Best Home EV Chargers in 2024
If you are considering an EV for your next vehicle, it’s tempting to get caught up in range and gas savings, but don’t forget about charging. Here at Car Talk, we have seen many horror stories of new EV owners lamenting their choice to use public chargers. Public chargers come with their own limitations, regulations, costs and availability issues.
New electric vehicles on the market today offer blazing fast charge speeds, but the best place to charge is at home. To do that, you’ll need to buy a home charging unit and have it installed. There are many things to think about before making this type of purchase though, so let’s look at the process.
Car Talk's Recommended Best Home EV Chargers
Overview of Home EV Chargers
Home EV chargers have come a long way, and can now be obtained for a few hundred dollars. Outside of the installation costs, having a charger at home is the make-or-break difference between a good EV ownership experience and a complete disaster. The federal government even offers tax credits related to installation costs.
What to Consider About Home EV Chargers
The biggest thing to consider before buying a charger is safety, followed closely by cost and capability. Buy the charger that best fits your home, your needs, and your vehicle. It’s also easy to get caught up in the cheap chargers listed all over the internet, but remember that you get what you pay for.
List of Best EV Chargers
ChargePoint Home Flex
The ChargePoint Home Flex is a popular charger that offers between 16 and 50 amps, depending on the home’s wiring and capability. They’re a bit more expensive than many others in the market, but users report excellent performance in all weather conditions and a useful companion app that tracks energy usage and other statistics. Additionally, the charger uses your home WiFi network to download and install over-the-air software updates. The Home Flex features a J1772 plug, which is compatible with most EVs today, other than Teslas, which can charge with an adapter.
- Amp: Up to 50
- Cable length: 23ft
- Connector type: J1772
- Companion app: Yes
Grizzl-E Classic
The Grizzl-E Classic is a robust but affordable charger built to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. This model can deliver up to 40 amps, and plugs in, so there’s no required hard wiring. Unfortunately, the Grizzl-E’s low price comes with some trade offs, mainly in the form of connectivity and added tech. It lacks a companion app and does not have WiFi for software updates.
- Amp: Up to 40
- Cable length: 24ft
- Connector type: J1772
- Companion app: No
JuiceBox 40
The JuiceBox 40 offers up to 40 amps, and can be installed indoors or outdoors. There’s no complicated wiring involved, as it installs by plugging into an outlet, and most users report an easy time getting up and running. This charger offers a full-featured app and can connect to WiFi for updates and other options. The Juicebox comes with handy LED indicator lights, and can also be controlled using Amazon Alexa voice features.
- Amp: Up to 40
- Cable length: 24ft
- Connector type: J1772
- Companion app: Yes
Electrify America
The Electrify America offers robust charging speeds and extra features that make it a compelling option among home chargers. It offers adjustable output for different home capabilities, and the companion app comes with several options, including remote start/stop, push notifications, scheduled charging times, and more.
- Amp: Up to 40
- Cable length: 24ft
- Connector type: J1772
- Companion app: Yes
Wallbox Pulsar Plus Level 2
Wallbox is a big name in home charging, and the Pulsar Plus Level 2 comes with all the bells and whistles to prove it. The Pulsar Plus comes with Bluetooth and WiFi to accept software updates and work with remote app features. The charger also monitors home energy usage to make the best use of available power.
- Amp: Up to 40
- Cable length: 25ft
- Connector type: J1772
- Companion app: Yes
Home EV Charger Cost Chart
| Brand | Charger Type | Amps | Price |
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How to Decide on the Best Charger for You
There are a few main factors to consider when shopping for a home EV charger:
Your home’s current electrical capacity: You may need to upgrade one or more portions of your electrical system, so be ready for the effort and costs involved. Regulations also require a certain amount of capacity above and beyond what the charger needs to operate, so it’s a good idea to understand the rules.
Your EV’s charging speed: How quickly does your EV charge? How quickly you need to charge is also important. If you have the luxury of letting your car charge overnight, then having the quickest, most expensive charger might not be the best idea. Spending more on the most powerful charger you can when you might not need it is not a good move.
Charging installation: Many chargers can be installed by an outlet and use a simple plug, but some require hardwiring. It’s also a good idea to chart out your driveway or garage to make sure you’re installing the charger in a place where it can reach your vehicle.
Extra features: Do you need WiFi, over-the-air software updates, and an app? Many new chargers come with all the goodies, but cheaper models may not. Decide which “bonus” features are most important to you.
Read more on the topic of Owning a Car here.
Read more on the Best Electric Vehicles in 2024 here.
