FranklinWH aPower S vs Tesla Powerwall 3: The Hybrid Battery Showdown

The home battery wars just got a whole lot more interesting. FranklinWH — a company that only came onto the scene in 2019 — has officially launched their aPower S, and this isn’t just another iteration of their existing products. This is Franklin’s first hybrid inverter + battery solution, which puts it in direct competition with the Tesla Powerwall 3.

FranklinWH aPower S vs Tesla Powerwall 3: The Hybrid Battery Showdown

For years, Tesla has dominated the conversation around solar plus storage. The Powerwall has practically become a household name, even among people who don’t follow renewable energy closely. But now FranklinWH is stepping into the same space with a product that not only mirrors Tesla’s approach but also adds its own unique advantages.

So, does Tesla still rule the battery game, or has Franklin finally built a contender that matches — and in some cases beats — the Powerwall 3? Let’s dive in.

Who Is FranklinWH?

FranklinWH (short for Franklin Whole Home) isn’t some random startup experimenting with storage tech. They were founded in 2019 in the San Francisco Bay Area with a mission to give homeowners true energy independence. Their vision goes beyond just storing solar energy — they aim to integrate solar, the electrical grid, and even generators into a single whole-home solution.

The company’s name is a nod to Benjamin Franklin, who literally coined the term “battery.” At first, the “WH” stood for watt-hour, but the company evolved the meaning into “Whole Home” to reflect their focus on complete energy ecosystems. And unlike Tesla, Franklin has always used Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry — widely considered safer and more durable than traditional lithium-ion.

Their original aPower was an AC-coupled battery, easy to add onto an existing solar system. It was followed by the aPower 2, which boasted higher capacity and output than Tesla’s Powerwall 2. Now, with the launch of the aPower S, Franklin is entering the hybrid inverter arena — meaning the solar inverter is integrated directly into the battery unit.

That move matters. Hybrid systems reduce equipment clutter, simplify installation, and allow homeowners to DC couple their solar for maximum efficiency. It also means Franklin can go head-to-head with Tesla in every sense.

Storage Capacity and Scalability

The first question homeowners usually ask about a battery is: how much energy does it store?

• FranklinWH aPower S: 15 kWh per unit

• Tesla Powerwall 3: 13.5 kWh per unit

That’s about a 10% bump for Franklin right out of the gate. It might not sound huge, but when you start stacking batteries together, the difference multiplies quickly.

And scalability is where Franklin absolutely dwarfs Tesla. The Powerwall 3 originally appeared to support up to 16 units — an eye-popping 216 kWh of storage — but Tesla quietly walked that back. The latest spec sheet caps the system at just seven units for a total of 94.5 kWh.

Franklin, on the other hand, still allows up to 15 units, giving you a massive 225 kWh of storage potential. That’s not just whole-home backup; that’s neighborhood-level resilience.

Power Output and Load Support

Capacity is one thing, but can the battery actually deliver enough power when you need it?

Both the aPower S and the Powerwall 3 let installers adjust the AC output via software, making it easier to integrate with homes that have different panel sizes or grid restrictions:

• FranklinWH aPower S: 5 kW, 7.6 kW, 9.6 kW, or 11.5 kW

• Tesla Powerwall 3: 5.8 kW, 7.6 kW, 10 kW, or 11.5 kW

Pretty evenly matched here, with Tesla slightly higher in a couple tiers. Importantly, during an outage, both systems unlock their full output capability. That means if the grid goes down, you’re not stuck with a throttled system — you get the full 11.5 kW if you need it.

And when it comes to Locked Rotor Amps (LRA) — the surge current needed to start up large appliances like air conditioning — both companies hit the same number: 185A. That’s enough to start a 5-ton HVAC system without issue. For many homeowners, that’s a dealbreaker stat, and it’s good to see both batteries meet the mark.

Solar Inputs and Design Flexibility

Since both of these systems are hybrid inverters, the number of MPPT inputs (Maximum Power Point Trackers) becomes critical. MPPTs allow the system to optimize energy capture from solar panels, especially when panels face different directions or are partially shaded.

• FranklinWH aPower S: 4 MPPTs

• Tesla Powerwall 3: 6 MPPTs

On paper, Tesla wins here. Those extra inputs provide more flexibility in system design, especially on homes with complex roofs or multiple orientations. Tesla also supports parallel string configurations, which makes it easier to retrofit older solar systems. Franklin hasn’t confirmed that level of compatibility for the aPower S yet.

Solar Capacity and Charging Speed

Both units support up to 20 kW of DC solar input — which translates to about 46 of Qcells’ 430W Q.Tron modules. Oversizing isn’t a problem here, since excess solar can always be funneled into the battery.

Where Franklin pulls ahead is in charging speed.

• FranklinWH aPower S: 8 kW per unit

• Tesla Powerwall 3: 5 kW per unit (8 kW with expansion battery)

That means Franklin can charge from 0 to 100% in under 2 hours under ideal solar conditions, while Tesla takes closer to 2.5 hours. Over time, that difference can mean more fully charged batteries before nightfall.

Warranty and Longevity

This one’s straightforward:

• FranklinWH aPower S: 15-year warranty

• Tesla Powerwall 3: 10-year warranty

That extra five years could be the deciding factor for many homeowners. Batteries are long-term investments, and coverage into year 12, 13, 14, and 15 provides a level of reassurance Tesla simply doesn’t offer.

Price Comparison

Since Franklin hasn’t released official aPower S pricing yet, the closest comparison is with the aPower 2.

Using a sample system — an 8.6 kW solar array (20 Qcells Q.Tron 430W modules) plus storage:

• FranklinWH (aPower 2 stand-in): ~$37,300

• Tesla Powerwall 3: ~$34,300

That’s about a $3,000 premium for Franklin. But what do you get for the extra spend?

• 15 kWh vs 13.5 kWh capacity

• 225 kWh vs 94.5 kWh scalability

• 8 kW vs 5 kW charging

• 15 years vs 10 years warranty

For many homeowners, those benefits will more than justify the added cost.

Installation and Future Improvements

Currently, Franklin requires the aGate — a subpanel that increases installation complexity and cost by requiring circuits to be relocated. Tesla’s Powerwall 3 integrates more seamlessly.

But Franklin is reportedly developing a meter collar solution, similar to Tesla’s, which could eliminate the extra panel work and bring costs down. If and when that happens, the price gap between the two systems could shrink.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just about Tesla vs Franklin. It’s about where the industry is heading. Homeowners are demanding more flexible, scalable, and reliable energy storage. Utilities are tightening interconnection rules. And as the federal tax credit phases out, competition will only intensify.

Tesla has brand recognition, years of proven installations, and strong integration with their EV ecosystem. Franklin brings safer chemistry, faster charging, more scalability, and longer warranties. For a six-year-old company, that’s remarkable progress.

Final Thoughts

So, which one should you choose?

If you value brand legacy, proven track records, and maximum MPPT flexibility, Tesla still has the edge. But if you’re looking for raw storage capacity, lightning-fast charging, and a warranty that goes the distance, FranklinWH has built a serious contender.

For the first time, Tesla has real competition in the hybrid battery space. And competition is good — it pushes the entire industry forward.

What do you think? Would you stick with Tesla, or would you give Franklin a shot? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

And if you’re considering solar plus storage for your home, don’t guess on the numbers. Head over to reinnovations.org/book-online to request a consultation and find out what system makes sense for you.

✅ Key Takeaways:

• Franklin aPower S: 15 kWh, 225 kWh scalability, 8 kW charging, 15-year warranty.

• Tesla Powerwall 3: 13.5 kWh, 94.5 kWh scalability, 5 kW charging, 10-year warranty.

• Franklin costs a bit more, but delivers more storage, faster charging, and longer coverage.