Maybe. A Level 2 charger will be faster than the Level 1 AC charger that typically comes with every EV. Whether it's worth the additional cost depends on your living circumstances, your driving habits, your EV or PHEV's range and your access to public charging stations. If you want maximum convenien Contact online >>
Maybe. A Level 2 charger will be faster than the Level 1 AC charger that typically comes with every EV. Whether it''s worth the additional cost depends on your living circumstances, your driving habits, your EV or PHEV''s range and your access to public charging stations. If you want maximum convenience and don''t want to have to rely on public, high-speed stations for daily driving, you probably want Level 2, which can substantially reduce the small hassles and anxiety of owning an electric car.
The best EV charger for you depends on a host of circumstances: how and where you plan to use it, how soon or frequently you expect to move, whether you want to use an app to manage it and even the electric vehicle you plan to charge. This buying guide will provide more thorough guidance, but the best answer for the broadest number of people is a plug-in Level 2 charger with a peak charge rate around 40 amps.
Home EV chargers can be divided two ways: By their charging speed and their connector types. Charging speed is split into Levels 1 and 2. Level 2 chargers are generally between six and 10 times faster than Level 1, but require 240-volt power rather than the more common 120-volt socket. For home chargers, there are two connector types: SAE J1772 or Tesla''s NACS connector.
Technically, yes, you can buy a home Level 3 charger, but you probably wouldn''t want to. There are a few 480-volt AC chargers that can accept three-phase power, but that''s a very specific power requirement that calls for a dedicated commercial power line, which would be a huge, prohibitively expensive hassle for a homeowner. That''s before you factor $1,500 to $2,000 for the charger itself.
Meanwhile, Autel''s upcoming MaxiCharger DC V2X uses the same CCD connection as DC fast charging stations, but its output of 40 amps at 300 volts means this 12 kW station is only slightly faster than the 11.5 kW AC stations on this list. Rather, the MaxiCharger DC uses direct current to facilitate bidirectional charging, integration with solar and stationary battery storage and Green Energy Trading with the grid. Pricing, availability and compatible vehicles are all still TBD.
I'll discuss the different types of chargers, the features you should look for, and the best chargers on the market. I'll also answer some common questions about preparing your home for EV charging. Whether you're a first-time EV or plug-in hybrid EV owner or you're just looking to upgrade your current charger, read on for all the information you need to choose the best home charging hardware for your home.
It shouldn't really be a surprise to find Tesla topping our list of best home EV chargers with its Universal Wall Connector. (After all, the automaker already tops our lists of best electric cars and SUVs with one of the best-selling cars of 2023, electric or otherwise.) The Universal flavor of the Wall Connector is a bit more expensive than the automaker's standard Wall Connector because it integrates both Tesla's NACS charging cable and J1772 adapter for non-Tesla cars into its compact chassis.
The Universal Wall Connector's design keeps the J1772 adapter locked onto either the cable's tip or into the charger's housing, so you won't accidentally lose or have to keep track of it. Users can easily swap between the two standards in seconds, which makes it ideal for households with multiple EVs, guests who show up with plug-in hybrids or owners looking to future-proof for the rest of the EV industry's eventual switch to the NACS standard in the US and Canada over the next few years.
With a 240-volt, 48-amp connection to your home's electrical system, this Level 2 charger can send up to 11.5 kilowatts of energy to a connected electric car. That's equivalent to around 44 miles of range per hour plugged in for a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y. Additionally, the Wi-Fi-connected charging station allows users to remotely monitor and schedule charging, control access (useful for outdoor installations) and supports Powershare bidirectional power for Tesla's Cybertruck.
The Tesla Universal Wall Connector is a high-quality EV charger that is a solid pick for owners of Tesla and non-Tesla EVs thanks to its NACS connector and integrated J1772 adapter. Its Wi-Fi connection enables scheduled charging, remote monitoring, security settings and access control. It's also backed by a four-year warranty.
Chargepoint -- one of the oldest and largest EV charging networks in the nation -- brings its experience with EVSE hardware to your driveway with its compact Home Flex EV Charger. Users will have to choose between NACS and J1772 plugs at purchase, but the removable cable means that the Flex can be swapped between the standards with a simple replacement part if you ever change EVs. The Wi-Fi connected home station can be monitored and controlled, which is also helpful for finding and accessing public charging networks away from home.
Canadian EVSE manufacturer United Chargers offers a Wi-Fi-enabled Grizzl-E Smart EV charger, but for the money, the no-frills Grizzl-E Classic is the better value. (The simpler unit also avoids many of the software issues users have experienced with the Smart during its first few years of availability.) Plus, it's built like a tank with its dustproof, fire-resistant aluminum case that's built to IP67 standards, which protects against full water immersion to one meter for 30 minutes.
The Classic is available with an SAE J1772 connector and three colorways for its rugged chassis. The unit is installed with a simple NEMA 14-50 or 6-50 plug and can be adjusted to accept 16-, 24-, 32- or 40-amp power at 240 volts, sending up 10 kilowatts maximum through its nice and long 25-foot cable. Plus, it comes with a three-year warranty for its $350 MSRP: not too shabby.
You're not seeing double. Simply put, the Grizzl-E Duo builds on our Best Value Grizzl-E Classic with a second 24-foot cable and connector to charge two cars simultaneously. The Duo adds an intelligent power-sharing circuit to balance available current, up to 40 amps total, between the two charging cars according to their individual needs. That helps maximize charge speed for each vehicle without the risk of blowing a circuit or the inconvenience of cable swapping.
The MaxiCharger is a solidly built and flexible home EVSE. Users can choose between hardwired or outlet-connected installation. The box comes with either built-in or external plug holster configurations. The charger's output can also be controlled, monitored or adjusted over Wi-Fi, allowing it to easily accommodate homes that may not be able to reach its 50-amp maximum draw. (For example, I was able to cap it at 24 amps to fit safely within the limitations of my older home's power panel.)
I especially like that the MaxiCharger can be locked and unlocked with either a smartphone app or RFID card, which means you can protect against strangers accessing an outdoor installation while easily granting a visiting friend or family member access simply by handing them an access card.
Lectron's V-Box Pro Level 2 home charging station is very basic in its feature set. There's no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections to manage and no app integration. Heck, the installer adjusts the V-Box Pro's power output between 16, 32, 40 and 48 amps with a four-position knob located on the back panel. Keeping it simple allows Lectron to keep the V-Box Pro's price tag appropriately small, making it one of the most affordable Level 2 chargers on this list.
The 16-foot cable length is also the shortest of this bunch, so if there's extra room in your budget, you might consider upgrading to the larger, non-Pro V-Box model (yes, their naming convention is backward) model with its longer 20-foot cable and small LCD screen that displays real-time charging info. Personally, I don't think it's worth the extra $100.
The 48-amp charging station can also be adjusted to accommodate 20- to 60-amp circuits via the Enel X Way app. If your needs are more conservative, consider the JuiceBox 32- or 40-amp versions, which are slightly less powerful at 7.7 kW and 9.6 kW, respectively, but also less expensive.
Level 2 EV chargers are a major upgrade from the Level 1 device that comes with an electric car. For an in-depth explanation of charger speed, check out my guide to Level 1, 2 and DC Fast Charging.
The main thing you need to know is that a Level 2 charger can charge an EV three to 10 times faster than a Level 1 charger can. A Level 1 charger delivers about 12 amps, give or take, and adds three to five miles of range to a typical electric car in an hour. A Level 2 charger delivers a minimum 16 amps, but most average around 40 with a rate of 15 to 30 miles of range per hour of charge, depending on the car and the specific charger.
If you're able to do it, charging at home is super convenient when compared with public level 2 or even DC fast charging -- no more waiting for your turn at a public station and then sitting in your car waiting to fill up. Simply plug in when you get home at the end of the day and the car should be ready to rock with a full battery in the morning. For around-town driving, I'd say it's even more convenient than going to the gas station. (Although, longer trips are a different conversation.)
The biggest benefit is cost. Home energy is typically cheaper per kilowatt-hour than what you'll pay at a DC fast charging station, especially if you use your EV or the charger's software to limit charging to the least expensive overnight off-peak hours. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American home pays around $0.17 per kWh, which works out to around $4.33 to drive a Tesla Model 3 100 miles. At a Supercharger, you can expect to pay up to $0.43 per kWh or around $10.75 to go the same distance.
Finally, installing an EV charger is a home improvement that can increase its value should you ever decide to sell. The upgrades to your home's power system are investments in your property. Adding a charger, or even just a 240-volt outlet, to your garage or driveway can make your home more appealing to buyers who drive EVs or plug-in hybrids.
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