Should you opt for Tesla’s new Powerwall 2.0, or should you look elsewhere? We’ll show you the top 10 alternative products.

With the launch of Tesla’s new and improved Powerwall 2.0 last week, all eyes are now on Musk and co to deliver. The hype became even bigger, after the announcement of a merger with SolarCity, which Tesla is about to sign later on this month.

Home energy storage is definitely the way to go if you are looking to (partly) step away from the grid. We do hear a lot about the Powerwall, but Musk is not the only one tapping into this market. There are various options out there, with specifications to meet every need.

We have selected 10 of the best alternatives out there to give you an idea of possibilities. However, first things first. Let’s take a look at the specifications of Powerwall 2.0 so that we can make an honest comparison.

Tesla’s new home energy storage device is a 269-pound lithium ion battery. The cells are made by Panasonic, while the pack and the module are built by Tesla. One module can store up to 13.5 kWh of energy and comes at a price of $5,500, which also includes an inverter. If you would like to store more power, the Powerwall allows the connection of up to nine individual units. Installation costs around $1,000, with starting day sometime in January next year.

So, here are the others:

1. LG Chem RESU

This is one of the newest kids on the block, yet arguably the biggest competitor of the Powerwall. LG Chem stroke a deal with Sunrun, a company that makes solar panels for home use. The deal resembles that of SolarCity and Tesla, providing a complete package for home users. Regarding the specifications, LG Chem RESU battery comes at a price of $4000. For this amount, customers receive a 6.5 kWh energy storage unit. This does not include an inverter and installation costs.

2. Orison at-home battery

Orison is a promising start-up that offers super light home energy storage. The unit weighs 40 pounds, and can store 2.2 kWh. It is extremely easy to install and connect- no professionals needed. The unit comes at a price of $1,600 per unit, and allows up to 5 units to be connected for more storage.

3. Sonnen

Sonnen, a German company producing home energy storage units, means business. The products that they offer are quite a few, mainly varying in capacity. The largest can hold up to 16 kWh of energy. If we look at Tesla’s price range, the eco-compact version fits right in. At a price of $5,950, including an inverter, the unit that you get can hold up to 4kWh.

At the moment, Sonnen has more than 15 thousand customers. Their market is predominantly in Germany, but this will not be for too long. The plans are to expand to Italy, Britain, Australia and the U.S. very soon.

4. Mercedes

The energy storage unit from Mercedes is also one of the promising technologies on the market (currently in Germany and Australia). The units are modular, meaning that they can be connected for bigger capacity. The individual units can store up to 2.5 kWh, and to a total maximum of 20 kWh if 8 units are connected.

Mercedes’ standard family pack, which includes energy storage, inverter, installation and a smarphone app, comes at a price between $9,000 and $10,000.

5. Nissan’s xStorage

Another giant in the automobile manufacturing sector providing energy storage units for home use is Nissan. Their xStorage unit can hold up to 4.2 kWh of energy, and it comes at a price of $4,500, including installation. The most attractive component of this battery is that it is entirely made from recycled energy storage cells. This makes it among most sustainable energy storage unit out there.

Currently, xStorage is available to pre-order in Europe.

6. BMW

Just like with Nissan, BMW has found a way to recycle the old batteries from their i3 cars, and turn the left-overs into home energy storage. At the moment, BMW offers a home energy storage unit that can hold 6.4 kWh, but they are also looking to make bigger units of 22 and 33 kWh.

Unfortunately, the price of the unit is not available.

7. Panasonic

Although Panasonic are the makers of the cells that go inside the Powerwall, they also have their own energy storage system. Panasonic’s batteries for home use can hold up to 8 kWh. At the moment, these are on sale only in Australia, however soon they might hit the European market.

Panasonic is also one of the energy storage unit makers, who do not disclose their prices publicly.

8. Sunverge

The home energy storage units from Sunverge come in a range of sizes, able to store between 6 kWh and 23 kWh. The units are quite heavy and require professionally trained Sunverge employees to install it. Depending on the size you opt for, the price varies between $8,000 and $20,000.

The unit comes with an app, which allows you to monitor the prices of electricity from the grid. In this way, you can choose wisely when to use the energy that you have stored at home.

9. Powervault.

Powervault is currently on sale only in the UK. It comes in a number of sizes, the biggest one of which can store around 6.6 kWh. The price range starts at $3,000. Train professionals should install the units.

10. ElectrIQ

ElectrIQ is the only one in the list that is not yet on the market. The release date in the US of the units is expected to come before the end of the year.

This energy storage unit can hold up to 10kWh, and comes at a price of $13,000 including the inverter. This is also one that needs professional knowledge during installation.

Images (c) Tesla, LG Chem, Orison, Panasonic, Powervault, Sonnen, Sunverge, ElectrIQ, BMW, Nissan, Mercedes