 90%.
The battery also has an impressive 30A charging-discharging current rating, which is why it can offer a solid power output rating. Sungrow’s customer support has also won recognition, which makes it a great choice if you are anxious about potential warranty claims or other issues.
6. Pylontech Force H3X
Key facts:
- 10-35kWh battery capacity
- Lithium iron phosphate chemistry
- Compatible with AC & DC-coupled systems
- Continuous power output of 8-15 kW in three-phase and 3.6-8 kW in single-phase
Pylontech, a leading name in battery storage innovation, brings serious power to the table with the Force H3X.
This high-voltage, stackable battery system uses reliable lithium iron phosphate tech and is built for fast installs and flexible use. With no interconnection cables between battery modules, setup is slick. Pylontech claims full installation can be done in just 15 minutes.
Each 5 kWh battery module stacks neatly to deliver up to 35 kWh per unit. It can handle both single and three-phase systems—perfect for homes or light commercial setups.
Designed with coastal and outdoor installs in mind, it carries an IP55 weather protection rating and C5M corrosion resistance.
With up to 15 kW continuous power output and seamless integration into modern energy systems, the Force H3X is a quiet achiever with serious backbone.
Final Thoughts
The Tesla Powerwall is a wonderful machine, with modern features and proven, reliable performance. But there are other factors we consider when purchasing something, particularly the brand and its owners’ principles and viewpoints. And right now, many buyers are understandably looking for alternatives to Tesla’s products for the same reason.
Fortunately, the current market is ripe with high-quality solar batteries, with names like BYD, FranklinWh, and Sungrow offering top features and the same reliable performance as a Powerwall. Before you go, we also recommend getting free quotes from solar battery installers and knowing what options other than the Powerwall suit your needs best.