Home Battery Comparison Australia 2026
TL;DR: Sungrow SBR is the cheapest at $664 to $938/kWh but requires a Sungrow inverter. FoxESS ECS is a close second on value at $750 to $1,106/kWh. Tesla Powerwall 3 ($15,000 to $17,000) is best for retrofitting and whole-home backup. BYD offers the most inverter flexibility. Enphase has the longest warranty at 15 years but the highest price per kWh.
Prices shown are installed costs before any rebates. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program and state programs (ACT, WA) can reduce costs by 20 to 40%, but the exact amount depends on your location, battery size, and installer. Always get a specific after-rebate quote from your installer.
Specifications Compared
| Spec |  Tesla Powerwall 3 |  BYD Battery-Box HVM |  Sungrow SBR |  FoxESS ECS |  Enphase IQ Battery 10T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usable Capacity | 13.5 kWh | 11.0 to 22.1 kWh | 9.6 to 25.6 kWh | 10.4 to 20.8 kWh | 10.08 kWh |
| Continuous Power | 11.5 kW continuous | 10.2 kW | 6.4 to 12.8 kW | 5.0 to 10.0 kW | 3.84 kW |
| Chemistry | LFP | LFP | LFP | LFP | LFP |
| Coupling Type | AC (built-in inverter) | DC (requires hybrid inverter) | DC (Sungrow SH inverter only) | DC (FoxESS hybrid inverter) | AC (Enphase microinverter system) |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years | 15 years |
| Capacity Retention | 70% at 10 years | 60% at 10 years | 60% at 10 years | 60% at 10 years | 60% at 15 years |
| Cycle Life | Unlimited | 6,000+ | 6,000+ | 6,000+ | 4,000+ |
| Round-trip Efficiency | 90% | 96% | 96% | 95% | 89% |
| Backup Ready | Yes (built-in) | With compatible inverter | With Sungrow SH hybrid | With FoxESS hybrid inverter | Yes (with IQ System Controller) |
| Price (installed) | $15,000 to $17,000 | $8,500 to $14,000 | $7,500 to $10,500 | $7,800 to $11,500 | $14,000 to $15,000 |
| Price per kWh | $1,111 to $1,259 | $773 to $1,045 | $664 to $938 | $750 to $1,106 | $1,389 to $1,488 |
Tesla Powerwall 3
Whole-home backup, retrofitting to existing solar
BYD Battery-Box HVM
Flexibility with inverter choice, modular expansion
Sungrow SBR
Best value, new installations with Sungrow inverter
FoxESS ECS
Value-focused new installations, FoxESS inverter owners
Enphase IQ Battery 10T
Enphase microinverter owners, longest warranty
Prices are installed costs before rebates as of February 2026. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program discount (roughly 30%) varies by location, system size, and installer. State rebates in the ACT ($3,500 to $5,250 low-interest loan) and WA ($1,300 to $3,800 subsidy) may also apply. VIC and NT battery rebates have closed. FoxESS pricing based on installer quotes for the ECS series paired with FoxESS H3 hybrid inverter.
Detailed Breakdown
Tesla Powerwall 3
Whole-home backup, retrofitting to existing solar
thumb_upPros
- checkAll-in-one with integrated inverter
- checkWhole-home backup capable
- checkWorks with any existing solar system (AC-coupled)
- checkHigh 11.5 kW continuous output
thumb_downCons
- removePremium pricing
- removeLimited installer network in regional areas
- removeProprietary ecosystem
BYD Battery-Box HVM
Flexibility with inverter choice, modular expansion
thumb_upPros
- checkModular in 2.76 kWh increments
- checkWorks with Fronius, GoodWe, and others
- checkExcellent round-trip efficiency
- checkCobalt-free LFP chemistry
thumb_downCons
- removeRequires separate hybrid inverter
- removeBasic monitoring app
- removeLower capacity retention guarantee
Sungrow SBR
Best value, new installations with Sungrow inverter
thumb_upPros
- checkLowest cost per kWh in market
- checkModular in 3.2 kWh increments
- checkHigh efficiency
- checkStrong installer support in Australia
thumb_downCons
- removeLocked to Sungrow SH inverter
- removeLower continuous power on smaller configs
- removeiSolarCloud app can be slow
FoxESS ECS
Value-focused new installations, FoxESS inverter owners
thumb_upPros
- checkCompetitive pricing close to Sungrow
- checkModular in 5.2 kWh increments
- checkHigh round-trip efficiency
- checkGrowing Australian installer network
thumb_downCons
- removeLocked to FoxESS hybrid inverter
- removeNewer brand with less local track record
- removeMonitoring app still maturing
Enphase IQ Battery 10T
Enphase microinverter owners, longest warranty
thumb_upPros
- checkIndustry-leading 15-year warranty
- checkNo single point of failure
- checkWorks with Enphase microinverter system
- checkIndoor and outdoor rated
thumb_downCons
- removeHighest cost per kWh
- removeLower continuous power output
- removeRequires Enphase ecosystem
- removeLower round-trip efficiency
Our Recommendations
Best OverallTesla Powerwall 3
The most complete solution with built-in inverter, whole-home backup, and 11.5 kW continuous output. Works with any existing solar system. Premium price but the simplest path to battery storage.
Best ValueSungrow SBR + SH Hybrid Inverter
Lowest cost per kWh in the Australian market. If you are installing solar and battery together and want to minimise cost, the Sungrow SH + SBR combination starts from around $7,500 installed for 9.6 kWh.
Value Runner-UpFoxESS ECS
Very close to Sungrow on price per kWh and offers modular 5.2 kWh expansion. A strong option if your installer works with FoxESS or if Sungrow stock is limited. Growing rapidly in the Australian market with solid specs and 95% round-trip efficiency.
Most FlexibleBYD Battery-Box HVM
Works with Fronius, GoodWe, and other hybrid inverters. Modular design lets you start at 11 kWh and expand to 22 kWh. The best choice if you want inverter flexibility or plan to expand capacity later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which home battery is best value in Australia in 2026?
The Sungrow SBR offers the lowest cost per kWh at $664 to $938/kWh installed, but requires a Sungrow SH hybrid inverter. FoxESS ECS is a close second at $750 to $1,106/kWh and also requires its own hybrid inverter. If you already have a non-Sungrow/FoxESS inverter, BYD Battery-Box HVM ($773 to $1,045/kWh) works with multiple inverter brands including Fronius and GoodWe.
Tesla Powerwall 3 vs Sungrow SBR: which should I choose?
Choose Tesla Powerwall 3 if you want whole-home backup, already have solar with a non-hybrid inverter, or value a polished app experience. Choose Sungrow SBR if you are installing solar and battery together and want the lowest cost per kWh. The Sungrow system costs roughly $7,000 less but requires a Sungrow hybrid inverter.
What federal battery rebate is available in 2026?
The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (launched July 2025) offers roughly 30% off installed battery cost, but the exact amount depends on your location, battery size, and installer. The rebate is applied at point of sale by participating installers. State rebates in the ACT and WA may also apply. Check with your installer for an exact after-rebate quote.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?
Yes. AC-coupled batteries like Tesla Powerwall 3 work with any existing solar inverter. DC-coupled batteries (Sungrow SBR, FoxESS ECS, BYD) require a compatible hybrid inverter, which means replacing your existing inverter if it is not already hybrid. AC-coupled is simpler to retrofit but slightly less efficient.
Is FoxESS a good battery brand in Australia?
FoxESS is a large Chinese manufacturer that has been growing rapidly in the Australian market. Their ECS battery uses LFP chemistry, offers solid specs with 95% round-trip efficiency, and is competitively priced. The main trade-off is that it requires a FoxESS hybrid inverter and the brand has less local track record than established names like Sungrow or BYD. However, installer support is improving and warranty is backed by their Australian office.
Not Sure Which Battery Is Right?
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