Enphase IQ Battery 5P vs IQ Battery 10C

A homeowner-focused comparison inside the Enphase ecosystem

When homeowners start comparing Enphase batteries, the question usually isn’t “Which one is better?” — it’s “Which one makes sense for my home and how I actually use power?”

Both the IQ Battery 5P and IQ Battery 10C are modern, LFP-based batteries from Enphase Energy, and both are built to work inside Enphase’s tightly integrated ecosystem. That ecosystem approach is important to understand upfront, because it shapes everything about how these batteries behave.

A quick but important compatibility note

These batteries are only compatible with Enphase microinverter-based solar systems. That includes IQ8, IQ8PLUS, IQ8M, IQ8A, and IQ8HC microinverters. This isn’t a downside or an upside by itself — it’s simply how Enphase designs systems. Solar production is converted to AC at the roof, storage is AC-coupled, and intelligence is distributed across the system. If you already have Enphase micros, or you’re planning to install them, these batteries integrate seamlessly. If you’re running a string inverter from another brand, these batteries are not designed to pair with it.

How these two batteries actually feel different in a home

On paper, it looks simple: one battery is 5 kWh and the other is 10 kWh. In reality, the bigger difference for homeowners is power output, not just storage size.

The IQ Battery 5P is designed as a smaller, modular building block. It delivers respectable power for its size and works very well for essential-loads backup, partial-home backup, or homeowners who want to start small and expand over time.

The IQ Battery 10C, on the other hand, feels like a step into a heavier-duty category. It doesn’t just store more energy — it can deliver significantly more power at once, which directly affects what appliances can run simultaneously and how “normal” the home feels during an outage.

This distinction matters more than most people realize. Storage (kWh) determines how long you can run loads. Power (kW) determines what you can run at all.

Where the comparison really becomes clear

This is the point where numbers actually help — not to overwhelm, but to anchor expectations. Here’s a side-by-side comparison placed where it naturally belongs, after you understand why it matters.

IQ Battery 5P vs IQ Battery 10C — Core specs homeowners care about

Feature	IQ Battery 5P	IQ Battery 10C
Usable storage	5.0 kWh	10.0 kWh
Continuous power output	~3.8 kW	~7.1 kW
Short-duration peak output	Designed for moderate surges	Roughly double the surge capability
Battery chemistry	LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate)	LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
Warranty	15 years or cycle-based limits	15 years or cycle-based limit
Expansion style	Add more 5P units	Add more 10C units
Typical use case	Essentials or partial-home backup	Higher-load or near whole-home backup

What this means in real life (not spec sheets)

If you install a single IQ Battery 5P, you’re typically backing up things like refrigeration, lighting, outlets, internet, and maybe a few small kitchen appliances — assuming smart load management. It works very well for homeowners who understand what they want backed up and are comfortable prioritizing loads.

With the IQ Battery 10C, the experience changes. The higher continuous power output means you can support larger loads at the same time — and often with fewer total batteries. That’s especially important for homes with:

• Larger HVAC systems

• Pool or well equipment

• Higher baseline electrical demand

• A desire for “set it and forget it” backup behavior

In other words, the 10C doesn’t just give you more runtime — it reduces the mental gymnastics during an outage.

Modularity and long-term flexibility

Both batteries maintain one of Enphase’s strongest selling points: modular scalability.

You don’t need to perfectly predict your future energy needs on day one. You can add batteries later to increase either:

• Runtime (more kWh), or

• Available power (more kW)

The difference is simply the size of the building block you’re stacking.Smaller steps with the 5P. Bigger jumps with the 10C.

For some homeowners, smaller increments feel safer and more budget-friendly. For others, fewer wall-mounted units with higher output is the cleaner solution.

Warranty, chemistry, and longevity (kept simple)

Both batteries use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which has become the preferred option for residential storage due to thermal stability and long cycle life. That choice aligns well with Enphase’s focus on long service life rather than maximum energy density.

Warranty terms are comparable, with both products offering long coverage periods and defined cycle limits. The practical takeaway for homeowners is this:

• If you plan to cycle the battery daily (self-consumption, TOU optimization), cycle limits matter more.

• If the battery is mostly for backup protection, the calendar length of the warranty is what you’ll feel most.

The bigger Enphase ecosystem picture (and why it matters)

One reason many homeowners choose Enphase isn’t just the battery — it’s the ecosystem.

In addition to microinverters and batteries, Enphase offers:

• The IQ EV Charger for standard Level 2 home charging

• Upcoming bi-directional EV charging solutions, with two different architectures planned:

  • One designed for DC-coupled vehicles

  • One designed for AC-coupled vehicles

This matters because future Enphase systems may treat an EV as a mobile battery, dramatically changing how homeowners think about stationary storage sizing. Some homeowners may choose to slightly undersize batteries today, knowing that vehicle-to-home options are coming.

The clean takeaway

If we strip all the marketing away:

• IQ Battery 5P is a highly flexible, modular battery that shines for essential loads, phased build-outs, and homeowners who want control over expansion.

• IQ Battery 10C is a higher-power, higher-capacity battery that delivers a more “whole-home capable” feel with fewer units and less load micromanagement.

Neither is universally better — but they serve very different homeowner priorities, even though they share the same Enphase DNA.