Changes in our ecosystem and the advancement of power technology prompt people to explore new ways of electrification in various areas, including transportation. Electric vehicles are known to us from the past, as the first EV dates back late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, high cost, low speed and short range didn’t put electric cars ahead of combustion engine growth at that time. Consequently, the vehicles powered by internal combustion engines gained dominance in the auto market for over a century. Nowadays, the technological progress of power electronics and lithium-ion batteries fueled by the urgency to battle climate change have stimulated humanity to pull back covered in dust EV schematics and reconsider its global implementation.
The need for charging infrastructure has become increasingly noticeable with a growing number of EVs. While ICE vehicles use public gas stations for refuelling, EV recharging is shifting to homes, high-rise buildings and offices. The places of residency have become the primary recharging spots for electric car owners.
The existing charging power stations provide various charging rates. For clarity, the industry has divided the charging infrastructure into three categories: level 1, level 2 and level 3/DCFC. In this review, we will mainly focus on the level 2 home EV chargers as they become a typical electronic device in each household. Level 1 charger provides a slow charging speed that most EV owners find inconvenient. However, it is widely accessible and doesn’t require a high-power outlet/circuit since it can use the regular 120VAC socket. As for the level 3 charger or DCFC, it’s just inappropriate for home applications considering that it requires high-power infrastructure.
What is home EV charger and how it works
One may wonder, what is a charger and its role in the EV industry drama? It is an excellent question. In general, you might come across the following terms such as EV connectors, EV stations, car chargers, etc. However, the industry’s academic abbreviation is “EVSE”, which stands for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment.
In essence, EV charger manages the incoming power flow from the grid forwarded for recharging the car batteries. The batteries are comprised of lithium-ion cells arranged in a specific series/parallel configuration to form the high voltage DC power system. This complex battery bank does require a special charging algorithm as the charging rates vary based on the battery state of charge (SOC). The device named battery management system (BMS) takes care of the battery health while a station ensures reliable pass through of power from a central grid. In other words, the EV charger is not a charger but rather a smart outlet that lets energy to flow into the car based on its communication with the BMS. A successful negotiation of the two sides (charger and BMS) leads to “handshake” between vehicle and grid, followed by a charging session.
We’ve selected six charging stations ranging in price from $300 to $1200, each compatible with any electric vehicle available today, including Tesla. Most of them contain Wifi connectivity to work with a proprietary app for charging activation, monitoring and notifications. They also differ in other attributes, such as cable length, max power output or by grid connection type.
Our Top Pick EV chargers for home
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| Autel | JuiceBox | EVoCharge |
| 50 Amp | 12 kW Charging speed: 60 km / 37 miles per hour | 32 Amp | 7.6 kW Charging speed: 38 km / 24 miles per hour | 32 Amp | 7.6 kW Charging speed: 38 km / 24 miles per hour |
| 25-foot cable | 25-foot cable | 18-foot | 25-foot cable |
| Activation via Autel Charge App | Activation via JuiceNet App | Plug-and-charge |
| 3-years warranty | 3-years warranty | 3-years warranty |
| 7.36 x 13.23 x 3.35 in | 23.4 x 15 x 10.5 in | 11 x 7.5 x 3.2 in |
| Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon |
  |   |   |
| Grizzl-E | ChargePoint | MUSTART |
| 40 Amp | 9.6 kW Charging speed: 50 km / 31 miles per hour | 50 Amp | 12 kW Charging speed: 60 km / 37 miles per hour | 40 Amp | 9.6 kW Charging speed: 50 km / 31 miles per hour |
| 24-foot cable | 23-foot cable | 25-foot cable |
| Plug-and-charge | Activation via ChargePoint App | Plug-and-charge |
| 5-years warranty | 3-years warranty | 2-years warranty |
| 17.17 x 12.72 x 10.94 in | 11.9 x 7.06 x 5.2 in | Weight 13 lbs |
| Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon |
Charging speed
The most common question is how fast a level 2 EV station can recharge an electric vehicle. Well, majority of online searches on this topic provide a vague number. Most residential Level 2 chargers are hooked up to a 240VAC electrical panel running off a 40A two-pole breaker. The actual size of a charger, when connected to the 40A breaker, is 32A. It is the most prevailing level 2 EV station with a total power output equaling 240V*32A=7.6kW. All EVs come with an onboard AC-to-DC charger that usually can accept up to 7.6kW of power and sometimes even more. The efficiency of electric vehicles is approximately 20kWh/100km of energy per driving range. Furthermore, to offset a 100 km driving distance, the 7.6kW charger would take about 20kWh/7.6kW = 2.6 hours of charging. Hence, a typical level 2 unit supplies around 38km or 23 miles of range in an hour of charging.
How to use a home charging station
In general, most home EV chargers operate in a plug-and-charge mode. It is pretty straightforward. The charging session starts after the connector is in the car port. Another way of kicking in a charger is by using a mobile app. This tool gives you more insights into the charging process, collect historical data of all transactions, get important notifications, and remotely start or stop the charger. While using the mobile app, in addition to plugging in the connector, you will need to press “Start charger” on the user page. The app’s downside might be the Bluetooth connection between the phone and the charger.
EV connectors
Initially, cell phone brands offered proprietary connectors that could charge their phones only. It was very inconvenient for users as they couldn’t use someone else charging cable if the mobile device was different. After some time, it was apparent that standardization was needed. Nowadays, the mobile charging unification process is still in progress, and most users primarily utilize two connectors: micro-USB for Androids or lightning ports for Apple mobile phones. Likewise, the EV charging industry required a standard charging connector. Nevertheless, the SAE J1772 and Tesla connectors are the two most common types, with non-Tesla automakers widely implementing the J1772 for level 1 or level 2 charging. And just recently, Tesla disclosed its connector design to the public. .
Top Pick Autel
  | Autel MaxiCharger Home Smart EV Charger Output capacity: 12kW (50Ax240V) Communication feature: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Enabled Cord length: 25 feet Electrical connection: hardwired, NEMA 14-50P plug Check on Amazon | ||
Pros  Great and modern design, high power output , easy installation and setup, build-in holster, a user friendly app | Cons  Wifi connection can be unstable |
Autel charger has recently appeared in the market and has already gained the best 2022 charger design award. The appealing and clean design stands out among its counterparts. In addition, an affordable price and intelligent features put this model in our “Top Pick” selection rating. It was hard to find a negative review while browsing through the customer product comments online, which proves a decent built quality and easy-to-follow operation. The price stands on the lower end as per the power output it can supply. The amperage output has a multi-selection throttling setting which can go as low as 6 Amps and up to 48 Amps. The Autel mobile app contains user-friendly features and valuable information.
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Similarly to other EV apps, the Autel app provides informative data for tracking a charging session. In addition, a charger can be shared with others making them pay for the used electricity. The unique attributes, reasonable cost and extensive up-to-date database make this brand worth to consider.
JuiceBox
  | JuiceBox 32 Smart EV charger Output capacity: 7.6kW (32Ax240V) Communication feature: Wi-Fi Enabled Cord length: 25 feet Electrical connection: hardwired or 14-50 NEMA plug Check on Amazon | ||
Pros Remote charging session tracking, different amperage output | Cons Price is on a higher end, no energy cost tracking |
Just like any other app-based charger, JuiceBox provides a comprehensive view into a charging session, its history and remote control. The model is a bit cheaper than Autel, however, the output tops at 7.6kW instead of the 12kW offered by Autel. It also supports multi-amperage output levels. The unit comes with an integrated cable holster that helps keep the charging cable off the floor. The NEMA 14-50 requires 4 conductors including neutral as per the installation manual. To change the charging rate, a user should go to Settings > Device Settings > Charging Maximum Rate (A) and then click “Save”. It is a product of the US and manufactured by Enel X.
EVoCharge
  | EVoCharge Level 2 EV charger Output capacity: 7.6kW (32Ax240V) Communication feature: Wi-Fi and non Wi-Fi option Cord length: 18 or 25 feet Electrical connection: hardwired or NEMA 6-50 plug Check on Amazon | ||
Pros Easy installation, reasonable price, plug-and-charge no app is required | Cons Average power output |
Unlike the chargers above, EVoCharge has a non-app unit, meaning charging begins as soon as the connector goes into an electric vehicle. The EVoChrge unit is one of the most straightforward home EV chargers available on the market. The built-in multi-colour LED light is the only way to understand the charger state. For example, when flashing blue, it symbolizes the charging is in progress. The green LED should lit up when station is an idle mode. The charger comes with the standard J1772 connected that is compatible with any available EV . The cable holster included with the charger, is not part of the unit enclosure. It should be mounted close to the charger.
Regarding electrical installation, the station should be installed on 40-, 30- or 20-Amp breakers at 240V, so 32, 24 or 16 Amps would be the maximum draw according to the electrical code. The inside dip switch must be positioned appropriately to match the needed output power. The NEMA 6-50 requires three conductors and doesn’t need neutral.
Grizzl-E
  | Girzzl-E Level 2 EV charger Output capacity: 9.6kW (40Ax240V) Communication feature: no Wi-Fi Cord length: 24 feet Electrical connection: NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50 plug Check on Amazon | ||
Pros Easy installation, low cost, plug-and-charge activation | Cons No remote monitoring |
Similarly to the EVoCharge unit, Grizzl-E doesn’t require any app to get a station running. It operates as a plug-and-charge. Wherefore, be aware when installing the charger outdoors, as anyone plugs in will get free energy pumped out of your house. The 40A power output makes this charger capable of delivering 9.6kW of charge or 50km/31 miles in an hour of charging. It can come with either NEMA 6-50 or NEMA 14-50 plugs. As with any other home EV charger, it has adjustable amperage dial: 40A, 32A, 24A, and 16A. It can be done by toggling the DIP switch under the front cover. Also, it has a built-in GFCI and a durable outdoor design able to withstand the harshest environment. Not a surprise, as it’s manufactured in Canada. It’s compatible with any EV present on the market and should be working with any OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) provider.
ChargePoint
  | ChargePoint Home Flex EV charger Output capacity: 12kW (50Ax240V) Communication feature: Wi-Fi Enabled Cord length: 23 feet Electrical connection: hardwired, NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50 plug Check on Amazon | ||
Pros Reputable brand, ENERGY STAR rated, high power output | Cons Not cheap, app is lacking some features |
ChargePoint is one of the largest EV network operators, with thousands of connectors deployed globally. It was one of the first pioneers in the emerging industry around 15 years ago. Its home EV charger division has an EV model that looks different than its public unit. Home Flex unit shares the same app as its commercial line charger. Therefore, many similar features are shown on the Home Flex app, which only applies to commercial applications. Users find it unnecessary and confusing. The unit provides adjustable amperage settings of 16/24/32/40/48/50 Amps. The small charger footprint and futuristic design stand out among the other brands. The unit is also compatible with Alexa; consequently, charging should start with a voice command, which is kinda neat.
Mustart
  | Mustart Level 2 Portable EV charger Output capacity: 9.6kW (40Ax240V) Communication feature: non Wi-Fi Cord length: 25 feet Electrical connection: NEMA 14-50P plug Check on Amazon | ||
Pros No need to install, portable and easy to use, not expensive | Cons no remote monitoring, just another cable on the floor |
The Mustart charger is a simple charging cable with a little LCD display and a J1772 plug. It doesn’t require an app, as it operates in a plug-and-charge mode. The multiple-use plug provides the unit with different ways to charge your EV while on the road. It has solid built quality and straightforward operations. The unit gives a steady long duration charge without overheating. While not UL listed, the Mustart has the “Safety approved” logo on the unit, which affords some peace of mind about its quality and operational safety.
What do I need for installation?
When purchasing an electric vehicle, many individuals prefer to charge their cars overnight for convenience. The most efficient and cost-effective method is to install a high-powered 240V outlet in your garage. It is important to note that a NEMA plug should be used with 40A chargers and units such as the 50A Autel or ChargePoint should be hardwired to the electrical panel. If the station is located more than 3 ft from the panel, an external disconnect switch is required. It is important to consult the local electrical code for specific guidelines. Most home EV chargers come with a pre-installed NEMA 14-50P or NEMA 6-50P connector which requires an appropriate 240V NEMA outlet, respectively. The main difference between the NEMA 6 and 14 is that the NEMA 6 has two hot legs and a ground (no neutral) and the NEMA 14 requires four wires (2 hot legs, ground and neutral).
List of Materials needed for installing NEMA outlet
  | EATON 14-50 Receptacle Certification: UL Included Components: Mounting screws Mounting Type: Ceiling Mount Check on Amazon | |||
  | Carlon B234ADJ Outlet Box Material: PVC Installation Method: Freestanding Size: 3-5/8-Inch Length: 5-5/8-Inch Width: 3-Inch Depth Check on Amazon | |||
  | Leviton 80530-W 2-Gang Flush Mount Installation Method: Screw-In Finish: White Check on Amazon | |||
  | Magnetic Circuit Breaker, 120/240 VAC 50A 2 Poles Mounting Type: Plug-In Mount Current Rating: 50.0A Voltage: 240V Check on Amazon | |||
  | 6-12 AWG Wire Stripper/Cutter Brand: Southwire Material: Stainless Steel Check on Amazon | |||
  | DWALE Liquid-Tight Conduit Material: Non-Metal PVC Color: Grey Length: 25ft, 50ft and 100ft Check on Amazon | |||
  | 6 Gauge THHN Wire Stranded Material: Copper Length: 25ft each Color: Red, Black, White and Green Check on Amazon |
To make it easy, we suggest installing a NEMA 14-50 outlet as it works for both types of charging connectors. It’s best to hire a certified electrician for safety and to protect your property. If you prefer to do it yourself, make sure you have enough electrical service, space in your panel for a breaker, the right charger and materials, and that it follows local codes and passes inspection if necessary.