FoxESS (often written Fox ESS) makes stackable lithium iron phosphate batteries and the hybrid inverters that run them. Since the federal battery discount started, it has gone from a name many people had not heard of to one of the most-quoted brands in the country. SunWiz named it the fastest-growing energy storage company in Australia for 2025, based on Clean Energy Regulator data. This review covers the current home range, what is good, what is annoying, and who should buy it.
The short verdict
FoxESS is a strong value pick for homes that want a decent-sized LFP battery without paying premium-brand prices. The batteries themselves are solid. What you give up is polish: the app is basic, support runs through your installer, and backup needs to be designed in rather than assumed.
It suits you if
- You want the most usable kWh for your budget and are happy with a mainstream, modular LFP battery.
- You want roughly 10 to 14kWh now, or a large stack for a big home, pool or EV.
- You are replacing your inverter anyway, or adding a battery to existing solar with an AC-coupled Fox inverter.
- You have an installer you trust, because they are your first line of support.
Skip it if
- A slick app and hands-off experience matter a lot to you. Owners regularly criticise the FoxESS app.
- You want the widest choice of VPPs. FoxESS support among retailer VPPs is patchier than Tesla or Sungrow.
- You want an all-in-one unit with whole-home backup included by default.
The FoxESS home battery range in Australia
FoxESS sells several battery families at once, which can make quotes confusing. These are the ones you are most likely to see on a home quote in 2026. All are LFP, all are high-voltage batteries designed for FoxESS inverters, and all are rated IP65.
| Model | Module size | Stacking range | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQ4800 | 4.66 kWh | 2 to 9 modules, 9.32 to 41.94 kWh | 10 years, 70% retention or 19.66 MWh per module |
| CQ7 | 6.96 kWh | 2 to 14 modules, 13.92 to 97.44 kWh | 10 years, 70% retention or throughput (70.76 MWh for the 13.92 kWh stack) |
| CQ6 | About 5.98 kWh nominal | 2 to 14 modules | 12 years, 70% retention or throughput |
| EP series (EP5, EP11, EP12 Plus) | Single box: 5.18, 10.36 or 11.52 kWh | Expand by adding units in parallel | 10 years, 70% retention or throughput |
A few details matter more than the headline capacity:
- Coupling: on a new system the battery is DC-coupled through a FoxESS hybrid inverter, the KH series on single-phase (7 to 10.5kW) or the H3 family on three-phase. For an existing solar system, the AC-coupled KA series sits alongside your current inverter.
- Power: in practice the inverter sets how much power the battery can deliver. The CQ7's own rating is 9.22kW for the smallest 13.92kWh stack, which is more than most single-phase inverters will pass through.
- Location: the CQ7 datasheet lists indoor or outdoor installation. Big stacks are heavy (a two-module CQ7 is about 105kg and a full EQ4800 stack is over 350kg), so the floor or slab needs to take it.
- Cold climates: the CQ7 comes in a "(w)" version with a warm-up function that lets it charge in sub-zero temperatures. Worth asking about in Canberra, Tasmania or the alpine areas.
- CQ6 capacity: sources differ on how much of the CQ6's nominal capacity is usable, so check the usable kWh printed on your quote, not the module label.
13.92 kWh
Smallest CQ7 stack
9.32 to 41.94 kWh
EQ4800 range
Via inverter EPS output
Backup
10 years (CQ6: 12)
Warranty
FoxESS EQ4800 review: still the sweet spot for smaller homes
The EQ4800 is the model most people search for, and it is still a sensible buy. Its 4.66kWh modules mean a two-module stack gives you 9.32kWh, and three gives you 13.98kWh, which lands neatly under the 14kWh point where the federal discount drops to a reduced rate. That makes it a good fit for typical family homes that want around 10kWh without paying for capacity they will not use. The 10-year warranty guarantees about 4.2MWh of throughput per usable kWh, which is more than one full cycle a day for the warranty period.
The CQ7 is the newer, bigger-module option. Its smallest stack is 13.92kWh, again just under 14kWh, so all of it qualifies at the full discount rate. If you already know you want around 14kWh, a two-module CQ7 is tidier than a three-module EQ4800. If you want 9 to 10kWh, the EQ4800 is the better fit.
What we like
- Price per kWh. FoxESS is one of the more competitively priced stackable LFP options per kWh, especially once you go past 10kWh.
- Sizing flexibility. Between the EQ4800, CQ7 and EP ranges you can land close to the size you actually need, from about 9kWh to very large stacks.
- Clear warranty terms. The Australian warranty document spells out the throughput for every stack size, which not every brand does.
- Local presence. FoxESS has an Australian office in Springvale, Victoria, and a local warranty process.
- Retrofit option. The AC-coupled KA inverters mean you do not have to rip out a working solar inverter.
What to watch
- The app. FoxCloud 2.0 does the job, but owners often describe it as built for installers rather than homeowners, and the FoxESS community forum has threads about systems showing no data.
- Support runs through your installer. Under the warranty, the installer makes the claim. If your installer is slow or goes out of business, the process gets harder, though the warranty does allow another local installer to step in.
- Register and stay online. The warranty requires the battery to be registered and connected to FoxESS monitoring when it is commissioned. Make sure your installer does this and gives you the confirmation.
- Backup is not included by default. See below.
- A confusing range. EQ4800, EQ5500, CQ6, CQ7 and EP models can all turn up on quotes. Make sure you compare usable kWh and warranty terms, not model numbers.
Real-world considerations
Inverter compatibility
FoxESS batteries are designed to run with FoxESS inverters. They are not a battery you add to a Sungrow, GoodWe or Fronius hybrid. On a new build or a full replacement, a FoxESS hybrid inverter runs both the panels and the battery. If you already have solar with a healthy inverter, the KA AC-coupled inverter lets you keep it. Our battery and inverter compatibility guide covers which approach costs less.
Backup and blackouts
FoxESS hybrid inverters have an EPS (emergency power supply) output. In a blackout, whatever is wired to that output keeps running from the battery. Nothing is backed up unless your installer wires it, and backing up more of the house usually needs switchboard changes. Decide what you want kept on (fridge, lights, internet, a medical device) and make sure the quote says so. Whole-home backup is also limited by the inverter's output, so it rarely covers big loads like ducted air con.
App and monitoring
FoxCloud 2.0 is available on iOS, Android and the web. It shows solar, battery and grid flows and lets you set work modes and charging times. It works, but it is the weakest part of the package. If you want to automate the battery around wholesale prices, a VPP or retailer like Amber that controls it for you can be easier than living in the app.
VPP compatibility
Amber's SmartShift is the VPP most consistently listed as supporting FoxESS. Independent compatibility trackers also list Origin Loop, EnergyAustralia, GloBird and others, but their lists disagree, and some big retailer programs have not included FoxESS. Check directly with the VPP before you buy if VPP income is part of your payback maths. Our VPP comparison explains what to look for.
Known issues and recalls
We found no FoxESS battery recall on the ACCC Product Safety register as of September 2026. The recurring complaints are software and support rather than hardware: app glitches, systems dropping offline, and work-mode settings that do not always behave as expected. None of these are dealbreakers, but they are the reason we say the installer matters more with FoxESS than with some other brands.
What it costs after the federal discount
A typical 10 to 14kWh FoxESS system costs around $7,500 to $11,000 fully installed after the federal Cheaper Home Batteries discount. The low end is a two or three-module EQ4800 on a straightforward install; the high end is a CQ7 or larger EQ4800 stack with a new hybrid inverter and backup wiring. Our battery cost guide puts a generic 10kWh battery at $7,000 to $10,000 after the discount, and FoxESS sits in that band or just above for similar sizes.
| Common FoxESS setup | Usable capacity | Federal discount rate |
|---|---|---|
| EQ4800, 2 modules | 9.32 kWh | All at the full rate |
| EQ4800, 3 modules | 13.98 kWh | All at the full rate (just under 14 kWh) |
| CQ7, 2 modules | 13.92 kWh | All at the full rate (just under 14 kWh) |
| CQ7, 3 modules | 20.88 kWh | Full rate to 14 kWh, reduced rate above |
The federal discount is worth roughly $240 to $270 per usable kWh at current certificate prices, at the full rate up to 14kWh. Your state may offer a separate incentive, such as a VPP connection payment in NSW or a low-interest loan in the ACT. We quote the federal discount and any state incentive as two separate numbers, never as one combined figure. See battery rebates by state, and try the savings calculator for your own estimate. If you are unsure between 10kWh and 14kWh, our battery sizing guide will help.
How it compares
| Battery | Best at | Watch out for | Indicative after federal discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| FoxESS | Big stacks at a competitive price per kWh | App, installer-led support, backup not default | $7,500 to $11,000 |
| Sigenergy SigenStor | All-in-one stack, EV charging, app | Premium price, gateway for backup | $8,000 to $13,500 |
| Sungrow | Value with a long local track record | Needs a Sungrow hybrid inverter | $6,000 to $9,000 |
| GoodWe | Small 3.2kWh steps, ESA all-in-one with 63A backup | Narrower VPP list | $6,000 to $9,500 |
Price ranges are each brand's typical installed size, from our brand pages, so they are a guide to budget rather than a straight per-kWh comparison.
Against Sigenergy: Sigenergy costs more but gives you a better app, an integrated EV charger option and a more polished experience. FoxESS gives you more kWh for the money. Read our Sigenergy SigenStor review.
Against Sungrow: both are value-focused. Sungrow has been in Australia longer and has wider VPP support; FoxESS offers bigger stacks and the CQ7's 14kWh starting point. See our Sungrow review.
Against GoodWe: GoodWe's Lynx F G2 grows in small 3.2kWh steps and its ESA includes 63A whole-home backup without a gateway. If backup matters more to you than kWh per dollar, read our GoodWe Lynx review. For batteries that work with more than one inverter brand, see the BYD Battery-Box and Alpha ESS SMILE reviews.
Our take
FoxESS has earned its growth by putting good LFP hardware on the market at a sharp price. If you pick the right model for your usage (EQ4800 for around 9 to 10kWh, CQ7 for around 14kWh and up), get backup spelled out in the quote, and use an installer who will actually answer the phone in year six, it is a very reasonable buy. If you want the nicest app or the broadest VPP choice, spend a little more elsewhere.