Many electric vehicle owners choose to charge at home because it is convenient and allows them to save on cost. However, depending on the Level 1 charger supplied by the EV manufacturer will make the process very slow, and it even may take days to charge the battery fully. It is advisable to install a Level 2 home charging station because it cuts down the charging time to about eight hours. This type of charger also comes with additional features that make the charging experience much smoother.
As many EV owners have found out, it is not easy task picking the best charger. One reason is that there are many models on the market, and this number of options can be overwhelming. Another reason is that some EV owners are first time buyers and may not know what to look out for in a good charger.
In this post, you will see based upon our research that we have listed the best EV chargers you can get on the market only selecting from the most reputable brands. The reason is generic chargers often do not offer a warranty, and the manufacturers may sacrifice quality and safety because they do not have a brand name to protect.
We select the chargers based on multiple factors, including feature sets and ease of use.
ChargePoint CPH25 Home Charging Station
In our testing of chargers, it was ChargePoint’s CPH25 model that came in at #1 on our list of best EV chargers out of all the available models. There is a reason why it is so popular, and on top of that you will like the three-year warranty that it comes with. You can get it configured as a hardwired or plug-in, and it can add 25 miles per hour to your driving range.
The CPH25 charger is convenient to use because you will not need an adapter to charge any vehicle with its standard j1772 connector. The charging cord comes as an 18- or 25-foot option.
ChargePoint even offers a smartphone app that connects through WIFI and lets you monitor your charging session remotely. You can also schedule the charging to a time that is convenient for you or allows you to take advantage of off-peak periods. The charger also accepts voice commands through Amazon’s Alexa.
JuiceBox Pro 40 Home Charging Station
One of the things we love about the JuiceBox Pro 40 is that it can regulate the power it gets. In all other aspects, it is a worthy competitor to the ChargePoint CPH25.
It also has a smartphone app, where you can check your charging history, charging rate, set your charging schedule, etc.
This Level 2 JuiceBox model has a LED light indicator for the charging status and is equipped with a three-year warranty. It can also charge any electric vehicle due to having a J1772 connector. With a safety rating of UL and cUL in Canada, you can use it with peace of mind.
Siemens VC30GRYU Home Charging Station
This Level 2 entry in our list is made by Siemens, a household name on account of the quality of their product. The VC30GRYU is no exception, as it has even won awards for their company.
It is very easy to use and can control the charger through the buttons on the front panel showing the status displayed with the aid of LED indicators. The charger is rated at 30 A.
Other features include easy setup, a 20-foot charging cord, and flexible wiring options. You can charge any car with this charger because it uses a J1772 connector. If you wish, you can pause and delay your charging.
The Siemen charger, however, does not offer a smartphone app. But the lower cost will appeal to those who may be on a budget.
Bosch Home Charging Station
If you want a high-quality Level 2 charger in a stylish package, you should check out the Bosch home charging station. While more expensive than most, you will be happy that it comes with a three-year warranty offered by the manufacturer.
Bosch included some smarts, like helping you save on costs by scheduling itself to charge when it will use the shortest amount of time. It also has LED indicators.
Bosch offers 12, 18, and 25 feet charging cords to go with the charger. Each of the three options will charge any electric vehicle because of its j1772 connector. Other customization options are 30 or 40 amp and plugin or hardwired.
ClipperCreek HCS-40 Home Charging Station
This option will also charge any electric car, thanks to its J1772 connector. The USA-made charger supplies 32 amps to the car. It has ETL and cETL certifications.
Setting up the ClipperCreek charger is straightforward as it comes with a wall-mount and lock. It is 5.5 times faster than a Level 1 charger.
Other features include a 25-foot charging cable, NEMA 4 level enclosure sealing, and optional hardwired or plugin configurations. Users have testified to its high quality and durability.
MUSTART Level 2 Portable Home Charger
The MUSTART is among the most portable models we tested. It is five times faster than Level 1 chargers and works with all EVs. It is built to a high standard and has a host of high-tech features.
Despite the smaller footprint, the charging cable is adequate at 25 feet. It has an LCD screen complemented with LED indicators.
The mounting is easy as the manufacturer has included everything you need in the box. Warranty is for two years, and the charger is certified by the FCC and TUV. You can select from a range of 26 to 40 amp.
Zencar Home Charging Station
This is another compact option that works for buyers on a budget. There is room for customization because you can pick the power rating and charging cord length to fit your needs. The charger comes with a Level 1 adapter, giving you more flexibility as to where to charge.
Other features include LED indicators and the ability to work with all types of electric vehicles.
However, the Zencar charger is recommended for indoor use. This charger only comes with a one-year warranty.
Morec Home Charging Station
One of the stand-out features of the Morec charger is the big colored LCD display on the front, where you can quickly read off info about your charging session, including the voltage and temperature.
This charger has a premium appeal with its PC alloy and aluminum frame. However, it has more than looks because it is rated 32 amps and is over three times faster than a Level 1 charger.
Other features are advanced RCD and power balancer, IP66 rating, 7.5-meter charging cord, and more. It only comes with a one-year warranty but will charge any car.
PRIMECON Home Charger
This budget option stuns with its 30 feet of charging cable, and you can even get a 50-foot option! It is a compact EV charger rated 16 amps.
Plug the PRIMECON Level 2 charger into any EV, and it will charge three times faster than a Level 1 charger.
Although it has a one-year warranty, this charger is CE/UL certified and has LCD indicators on its control box. As an extra, the manufacturer includes a carrying case and 110v adapter in the package.
Blink HQ Home Charging Station
The last entry on our list is another budget option that will, nevertheless, charge any electric car. With a power rating of 30 amps, it charges four times faster than Level 1 chargers. It also has a nice design compared to other affordable models.
The Blink HQ is only available as a hardwired installation and has a charging cord that is 18 feet long.
You can use the delay functionality to select your preferred charging times. Blink also offers free credit on its network. Installation is made easy by the inclusion of mounting accessories included in the packaging.
In Conclusion
When you are selecting EV home charging stations, you must consider where you will install the charger. This will influence whether you need hardwires, a plugin, or weatherproofing.
As stated earlier, the best home chargers are Level 2 because of the faster speeds and extra features. However, even among Level 2 chargers, you need to pay attention to the amperage because that is what determines the charging speed.
Another thing to consider is the cable length to ensure you do not have to pull it to tight, which could potentially become a hazard. Safety certifications are vital too, for your wellbeing.
Lastly, some governments offer incentives for installing home charging stations. Here at Click Electric we can perform the proper research to see what is available in your area potentially saving you thousands of dollars in costs.