Anker now sells two very different home battery systems: the SOLIX E10, launched at CES 2026 as a weatherproof, generator-ready whole-home backup that starts at $4,299 with one 6.144kWh battery, and the SOLIX X1, a modular, installer-sold home battery that grows in 5kWh steps, according to Anker’s US product pages and The Verge’s launch coverage. The E10 is built around high surge power, outdoor installation and a tri-fuel generator option. The X1 is built around fine-grained capacity and large parallel systems. Here’s how they compare and which one suits which home.
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Specs come from the Anker SOLIX E10 product page, Anker’s SOLIX X1 US product page and datasheets, and The Verge’s January 2026 E10 launch report. The Anker SOLIX E10 is also listed on Amazon. Neither system has been through my own testing; runtime math is labeled as estimates. For a deeper look at the X1, see my Anker SOLIX X1 review.
The short answer
- Choose the E10 if you want whole-home backup with strong surge for well pumps and AC, outdoor-rated hardware, the option to add a generator, and the ability to add batteries yourself after the electrician sets up the grid connection.
- Choose the X1 if you want an installer-designed home battery that scales in small 5kWh steps and can grow very large with parallel systems.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Anker SOLIX E10 | Anker SOLIX X1 (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery module | B6000, 6.144kWh LiFePO4 | 5kWh LFP modules |
| Modules per system | Up to 5 (about 30kWh) | Up to 6 (30kWh) |
| Max with multiple systems | Up to 3 E10s via Power Dock: 90kWh | Up to 6 systems: 180kWh |
| Continuous power (one system) | 7.68kW (240V/32A) with 1 battery; 10kW for up to 90 min with 2+ batteries | 6.6kW backup (3kW with 1 module, 6kW with 2) |
| Max continuous, multi-system | 22.8kW (3 units); 30kW turbo | 36kW (6 systems) |
| Surge | Up to 28.8kW (120 LRA) with 1 battery; 37.2kW (155 LRA) with 2+ (The Verge) | 4.5kW (10 s) with 1 module; 9kW with 2 |
| Backup switchover | Under 20 ms | See installer spec |
| Solar input | Up to 9kW high-voltage PV per system (30–450V) | Depends on regional power module |
| Generator | Integrates Anker Smart Generator 5500 (tri-fuel) or existing generators | Not a core feature |
| Enclosure | NEMA 4 (IP66); indoor or outdoor | Wall or floor stack |
| Weight | Power module 60.6 lb; B6000 battery 130 lb each | See datasheet |
| Cycle rating | 80% after 4,000 cycles | See datasheet |
| Also works as a portable outlet | Yes, 1,800W 120V/15A outlet | No |
| Installation | Electrician installs Smart Inlet Box or Power Dock; you can add batteries yourself | Installer-only |
| Starting price | $4,299 (power module + 1 battery) | Installer quote |
Power: E10 is built for big loads
Anker rates a single E10 at 7.68kW continuous, rising to 10kW for up to 90 minutes with two or more batteries. The Verge reported surge figures of 28.8kW with one battery and 37.2kW with two or more. That surge headroom matters for motors: well pumps, central AC compressors and heat pumps can pull several times their running watts for a split second when they start. My explainer on surge watts vs running watts covers this in detail.
The X1 delivers up to 6.6kW of backup power per system, with lower figures when only one or two battery modules are installed. Anker notes a soft starter is required for AC and heat pumps when the X1 runs off-grid. To get more power, you add X1 systems in parallel.
Capacity: different step sizes
Both top out around 30kWh per system, but they get there differently. The E10 adds 6.144kWh B6000 modules, up to five. The X1 adds 5kWh modules, up to six. For multi-system homes, the E10 links up to three units through the Power Dock for 90kWh, while the X1 can run up to six systems for 180kWh.
Runtime estimates
| Average home load | E10 + 2 batteries (12.3kWh) | X1 with 3 modules (15kWh) | E10 + 5 batteries (30.7kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials, 500W | ~22 hr | ~27 hr | ~55 hr |
| Typical home, 1.5kW | ~7.4 hr | ~9 hr | ~18 hr |
| Heavy use with AC, 3kW | ~3.7 hr | ~4.5 hr | ~9 hr |
*Estimates: kWh × 0.9 usable after conversion ÷ load. Solar and generator charging extend these numbers.
Three ways to recharge the E10
Anker pitches the E10 as a “triple power” system: battery, solar and generator. Each E10 accepts up to 9kW of high-voltage solar (30–450V), and up to 27kW across three units. The Anker SOLIX Smart Generator 5500 runs on gasoline, propane or natural gas and recharges the batteries automatically when they run low. Anker’s bundle of an E10 with one battery, Power Dock and Smart Generator 5500 lists at $7,399.
Installation and placement
The E10 is rated NEMA 4 (IP66), so it can sit outdoors in rain, snow and heat, and Anker suggests wall mounting in flood-prone areas. A licensed electrician installs the Smart Inlet Box or Power Dock and the grid connection; after that, Anker says owners can add battery modules themselves. Plan for the weight: 60.6 lb for the power module and 130 lb per battery.
The X1 is sold through installers who design the system around your panel and loads. That means less DIY flexibility but a fully designed system from day one.
Worked example: which fits my home? (estimate)
Say your must-run backup list is a fridge (150W), furnace blower (500W), well pump (1,000W running), lights and electronics (300W) and a 3.5kW central AC. Running load is about 5.45kW, and the well pump and AC can surge much higher at startup. One E10 with two batteries covers 7.68kW continuous with large surge headroom. One X1 system at 6.6kW covers the running load, but you’d likely add a soft starter for the AC or a second system in parallel.
Who should buy which
| Your priority | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Run central AC or a well pump in an outage | E10 |
| Outdoor install in harsh weather | E10 |
| Generator integration | E10 |
| Add batteries yourself over time | E10 |
| Very large storage (90kWh+) | X1 |
| Fully installer-designed solar + storage | X1 |
If you’re still deciding between battery and generator backup in general, my guide to home battery backup without solar covers the basics.
How to size either system for your home
The same four steps work for both systems. Only the building blocks differ.
- List the must-run loads. Note the running watts for each, from the label or a plug-in meter for 120V items.
- Find the biggest starting load. A well pump or central AC usually sets the surge requirement. This is where the E10’s surge rating stands out.
- Add up the running watts. That total sets the continuous power you need: 7.68kW for one E10, or 6.6kW for one X1 system.
- Estimate daily energy and days of backup. Multiply daily kWh by the number of days you want without sun or a generator. That tells you how many battery modules you need.
Worked example: two-day essentials backup (estimate)
A fridge (about 1.5kWh a day), furnace blower (about 3kWh a day in winter), lights, router and electronics (about 2.5kWh) and well pump (about 1.5kWh) add up to roughly 8.5kWh a day. For two days without recharging, that’s about 17kWh, or about 19kWh of rated capacity after the 0.9 usable factor. That works out to three or four B6000 modules on an E10 (18.4–24.6kWh), or four X1 modules (20kWh). With a generator on the E10 or daily solar on either system, you can buy fewer batteries.
| Backup goal | E10 starting point | X1 starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials for a day | 1–2 batteries (6.1–12.3kWh) | 2 modules (10kWh) |
| Essentials for two days | 3–4 batteries | 4 modules |
| Whole home with central AC | 2+ batteries for 10kW, plus generator or solar | Multiple systems in parallel, with a soft starter |
FAQ
Is the Anker SOLIX E10 a replacement for the X1?
No. They’re separate product lines aimed at different buyers: the E10 at backup-first homeowners, the X1 at installer-designed storage systems.
Can the E10 run without solar?
Yes. It can charge from the grid and a generator, and add solar later.
How many batteries can the E10 hold?
Up to five B6000 modules (about 30kWh) per E10, and up to three E10s for 90kWh.
Does the E10 need an electrician?
Yes, for the Smart Inlet Box or Power Dock and grid connection. Anker says battery modules can be added afterward by the owner.
Which has more power?
Per system, the E10: 7.68kW continuous (10kW for 90 minutes with two or more batteries) vs 6.6kW for the X1.
Can I start small and expand later?
Yes, with either. The E10 starts with one 6.144kWh battery and grows to five per unit. The X1 adds 5kWh modules up to six per system. With the X1, your installer handles the additions.
Bottom line
The Anker SOLIX E10 is the backup-first choice, with strong surge, outdoor-rated hardware, generator integration and owner-addable batteries. The SOLIX X1 is the storage-first choice for installer-designed systems that scale in small steps and very large sizes. Start with your must-run loads, especially motors, and the right pick usually becomes clear.