Having a home electric vehicle charger can substantially improve the overall experience of owning an EV. And they don’t have to be expensive.
Many offer remote monitoring and control, multiple output versions, and extensive vehicle databases. Others allow load-balancing and communication with local utilities to charge when electricity is cheapest and cleanest.
Level 1
Level 1 chargers use standard 120-volt outlets to charge your EV. They’re the slowest option available, and it can take up to 20 hours for a full charge.
However, they’re great for people who only drive a small number of miles each day or need to charge their car in an emergency. Plus, they’re less expensive than Level 2 chargers.
The Siemens VersiCharge VC30GRYU is one of the best-performing and most affordable EV charging stations on the market. It can charge most EVs in four to six hours and comes with a five-year warranty. This charger also has a USB port for charging other devices, and it supports Amazon Alexa. It’s also easy to install and works with any home electrical setup.
Another top-rated best ev car charger is the ClipperCreek PCS-15. This portable charger can be used at home or on the go, and it’s easy to keep in the trunk of your EV. It has LED indicators that let you know when the charger is functioning properly or if it needs to be replaced. The PCS-15 also has a cable wrap to help keep the cord organized.
If you’re looking for a portable EV charger that’s a little more advanced than the average model, consider the Megear EZ-Go. This EV charger has a higher amperage than other models, but it still offers a safe and reliable connection to your vehicle’s battery. It’s compatible with most EVs and can be used with the SAE J1772 charging port found on all EVs except Tesla, which requires an adapter.
This charger is also available in a smart version that can be controlled with your smartphone. It can tell when your vehicle is charging, turn on and off the EV charging station, and adjust the charging rate to match your lifestyle. It can even communicate with your EV’s onboard charger to determine the fastest charging rate.
Although it’s not as fast as other EV chargers, the Lectron EV charger is ideal for those who don’t have a lot of extra space in their garage or driveway. It’s compact enough to fit in the trunk of your EV, so you can use it at work or at a random hotel.
Level 2
If you’re planning to take the plunge into EV ownership, or even if you’re still in the early stages of considering it, a home EV charger will make a big difference. Not only will it limit or eliminate your reliance on public charging stations, but it’ll also get you back to full charge after a long day of driving much faster than the cord that came with your car. A Level 2 charger plugs into your house’s 240-volt electrical system, which is the same power that powers your electric dryer, but it typically charges your battery at a higher rate—often up to 3 to 7 times as fast.
The key to picking the right EV charger for your needs is knowing your vehicle’s maximum charging rate, which you can find in the owner’s manual or on the spec sheet from your manufacturer. Look for the number in kilowatts, or kW, and use an online kW-to-ampere conversion calculator to find out how much your vehicle can accept.
Many automakers sell their own branded Level 2 chargers through dealerships, but third-party options are cheaper and often just as good or better. They also tend to be much easier to install, and some are compatible with smartphones for a more hands-off approach to managing your charging schedule.
One of the best EV chargers for home is the ChargePoint Wallbox Pulsar Plus, which is compatible with a large number of EV models, including the Chevrolet Bolt and Volt, Ford Fusion Energi and Focus Electric, Nissan Leaf and Leaf+, Kia NIRO, Hyundai Kona Ioniq, and BMW i3. It’s rated up to 32 amps, or about seven times as fast as the maximum output of a standard household outlet.
It’s also a smart charger, capable of connecting to your home Wi-Fi and offering features like scheduling and power boosting. You can also connect it to your smartphone to fully monitor and control it. Other standouts include its high durability with IP54/IK08 protection and DC leakage electrical safety, as well as its low-maintenance design that can be easily installed in a garage.
Smart
Many EV owners choose to install smart home chargers as part of their electric car charging set-up. These intelligent units allow users to control their charging station via a smartphone app and schedule charging times for cheaper off-peak electricity rates. Some also have the ability to connect to smart-home systems like Alexa and Google Home, allowing voice commands to be issued.
This smart EV charger from EO is an ultra-compact charger that’s perfect for those with limited space. The unit is a sleek, modern-looking design with a high-quality enclosure that’s built on a machined alloy base. The charger is also incredibly easy to install with just one power cable needed to connect the charger to your wall socket. It can be customised to match your home, with a variety of colours and cover options available.
Another great option is this EV charger from ZJ Beny, which offers a ton of features for a very affordable price. It comes in both a tethered and untethered model, both with a 6m (18ft) charging cable. It can be controlled via a smartphone app, is compatible with Alexa and Google Home, and has intelligent load-balancing to optimize solar usage and reduce grid consumption.
This is a top-rated smart EV charger that can be used with solar, providing up to 50 kW of charge rate and adding 60 to 80 miles of range per hour of charging. It’s also UL-listed and has a range of safety features, including IP67 waterproofing, fire resistance, and protection against over current, under voltage, missing diode, ground fault, and over temperature.
If you’re planning on using your EV with a rooftop solar system, a smart charger is essential. These devices can adjust their charging rates to maximise solar generation, and they’re a good fit for residential customers with limited budgets. They can be installed at home or in commercial settings, and are typically a better option than traditional level 2 chargers. However, it’s important to note that not all smart EV chargers are compatible with all solar inverters, so check what type of inverter you have before purchasing one.
Untethered
While tethered chargers offer security, untethered ones are more aesthetically pleasing. EV charging cables can cost hundreds to replace, and you don’t want to be left with them trailing across your driveway. Some untethered EV chargers even have smart features, like cable lock, to ensure that they stay secured at all times.
Another great thing about untethered EV chargers is that you can remove them and move them around, which is handy if your driveway changes shape. They’re also a good way to future-proof your home, since you can easily upgrade your plug configuration. The Wallbox Pular Plus is a smart charger that hosts a J1772 plug compatible with the top-selling electric cars on the market. Its app is Google and Alexa compatible and can be used to schedule charging sessions to take advantage of cheaper off-peak rates. It can reach up to 22 kW and doesn’t require an earth rod.
The EO Mini Pro is a compact and subtle charger that can be tucked away discreetly, although you can choose to show it off in one of its four bright colours. It can be linked to a free EO app, which offers some smart capabilities, including the ability to schedule charging and see your energy usage. The app can even detect whether you’re using solar panels and adjust your charging times accordingly.
The EO Mini Pro is also available as an untethered unit, and its small size means it’s easy to hide. This model can charge your EV at Level 1 speed, which is perfect for those who want a quick boost on the commute but don’t need to charge their car fully at home. It’s simple to use and can be paired with any EV, and it’s a good choice for those who are new to EV ownership. However, it does require an earth rod, which can be a drawback for some.
