What is the best EV home charging station?
To enjoy the full benefits of an EV, you need to get high-voltage charging equipment for your home. If you’re considering getting the best EV home charging station, my guide contains everything you need.
ChargePoint Home Flex 50-amp smart charger that is fully adaptable. Remote control and monitoring
Grizzl-E Classic, Easy to install, simple, powerful, heavy-duty, and portable charging station that fits both hot and cold climates.
JuiceBox 40 Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility send notifications and alerts
ClipperCreek’s long-lasting charger, well suited for outdoor installations, is equipped with a holster protecting the EV connector
Tesla Wall Connector Industry-standard J1772-equipped charger. The best choice for Tesla owners
Table of Contents
You just bought your first electric vehicle. That’s great! You’ll need to think about several things, but one of the most important is figuring out how to charge it.
First, make sure you charge at home as much as possible. This has two benefits: most people plug in at home while sleeping.
Second, it’s much cheaper (rough costs by around 33%).
Statistically speaking, around 80% of electric vehicles its charged that way.
So how easy it will be to live with an electric car depends on how easy it is to charge the car at home or the office and how much time you’ll spend charging it throughout the day.
So what is the best EV home charging station?
Here are three crucial factors to consider before installing your electric vehicle (EV) home charging station:
The power output is an essential factor to consider when comparing chargers. The power output is measured in volts and amps. The higher the voltage, the faster your battery will charge.
The compatibility with your vehicle is also essential to consider when comparing chargers. If you have a hybrid or electric car, you need a charger to handle both vehicles.
Get $300 OFF the HomePower ONE Power Station! For a limited time only, get it for $999!Installation difficulty is another factor to consider when comparing chargers. Some chargers are easier to install, and some require professional installation services.
If you need to charge your EV quickly or have more than one car, you should consider getting a Level 3 or dual home EV charging station.
Here are five answers to the question: What is the best EV home charging station?
5 different options for connecting your house to your electric car that range in price from $300 to $1000+ and is compatible with any electric vehicle on the market today.
Related Article: Future of Electric Vehicles | Guide to the EV Revolution
More expensive chargers have Wi-Fi connectivity which gives the ability to monitor charging, receive alerts, and control the unit via an app.
These models have different variants (plug or hardwired, different output abilities, and various cord lengths) with slightly different costs.
1. ChargePoint Home Flex
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| + Smart charging features (Wi-Fi) | – the most pricey |
| + Adjustable power delivery | – cannot share power |
| + adjustable power delivery | – less durable than other units |
- built-in cord
- output capability: 50/48/40/32/24/16 amps (12.0/11.5/9.6/7.7/5.8/3.8 kW)
- 23-foot cord
One of the US’s largest providers for public charging, ChargePoint has thousands of Home Flex units nationwide.
Integrate to the same app you use to connect to a public unit. The ChargePoint app lets you input your vehicle’s details, and it will choose the percentage and number of miles charged to match.
You might also like How Many Amps Does An EV Charger Actually Need
However, ChargePoint’s database isn’t as comprehensive or up-to-date as JuiceBox’s. ChargePoint app provides graphs that indicate charge rates, charge time, and total energy output and also allows you to set up charging times to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates (most electric cars also allow this).
Also, the app has a selection of rate plans from local utilities. You can use it to see the exact cost of your electricity bill down to the penny.
2. Grizzl-E Classic
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| + very affordable | – complicated app integration |
| + high power output | – thick cable, hard to maneuver |
| + compact design | – not a smart charger |
- 24-foot-long cable
- output capability: 40/32/24/16 amps (9.6/7.7/5.8/3.8 kW)
- wall mount for the cable included
The United Chargers – Grizzl-E is a no-nonsense charger durable and easy to use even in the harshest conditions. It’s a non-smart charger without an app, but for those who want simplicity and reliability – this is the one for you.
Like the other units, you can adjust the output level of the Grizzl-E, but doing this on a more detailed scale requires you to take off the front cover and swap out DIP switches.
Also, to save the hassle could be preordered to the specific settings.
3. JuiceBox 40
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| + most feature-rich (Wi-Fi) | – electricity cost tracking is unavailable |
| + good for outdoor use | – thick, heavy cable |
| + adjustable high power output | – not the best connector holster design |
- schedule charging times
- output capability: 40/32/24/16/12/6 amps (9.6/7.7/5.8/3.8/2.9/1.4 kW)
- easy installation ( compatible with some of the dryer outlets )
JuiceBox 40 is the first ever intelligent charger that does it all. It’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and features onboard scheduling and notifications to plan when you need to charge your car.
It can balance power between two or more units, allowing the owner to charge two cars from a single circuit. It can participate in utility demand response programs to save money and is Energy Star certified.
The JuiceBox and the ChargePoint are some of the market’s most feature-rich Wi-Fi-enabled Level 2 chargers. The JuiceBox offers various output levels, is relatively cheaper, and has a handy LED indicator for usage.
Like the ChargePoint unit, the JuiceBox provides much more detailed energy output and charge time – it also has adjustable notifications. It can be set up to take advantage of different rates.
One of the main differences between JuiceBox and ChargePoint is that JuiceBox’s vehicle database is more extensive. However, ChargePoint has more nuanced and up-to-date utility pricing information.
4. ClipperCreek
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| + works well outdoor | – too expensive with comparable chargers |
| + plug and play or hardwire | – not a smart charger |
| + simple, good design | – average customer service |
- 25-foot cable
- well built for outside weather
- wide variety of models available
ClipperCreek’s offering is a non-smart charger, but one of the best-built ones. A 25-foot cable and remote connector holster protect your charger from being ruined by the weather.
ClipperCreek has been making chargers since the early 2000s and is also trusted for its tough, long-lasting designs that are perfect for outdoor installation.
Thirty-two amps of current delivering 7.7kW of power provide faster charging for all plug-in electric vehicles sold in the USA like the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3, BMW i4, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ionic 5, and more. It is the perfect home charging station for your electric car.
The ClipperCreek Home Charging Station is safe and easy to install. It supports all plug-in electric vehicles sold in the USA with a standard 120v outlet (or 240v if desired).
5. Tesla Wall Connector
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| + thin, flexible cables | – hardwire only option |
| + highest output (48 amps or 11.5 kW) | – no energy monitoring |
| + very easy setup | – adapter needed for non-Tesla |
- 24-foot cord
- output capability: 48/40/32/24/16/12 amps (11.5/9.6/7.7/5.8/3.8/2.9 kW)
- slick, modern design
Tesla is a pioneer in EVs, and its cars use an exclusive connector. Even though Tesla ships adapter cords with free-charge adapters, they sell their higher-grade devices for quick charging.
The Tesla Wall Connector is a high-quality charging system for Tesla owners and retails for a fair price. It is thus the best investment for those driving Tesla vehicles.
The Tesla Wall Connector is the best EV home charging station to charge any EV, not just a Tesla. You will need an adapter ( like this one Lectron – Tesla to J1772 Adapter )
to make it compatible with cars other than the Tesla, the purchase is worth the price.
The third-generation Tesla charging unit does include Wi-Fi capability, which can be used for firmware updates.
The setup for the Tesla Wall Connector is by far the easiest, as you just scan the QR code and make your customizations through a web interface. It does not have any control or monitoring features.
FAQ
What are the different types of EV chargers?
There are three types of EV chargers: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
Level 1 chargers are typically 120 volts and take 12 hours to charge a car. They can be found at residential homes or businesses that install them for public use.
Level 2 chargers use 240 volts and can charge a car in 4-6 hours. They are usually installed at public places like parking lots or restaurants with parking lots.
Level 3 chargers DC-fast chargers use 400-800 volts and can charge a car in 30 minutes to an hour. These chargers make up the majority of public charging stations in the US because they have the fastest charging time and are more cost-efficient than other types of chargers.
What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 chargers?
Level 1 chargers are the most straightforward kind of charger. They are usually standard 120V power outlets. Level 2 chargers are more powerful and can be found at charging stations with 240V power outlets.
The difference between Level 1 and Level 2 chargers is the voltage. Level 1 chargers plug into a standard 120-volt outlet, while Level 2 chargers plug into 240-volt outlets.
What is the difference between a Level 2 and a Level 3 charger?
Level 2 chargers are slower than Level 3 chargers. Level 3 chargers can charge an electric vehicle 80% in 30 minutes, whereas a Level 2 charger might take about eight hours.
The main differences between the two are:
Level 3 chargers or DC-fast chargers have a higher power output (400-800 Volts) and can charge an electric vehicle to 80% in 30 minutes, whereas a Level 2 charger might take about eight hours.
A level 3 charger is more expensive than a level 2 charger, costing around $3000-$5000.
A level 3 charger is also bulkier than a level 2 charger and requires more installation space.
Should I get a professional to install my home EV charging station?
A professional electrician is the best person to install your EV charging station. They are trained and have the expertise to ensure your EV charging station is installed correctly and safely.
The installation process of an EV charging station is not complex, but it does require some specific knowledge. An electrician can identify potential hazards and take steps to mitigate them.
What’s Evse?
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment – the box on your garage wall – is typically called an EV charger, but in reality “real charger” is built-in into the electric car itself.
What is a direct current (DC) charger?
A direct current charger is a type of battery charger that charges the battery by applying a constant direct current.
The main difference between a DC and an AC charger is that DC chargers can continuously supply power to the battery, while AC chargers can only do so for short periods.
This means that DC chargers are more efficient than AC chargers because they can charge batteries at higher rates without damaging them.
A direct current charger is often used in industrial settings where there may be a need to charge many batteries simultaneously, such as in electric vehicles.
Conclusion
The use of electric vehicles (EVs) is on the rise. However, there are not enough charging stations for these vehicles. Some people have to wait for hours to get a charge.
Various electric vehicle charging options include plug-in stations, public charging stations (PCS), and home chargers. Public charging stations (PCS) are available in various locations and sizes.
Home EV charging stations are becoming more affordable as the cost of electricity continues to decrease, making this a popular option for those who have electric vehicles and use and charge them daily.
If you want to learn more about the pros and cons of electric cars, check my article here.
