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Short answer: neither. On 14 November 2026 both EcoFlow UK and Anker SOLIX UK sold these solar batteries for hardwired installation by an electrician, and the UK plug-in route covers solar-only devices. If what you want is a kit you plug into a socket, look at the plug-in kits; if you want storage, compare these on price per kWh and installation.
Side by side
| EcoFlow STREAM Ultra | Anker SOLIX Solarbank 4 E5000 Pro | Jackery SolarVault 3 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price on 14 Nov 2026 | £699 (was £1,399) | £1,599 (was £2,129) | £999 (was £1,299) |
| Battery | 1.92 kWh | 5,000 Wh (page) | 2.52 kWh |
| Price per kWh stored [calc] | £364 | £320 | £396 |
| Solar input | 2,000 W (4 x 500 W) | 5,000 W | up to 4,000 W |
| Grid output | 800 W grid-tied; 1,200 W AC | 2,500 W AC | 800 W default (1,200 W option) |
| UK connection, per the seller | stripped-end cable, hardwired by a registered electrician | dedicated hardwired circuit, Part P electrician | hardwired to the consumer unit by a qualified electrician |
| Installation offered | not stated | SolarCan, £899, England only | not stated |
How we compare: criteria, sources and dates
Figures from each product page, read 14 November 2026. Battery-only prices: panels and installation are extra.
Why the rules leave them out
The 2026 law defines a plug-in microgenerator as one that "is not designed to import electrical energy from a low voltage consumer's installation for the purpose of storing energy for later supply" (SI 2026/848), and the specification lists "plug-in battery systems" and "plug-in solar PV devices integrated with battery systems" as outside its scope (Interim Product Specification v2.0, section 1). Ofgem's decision adds that plug-in storage devices "will therefore remain prohibited" for now (Ofgem, 11 August 2026). More in can I add a battery to plug-in solar?
EcoFlow's own microinverter kit
EcoFlow UK also sells the STREAM 800W Microinverter Kit (2 x 500 W, no brackets) at £549 (was £678). Its UK FAQ says: "the BKW DIY cable used with the Stream Microinverter must be connected to the distribution board. This operation requires a professional installer or electrician." Until EcoFlow UK sells a plug version, we list it as hardwired.
Hardwired
EcoFlow STREAM Ultra (battery only)
1.92 kWhbattery, as listed
- Panels
- none included (up to 2,000 W PV input)
- Inverter
- built in, 800 W grid-tied output
- Connection
- hardwired by a registered electrician (page)
- Battery
- 1.92 kWh
- Availability
- in stock
£699 £1,399price checked 14 Nov
Hardwired
Anker SOLIX Solarbank 4 E5000 Pro (battery only)
5.0 kWhbattery, as listed
- Panels
- none included (up to 5,000 W PV input)
- Inverter
- built in, 2,500 W AC output
- Connection
- hardwired, Part P electrician (page)
- Battery
- 5.0 kWh
- Availability
- in stock
£1,599 £2,129price checked 14 Nov
Which one, then?
- You want storage and will pay an electrician: on price per kWh the Anker is cheaper; the EcoFlow STREAM Ultra is the cheaper way in at £699. Ask each installer for a full quote, including any G99 application.
- You want to plug in yourself: a solar-only kit. The cheapest two-panel one we found was the DMEGC 950W Hoymiles HiFlow Plug In Solar Kit at £456 from City Plumbing.
Check what a kit would make at your home with the generation calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plug an EcoFlow STREAM into a socket in the UK?
Not according to EcoFlow UK on 14 November 2026: the STREAM batteries come with a stripped-end cable and must be installed by a certified, registered electrician, and the STREAM microinverter kit's FAQ says its UK cable goes to the distribution board.
Is the Anker Solarbank 4 E5000 Pro plug-in?
No. Anker SOLIX UK says the plug-in framework applies only to solar-only systems without storage, so the Solarbank 4 E5000 Pro must go on a dedicated hardwired circuit installed by a Part P-registered electrician.
Which is cheaper per kWh of storage?
On 14 November 2026: the Anker at £320 per kWh, the EcoFlow STREAM Ultra at £364 and the Jackery SolarVault 3 Pro at £396 [calc], battery only, before panels and installation.