Which plug-in home battery is best for you depends on three things: how much solar energy you’re already feeding back into the grid for next to nothing, how much electricity you use in the evening and at night, and whether you plan to expand your system in the future. Below, we’ve compared the top brands and models of 2026 so you can make the decision for yourself.
Why choose a plug-in home battery?
A hardwired home battery requires an installer, modifications to your meter box, and—before you know it—a few days of waiting. You can set up a plug-in home battery yourself in just an afternoon. Simply place the unit, plug it into an outlet near your solar panels or inverter, and configure the app. No drilling holes, no permits, and no need for an installer to come to your home.
That makes these batteries particularly appealing for rental properties, apartments with balconies, and households that want to see what a battery can do before investing in a larger, permanent system. Plus, it’s portable: if you move, you can simply take the battery with you.
How does a plug-in home battery work?
The battery is connected between your solar panels (or the outlet) and your household appliances. During the day, when your panels generate more power than you use, the battery charges itself with that surplus. In the evening, when the sun goes down and electricity becomes more expensive, the battery feeds that power back into your home. You’ll hardly notice this in practice: the process runs automatically, based on settings in the accompanying app.
The benefits of a plug-in home battery
Without a battery, you often sell any surplus solar power back to the grid at a low rate. With a battery, you use that electricity yourself, whenever you need it. In addition, some models offer emergency power: in the event of a power outage, they automatically switch over so your refrigerator, router, or lights keep working. And because you install it yourself, you don’t pay any installation fees on top of the purchase price.
The Installation Process
In practice, installation involves three steps: placing the battery in its location (usually indoors, in a dry place, and out of direct sunlight), connecting the plugs to an outlet and to the solar panels or inverter. Finally, download the app to pair the system. With most brands, you’ll be done within half an hour. Only if you choose a high-capacity model on its own circuit will you need an electrician for that one connection.
Compare plug-in home batteries
There isn’t a single “best” brand for everyone. A small household with limited energy consumption has different needs than a family with a heat pump and an electric car. That’s why we’re comparing the top players on the market today.
Marstek is aimed at households that want to start out with a compact and affordable system. The base unit is small enough to fit on a balcony or in a storage room, and you can expand it later with additional modules as your energy consumption increases.
Jackery is known for its portable power stations and brings that expertise to its plug-in home battery: simple operation, solid build quality, and a mid-range price. A good choice if you’d rather not spend time on complicated settings. Want to know more? Check out Jackery’s plug-in home battery.
The new Anker SOLIX Solarbank Max AC stands out for its peak power and scalability: a base capacity of 7 kWh, expandable up to 42 kWh (and with a 3-phase connection, even up to 126 kWh), with 3,500 W of continuous power. This makes it an especially good choice if you want to power multiple high-demand devices at the same time or plan to expand your system significantly. We discuss this model in detail in our blog post about the best plug-in home battery of 2026.
How much capacity do you need?
As a rule of thumb: calculate how much electricity you consume on average between sunset and the following morning. For an average household without a heat pump or electric car, this is often 3 to 5 kWh per night. If your usage exceeds that, a larger base unit or an expandable system will prevent your battery from running out halfway through the evening.
What to look for when buying
When comparing models, don’t just look at capacity—also consider:
- Power (W): the number of devices you can power at the same time without the battery shutting down.
- Scalability: Can you add modules later as your usage grows, or are you limited to a fixed maximum?
- Emergency power: Does the system automatically switch over during a power outage, and how quickly?
- Warranty and charge cycles: A longer warranty and more charge cycles indicate a longer expected lifespan.
- Compatibility: Does the battery work with your existing solar panels and inverter, or do you need additional equipment?
Can’t decide between two brands? Ask for personalized advice, and we’ll help you figure it out based on your specific situation.