Four months with my first home battery taught me what whole-home backup really means - ZDNET

Our gifting experts are obsessively searching for holiday gifts that are unique, thoughtful and suitable for any budget. Why you can trust ZDNET: ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Home & Office > Energy > Power banks and batteries Anker's Solix E10 made backup power understandable for this first-timer, and I can't wait to expand the system. Article updated on July 15, 2026, 5:45 am EDT Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. Every fire season in Northern California brings with it the all-too-real possibility of losing power. When PG&E announces a Public Safety Power Shutoff, neighborhoods like mine can go dark for unspecified amounts of time, and for years, my family has talked about getting backup power connected to our home to alleviate that anxiety. When Anker offered to install its Solix E10 whole-home backup system at my house, I jumped at the chance to shift my solar array to a system that promises to keep my essentials running when we need it most. I was also very curious to find out whether a company I’ve known more for phone chargers cou