Tesla Powerwall 3 vs Tesla Powerwall 2
A straight, side by side read on specs and warranties, with the honest caveats. Every figure is from the manufacturer datasheet; sources are at the bottom.
Figure - Specs to scalebars vs the largest in our database
| Spec | Tesla Powerwall 3 | Tesla Powerwall 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Not published | lithium-ion |
| Usable capacity | 13.5 kWh | 13.5 kWh |
| Continuous power | 11.5 kW | 5 kW |
| Peak power | Not published | 7 kW |
| Round-trip efficiency | 89% | 90% |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 year limited warranty |
| Backup scope | Whole-home capable | Whole-home capable |
| Inverter | Integrated | Integrated |
What actually differs
- More continuous power: the Tesla Powerwall 3 sustains 11.5 kW vs 5 kW, which matters for running big loads like an AC at once.
- Efficiency is not apples to apples here: the Tesla Powerwall 3 quotes 89% (solar round trip (solar to battery to home), CEC weighted; not a pure AC to AC figure) and the Tesla Powerwall 2 quotes 90% (AC to battery to AC round trip at beginning of life, measured at 25C and 3.3 kW charge and discharge power), so do not read the raw numbers as a direct ranking.
- Availability: the Tesla Powerwall 2 is effectively discontinued, so for a new install it is not a real option regardless of specs.
Which one pays off is a numbers question.
Neither spec sheet tells you the payback in your home. That comes from your rate plan and incentives.
Run the Worth It calculator →Sources
Source: Tesla Powerwall 3 datasheet, 2026. Specs verified 2026-07-01. Figures are per single unit at beginning of life; confirm the current datasheet with your installer.
Source: Tesla Powerwall 2 AC Datasheet, North America. Specs verified 2026-07-01. Figures are per single unit at beginning of life; confirm the current datasheet with your installer.