Since solar inverters are so critical, it’s important to get the right one. That’s why we looked at more than 20 different inverter models to come up with the 9 best solar inverters. It was hard to choose, but we think the AIMS Power 6000W Pure Sine Inverter Charger is the overall best solar inverter on the market today.
Every solar system needs some kind of inverter to convert sunlight into usable electricity. CNET experts have compared the most popular solar inverters' specs, warranties, prices and more. The SolarEdge Home Wave Inverter is our top pick in 2025.
The most common type of solar panel inverter used in solar panel installations is the string inverter.
A solar inverter’s efficiency describes how much power is lost during the conversion from DC to AC power. An inverter will approach its maximum rated efficiency when you are drawing close to its maximum rated output. Modern solar inverters are all very efficient, but there’s still a lot of variation between specific models.
We review the best grid-connect solar inverters from the worlds leading manufacturers Fronius, SMA, SolarEdge, Fimer, Sungrow, Huawei, Goodwe, Solis and many more to decide who offers the highest quality and most reliable solar string inverters for residential and commercial solar.
Solar inverters are generally rated according to the amount of power they can put out continuously. In general, you want to have a rating that is at least equivalent to the wattage output of your solar panel array. However, don’t get an inverter that’s much larger, or else the efficiency of your installation will begin to drop.
The global residential solar storage and inverter market is experiencing rapid expansion, with demand increasing by over 300% in the past three years. Home energy storage solutions now account for approximately 35% of all new residential solar installations worldwide. North America leads with 38% market share, driven by homeowner energy independence goals and federal tax credits that reduce total system costs by 26-30%. Europe follows with 32% market share, where standardized home storage designs have cut installation timelines by 55% compared to custom solutions. Asia-Pacific represents the fastest-growing region at 45% CAGR, with manufacturing innovations reducing system prices by 18% annually. Emerging markets are adopting residential storage for backup power and energy cost reduction, with typical payback periods of 4-7 years. Modern home installations now feature integrated systems with 10-30kWh capacity at costs below $700/kWh for complete residential energy solutions.
Technological advancements are dramatically improving home solar storage and inverter performance while reducing costs. Next-generation battery management systems maintain optimal performance with 40% less energy loss, extending battery lifespan to 15+ years. Standardized plug-and-play designs have reduced installation costs from $1,200/kW to $650/kW since 2022. Smart integration features now allow home systems to operate as virtual power plants, increasing homeowner savings by 35% through time-of-use optimization and grid services. Safety innovations including multi-stage protection and thermal management systems have reduced insurance premiums by 25% for solar storage installations. New modular designs enable capacity expansion through simple battery additions at just $600/kWh for incremental storage. These innovations have improved ROI significantly, with residential projects typically achieving payback in 5-8 years depending on local electricity rates and incentive programs. Recent pricing trends show standard home systems (5-10kWh) starting at $8,000 and premium systems (15-20kWh) from $12,000, with financing options available for homeowners.