Best Home EV Charger: Top 5 Picks For 2023
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular as a more eco-friendly and cost-effective mode of transportation. With this shift towards electrification, the need for efficient and convenient home charging solutions has risen. Home EV chargers are designed to recharge your electric car’s battery more quickly and conveniently than a traditional power outlet, making them an essential tool for EV owners.
The market is filled with a variety of home EV chargers, which can make it challenging to determine which one best suits your specific needs. Some key factors to consider when purchasing a home EV charger include the charging power, compatibility with your vehicle, installation options, and smart features. The charging power affects how quickly your EV can be fully charged, while compatibility ensures the selected charger works seamlessly with your vehicle. Additionally, easy installation and smart features, such as scheduling and energy monitoring, help create a smooth user experience.
To help you find the most efficient and user-friendly home EV charger, we have dedicated countless hours to researching and testing various devices. We scrutinized the market offerings with a keen focus on performance, installation ease, durability, compatibility, and functionality. Keeping the diverse needs of EV owners in mind, we have hand-picked the top products to ensure you can make an informed decision.
Join us in exploring the best home EV chargers that will make charging your electric vehicle hassle-free, allowing you to hit the road sooner and with confidence.
Best Home EV Chargers
We have compiled a list of the best home EV chargers for your convenience. These products are selected based on performance, efficiency, and user satisfaction to help you make the best choice for your electric vehicle charging needs.
1. PRIMECOM 50 Amp Level-2 EV Wall Charger Station
This charger offers adjustable amperage and compatibility with a wide range of EVs, making it a solid choice for home charging.
Pros
- Adjustable amperage up to 50 Amps for faster charging
- Compatible with various EV brands including Tesla (with an adapter)
- Weatherproof with an IP56 rating for outdoor use
Cons
- Heavier weight at 33 pounds
- Some users reported malfunctioning units
- Might require professional installation
After using the PRIMECOM 50 Amp Level-2 EV Wall Charger Station, we appreciated the front button selection that allows us to easily adjust the amperage ranging from 12 to 50 Amps. This feature enables up to 12 kWh of power, providing faster charging compared to the standard 110V charger.
We also found the intelligent chip to be helpful in automatically providing the requested amperage for our EV. The charger is compatible with a wide range of car brands, including Tesla. However, charging a Tesla requires the use of a J1772 to UMC adapter, which comes with every new Tesla.
The charger’s weatherproof design is convenient for outdoor use. It has an IP56 rating, making it safe from water and dust. However, we noticed that the unit is relatively heavy, weighing 33 pounds. This might make installation more challenging, potentially necessitating a professional installation.
The PRIMECOM 50 Amp Level-2 EV Wall Charger Station also includes a display screen that shows real-time data such as charging amperage, voltage, total kilowatt consumption, and temperature. In our experience, this information was useful for monitoring the charging process.
Despite its benefits, we did come across users who had to exchange their chargers due to malfunctions. If you’re considering purchasing this charger, keep in mind that there may be a chance that you receive a faulty unit. However, we found that PRIMECOM’s customer service was responsive, helping those who faced issues with their chargers.
2. DEWALT Electric Vehicle Level 2 EV Charger
The DEWALT Electric Vehicle Level 2 EV Charger is a reliable and durable option for those looking to power up their electric vehicles at home.
Pros
- Fast and adjustable charging
- User-friendly app with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi control
- Durable construction with protective cage
Cons
- Tesla adapter sold separately
- 25 ft. cable length may not suit everyone
- Pricey for some budgets
We recently had the opportunity to experience the DEWALT Electric Vehicle Level 2 EV Charger. The fast and reliable power it provides is made even better with its user-friendly app, which allows for real-time monitoring and controlling of charging sessions. With adjustable power settings ranging from 12 to 40 Amps, the charger is compatible with all SAE J1772 electric vehicles, although a separate adapter is required for Teslas.
The DEWALT EV Charger is built for durability, featuring a heavy-duty protective cage that keeps it safe from scratches and dents. The charging gun’s rubber anti-slip grip is a thoughtful addition, making charging a comfortable experience even in environments that may be less than ideal.
In terms of safety, the charger is certified for both indoor and outdoor use, with an IP66 waterproof rating. Additionally, numerous safety features protect your vehicle from overvoltage, overcurrent, overheat, and overcharge, among other potential hazards.
Installation and support for this EV charger are substantial. It includes a wall-mounted bracket and hardware, and a national installation service is available through a partnership with Qmerit. The manufacturer stands by the product with a 3-year limited warranty and 24/7 technical customer support.
In conclusion, the DEWALT Electric Vehicle Level 2 EV Charger offers a powerful, durable and safe solution for EV owners looking to charge their vehicles at home. However, it may not be the best fit for those with a Tesla or who require a longer cable.
3. Leviton Level 2 Smart EV Charger With Wi-Fi
We highly recommend the Leviton Level 2 Smart EV Charger for its excellent performance, convenience, and integration with other smart devices.
Pros
- Swift and powerful charging
- Wi-Fi enabled for ease of control
- Indoor and outdoor installation capability
Cons
- Requires a 60 Amp breaker for installation
- Hardwired, not portable
- Access control (RFID) optional and not built-in
We recently installed the Leviton Level 2 Smart Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger in our garage and have found it to be an excellent device for charging our electric car. The 48 Amp output and 11.6 kW power ensure a fast and efficient charging experience for any electric vehicle.
The integration with the My Leviton App via Wi-Fi makes it incredibly convenient to monitor and control the charging station from anywhere. Additionally, the Leviton brand is reliable and trusted, giving us peace of mind when it comes to safety and quality.
The charger is designed to be installed indoors or outdoors, thanks to its water-resistant NEMA Type 3R enclosure and freeze-resistant cable. However, note that the installation may require a 60 Amp breaker and a dedicated hardwiring. This might not be suitable for those looking for portable EV charging options or needing an easy plug-in setup.
While the device does not offer built-in RFID access control, it can be activated using the ADMIN card provided for those who want to limit access to the charging station.
In conclusion, the Leviton Level 2 Smart EV Charger is an excellent choice for those looking for a powerful, reliable, and easy-to-use home EV charging solution. Despite certain installation requirements, its excellent features and compatibility with other Leviton smart devices make it worth your consideration.
4. Autel MaxiCharger Home Smart EV Charger
The Autel MaxiCharger Home Smart Electric Vehicle Charger is an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their EV charging experience with its fast charging, smart technology, and durable design.
Pros
- Rapid Level 2 EV charging
- Smart mobile app for management and optimization
- Durable with indoor/outdoor capabilities
Cons
- Might require a licensed electrician for installation
- RFID cards for security could be an extra step for some users
- Connectivity relies on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet
After using the Autel MaxiCharger Home Smart EV Charger, we were able to charge our EV up to 9x faster than a Level 1 charger, thanks to its powerful 240 Volt output. The adjustable amperage (6-50 amps) allowed us to choose the charging speed that best suited our needs. The charger’s Level 2 capabilities are a major benefit when daily charging is required.
Using the Autel Charge mobile app, we could easily track, manage, and schedule our charging sessions. The app also encouraged us to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates, saving us money in the long run. We appreciated the efficient connectivity options, which included Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet, as these ensured automatic firmware updates and seamless communication with our mobile devices.
The MaxiCharger’s durable construction and high-grade materials provided maximum weather resistance, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor usage. We also felt secure knowing that the charger had a NEMA 4 protection rating and was certified by CSA testing labs. The additional RFID card functionality helps prevent unauthorized usage of the charger.
Although the installation may require a licensed electrician, the Autel MaxiCharger is backed by a 3-year warranty, automatic updates, and 24/7 support from Autel’s customer service team. This level of support ensured a smooth and effortless onboarding and charging experience.
In conclusion, the Autel MaxiCharger Home Smart Electric Vehicle Charger offers fast, convenient, and reliable charging for your EV. Its smart technology and durable design make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking an easier and more efficient charging experience.
5. TURNONGREEN EV700 Level 2 Charger
This TURNONGREEN EV700 Level 2 charger is a must-have for any EV owner, offering fast charging, easy installation, and exceptional compatibility.
Pros
- Fast charging and high performance
- Smart charging with mobile app
- Easy installation for indoor or outdoor use
Cons
- Bluetooth range is limited
- App connection issues for some users
- Minor packaging issues causing scratches
We recently used the TURNONGREEN EV700 Level 2 charger for charging our electric vehicle, and it has proven to be a fantastic investment. In just 6-8 hours, we’ve added 180-200 miles of driving range, thanks to the charger’s ability to provide up to 32 Amps of power. This has allowed us to charge our EV up to 6 times faster than standard Level 1 charging cables.
One of the standout features of this charger is the EV700 app, available for both iOS and Android devices. With the app, we were able to create charging schedules, monitor our battery status, control the start and stop of charging, and adjust power output to fit our home’s electrical capacity. This has enabled us to save money by charging during off-peak utility hours. The user-friendly touchscreen LED indicator on the charger also ensured a seamless charging experience.
The TURNONGREEN EV700 charger’s easy installation for both indoor and outdoor usage is another feature we appreciated. It came pre-assembled, and all we needed was a 240V, NEMA 6-50 outlet for installation. The adjustable power setting from 6A up to 32A provided flexibility when our home’s power supply was limited, avoiding costly electrical upgrades. The charger’s compatibility with most EV models, including Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Kona, Nissan LEAF, and Tesla (with a separate adapter), is also noteworthy.
However, we did encounter some issues with the charger. The Bluetooth range was relatively limited, and some of us faced connection issues with the app. Additionally, a few instances of packaging issues led to scratches on the charger. Despite these drawbacks, the TURNONGREEN EV700 Level 2 charger remains a solid choice for EV owners seeking fast, efficient, and user-friendly home charging solutions.
Buying Guide
When looking for the best home EV charger, several factors need to be considered to ensure we make the right choice. Let’s discuss some key aspects to focus on when buying a charger for our electric vehicle.
Charging Power
One of the most important factors is the charger’s power output, typically measured in kilowatts (kW). The higher the charger’s power, the faster it can charge our vehicle. We must verify that our vehicle’s maximum charging rate is compatible with the charger we’re considering. For optimal charging time, select a charger that can provide the maximum power our car can safely handle.
Connector Type
Different electric vehicles have different charging connectors. It’s essential to choose a charger that is compatible with our EV’s specific connector. Common connector types include Type 1 (J1772), Type 2 (Mennekes), and CCS (Combined Charging System). We must familiarize ourselves with our vehicle’s connector type and ensure the charger we select is compatible.
Smart Features
The incorporation of smart features in a charger can be a significant advantage. These features can include Wi-Fi connectivity, integration with smart home systems, and remote monitoring and control through mobile applications. With these features, we can optimize our charging schedule according to electricity rates, monitor the charging progress, and ultimately save on energy costs.
Installation Requirements
Before purchasing a charger, evaluate the installation requirements and any associated costs. Most chargers will need a dedicated circuit and may require a professional electrician to ensure proper installation. Additionally, it’s vital to make sure our home’s electrical panel can handle the added load. Check with an electrician to determine the necessary permits and ensure compliance with local regulations.
Warranty and Support
Lastly, consider the manufacturer’s warranty and support services when choosing a charger. A reliable manufacturer with quality customer service should be able to assist with any inquiries or issues that may arise with the product. A comprehensive warranty is a strong indication of the manufacturer’s confidence in the product’s quality and longevity.
