Choosing an electric vehicle is a daunting task – comparing all the specifications, worrying about efficiency of the EV motor drivetrain, and storage capacity of the battery packs (or maybe you’re one of the lucky ones that just picked one that looks nice?!). And now you need to choose the best home ev charger for your new EV!
Today there are many options available for the best level 2 ev charger, but we hope this list will help you narrow in on the best electric car charger that meets all your needs.
Things to consider when choosing the best ev charger
Electricity Supply
If you live in a condo, you might have to contact the strata before installing or setting up an electric car charger in your garage. Of course, now, some new buildings are being built with specific spots or plugs for EVSE installations. If you’re in an older building, check with the strata first to avoid any headaches or fines.
If you own the building, consider how far away the electrical panel is from where you want to install the home ev charger (this also ties in with the cable length item below).
Cable Length
How far away will you need to park from the EV charger? Even some of the best EV chargers that come with a 25 foot cable might not be long enough for your needs if you can only back in to your parking space – or vice versa.
For instance, the Nissan LEAF charging input is right in the middle at the front of the vehicle, so backing into a spot requires a long charging cable. A Tesla Model 3, on the other hand, has the charging input on the rear passenger side, so pulling nose into a spot will require a long charging cable. Some people have even gone to ceiling mounted EVSE systems to make sure they can easily plug-in.
Hardwired or Plug-In?
Hardwired EV charging stations can provide more amperage (more charging speed). However, a plug-in unit is usually cheaper to install – as it only requires a high-amperage outlet to be wired in. Plus, a plug-in unit is portable and can be taken with you on road trips, or easily taken with you if you move.
Do you need an EV charger that is outdoor rated?
If you need to park outdoors, you’ll want to make sure that your ev charging equipment is rated for being mounted and used outdoors.
Dumb or Smart EV charger
A simple and cheap EV charger will only charge the vehicle – and if that’s all you need, then a ‘dumb’ one will be the best EV charger for you.
If you want more advanced features, then you’ll want to make sure you look at getting a smart EV charger. A smart charging station can be connected to via bluetooth and allows you to monitor the vehicle charging status, check the power being delivered, review statistics from previous charging sessions, and even set your EV to charge off of peak-electricity-demand times.
The smart ev chargers cost more, of course, but they can be worth the extra cost for the features they offer.
Choose the Best Level 2 EV Charger
ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle Charger
The ChargePoint EV charger is appropriately called the ‘Flex’. With plug-in or hardwired installation options, and flexiable amperage settings up to 50 amps, this is the best home ev charger for most people.
Charge Point Home Flex is a Wi-Fi-enabled charging station and offers smart charging features using the Charge Point app, including the ability to set a charging schedule, get reminders to plug in, see all of your charging history in one place, connect with Alexa, and more. Flex is UL Listed for electrical safety, ENERGY STAR certified for efficiency and comes with a 3-year and 24/7 customer support.
Grizzl-E Level 2 EV Charger
The Grizzl-E charger is built in Canada. It comes with a 1.25 foot long cable with a plug so all you to install is a simple 14-50R and you are ready to start charging your EV.
A unique feature of this level 2 charging station is that you can set some a DIP switch to limit the output current based on the amperage capacity of the plug you are using.
- UL Labeled
- Over Current, Over Voltage , Under Voltage, Missing Diode, Ground Fault, and Over Temperature Protections
- Indoor and Outdoor rated – Operating temperatures: -30C to +50C (-22F to 122F)
- Built in GFCI
- IP67 (Water resistant), Fire resistant
- Self-Monitoring and Recovery, Power Outage Recovery
- 208-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz, Single Phase
- Adjustable maximum current output: 40A, 32A, 24A, 16A
JuiceBox 40 Smart EV Charging Station
Charge your electric vehicle up to 7x faster than the standard 110V charging rate with this 40-amp EV charging station.
Built in California, this EV home charging station is rated for indoor or outdoor installation, and it is Energy Star certified and UL listed.
With convenient WiFi connectivity, you can control and monitor your charging remotely, and be notified when charging is complete.
Siemens VersiCharge Electric Car Charger
The VersiCharge home EV charger is jam packed with user-friendly features that make it easier than ever to efficiently and economically charge your electric vehicle. Monitor the status of your electric vehicle’s charge with help from the LED color indication halo that’s visible from across the garage and displays the stage at which your charge stands, from ready to charge, to charging, to fully charged.
- Compatible with all plug-in electric vehicles (SAE J1772 vehicle plug)
- 30-amp, 240-volt Level II charging capability cuts charge time in half versus Level I
- User-friendly installation, design, and functionality
- Flexible wiring options—bottom-fed and rear-fed—for flexible configuration
- Dimensions: 16.5 inches by 16.5 inches by 6.5 inches; weighs 21 pounds
- Demand Response capability to take advantage of utility savings programs
- Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed for quality standards
What is an EV charging station?
An electric vehicle needs to get electricity into the batteries in order to charge them and allow the EV to be driven. This is done via a charging station, although more specifically, it is electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) not a charger.
The charger actually lives onboard the electric vehicle, and it handles charging that specific brand and model’s battery pack. The EVSE simply needs to supply the high current electricity that the vehicle charger needs. Choosing the best home ev charger means picking the best EVSE for your needs.
What about the ev charger cable that came with my EV?
Every electric vehicle you purchase will come with an included charging cable. It allows you to plug your EV into a standard 120-volt electrical outlet and charge your vehicle. The problem is that charging your vehicle by this method can take 10 hours or longer – depending on the size of your EV’s battery pack.
If you’re looking for a faster charging method, you’ll want to look for a level 2 ev charging station. Level 2 means that it will connect to a 240-volt power supply, and typically provides 5 to 10x the charge speed of a level 1 home ev charger.