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Best Level 2 Home EV Chargers Tested (2023)
Top Level 2 EV Chargers We Tested
- For Teslas: Tesla Wall Connector
- For Outdoor Charging: FLO Home X5
- Premium Pick: ChargePoint Home Flex
- Best Design: Wallbox Pulsar Plus
- Durable Value: Grizzl-E Classic
- Also Great: Emporia Smart EV Charger
- For Security: Autel MaxiCharger
Updated September 18, 2023, by Michael Kim
So your new electric car is on the way, or maybe it is already here! Charging an EV is different from filling up a gasoline car because it is much more convenient and cost-effective to charge at home overnight than at a public charging station.
We have spent the last 18 months testing the most popular Level 2 home EV chargers in our garage with multiple EVs, narrowing it down to seven products below. Driving an electric car feels exciting, environmentally responsible, and fun. Let us help you find the right home EV charger.
Why trust us? We have hands-on testing experience with the most popular EV charging products.
For Teslas: Tesla Wall Connector Gen 3
The Tesla Wall Connector is the best choice for most Tesla drivers, and certainly the best home charging station with a Tesla NACS plug currently on the market. The TWC will charge any Tesla at full speed if you have a 60 amp circuit breaker, or it can be tuned down as needed. It comes with several smart features too; the Wall Connector can be restricted to specific car VINs to prevent unauthorized charging, and the charging station can be added to your Tesla app as a separate device.
It is also a relatively future-proof investment because most new EVs after 2025 will likely come with the same NACS plug. We only wished the cord material was a little bit softer for colder climates.
Specs
- Up to 48 amps
- 24-foot-long cord
- Indoor/Outdoor NEMA 3R
- Hardwired installation only, no outlets
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Tesla (NACS) plug
Pros
- Integrated cord holder
- Powerful 48 amp charging
- Reasonably priced
- Can be paired with Tesla app
Cons
- No outlet options, must be hardwired
- The cord can get stiff in colder climates
For Outdoor Charging: FLO Home X5
Québec-based FLO is best known for its North America-wide public charging network. Their latest home charging station, the Home X5, feels as durable as their outdoor public charging stations. The enclosure is made of molded aluminum both front and back, and the integrated holster and cable management systems are thoughtfully designed. The cable and connector are among the best we have ever tested; it is durable and freely coils around the charging station regardless of ambient temperature.
The Home X5 is an internet-connected smart home charging station, but a key difference is how the unit connects online. Instead of WiFi or Bluetooth, the FLO has built-in powerline networking (PLC). Some competing products struggle to maintain a WiFi connection in our testing garage, but the FLO unit had zero connection issues with powerline networking.
Specs
- Up to 30 amp output
- 25-foot charging cable
- Indoor/Outdoor operation
- Hardwired installation only
- UL Listed
- J1772 EV connector
Pros
- As durable as commercial chargers
- Reliable powerline networking
- Highly pliable cable
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- 30 amp output extends charging sessions
- The FLO app does not report on home charging costs
Premium Pick: Chargepoint Home Flex
ChargePoint is a reputable brand in public charging as well as home charging. Priced at the higher end of the spectrum, the Home Flex is well-built, includes smart cable management, and a fully featured app. We were impressed when the app detected our utility provider by ZIP code, and automatically calculated accurate charging costs using up-to-date TOU electricity rates.
Compatible with all EVs on the market, the ChargePoint Home Flex is our top choice for EVs with large-capacity batteries. The ChargePoint Home Flex is a top seller on Amazon and for good reason.
To get the full 50 amps, a 60 amp circuit breaker and hardwired installation is required. Otherwise, the ChargePoint (and all other products below) are limited to a maximum of 40 amps.
Specs
- Up to 50 amp charging
- 23-foot-long charge cable
- Indoor/Outdoor operation
- NEMA 14-50, NEMA 6-50, or hardwired options
- UL Listed
- J1772 EV connector
Pros
- Energy Star Certified
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Cord remains pliable in colder temperatures
- Up to 50 amps
Cons
- A ChargePoint app and account are required for setup
- Only one Home Flex can be paired to an account
Best Design: Wallbox Pulsar Plus
The Wallbox Pulsar Plus is our top pick for a charger with a compact and attractive design at just 7.8″ x 7.9″ x 3.9″ in dimensions. The face of the unit has a large and bright status LED indicator light.
Available in 40 and 48 amp versions, the Pulsar Plus can charge up to 8 times faster than Level 1 (120v) charging. The Wallbox unit features a 25 foot long cable, the maximum allowed length. The 48 amp version of the Pulsar Plus is able to deliver up to 11.5 kW of power.
Wallbox also works great for households with multiple EVs that need to be charged simultaneously. Two or more Wallbox charging stations on the same circuit can communicate with each other and balance the available household power between chargers. See full Wallbox review.
Specs
- 40 and 48 amp versions
- 25-foot-long charge cable
- Indoor/Outdoor operation
- NEMA 14-50 or hardwired
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- J1772 EV connector
Pros
- Compact design with clear indicator lights
- myWallbox app companion app for control and charge monitoring
Cons
- The cord holder is cheap plastic but you can wrap the cord around the unit itself
- Wi-Fi reception isn’t the best, the unit can struggle if your network is far from the garage
Durable Value: Grizzl-E Classic EV Charger
The Level 2 home charger from Grizzl-E is a compelling option for EV drivers looking for durability and value. This is a simple utilitarian design metal box with an LED indicator light and metal construction. There are no screens or Wi-Fi connectivity options on the Grizzl-E Classic, just an industrial box with 40 amps of current delivery, which should translate to about 9 kW usable charging speed.
Grizzl-E is based in Canada, so their products are designed to perform in extreme weather conditions. The operating temperature range is between -22F to 122F for outdoor usage.
This charger is available with either NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 06-50 wall connectors (check the SKU when ordering), and all variants can be hardwired by an electrician. Full Grizzl-E review.
Not sure which version you need? NEMA 14-50 is the most common plug, but both versions can also be hardwired by an electrician.
Specs
- 40 amps, or as low as 16
- 24 foot long charge cable
- Indoor/Outdoor operation
- NEMA 14-50, NEMA 06-50, or hardwired options for installation
- J1772 EV connector
Pros
- Good value
- Durable enclosure materials and gasket
- Heavy-duty charging cable
Cons
- No smart features or app control
- Requires disassembly to change the charging amp modes
Also Great: Emporia Smart Level 2 EV Charger
Colorado-based Emporia makes a home EV charger that is easy to recommend, especially if you already have other Emporia Energy products in your home. The app can control various Emporia hardware including home batteries, but their EV charger is a competitive product in its own right. Less expensive than other 48 amp options, but Emporia does not cut corners where it matters most.
We really liked the high power output (48 amps hardwired, 40 amps over NEMA 14-50), and the highly durable single-piece metal charge cord holder. Most competing brands include a cheap plastic cord holder in the box. Installation and app configuration was straightforward as well. You can see our full Emporia review.
Specs
- Up to 48 amps, when hardwired
- 24 foot long cable
- Indoor/Outdoor operation
- NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwired
- J1772 EV connector
Pros
- Lower cost than competitors
- Up to 48 amps of power
- App connectivity and scheduling
- Good metal charge plug holder and cable management
Cons
- The charge cord is shorter than the competition
- The charger casing is made from plastic
For Security: Autel MaxiCharger
Autel MaxiCharger is gaining popularity lately because the product offers good quality hardware and a very polished connectivity/app experience. But what really sets the MaxiCharger apart is the integrated RFID card reader. This EV charger can be programmed to unlock using almost any RFID card. We were able to set up a transit card and even the Tesla key card as unlocking triggers. This is ideal for an outdoor or underground apartment parking installation, where you want to prevent strangers from stealing the electricity from you.
Autel offers two “plug-in” 40 amp versions of the MaxiCharger as well as a 50 amp hardwired version. Check the product specs when ordering.
Specs
- Up to 50 amps
- 25-foot charging cable
- Indoor/Outdoor operation
- NEMA 14-50, 6-50, or hardwired installation
- J1772 EV connector
- RFID card reader for security
Pros
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Intuitive app
- Long charging cable
- RFID card reader for locking charger
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- The charging cord could be more flexible in freezing temperatures
- Some users report Bluetooth connectivity issues
Didn’t find something you like? See all the products we looked at here.
Methodology
Our testing facility is a residential two-car garage with a NEMA 14-50 receptacle installed by a licensed electrician. This setup will be similar to how most EV owners charge at home, and allow us to quickly and easily swap chargers for testing.
We consider user and market feedback for products we order for review, but all products we recommend must be hands-on tested in our garage for at least two weeks and several EV battery charge cycles. A Tesla Model Y is our main test vehicle, but we have also borrowed an Ioniq 5 or VW ID.4 for some tests.
Our main criteria for products are (1) ease of use and installation, (2) power output, (3) cord length and management, (4) design and materials used, (5) smart features, and (6) reliability/warranty. Not every product we test is recommended to our readers. This article will be kept up to date with our favorite home EV chargers as more products are released and tested.
What is a Home EV Charger?
Home EV Chargers are devices (usually wall-mounted) that safely connect your electric car to your household’s electric circuit. Technically speaking, the wall-mounted box commonly referred to as an “EV Charger” is called an Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE), and it passes electricity to the onboard vehicle charger. The onboard charger is the actual equipment that converts household alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) required to charge the battery. But for the sake of simplicity and understanding, most people call the wall-mounted EVSEs as home EV Chargers.
Self Install vs. Hiring and Electrical Contractor
Is an EV charger installation something you can do yourself? Sometimes. Many newer homes are pre-wired and have a 220-volt plug near where your car is parked. NEMA 14-50 and NEMA 6-50 are common 50-amp wall receptacles that a home charging station can plug into. If you already have an outlet installed, you may buy and install the equipment by yourself safely.
If you don’t already have a 220-volt receptacle on your wall, or if you are planning to hardwire your charging station (to go above 40 amps), then working with a licensed electrician is highly recommended. An electrical contractor will be able to assess the existing capacity of your electrical panel, run the appropriate gauge insulated wiring to your garage, as well as help receive any permits required in your local area.
How much does it cost to install a home EV charger?
If you already have a 220-volt outlet, then no electrical work is required for a plug-in style home charging station. A general contractor or DIY homeowner can do it in about an hour of work.
If you don’t have an outlet, but your household electrical panel has the capacity for a dedicated 40, 50, or 60-amp line, then an electrician will need to run wiring from the breaker box to your charging location. Expect to pay a few hundred dollars, with costs increasing proportionally with distance. Our more complicated NEMA 14-50 installation was around $1,200 for a 50+ foot run and electrical permit.
If your home’s electrical supply cannot support a dedicated 30+ amp 220-volt line, like some older construction homes, then major electrical upgrades could cost thousands of dollars to support Level 2 EV charging.
What is the difference between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 charging?
The difference lies in voltage, amperage, and ultimately charging speed.
Level 1 charging is done over standard household electrical outlets. In North America that means 120 volts and 12 amps. This translates into about 1.4 kW of power and around 3 miles of range added per hour. Although 120-volt outlets are abundant, they will not provide enough range overnight for most drivers.
Level 2 charging steps up the voltage to ~240 volts and current can go as high as 80 amps, but most EVs max out at 48 amps. Charging at 7-11 kW on Level 2 will juice up most EVs in only a few hours. Level 2 charging makes EV driving convenient and cost-effective, but will have some upfront installation costs.
Level 3 charging boosts the voltage to 400/800 volts and can routinely pull 500+ amps. An EV can get the majority of the driving range back in a matter of minutes on Level 3 charging. This is possible by bypassing the onboard vehicle alternating current (AC) charging equipment and sending direct current (DC) straight to the battery. Due to the immense power requirements of Level 3, it is only feasible for commercial applications and not at-home EV charging.
Frequently Asked Questions about Home EV Chargers
Yes! Many states have incentive programs to reduce the cost of the transition to electric driving. You may be eligible to be reimbursed for a portion of the cost of the EV charger and/or professional installation. Incentive structures change on a regular basis, we track incentives on this page.
Level 1 (120v) charging may be more widely available near your parking location but it can only realistically supply 3-4 miles of range every hour. Level 3 is direct current (DC) fast charging that can rapidly charge an EV in under an hour, but a residential circuit breaker could not supply this much power, and Level 3 chargers are prohibitively expensive.
Level 2 charging is the most popular choice for EV charging at home because circuit breaker upgrades are not needed most of the time, and wiring up your garage is relatively inexpensive and will break even after charging the EV at off-peak electricity rates.
Change log
- September 18, 2023: Revised product selection based on newest product tests. Included more details about the methodology.