FranklinWH vs EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra X: The 2026 Showdown

The Quick Verdict

• Choose FranklinWH if: You want a "set-it-and-forget-it" permanent appliance. Its ability to manage AC-coupled solar and seamless generator integration via the aGate is unmatched. It is the superior choice for retrofitting existing solar arrays.

• Choose EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra X if: You are a DIY enthusiast, a renter, or someone who needs the flexibility to move the system. The plug-and-play nature and stackable modularity make it the king of scalability without heavy permits.

• 2026 Trend: EcoFlow has closed the gap on output power, but FranklinWH still reigns supreme in smart load management.

Before we get into the weeds, let's look at what we are actually comparing. In one corner, we have the FranklinWH Home Power solution, consisting of the aPower battery and the aGate smart controller. In the other, the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra X, the 2026 iteration of their flagship whole-home hybrid.

Note: The 'Ultra X' refers to the updated 2026 model featuring higher density cells and improved weatherproofing compared to the 2024 launch units.

This is where the paths diverge most sharply. The FranklinWH is an appliance. It looks like a high-end refrigerator door mounted on your wall. It requires a licensed electrician to install the aGate (which replaces or sits behind your main service panel) and the aPower batteries. It is heavy, permanent, and often requires permitting that can take weeks.

However, once it's in, it is seamless. The aesthetic is clean, with no visible wires. It's designed to live on the side of your house through rain, snow, and heat.

EcoFlow, conversely, maintains its "portable" roots even in this behemoth size. The Delta Pro Ultra X consists of an inverter hub and stackable battery "slabs." You can theoretically wheel the inverter unit into an RV if you needed to. In 2026, EcoFlow improved the weather resistance (IP65), but I still hesitate to leave it fully exposed to the elements compared to the tank-like Franklin units. The massive advantage here is the DIY aspect. You can buy the battery stacks today, plug them in for emergency backup, and pay an electrician later to install the Smart Home Panel for whole-home integration.

If you already have solar panels on your roof with microinverters (like Enphase) or a string inverter (like SolarEdge), FranklinWH is generally the better retrofit. The aGate is an AC-coupling master. It doesn't care what brand of inverter you have; it creates a microgrid frequency that tricks your existing solar inverters into working even when the grid is down. Furthermore, the aGate has a dedicated port for a standby generator. It can automatically start your Generac or Kohler generator to recharge the batteries if solar isn't enough—logic that is hard-coded and bulletproof.

EcoFlow has made strides here. The Ultra X is primarily a DC-coupled system (solar panels plug directly into it), which is more efficient for new installations. However, integrating it with existing AC solar requires more complex wiring through the Smart Home Panel. While the 2026 Smart Home Panel 3 allows for generator input, it still feels like a secondary feature compared to Franklin's native integration.

Hardware is only half the battle; software runs the show.

FranklinWH's App: The user interface is utilitarian and robust. It allows for "Smart Circuits" (managed via the aGate) where you can designate specific breakers to shed load if the battery gets low. For example, if the grid fails and battery hits 20%, it can automatically kill the power to the pool pump and EV charger while keeping the fridge running. This isn't just a suggestion; the aGate physically manages the connection.

EcoFlow's Ecosystem: EcoFlow offers a more gamified, visually rich experience. You can see real-time power flow with slick animations. The modularity shines here—you can monitor individual battery packs. With the Smart Home Panel, you get circuit-level control, but it relies heavily on the panel being installed correctly. The "Ultra X" update brought better AI prediction for time-of-use rates, charging your stack when electricity is cheap and dumping it when rates spike. It's aggressive on ROI, whereas Franklin is aggressive on reliability.

Pricing dynamics have shifted. In the past, DIY solar was always cheaper. But as EcoFlow moves into the "Ultra" premium segment, the gap has narrowed.

• FranklinWH: A typical setup (1 aGate + 1 aPower 13.6kWh) runs about $14,000 - $16,000 installed (before incentives). The cost is front-loaded in the installation labor and the aGate hardware.

• EcoFlow: A comparable Delta Pro Ultra X setup (Inverter + 2 Batteries for ~14kWh) costs roughly $11,000 for the hardware. However, add the Smart Home Panel ($1,500) and installation ($2,000+), and you are hovering near $14,500.

The difference? You can buy the EcoFlow system in chunks. Drop $6,000 now for the inverter and one battery to keep the lights on, and add another battery next year. Franklin requires the full commitment upfront.