The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Home EV Chargers

If you’re looking for a home charging station, there are abundant options out in the market. With increasing electric car sales, the market for charging equipment has become saturated with products that all claim to offer the same features. However, we want to give you a recommendation of the best options for home EV chargers.

The Level 2 chargers mentioned in this list are compatible with any electric vehicle or plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) available for purchase in the United States and Canada. However, Tesla owners may need to use the J1772 adapter that came with their vehicle in certain cases. Our top choices for chargers share a few common features: they can be installed indoors or outdoors, and each unit has been certified by trusted and independent safety organizations, such as Underwriters Laboratories (now known as UL Solutions) or Intertek.

Additionally, our preferred home EV chargers can deliver a minimum of 9.6 kilowatts of power. This power output translates to approximately 29 miles of charging per hour for a midsize crossover SUV, or approximately 18 miles per hour. Even if your current vehicle is not capable of utilizing the total power output, selecting a charger with 9.6 kW capacity ensures that your home charging setup will be compatible with future vehicles you may purchase or lease within the next ten years.

This guide is here to assist you in finding the appropriate Level 2 home charging station that suits your requirements. Make sure to explore other informative articles on electric vehicles on Wowkia Cars.

The Best Home EV Chargers of 2024

The Emporia EV Charger

The Emporia EV Charger, which has Wi-Fi capabilities, offers a wide range of features at an affordable price. By connecting it directly to your home’s electrical system, it can provide up to 11.5 kW of power, allowing for faster charging compared to the Grizzl-E Classic. However, if you choose to use the NEMA 14-50 plug, the power will be limited to 9.6 kW. Additionally, Emporia’s app allows you to schedule charging sessions and keep track of your costs easily.

The Emporia EV Charger provides good value for its price, but it may not be the best choice for the average EV driver as it is more suitable for power users. Its cable is thicker, heavier, and less flexible than that of the Grizzl-E Classic, making it difficult to coil neatly in small spaces. However, those who focus on data will appreciate the detailed graphs and the ability to export stats from the app to CSV files.

Emporia offers a range of smart home products that work together with their app to offer more detailed information about energy usage. The Smart Plug allows users to control and monitor the energy usage of a specific electronic device from a remote location. The Vue energy monitor allows users to analyze the overall energy consumption of their entire house and individual circuits. For electric vehicle (EV) owners who also have home solar panels, they can connect the Vue monitor with the Emporia EV charger to charge their vehicle only when the solar panels are producing more electricity than the rest of the house is using.

Grizzl-E Classic: The Best EV Home Chargers

The Grizzl-E Classic is highly recommended for EV and plug-in hybrid drivers due to its affordable price, various installation options, and strong construction. This no-frills home EV charger is there to meet the basic needs of users. With a cable length of 23.9 feet, it can easily accommodate different parking positions and can be coiled and uncoiled effortlessly. Additionally, it is one of the most cost-effective 9.6-kW Level 2 chargers that Underwriters Laboratories have approved. Unlike many cheaper home charging stations, which may be less powerful, the Grizzl-E Classic ensures peace of mind for users.

The Grizzl-E Classic does not have Wi-Fi connectivity or a smartphone app. This means that you cannot track your energy consumption and costs. Also, you can’t schedule charging during specific times of the day. However, we believe that the simplicity of the Classic is actually a positive aspect, as Wi-Fi-enabled smart chargers may be unnecessary for the average driver.

The Grizzl-E’s simple design intentionally deviates from the curved aesthetics of its competitors. Unlike most home charging stations constructed with plastic, the Grizzl-E’s Classic model is designed with an aluminum enclosure. This unique feature makes it an excellent option for those who plan to install the charging station outdoors, as plastic tends to deteriorate rapidly when exposed to extreme temperatures and direct sunlight.

Grizzl-E offers two options for the classic model – it can have either a NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50 plug. This means that if homeowners already have a 240-volt outlet in their garage and some basic DIY skills, they can easily install it themselves without needing to hire an electrician. However, if they prefer, they can also choose to have it professionally hardwired.

Telsa Wall Connector: The Best Telsa EV Home Chargers

The Tesla Wall Connector is an incredibly well-designed product that combines both functionality and aesthetics. It is a wall-mounted box that not only acts as a storage hook for the cable but also includes a holster on the side to keep the charging cord neatly out of sight when not in use. Compared to other 11.5-kW Level 2 chargers, the Wall Connector’s cable is the thinnest and most lightweight, making it easier to handle and maneuver.

If you drive non-Tesla vehicles, you can choose Tesla’s J1772 Wall Connector. The version with Tesla’s unique charging port is also available in white but looks the same visually. the J1772 Wall Connector is one of the best home chargers for all-electric vehicle (EV) drivers. Tesla charges a significant extra amount to customers who want to use their home charging stations to charge EVs from other brands like Ford, Hyundai, Chevrolet, or any of their competitors.

Although the Wall Connector does not currently support Tesla’s app through Wi-Fi, it can still be helpful for the initial setup and software updates. Tesla drivers don’t have to be concerned because the app can still retrieve and show charging information from the Tesla vehicles themselves.

J+ Booster 2

The J+ Booster 2 is a versatile option for EV drivers who frequently travel to places with 240-volt outlets, such as vacation homes or campgrounds. It can be used as both a home charging station and a mobile charging cord. Made with durable materials, it is built to withstand road abuse and can be conveniently stored in the provided travel case.

However, when used as a home EV charger, there are some compromises with the J+ Booster 2. The mounting bracket reduces the cable length by almost 2 feet, and the integrated cable hook is close to the floor, requiring the purchase of a separate hook. Furthermore, the Booster 2 only includes adapters for a standard 120-volt household outlet and a NEMA 14-50 plug, and additional adapters can be expensive.

Wallbox Pulsar Plus 40A and 48A

The Wallbox Pulsar Plus 40A equips with Wi-Fi capabilities and provides a user-friendly app for tracking energy consumption and establishing charging schedules. Nonetheless, it stands out by enabling multiple electric vehicles to charge simultaneously, utilizing solar panel charging, and offering full power charging without requiring an upgrade to your home’s electrical service. It isimporrtant to mote that these additional features require the purchase of additional hardware.

The Pulsar Plus 48A offers faster charging for vehicles that can handle its maximum power of 11.5 kW. However, it has downsides including a higher price, a larger charging cable, and the requirement to directly connect it to a power source.

ChargePoint Home Flex: The Best Home EV Chargers

If money is not a concern, the ChargePoint Home Flex is an excellent charging station. It has convenient features like an integrated cord hook and pivoting holster, which are similar to Tesla’s design. ChargePoint also has the most user-friendly app compared to other charging units. The app is simple and offers basic functions such as energy reporting, cost tracking, and charge scheduling. While the Home Flex is one of our preferred home EV chargers, it comes at a higher price compared to other choices, considering that the improvements are mainly aesthetic.