Sure, you use public charging stations when you’re out and about, but the experience of owning an electric vehicle (EV) improves dramatically when you’re able to recharge on your own schedule. No worries about finding the place. to plug in your car when charging is complete. Personal chargers also allow you to take advantage of the best electricity rates, especially if your utility charges lower rates during off-peak hours.
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Most electric vehicles have a cable that lets you plug it into a standard household outlet for level 1 charging. In the US, that means a 120V circuit is capable of adding about 3-5 miles per hour of charge. . This kind of trickle charging might be good enough to handle your daily commute if you charge it overnight, but it gets annoying quickly.
A much better option is a Level 2 charger, which requires a 240V circuit. Depending on the car’s capabilities and the Level 2 charger’s output current, you could go an extra 30-60 miles per charge hour. Level 2 chargers don’t have to be expensive, and the hardest part of the installation often involves paying an electrician to wire the 240V circuit to it.
The most important feature to look for in a Level 2 charger is compatibility with your vehicle’s charging capabilities. That includes not only the plug at the end of the charging cable, but also how much power your EV can accept. For example, many PHEVs charge at very low power, so spending the extra money on a high-capacity charger is a waste of money.
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All of the chargers we have selected for this guide are designed for the US market and are suitable for installation in homes with 240V circuits available. Each includes a J1772 connector that is compatible with all current EVs (Tesla models use the adapter).
Featured: 50 amps | 3 year warranty | 23-pin cable
If the name ChargePoint sounds familiar, that’s not surprising. ChargePoint manages a nationwide network of publicly available charging stations (free and paid) that are easily accessible through the company’s easy-to-use app, and it is planning to spend a billion dollars in next decade to add charging stations across the United States. It’s no surprise that the company has capitalized on that name recognition into a home charging product.
The HomeFlex charger comes in two configurations for use with NEMA 6-50 or NEMA 14-50 plugs and can be set to use a charging amperage of 16 amps to 50 amps, depending on the circuit’s capabilities. your family. The 23-foot cable should be long enough for most home installations.
The ChargePoint app lets you keep track of all your charging sessions, at home and on the go. For home use, you can set a schedule to charge when it’s cheapest. The app is compatible with Alexa voice control.
Advantages:
- Coming from a famous brand
- Easy-to-use accompanying app
- Compatible with most EV
Defect:
- Wi-Fi required for charging
Featured: 40 amps | 25-pin cable | weather
The JuiceBox family of home chargers, designed and engineered by global energy company Enel X, comes in three sizes. The mid-range JuiceBox 40 is the most versatile and most popular and can plug into any standard 240V circuit or can be hardwired. All three models can be configured to safely charge multiple vehicles simultaneously on a single circuit.
The hardware package is sleek and built to handle indoor or outdoor installation in challenging climates. It also rates highly for usability, with a 25-foot cable that works well even in locations where 240V current circuitry is inconvenient. An integrated rack cleans up cable storage and a locking mount secures installation.
The JuiceBox mobile app works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and supports smart charging based on the lowest price for your gadget.
Advantages:
- Charge up to 7 times faster
- Qualify for a tax credit reduction
Defect:
- Need expert to install hard wire
Featured: 40 amps | 24-pin cable | Waterproof IP67
There’s a large maple leaf and “Made in Canada” label on the front of this handy black box (a white alternative is available if your design sense calls for it). That branding, along with the bright blue streaks that look like bear’s claws, says a lot about the company behind this simple charger.
You’ll need a 40 amp circuit to take full advantage of it, although you can also configure it for a lower charge. There is no Wi-Fi connection and you will have to pay extra for an outdoor safe lock. However, it offers a dedicated Tesla plug option instead of the standard J1772. And if you’re a household with two EVs, consider the Grizzl-E Duo, which has two 24-foot cables for simultaneous charging.
Advantages:
- inexpensive option
- Easy to install and use
- Power failure recovery
Defect:
- Not the best choice for hot weather
Featured: 32 amps | 25-pin cable | 240 volts
At 32 amps, this charger should be a “good enough” standard for most electric vehicle owners, at a lower price point. That lower output can be a deal breaker if you’re counting on a quick charge in an hour or two, but the difference over a 40 or 50 amp charger isn’t as noticeable if you regularly charge it overnight.
The no-nonsense hardware package is designed to plug into a standard 240V outlet, and the 25-foot cable should travel comfortably from the garage to the driveway. Blink also has a public charging network that includes some perks for home charger owners. The Blink app is primarily geared towards that network, but still provides most of the options you need for flexible charging at home.
Advantages:
- Cheaper cost
- Hardware is easy to install
Defect:
- Output is not as strong as other options
- Lack of special features
Featured: 40 amps | 24-pin cable | weather enclosure
TheAmerica’s Electrification Networkwhichborn from the settlement of the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal, has a huge and rapidly expanding network of charging stations across the United States. Like rival ChargePoint, the company has expanded into the domestic market.
From the mobile app, you can manage local charging sessions, set reminders, and schedule charging for off-peak times. Alexa support is built in, but Google Assistant support is still listed as “under development”.
Simple and sleek hardware design with a glossy black finish highlighted by green LEDs. The 24-foot cable will cover most needs, and operating temperatures are rated from bone-chilling -22F to scorching 122F. Unless you live in International Falls or Death Valley, those parameters should work.
Advantages:
- Smart charging features like remote access control, remote start/stop, notifications/reminders, scheduled charging, etc.
- 3 year warranty
- Different ways to install
Defect:
- Some problems with Wi-Fi connection
We chose the ChargePoint Home Flex EV charger as our top pick based on price, charging capacity, and special features.
|
Electric vehicle charger |
Price |
amps |
Cable length |
|
ChargePoint Home Flex EV |
$725 |
50 amps |
23 feet |
|
Juice Box 40 |
$649 |
40 amps |
25 sets |
|
Classic Grizzl-E |
$459 |
40 amps |
24 feet |
|
wink HQ 150 |
$459 |
32 amps |
25 sets |
|
Electrification of HomeStation |
$649 |
40 amps |
24 feet |
While any of these home EV chargers are great options, in the end what matters is how you want to install the charger, the type of power you need, and the price you’re willing to pay. spend.
|
Choose this home EV charger… |
If you want… |
|
ChargePoint Home Flex EV |
The best overall options. |
|
Juice Box 40 |
The home EV charger is sleek. |
|
Classic Grizzl-E |
A budget-friendly home EV charger. |
|
wink HQ 150 |
A simple, basic home EV charger. |
|
Electrification of HomeStation |
Super versatile home EV charger. |
We chose these home EV chargers after in-depth research into the product category. We compared factors like price, reviews (both good and bad), different features that make each charger stand out, and amp count.
Charging your EV is more complicated if you don’t have your own garage or other safe space to install your charger. Complications increase exponentially if you live in an apartment building or apartment with a shared parking area and no way to access your personal electricity meter. For those situations, your best bet is to petition the management of your HOA apartment or condominium to install a shared charger that can be paid with an app. ChargePoint has some good options and even letter template you can send it to skeptical managers or the apartment board to speed up the process.
Many EV purchases in the US qualify for a Federal tax credit of up to $7,500. (Sorry, Tesla and GM owners, you’re not eligible.) But home chargers are also eligible for a healthy tax break. You can claim a Federal tax credit up to 30% of the cost of the charger, up to a maximum of $1000. In addition, your state and your power company may offer additional credits. To check your possible savings, try this testing tool that encourages interaction.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. The wiring in your home determines how powerful a circuit you can supply to charge your EV, and your car itself has a limit on how much power it can accept. Before buying a charger, it’s a good idea to speak with a local electrician who can evaluate your existing circuitry, match it to your EV, and recommend what specs to look for.
You may want to skip the cost and hassle of installing a new EV charger at home, but in the long run you’ll be successful. Not only is it more convenient to plug in your car overnight and wake up with a full battery every day, but it’s also more affordable.
For example, my average electricity price is $0.18 per kWh at home. The last time I used one of Tesla’s Super Chargers, I paid $0.39 per kWh. That’s almost twice the cost, more affordable than gas, but still much more than what I’d pay at home.
Here are some options to check out:
