Why “10 kWh” is a category, not a complete specification
Nominal energy puts products into roughly the same storage class, but a useful comparison still needs power, usable depth of discharge, inverter compatibility, expansion limits, environmental rating and warranty conditions.
| Decision factor | What to record | Why it can change the winner |
|---|---|---|
| Usable energy | Usable kWh at supported DoD/reserve | Determines realistic stored energy |
| Continuous output | kW or A at operating voltage | Determines sustained load |
| Peak output | Power + duration | Can matter for motors and short surges |
| Compatibility | Supported inverter models / protocol | May affect control, warranty and monitoring |
| Parallel expansion | Maximum supported modules | Matters if demand grows later |
| Warranty | Years, cycles, throughput, capacity retention | “10 years” can mean very different coverage |
| Installed cost | Battery + required accessories + labor | Headline battery price may omit integration costs |
How rankings are handled
Melnti only ranks products when there is enough verified data and a documented scoring basis. Similar capacity alone is not enough to name a “#1” product.
How to build a shortlist
Begin with your required sustained load and backup duration. Remove batteries that cannot provide the required power or are not supported by the chosen inverter. Then compare warranty, local support, expansion and installed price.
For a runtime estimate, use the battery runtime calculator.