Battery Battle Royale:
Tesla VS Sigenergy VS FranklinWH VS Sonnen VS Enphase VS Anker VS REA VS SolarEdge
KEY POINTS
- Massive Rebates = Major Savings
Homeowners can claim $358 per kWh under the new federal rebate starting July 1, 2025—plus $1,400 from Victoria and up to $8,800 in interest-free loans, if eligible. No One-Size-Fits-All Battery
Each 10kWh-class battery suits a different home setup—Tesla PW3 dominates in power, FranklinWH shines for retrofits, and Enphase rules modular installs.- Solar Size is Key
Aim for a solar array to fully charge your battery—especially in winter. typically 1kW to 1kWh of battery is a good rule. Smaller systems may need grid top-ups or Amber Energy integration to stay effective. This Is the Best Time in a Decade to Upgrade
With combined federal and state rebates plus evolving battery tech, 2025 is your window to own your power and stop donating to fossil fuel profits.
The rules have changed. Starting July 1st, 2025, the Australian Federal Government is offering $358 per kilowatt-hour to homeowners installing or upgrading to a battery system between 5kWh and 50kWh. Add to that Victoria’s $1,400 solar rebate for new systems or to remove and replace systems over 10 years old, plus a potential $8,800 interest-free loan, and you’ve got a once-in-a-decade shot at serious savings.
But here’s the thing—not all batteries are created equal, and picking the right one is about more than specs. It’s about how you live, what you value, and how your home is set up. This article breaks down the top 10kWh-class contenders, each with their own strengths, drawbacks, and battle style.
Tesla Powerwall 3 — The Heavyweight Champion
Capacity: 13.5kWh
Power Output: 110W continuous, 15.4kW peak
Blackout Protection: ✅ Yes (built-in hybrid inverter)
Amber Compatible: ✅ Yes
Price (before rebate): $16,000–$17,500
The Powerwall 3 is Tesla’s muscle-bound evolution of the iconic PW2—and it’s ready to power your entire home like a boss. With the highest continuous output in the category, it’s ideal for whole-home backup and heavy loads like ducted aircon or EV charging. Bonus? It’s IP67 rated, so it’s rugged and ready to take on the Aussie weather.
Downside? It’s harder to retrofit—because of the integrated hybrid inverter. The Tesla Powerwall 3 is great for new systems.
✅ Best for: New homes, full-system upgrades, whole-home backup
⚠️ Not ideal for: Quick retrofits where you want to keep your current inverter
FranklinWH aPower 2 — The Retrofit Renegade
Capacity: 13.6kWh
Power Output: 5kW continuous, 10kW peak
Blackout Protection: ✅ Yes (via aGate)
Amber Compatible: ✅ Yes
Price: $14,500–$15,500
FranklinWH is your top pick if you missed out on the Powerwall 2. It’s AC-coupled, which makes it a dream for retrofits. No need to replace your inverter.! It’s also IP67 rated and backed by a huge 15-year warranty. The aPower by FranklinWH is also expandable with one aGate able to handle 204kWh of Capacity!
✅ Best for: Retrofitting older systems, flexible backup
⚠️ Not ideal for: Customers needing higher sustained output than 5kW
Sigenergy SigenStor — The Smart Scalable Strategist
Capacity: 10kWh
(2x5kWh modules in example, max configuration up to 48kWh per stack)Power Output: 5kW continuous, 12kW peak
Blackout Protection: Optional with Sigen Gateway
Amber Compatible: ✅ YES
Price: $14,500–$15,500 (with included gateway)
Sigenergy’s modular design makes it easy to expand beyond 10kWh down the track. It’s EV-friendly, V2G ready, and built for smart home energy control. But to access blackout protection, you’ll need the Sigen Gateway.
✅ Best for: Future-focused homes, EV owners, high scalability
⚠️ Not ideal for: Simple plug-and-play backup setups
SonnenBatterie Evo — The German-Engineered Guardian
Capacity: 10kWh
Power Output: 5kW continuous
Blackout Protection: ✅ Yes
Amber Compatible: 🟡 Limited
Price: $11,000–$12,000
Solid, proven, and reliable—Sonnen’s Evo unit is a favourite in commercial installs for a reason. It’s IP56 rated and AC-coupled, which makes retrofits easier. But it’s not the fastest or strongest in the fight.
✅ Best for: Durable, outdoor installs, long-term reliability
⚠️ Not ideal for: High-output demands or expansion
Enphase 5P (x2) - The Modular Mastermind
Capacity: 10kWh
Power Output: 7.68kW (both)
Blackout Protection: ✅ Yes (needs IQ Controller)
Amber Compatible: ✅ Yes
Price: $16,500–$17,500
If you want fine-grain control and microinverter compatibility, Enphase is your friend. Stackable and fully integrated with solar IQ systems, this setup is clean and future-ready. You will need an IQ Gateway or IQ Controller for backup.
✅ Best for: Enphase solar users, those who want control and expansion
⚠️ Not ideal for: Simpler setups, price-sensitive buyers
Anker SOLIX X1 — The Affordable Challenger
Capacity: 10kWh
(2x5kWh modules used in example, expandable up to 30kWh per stack)Power Output: 6kW (drops to 3kW if only using 1 5kWh module)
Blackout Protection: ✅ Yes
Amber Compatible: 🟡 Pending
Price: $13,000–$14,500
Anker’s new to the solar energy game but has been making waves in energy storage for years, mostly in the mobile sector. Affordable and sleek, it’s a compelling mid-range option. Blackout protection is included, but Amber integration is still pending.
✅ Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want new tech
⚠️ Not ideal for: Critical loads or big off-grid requirements
REA PowerBank 10 — The Tradie Tough Box
Capacity: 10kWh
Power Output: 5kW
Blackout Protection: ✅ Yes
Amber Compatible: ✅Yes
Price: $12,000–$13,000
REA is a solid choice with local support and rugged build quality. It’s IP65 and gets the job done with minimal fuss. Ideal for those wanting simple, effective energy storage at a mid-range price point.
✅ Best for: Durable installs, tradie homes, no-nonsense setups
⚠️ Not ideal for: High-end features or scalability
SolarEdge Home Battery — The Inverter-Integrated All-Rounder
Capacity: 9.7kWh
Power Output: 5kW
Blackout Protection: ✅ Yes (single-phase only)
Amber Compatible: ✅ Yes
Price: $12,000–$13,000
If you’re already rocking a SolarEdge inverter, this battery slides in like it was meant to be there. It’s fully integrated for backup and panel optimization but requires their proprietary system to run. Although with SolarEdge’s 300% DC oversizing rate from PV and their battery being DC coupled, there’s greater round-trip efficiency from your system.
✅ Best for: Existing SolarEdge users or new systems.
⚠️ Not ideal for: Non-SolarEdge systems or mixed-brand installs
The Rebates at a Glance
Federal Battery Rebate: ~$358 per kWh (up to $3,580 for 10kWh), batteries up to 50 kWh subsidised, total system size up to 100 kWh
Victoria Solar Rebate: $1,400 (for new systems or to remove and replace systems over 10 years old)
Solar Victoria Loan: Up to $8,800 interest-free (means-tested, monthly repayments)
💡 Note: The VIC rebate and loan are subject to eligibility and income testing. Systems must be switched on after July 1, 2025 to qualify for federal support.
But How Much Solar Do I Need?
Here’s the golden rule:
1kW of solar for every 1kWh of battery storage.
If you’re aiming to charge a 10kWh battery, you should be installing a 10kW solar array. That gives you the breathing room to top up your battery—even in winter—when daylight is shorter and your panels aren’t firing at full strength.
Yes, 6.6kW systems have long been the go-to, but they’re often stretched thin in cooler months. You might find yourself relying on the grid to fully charge your battery, which defeats the point of having solar storage in the first place.
🔋 Work smarter: A 10kW solar array isn’t just future-proof—it’s performance-proof across seasons.
💡 Bonus tip: If you’re on a provider like Amber Energy, compatible batteries can also charge up off-peak when wholesale energy prices dip—acting as a smart hedge in winter.
The Verdict: How Do These Batteries Actually Compare?
We’ve pulled together the essential numbers into one straight-talking table so you can see how each battery stacks up—no fluff, no jargon.
From the high-powered Tesla Powerwall 3 to the flexible and retrofit-ready FranklinWH aPower, this table lays out the real differences:
Usable capacity (how much you can actually store)
Output performance (both continuous and peak)
IP ratings (weather protection)
Blackout backup capabilities
Whether you’ll need to replace your inverter
And if the battery works with Amber’s SmartShift™ tech for off-peak charging smarts
And yes, these are the latest numbers as of May 2025, accounting for new vs retrofit installs, but before applying any rebates or Solar Victoria loan options.
⚡ Use this table to narrow down your shortlist—and then talk to us to make sure the battery you pick plays nice with your existing setup.
