Best Home EV Chargers

If you own an electric vehicle (EV), it’s worth investing in the best home EV charger so that you can charge up in your own garage. Even a low-cost EV charger can run around $200, so it’s worth considering your purchase carefully to make sure you get the right option for your car, especially given that not all chargers are compatible with all EV vehicles.

This review explains how to find an EV charger that will work with your vehicle and recommends several options for different budgets.

1. Safe Choice: Grizzl-E Level 2 EV Charger
2. Great Value: Lectron NEMA 5-15 Level 1 EV Charger
3. Smart Features: JuiceBox 40 Smart EV Charging Station
4. Compact Size: Pulsar Plus Level 2 EV Smart Charger
5. Fast Charge: ChargePoint Home Flex EV Charger
6. Most Portable: ShockFlo® G1 40A J1772 Level 2 EV Charger

When choosing a Home EV charger, in addition to cost, you should consider compatibility, speed, safety, and reliability.

Compatibility

Most EV chargers are compatible across all vehicles and use the same plug, though this is not universal. Some EV chargers are only compatible with specific car models. Many products have adapters that can be purchased with the charger on Amazon. These adapters are specifically designed for many Tesla models, which allow Teslas to be compatible with the J1772 chargers. 

If you are in the market for a smart charger, make sure your non-Tesla EV model is listed in the product title. Smart charger features vary, so be sure to read over the product description before purchasing your EV charger.

Speed

Chargers are broadly categorized as level 1, 2, or 3, based on charging speed. Higher levels offer increasingly faster charging speeds but are more expensive and less compatible.

• Level 1: Offers the slowest charging speed of around 4.0 miles of range per hour. This type of charger can be connected to your standard wall outlet.
• Level 2: Offers a faster charging speed of around 25.0 miles of range per hour. Installing this type of charger requires access to a 240-volt outlet.
• Level 3: Offers the fastest charging speed of around 173.0 miles of range per hour. Level 3 chargers have different cords than Level 1 and Level 2 chargers and have fewer compatible vehicles.

Safety

Some useful safety features to look for in an EV charger include:

• Waterproofing
• over and under-voltage protection
• over-current protection
• temperature protection
• power outage recovery
• fire resistance

Many devices also have safety certifications, including Energy Star® and Underwriter Laboratories (UL) certifications.

Reliability

Choosing a home EV charger with at least a one-year warranty in case damage or malfunction occurs might be a financially safe choice. It is also important to read customer reviews from buyers who own and use the product to get a first-hand experience of how simple and reliable the charger is. Our buyer’s guide is a tool for you to look into some of the best home EV chargers, along with some tips our team recommends for you to consider when looking to purchase a reliable charger.

The Grizzl-E EV Charger is best if you are looking for a reliable device that can be installed indoors. If the smart charger features are not the most important factor when considering an EV charger, this is likely your best choice for a simple and reliable device. With over-current, over-voltage, and temperature protections, along with weather and fire resistance, this electric car charger is certainly safe to operate.

This electric vehicle charger comes with the J1772 charging plug, making the Grizzl-E charger compatible with all electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) sold in North America, including Tesla EV models. The 24.0-foot cable length makes it easy to charge your EV or PHEV from wherever you install the charger in your house.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $395
• UL-tested and certified
• Charge rate of 28.0 to 30.0 mph at 40.0 amps
• Self-monitoring and power outage recovery
• Operating temperatures of -22.0 to 122.0 degrees Fahrenheit

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.7 out of 5 based on over 1,900 reviews

Many customers are pleased with this charging equipment, noting that it’s incredibly simple to operate. Customers do not seem discouraged by the lack of smart charger capabilities. Amazon emphasizes the adjustable amperage ranging from 16.0A to 40.0A, allowing you to set your preferred charging speed.  

Some customers discouraged other potential buyers of outdoor use. With high temperatures, there appeared to be operating issues when the device was installed outside. With only two percent of all reviews being 1-star reviews, this charging solution appears to work reliably for the majority of customers.

The Lectron Level 1 EV Charger is ideal for buyers looking for a low-maintenance future for their vehicle. While lower amperage makes for longer charging times, it facilitates long-term car battery longevity and health. This lightweight EV charger is preferable for those looking for a budget-friendly device that is still reliable and simple to operate.

This device is fairly straightforward to self-install, offering a great incentive over some of the other options out there. The charger attaches to a NEMA 5-15 outlet via a 21.0-foot cable, which can be plugged into your wall outlet at home.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $185
• LED indicator lights display the charge level of your vehicle or warning lights
• Maximum current of 16.0 amps
• J1772 charging cable for compatibility with all Tesla models can be added at purchase
• Overvoltage, overheat, and overcurrent protection
• UL Safety certified and Energy Star^® certified

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.4 out of 5 based on over 740 reviews

Customers seem to be happy with the low cost and high quality of this device. Customers recommend buying an adapter to allow for 220 home charging if needed.

Some customers found the device tricky to manage due to a shorter charging cable. Six percent of all reviews are rated at 1 star on Amazon. Some customers felt the need to buy an extension cord separately to accommodate for the shorter cable.

The JuiceBox 40 electric vehicle charging station is an ideal product if you are looking for a durable smart charger. The charging station has LED lights to show charging status. If you have a strong WiFi connection or a router near your charging station, this is the best smart charger you could purchase. It charges fast and tracks every update through your personal phone or device, including your Amazon Alexa.

The JuiceBox EV charging station comes with a 25.0-foot cable making it accessible if installed inside or outside your home. With a maximum current of 40.0 amperage, this is a powerful and smart charging station that beats public charging stations any day.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $650
• Three-year limited warranty for normal residential use
• J1772 charging plug 
• Built-in cable rack and security lock
• Energy Star certified

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.2 out of 5 based on over 970 reviews

The majority of customers seem incredibly pleased with the fast charging speed and easy cable management, even though the cable size is longer than most EV chargers. 

The JuiceBox charging station is known for being a smart charger, though some customers have had configuration issues. Six percent of reviews on Amazon are 1-star ratings. The major issue mentioned in these reviews is WiFi failing to connect to the JuiceNet app, though customers shared that with a strong WiFi router, no issues occurred.

The Pulsar Plus is a great option for a smaller garage or outdoor installation. It is a powerful charger in a small device. The compact wall mount box makes it great for EV owners living in apartment complexes or townhomes, once approved by your local HOA. The smart charger features, with Bluetooth and voice control included, add to the desirability of the product for many potential buyers.

With up to 48.0 amps of power, this smart charger is paired with the myWallbox app to monitor charging speed and create specific charging times if desired. Voice control through either Amazon Alexa or Google Home can be enabled through either Bluetooth^® or WiFi.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $700
• Power Sharing means you can safely charge multiple electric vehicles at one time
• UL-certified and OCPP enabled
• Eco-Smart mode to connect your smart EV charger to your rooftop solar energy system for 100-percent green power
• Power Boost can manage electricity supply across multiple home appliances
• SAE J1772 connector

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.4 out of 5 based on over 160 reviews

Many Amazon customers are pleased with the easy installation and clear instructions to make the first charging process run smoothly. Customers share that it took as little as 15 minutes to get the device installed and charging with no issues.

Other customers had issues with connecting the device to WiFi, requiring unplanned software updates. Three percent of customer reviews rated the product 1 star. Some complain that a Tesla wall connector isn’t included. There appeared to be other app issues with charging schedule malfunctions occurring, causing the charger not to run overnight. The Bluetooth option available with Pulsar Plus may be a positive solution to the WiFi issues that some buyers have experienced.

The ChargePoint Home Flex is great when looking for something that can charge your electric vehicle fast. An easy installation makes it a quick job for an electrician, and the smart features add to the desirability of purchasing the product as a buyer. It’s a great option for daily commuters or busy drivers who need a quick and reliable way to charge their electric vehicles.

With the ChargePoint^® app, you can schedule specific charging times, set reminders, and see all your charging data history. Notifications can be received through both your personal device or Alexa using voice control.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $750
• UL Safety-certified and Energy Star-certified
• Universal J1772 connector included
• Add up to 37.0 miles of range per hour

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 3,400 reviews

Customers appear incredibly pleased with the ChargePoint EV charger. Customers appreciate how quickly the device charges their EV and the convenience of being able to check the charging status from their mobile device.

Some customers are frustrated with WiFi connectivity, similar to the JuiceBox 40 and Pulsar Plus EV chargers. Of the reviews on Amazon, four percent of customers who review the product give a 1-star rating. Customers complain that WiFi connectivity cut out about a month after purchasing and setting up the device. This appeared to be an easy fix when the customer’s WiFi router was moved closer to the central location of the ChargePoint charger.

Most Portable

4/5

ShockFlo Amazon

The ShockFlo® G1 Level 2 EV Charger is a 2-in-1 charger, meaning it can be used as a portable mobile charging device or a wall-mounted at-home charger.  With a NEMA 14-50 plug and 240V charging, this charger can add 36.0 miles to your car per hour, making it much faster than many standard chargers. 

ShockFlo is an expert in the EV industry, developing products specifically for electric vehicles, including charging stations and adapters. This charger is compatible with all plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles while meeting J1772 standards and essential safety expectations including waterproofing and over-charge protection.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $350
• Three-year limited warranty
• IP67 Waterproof
• Dustproof and impact-resistant
• Adjustable current between 16.0 and 40.0 amps
• Operating temperatures of -22.0 to 122.0 degrees Fahrenheit

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 20 ratings

While there are only a handful of reviews on this product, buyers seem overall satisfied with their purchase of the ShockFlo EV charger. Reviewers highlight this charger’s plug-and-play convenience, making installation and use easy and reliable.

A few negative reviews revolve around safety concerns. Buyers noted that the manufacturer site doesn’t clarify if the product has been UL certified, making them wary of using this product and mounting it in their home garage. However, buyers don’t report any safety-related issues, and this charger does have multiple safety features including voltage and current protection.

Ultimately, the home EV charger you choose will depend really on how much you drive. Most chargers offer enough power to charge a vehicle overnight during off-peak hours, and it is unlikely your regular commute will extend past your vehicle’s range.

Fast chargers are nice to have, but if the speed of your charging session isn’t a priority, pick a home EV charger with plenty of mobile connectivity and safety features. However, you won’t want to have to deal with hour after hour of charging.

Home EV Chargers At A Glance

*Data accurate at time of publication.