Whole-Home Battery Comparison · 2026
After Winter Storm Uri left millions of Texans without power for days, whole-home battery backup went from luxury to necessity. We compare the four best options for Texas homeowners.
Texas summers mean 5+ ton AC units running continuously. Most battery systems marketed nationally fall short for Texas — you need 10+ kWh of usable capacity minimum to run AC through a 4-hour ERCOT blackout. We factor this into every recommendation below.
| Feature | Powerwall 3 | Enphase IQ | LG RESU | Franklin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | 13.5 kWh | 10.1 kWh (IQ 10T) | 9.3 kWh (RESU 10H) | 13.6 kWh (aPower 13.6) |
| Continuous output | 11.5 kW on-grid / 7.6 kW off-grid | 3.84 kW | 5 kW | 10 kW |
| Peak output | 22 kW (10 sec) | 7.68 kW (10 sec) | 7 kW (3 sec) | 20 kW (10 sec) |
| Stackable | Yes (up to 10) | Yes (up to 4) | Yes (up to 2) | Yes (up to 15) |
| Solar compatible | Any inverter + Tesla Solar | Enphase microinverters only | Any hybrid inverter | Any inverter |
| Grid-tied only? | No — full off-grid capable | No — full off-grid capable | No — full off-grid capable | No — full off-grid capable |
| Warranty | 10 years (unlimited cycles) | 15 years | 10 years | 10 years |
| Installed price (1 unit) | ~$12,000–$15,000 | ~$10,000–$13,000 | ~$9,000–$12,000 | ~$11,000–$14,000 |
| App & monitoring | Tesla App (excellent) | Enlighten App (excellent) | LG App (basic) | Franklin Home Power (good) |
| IRA tax credit eligible | Yes (30%) | Yes (30%) | Yes (30%) | Yes (30%) |
The Powerwall 3 is Tesla's biggest leap forward. At 11.5 kW continuous output (on-grid), it can run a 5-ton AC unit plus your fridge, lights, and critical loads simultaneously — something no previous version could do. The built-in inverter eliminates a separate solar inverter, cutting installation cost.
If you already have Enphase microinverters, the IQ Battery 10T is the obvious choice — seamless integration, the best 15-year warranty in the industry, and modular expansion up to 4 units (40 kWh). The catch: it only works with Enphase microinverters, so it's not a standalone option.
LG's RESU series offers the lowest installed cost of any tier-1 home battery. If you're pairing with an existing solar system and want to stay under budget, the RESU 10H delivers solid performance at 5 kW continuous — enough for essential loads but not a 5-ton AC unit.
Franklin Electric's aPower is the dark horse. At 10 kW continuous and 20 kW peak, it matches or beats Powerwall on output — and 15-unit stacking means essentially unlimited whole-home backup capacity. Growing availability in Texas makes it worth considering if Powerwall lead times are long.
For most Texas homeowners: Powerwall 3. The 11.5 kW output is the only reason — Texas summers require enough power to run AC, and most competitors fall short. Budget an extra $2,000–$3,000 for a whole-home transfer switch.
If you have Enphase panels already: IQ Battery 10T, but buy 3 units. One won't cut it for Texas AC loads.
On a tight budget: LG RESU 10H + manual transfer switch for critical loads only. Expect to run a portable generator for AC.
Want max capacity: Franklin aPower. Stack 2 units (27 kWh) and you can run your entire home for 6–8 hours without solar input.
The Inflation Reduction Act's 30% residential clean energy credit applies to all four systems when paired with solar. On a $13,000 Powerwall install, that's $3,900 back at tax time. Install while the credit is still in effect to lock in the current rate.
Not sure how many kWh you need to cover your home?
Prices are estimates and vary by installer. Some links are affiliate links. TXPowerPicks earns a small commission at no extra cost to you.