HomeGrid battery review: Super scalable & moderately priced

There’s a HomeGrid battery system that fits the needs of Goldilocks, the Three Bears, and virtually anyone else who likes options. Starting at 9.6 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of capacity, you can add capacity in 4.8 kWh increments to design a system that truly fits your storage needs, all the way up to a whopping 576 kWh. 

HomeGrid is a great option whether you're looking for partial home backup power or enough storage to go completely off-grid. In addition to its scalability, HomeGrid offers powerful and highly efficient batteries. But it’s not perfect – the manufacturer’s warranty is just OK, and the Stack’d Series might not be ideal for retrofit installations.

Let’s review the key specs, features, pros, and cons to help you decide if a HomeGrid battery system is just right for you.

HomeGrid sells two lines of energy storage batteries that follow a"better-best" model: the Compact Series (better) and the Stack’d Series (best). Both are modular, allowing you to stack multiple batteries in a single system to fit your storage capacity needs. The biggest difference between the two series is their coupling: the Stack’d Series is DC-coupled, while the Compact Series can be either AC- or DC-coupled.

At a high level, a battery’s coupling refers to how the system connects to your home and the type of inverter it uses: DC-coupled systems are generally more efficient but harder to integrate with an existing solar setup. The flexible coupling of the Compact Series allows for an easier and more cost-effective option when installing storage as a retrofit.

HomeGrid batteries

For batteries, the most important specs to watch are:

• Battery chemistry: How electricity is stored in a battery. Most batteries today use Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC), Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), or Lithium Titanium Oxide (LTO) – all of which are lithium-ion chemistries.  LTO batteries are the safest but the most expensive; LFP batteries are very safe, long-lasting, and increasingly popular among manufacturers; of the various lithium-ion chemistries, NMC batteries are the least stable. 

• Battery performance: How much power it can provide at a time (peak and continuous power), how much capacity it has to store power (usable capacity), and how efficient it is at supplying that power (roundtrip efficiency). 

• Coupling: AKA system configuration. Batteries are either alternating current (AC) coupled or direct current (DC) coupled, with DC-coupled systems being more efficient. 

• Warranty: Guarantees that the company will replace your battery if it fails due to manufacturing defects or environmental issues. Warranties also guarantee a certain amount of capacity throughout the 10+ year term.

HomeGrid vs. other popular brands

*The median price per kWh, based on data from the EnergySage Marketplace from the first half of 2024. Cost applies to the brand, not to the individual battery model.

It’s super scalable

Whether you’re looking for a lot of storage capacity or just a little, chances are there’s a HomeGrid battery system that fits your needs. Unlike battery systems with fixed capacities, like the Tesla Powerwall 3, HomeGrid’s modular design allows you to customize your storage capacity. For example, if you need around 20 kWh of storage, the Tesla Powerwall 3’s fixed 13.5 kWh capacity would force you to install two batteries, totaling 27 kWh. This would leave you paying for more capacity than you likely need.

HomeGrid battery systems, meanwhile, start at 9.6 kWh and allow you to add capacity in 4.8 kWh increments, up to an impressive 576 kWh. This modularity means you can build a system that more closely matches your needs without overspending on unnecessary capacity.

The Stack’d Series is highly efficient 

With a roundtrip efficiency of 98%, the HomeGrid Stack’d Series is one of the most efficient batteries on the EnergySage Marketplace. As a DC-coupled system, it loses very little energy during inversion. Even compared to other DC-coupled batteries, the Stack’d Series stands out—you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more efficient option.

The warranty isn’t the strongest

HomeGrid offers a 10-year warranty that guarantees 60% of the battery's initial capacity by the end of the term. While the term length is in line with the industry standard, the end-of-warranty capacity falls short. Many battery manufacturers promise at least 70% of initial capacity at year 10, so you can certainly find stronger warranties elsewhere. 

If an excellent warranty is your priority, consider the Villara VillaGrid. Villara offers a 20-year warranty, guaranteeing 70% of initial capacity by year 20 – double the industry standard!

Aside from its slightly below-average warranty, a HomeGrid battery system has a lot to offer. It’s powerful, efficient, and the most scalable battery available on EnergySage. While it's not the cheapest option, it’s also far from the most expensive. Overall, it’s a top-notch battery. 

That said, comparing your options is key to finding the right fit for your home. Use the EnergySage Marketplace to connect with vetted installers and consult our team of unbiased energy experts. We’re here to answer your questions and help you install solar plus storage with confidence.