Expert review of the Anker SOLIX X1 home battery

The SOLIX X1 is the new home battery from Anker. Launched in April 2024, the X1 is the brand’s entry into the very crowded home battery marketplace. 

The X1 is a modular battery with a maximum continuous output of 6 kilowatts (kW) and energy capacity that can be adjusted from as low as 5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to up to 30 kWh for a single unit, depending on the number of battery modules added. Up to six complete X1 systems can be installed in parallel for a maximum output of 36 kW and storage capacity up to 180 kWh. 

The first thing you might notice about the X1 is that it’s kind of beautiful (for a wall-mounted battery, anyway), with a sleek grey finish and a glowing blue light bar near the top. But is it any good? Let's check it out.

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Our expert take on the Anker SOLIX X1

The Anker SOLIX X1 is one of the most exciting home batteries in recent memory. Its power output and energy storage capacity are fairly ordinary, but its modularity, performance at extreme temperatures, and design touches make it stand out. 

Here’s our rundown of the pros and cons of the Anker SOLIX X1:

The pros, combined with the backing of Anker, a very successful consumer electronics company, make the X1 stand out in the home battery market. Based on the specifications, warranty coverage, and corporate performance of Anker, the SOLIX X1 measures up with some of the best solar batteries.

That said, the SOLIX X1 is a brand-new product, so there are some questions to answer about performance and compatibility with utility company programs. We’re curious to see how the SOLIX X1 performs in real-world testing, what the full pricing details are, how many installers will work with Anker, and whether the battery will qualify for virtual power plant (VPP) programs in the future. 

At this point, we’re encouraged by the SOLIX X1, and we’re calling it one of our “batteries to watch in 2024.”

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Anker SOLIX components and specifications

The Anker SOLIX X1 looks like a sleek stack of batteries but is actually made up of three separate components that each perform important system functions: the power module, battery modules, and backup controller.

• The power module sits atop a stack of battery modules and contains the “brains” of the battery system, as well as the inverter to turn DC power stored in the batteries to AC electricity used in your home. It contains a screen with information about the battery’s state of charge, power input/output, Wi-Fi status, and more. Under the screen, an interactive light strip glows white, blue, or red to indicate whether the system is in on-grid or off-grid backup mode or if an issue needs to be resolved.

• The battery modules each hold 5 kWh of lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) cells. Between one and six battery modules can be installed in connection with a single power module. 

• The backup controller is a separate box that connects the battery to the rest of your home to provide power. It contains a 2-way connection between the battery and the home’s electrical panel, an AC solar input for power flowing from a separate solar inverter, and a generator circuit that allows the battery to be charged with a backup generator in the event of a power outage.

All together, the SOLIX X1 can perform many different tasks, including daily charging and discharging with solar power, off-grid backup mode, peak-time sell back under California’s NEM 3.0, and Storm Guard mode, which automatically detects and prepares for weather-related power outages. 

Anker SOLIX X1 key specs
Energy capacity	5 - 30 kWh (1 to 6 battery modules per power module)
Max. continuous power output	6 kW
Approximate retail cost (pre-installation)	$11,000 for the 15 kWh version*
Battery chemistry	Lithium iron phosphate
Coupling	AC coupled
Dimensions (WxHxD)	26.4” × 58.5” × 5.9”
Weight	389 lbs
Warranty and lifetime throughput	10 year product warranty or 16.5 MWh total throughput per 5 kWh module (3,300 full cycles), whichever comes first
Additional features	NEMA 4 (IP65) outdoor-rated enclosure, wall- or floor-mounted enclosure. Requires inverter for use in the home.

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How the SOLIX X1 compares to the competition

When comparing the Anker SOLIX X1 to other batteries on the market, we like to compare functionality. The X1 is an AC-coupled battery, meaning it has a battery inverter and connects directly to your home for charging and discharging. 

It does not come with a solar inverter, meaning you have to have a separate solar inverter if you want to charge it with solar. This makes the SOLIX X1 ideal for someone who already has solar panels. For installation alongside new solar panels, choosing an energy storage system that offers a built-in solar inverter is usually better. 

Other AC-coupled batteries like the X1 include the Enphase IQ 5P or the FranklinWH home battery. Energy storage systems with solar inverters include the Tesla Powerwall 3, Canadian Solar EP Cube, and Panasonic EverVolt. 

Here’s a quick comparison of these systems:

Battery	Energy storage capacity	Max Continuous Output	Includes solar inverter?	Warranty	Est. cost per kWh of storage (before installation)
Anker SOLIX X1 (3 battery modules)	15 kWh	6 kW	No	10 years	$650
Enphase IQ 5P (3 battery modules)	15 kWh	11.52 kW	No	15 years	$810
FranklinWH Battery	13.6 kWh	5 kW	No	12 years	$1,050
Tesla Powerwall 3	13.5 kWh	11.5 kW	Yes	10 years	$680
EP Cube (5 battery modules)	16.6 kWh	7.6 kW	Yes	10 years	$690
Panasonic EverVolt (3 battery modules)	13.5 kWh	7.6 kW	Yes	12 years	$910

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How much does the Anker SOLIX X1 home battery cost?

We estimate that a 15 kWh SOLIX X1 system will cost about $9,750 before installation costs. Anker does not publish the cost of the X1, so our cost estimate is based on what our experts know about the pricing of Anker's consumer-grade solar battery backup systems.

That estimate equates to $650 per kWh of storage for the whole system, which is significantly less than the average cost of solar batteries. It's even slightly cheaper than the cost of a Tesla Powerwall, which is known as one of the most affordable home storage options. The price of the SOLIX X1 can also be reduced by solar battery incentives.

The main benefit of the low price is that you can add a second X1 Power module and two other battery packs to double the power output to 12 kW with 20 kWh of energy storage capacity, spending less than you would for a similar-sized system from another brand. 

Anker does not publish the cost of the X1 because the ultimate cost to a homeowner will depend on their unique situation. Installation costs can vary widely depending on a variety of factors. We’ve seen quotes anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 for backup battery installations and even higher if the home’s main service panel needs to be updated. 

Our estimate of the costs is based on what SolarReviews knows about the pricing of Anker’s consumer-grade solar battery backup systems.

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How long will the Anker SOLIX X1 last?

Measure	Industry-standard	Anker SOLIX X1
Warranty period	10 - 15 years	10 years
Total energy throughput	6,000 cycles OR 2.9 MWh/ kWh of storage	3.29 MWh/kWh of storage
Remaining percentage	70% after 10 years	60% after 10 years

Home backup batteries usually come with two different kinds of warranty coverage: one for materials and workmanship and the other for total energy throughput, which is measured in the number of cycles or total megawatt-hours (MWh) served. 

Additionally, because batteries lose a small amount of their ability to store energy over time, warranties usually include a percentage of the total capacity that should remain available at the end of the warranty period. 

The industry standard is 10 years of materials and workmanship coverage, an average of 6,000 total cycles or 2.9 MWh of throughput per kWh of battery capacity, and a remaining capacity of 70% after 10 years. 

The Anker SOLIX X1 warranty covers the battery for 10 years and 3.29 MWh per kWh of throughput, which are both good. However, Anker promises only 60% remaining battery capacity after 10 years. 

While this slight deviation from the standard isn’t a dealbreaker (especially considering the low estimated cost to install the system), it isn’t ideal. We hope to see Anker step up and provide a somewhat better overall warranty for the SOLIX X1 as more of these batteries get installed around the country. 

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Final thoughts: is the Anker SOLIX X1 right for you?

Whether the SOLIX X1 is right for you will depend on a few factors. If you already have solar panels and are looking for a backup battery or want a battery-only installation, this is one of the best batteries out there. If the price is right, it would also be a great battery to install alongside a new home solar panel system.

The X1 is designed to seamlessly integrate with a home, providing backup power in the event of a power outage and charging from solar, the electric grid, or a backup generator. And it looks darn good while doing it, too.

LFP battery chemistry and UL 9540A certification will ensure the X1 lasts a long time and is completely fire-safe. The intelligent battery pack management system means you can add battery modules in the future if your energy storage needs change.