If you’re thinking of buying a home EV charger, make sure you choose one that is compatible with your EV’s charging capabilities. You can find top ev chargers with smart features like off-peak charging, smart scheduling, and solar integration.
They can be installed in a garage and connect to a standard 240-volt outlet. They also have over-current, over-voltage, and temperature protections.
1. Lectron Nema 5-15
This Lectron EV charger is designed to be used with any Level 1 electric vehicle, including plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). Plugged into a standard house outlet, it can charge your EV up to six times faster than a standard plug. It has built-in overheat, overcurrent, and overvoltage protection for added safety. The charger also features a convenient cable mount that lets you wrap or hang the cord, preventing it from getting tangled or kinked.
This portable EV charger from Lectron is also a good choice for homeowners who want to use Level 2 charging, which can be up to 32 amps. It comes with interchangeable plugs that permit both Level 1 and Level 2 charging, and it has a push-button stop/start button that avoids the need to disconnect and reconnect. The 21-foot cord is adequate but shorter than that offered by some other models, and the charger has a relatively compact design for portability.
Some EV chargers are smart, which means they can communicate with your vehicle’s onboard charging system to find the optimal charging rate. They can also adjust the amperage based on the current demand from your home, which may help you reduce electricity costs by charging during off-peak hours. Some have smartphone apps that let you monitor your EV’s battery and control the charging rate.
This 48-amp Lectron V-Box EV charger can be hardwired into your circuit breaker to deliver a maximum of 40A, though most home users won’t need that much power. It has a digital display and several data points that let you know your charging status, including real-time current, rated current, state of charge, grounding indicator, and temperature. It’s UL listed for safety and backed by a one-year warranty.
2. Tesla Wall Connector
Tesla’s Wall Connector is a home charging station that can be installed indoors or outdoors by a certified electrician. It’s capable of delivering up to 48 amps and has built-in smart-charging features. You can also set up the charger to charge multiple Tesla vehicles at the same time using load sharing. The Wall Connector is wifi-enabled which allows it to be provisioned with a smartphone (you don’t have to use the physical dip switch inside to set the maximum circuit amperage like you did on previous versions). It can also receive firmware updates over-the-air and communicate with Tesla for troubleshooting.
This charger is designed specifically for Tesla EVs, but third-party companies have made adapters that can enable non-Tesla EVs to charge with this unit. Tesla charges $400 for the Wall Connector, which is considerably more expensive than Electrify America’s HomeStation and Mercedes-Benz’s Wallbox.
The Gen 3 model of this charger has a white tempered glass cover that looks sleek and modern, but it may not be as durable as the plastic used in other chargers. It also has a shorter cable than the Gen 2 model, which is a major drawback since most quality EV chargers come with cables that are up to 24 feet long.
We’d love to see Tesla add other home charging options to their lineup, such as a next-gen Connector with Cybertruck-inspired design. This would allow Tesla to provide a better brand experience for customers and increase its market share among EV buyers. Adding new charging options could also help the company diversify its product lineup and compete with other manufacturers that offer more affordable home charging solutions. We’ll keep an eye out for any further developments in the future.
3. ClipperCreek HCS
Since its launch in 2006, the ClipperCreek HCS has become one of the most popular home EV charging stations on the market. It’s been sold in more than 110,000 units and is the go-to option for EV owners who want a reliable and simple home charger that doesn’t require any fancy smart features. The company was acquired by Enphase Energy in 2022 and continues to sell the same high-quality chargers today.
This EV charging station is hardwired and can be used indoors or outdoors and works with all EVs. It can charge your car up to 31 miles in an hour and comes with 25 foot cables that are weather resistant. It also allows you to monitor and manage your charging experience via the JuiceNet app on your smartphone or computer.
The power of this EV charger is 48 amps which means it can deliver some of the fastest charging speeds available for your electric vehicle. It can fully charge a Tesla Model Y with a 75 kWh battery pack in under 6 hours from 0% to 100% and it’ll be able to charge a Ford F150 with its massive 98 kWh battery in about 8 hours from 1% to 100%.
The best part about this EV charging station is its reliability and durability. It’s safety-certified by ETL and is built to withstand harsh environments with a rugged, NEMA 4-rated enclosure. It can handle a wide range of temperatures and can be installed in either an indoor or outdoor location. It also features a convenient cable wrap and free wall mount connector holster to keep your cables neatly organized. The only drawback is that this EV charging station doesn’t have any smart charging features like wifi connectivity or a mobile app. Without those features, you won’t be able to schedule your charging times or track your electricity usage.
4. Wallbox Pulsar Plus
A sleek and compact charging solution with smart charging capabilities, the Wallbox Pulsar Plus is a popular choice among EV owners. It can be used with most EVs, including plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles. The Pulsar Plus can be connected to the’myWallbox’ app via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which allows users to monitor and control their charging process remotely. The app also provides real-time information on energy use, consumption, and costs. The app can also be used to schedule charging sessions during off peak hours, when electricity prices are lower.
Another useful feature is the ‘Power Boost’ function, which can help to increase the speed of charging by up to 20%. This can be especially useful for EV drivers who often travel long distances. The charger is UL 2594 listed for electrical safety and is backed by a 3-year warranty. It can be installed easily by a licensed electrician or with the help of a professional installer from one of Wallbox’s installation partners.
The Pulsar Plus has a range of power capacities, allowing you to choose between 40 and 48 amps. It is available as a tethered or untethered charge point, and can be used with both type 1 and type 2 cables. It can also be upgraded with Energy Management Solutions from Wallbox, which enables you to take advantage of solar energy to reduce your carbon footprint even further.
The Wallbox Pulsar Plus has a nice, modern design and comes in either black or white. Its compact size makes it an attractive choice for many homes. It does not require an earth rod, which could save you some money and disruption when installing. It can also be used in a garage and is compatible with both single and three-phase power.
5. ClipperCreek HCS Fast Charger
The ClipperCreek is one of the most versatile home charging stations on the market. It comes with a durable, weather-resistant 25 foot cable that can be used indoors or outdoors. You can also access your EV charger remotely via the JuiceNet app. In addition, you can monitor your charge rate and power usage in real-time.
This EV charging station has a maximum output power of 32 amps, which can give your electric vehicle more than 31 miles of range per hour of charging. It’s a Level 2 EV charger, which means it can either plug into a standard household 240-volt outlet (which you can do yourself) or you can hardwire it into your home. If you decide to hardwire it, you should hire a licensed electrician to do the work for you.
Another great feature of this EV charger is that it can accommodate two vehicles at once. This is possible thanks to its power-sharing technology, which balances the current between the two charging cables. When you’re charging just one car, the max power output is 40 amps.
If you’re concerned about safety, this EV charger has been certified by ETL, an independent Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. It also features a NEMA 4 enclosure for safe outdoor installation. Additionally, this EV charging station offers a three-year warranty and exceptional customer service.
This EV charging station is the perfect choice for those who want to quickly and easily add a long-distance charging capability to their homes. It’s easy to install, simple to use, and has a great reputation in the EV community. You can even get it at a lower price by buying it directly from the manufacturer.
