Quick Comparison
Side-by-side overview of both products
| Fox ESS H1-G2 UK's Most Installed Hybrid Inverter | GoodWe ES G2 Best Value Single-Phase Hybrid Inverter | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From £500 trade / £1,200-1,800 installed as part of a system | From £670 trade / £1,000-1,500 installed as part of a system |
| Warranty | 5 years standard, extendable to 10 years with Fox Cloud registration | Free PLUS+ 10-year warranty (5 years standard + free 5-year extension) |
| Rating | 4.7/5 (Fox ESS overall Trustpilot) | #6 global inverter manufacturer (Wood Mackenzie) |
| Power Output | 3kW, 3.7kW, 4kW, 5kW, 6kW options | 3.6kW, 4.6kW, 5kW, 6kW options |
| MPPTs | 2 independent MPPTs for flexible panel layouts | 2 independent MPPTs with wide voltage range |
| Max PV Input | 200% oversizing (e.g. 12kW PV on 6kW inverter) | 150% PV oversizing supported |
| IP Rating | IP65 — suitable for indoor and sheltered outdoor | IP65 — indoor and sheltered outdoor installation |
| Noise | Fanless — 0dB operation, completely silent | Low-noise operation with intelligent fan control |
| Backup | Built-in EPS with <10ms switchover | UPS function with <10ms switchover |
Pros and Cons
An honest look at the strengths and weaknesses of each product
Fox ESS H1-G2
UK's Most Installed Hybrid Inverter
- The most widely installed hybrid inverter in UK homes — proven at massive scale
- Fanless design means completely silent operation with no moving parts to fail
- IP65 rated with compact form factor for flexible indoor or sheltered outdoor mounting
- Compatible with the full Fox ESS ecosystem: ECS, EQ, EVO, and L Series EV charger
- Strong 200% PV oversizing capability maximises generation from your roof space
- Standard 5-year warranty requires Fox Cloud registration for extension to 10 years
- Single-phase only — need the H3-G2 for three-phase properties at higher cost
- No integrated EV charger functionality — purely an inverter/charger controller
GoodWe ES G2
Best Value Single-Phase Hybrid Inverter
- Free PLUS+ programme extends warranty from 5 to 10 years at zero additional cost
- Plug-and-play design reduces installation time and labour costs significantly
- Highly competitive pricing — typically £200-400 less than Fox ESS H1-G2 equivalent
- IP65 rated with modern, compact design and intuitive LED status indicators
- 98% peak efficiency delivers excellent real-world energy conversion performance
- Lower UK market share means fewer installers have deep hands-on experience
- SEMS Portal connection required to activate the free PLUS+ warranty extension
- Slightly smaller max PV input capacity than Fox ESS's 200% oversizing
Which Is Best For You?
The right choice depends on your priorities
Most proven choice
Fox ESS H1-G2 is the UK's most installed hybrid inverter with unmatched reliability data
Best warranty value
GoodWe's free PLUS+ 10-year warranty is the best deal in the UK inverter market
Silent operation
Fox ESS H1-G2 is completely fanless — zero noise, ideal for utility rooms and garages
Large solar arrays
200% PV oversizing means a 6kW H1-G2 can handle up to 12kW of panels
Fastest installation
GoodWe's plug-and-play design typically saves 1-2 hours on installation day
Budget systems
GoodWe ES G2 is £200-400 cheaper at trade with a better standard warranty included free
The Bottom Line
The Fox ESS H1-G2 is the UK's most installed hybrid inverter for good reason: it is proven, silent, and backed by the largest UK support network. Its fanless design and 200% PV oversizing give it a technical edge for larger arrays. The GoodWe ES G2 fights back hard on value — the free PLUS+ 10-year warranty alone saves the cost of a typical warranty extension, and the plug-and-play design can reduce installation time and cost. For budget-conscious homeowners who want a Tier 1 inverter with a free 10-year warranty, the GoodWe ES G2 is hard to beat. For those wanting the absolute premium, the SigEnergy Energy Controller operates in a different league entirely — its 3-25kW range, 0ms backup, and integrated 5-in-1 architecture make it the most advanced option, but at a significantly higher price point. As Hampshire installers for all four brands (including GivEnergy), we recommend the Fox ESS H1-G2 as the default choice, the GoodWe ES G2 as the smart value pick, GivEnergy for Agile tariff users, and SigEnergy for homeowners who want the best technology money can buy.
Continue Exploring
Learn more about these brands and explore other comparisons
Brand Pages
More Comparisons
Need Help Choosing?
Get a free, no-obligation home survey. We'll recommend the best system for your home, budget, and energy goals.