Duracell Power Center battery review: Great performance, excellent price

You’ve likely powered remote controls and flashlights with Duracell batteries — now, they can back up your home, too. 

Duracell Power Center offers stackable home battery energy storage systems with usable capacities ranging from 14 to 80 kilowatt-hours (kWh). The best part? Based on quotes from the EnergySage Marketplace, they're significantly more affordable than most other batteries.

Duracell Power Center features two lines of battery storage products: the Power Center Max Hybrid (our pick for best battery of 2024) and the Power Center Essential. These batteries are best for those looking to install a good sized storage system that provides ample backup power, at a cost that is sure to appeal to anyone. 

While Duracell has been in the battery-making business for nearly 100 years, the company introduced its first home battery storage product in 2016 (Duracell Power Center is the company’s authorized licensee). The Duracell Home Ecosystem product line includes microinverters and a companion app in addition to its batteries

Currently, Duracell Power Center manufactures two lines of batteries: the Power Center Max Hybrid and the Power Center Essential. We selected the Power Center Max Hybrid as our top pick for best batteries in 2024 due to its affordability and impressive specifications. With a stackable capacity of up to 80 kilowatt-hours (kWh) at just $533 per kWh, it’s a standout option for homeowners.

Duracell Power Center batteries

For batteries, the most important specs to watch are:

• Battery chemistry: How electricity is stored in a battery. Most batteries today use Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC), Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), or Lithium Titanium Oxide (LTO) – all of which are lithium-ion chemistries. LTO batteries are the safest but the most expensive; LFP batteries are very safe, long-lasting, and increasingly popular among manufacturers; of the various lithium-ion chemistries, NMC batteries are the least stable. 

• Battery performance: How much power it can provide at a time (peak and continuous power), how much capacity it has to store power (usable capacity), and how efficient it is at supplying that power (roundtrip efficiency). 

• Coupling: AKA system configuration. Batteries are either alternating current (AC) coupled or direct current (DC) coupled, with DC-coupled systems being more efficient. 

• Warranty: Guarantees that the company will replace your battery if it fails due to manufacturing defects or environmental issues. Warranties also guarantee a certain amount of capacity throughout the 10+ year term.

Duracell vs. other popular brands

*The median price per kWh, based on data from the EnergySage Marketplace from the first half of 2024. Cost applies to the brand, not to the individual battery model.

Its performance per penny is hard to beat

At just $533 per kilowatt-hour, the Duracell Power Center Max Hybrid is one of the most affordable battery systems on EnergySage. What’s even more impressive is the performance Duracell delivers at this low price point. For comparison, the Tesla Powerwall 3 – another affordable option – costs nearly twice as much per kilowatt-hour, yet the Max Hybrid boasts better continuous power and roundtrip efficiency.

The modular design can backup your home for days

Duracell batteries are stackable, allowing you to customize your storage capacity to fit your needs. The Power Center Max Hybrid starts with 15 kWh, but you can add capacity in 5 kWh increments, up to a whopping 80 kWh. This modularity offers both flexibility and reliability — particularly valuable when the grid goes down and you need backup power for extended periods.

You don’t need that much storage capacity

As mentioned earlier, the Duracell Power Center Max Hybrid starts at 15 kWh. Given a typical home needs around 11.4 kilowatt-hours of storage to back up essential appliances, the Max Hybrid might be too big for some folks. If you’re looking for something smaller, we recommend the Villara VillaGrid 11.5 or the HomeGrid Stack'd Series.

As expected from one of the world’s iconic battery brands, Duracell Power Center offers a powerful battery at a stellar price — simple as that. Unless your storage needs are minimal, we highly recommend this system. But of course, comparing your options is the best way to find the right fit for your home. 

Use the EnergySage Marketplace to connect with vetted installers and consult our team of unbiased energy experts, available to answer your questions and help you install solar plus storage with confidence.