by Joshua Thomas
One of the most important accessories for an electric vehicle is the EV charger. Of course, most electric vehicles ship with an OEM EV charger. However, it is usually quite basic and not as sophisticated as an aftermarket model.
Indeed, the aftermarket EV charger has many advanced technologies that make it extremely easy to use as well as highly efficient when charging your vehicle. You don't have to worry about overcharging or overheating with this type of charger.
In addition, most top-rated EV chargers you will find in this review provide you with the possibility to remotely monitor the charging process of your vehicle.
Contents
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. JuiceBox Pro 40 (Best Overall) |
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 | 2. Zencar Portable EV Charger |
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 | 3. ChargePoint CPH25-P |
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 | 4. Mustart MU-P |
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 | 5. Leviton EVR40-B25 |
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 | 6. Siemens US2 VC30GRYHW |
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 | 7. Bosch Automotive EL-51254-A |
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What makes the JuiceBox Pro 40 such an interesting model in this EV charger review is its high performance of 40 A. Since this is a level 2 charger, it can safely output 10 kW of power that will allow it to charge your vehicle fast and easily.
Best, you can purchase this EV charger in different styles as well as capacities if 40 A is too high for your need. You get all cable management systems with this EV charger and installation itself is quite easy to perform.
You get 24 feet of cable with this purchase which is quite long. It will allow you to charge your vehicle at a distance from the charging cradle.
Moreover, this model is very versatile and can be connected to any power source socket in the home. Although, you must ensure that your circuit breakers, as well as wires, are able to support at least 50 A of electricity for safety reasons.
The only problem we see with this EV charger is that the smartphone app is quite basic. Also, many people have complained that the Wi-Fi connection is sometimes interrupted for no reason.
Pros
Cons
The Zencar demarks itself from the rest of the pack by its simplicity. There is no complex parts or installation procedures with this EV charger. It is incredibly easy to use by anyone, and it is one of the best home EV chargers on the market when taking into account its very affordable price.
There are informative LED lights on this charger that will inform you of the charging process at any time. Since this is a level 1 EV charger, it will not overheat and very safe to use. And in case you find that the socket plug of this charger is incompatible with your home electric socket, you can choose your outlet connector during purchase.
And since the cord length is 25 feet, it has a long reach so you can place your electric vehicle at a distance from the outlet. You can safely charge your vehicle in humid areas because this model is IP55, so it is waterproof. Moreover, for added safety, it has overvoltage protection as well as flame-resistant during a fire.
The only problems with this charger are that a few customers have noted that this model stops charging at random times. Also, since this is a level 1 charger, it will not charge your EV fast. So, this is not the charger for those who need to charge their electric vehicle quickly.
Pros
Cons
According to the manufacturer, the ChargePoint CPH25-P is a universal charger will charge your electric vehicle up to 6 times faster when compared to a standard charger. This is the type of OEM charger that you normally get when you purchase and even vehicle.
The installation of this EV charger is very easy to do, and you get all installation accessories out-of-the-box. The handle of the charger is quite ergonomic and comfortable to hold. You get clear indication lights that will inform you about the various parts of the charging process.
Since this is a smart charger, you can charge it remotely by using a smartphone or any other smart home devices like Amazon Alexa to control it. The smartphone application of this charger is aesthetically pleasing and feature-rich. Moreover, you can schedule a charting time using the application, which makes it very handy to use.
Just make sure that the handle is locked securely in the cradle because it is not the most secure locking mechanism we have seen.
Pros
Cons
The Mustart MU-P is a highly portable EV charger. Out of the box, you get all installation accessories, including brackets and cables with this purchase. Also, since it has a power output of 40 A, this model is high performing and will be able to charge your vehicle quite fast.
In addition, with its cord length of 25 feet, you can charge your vehicle at a distance from your power outlet. You can connect this model to any power outlet in the home, provided that it has sufficient amperage.
But what we also like about this EV charger is that there is an informative LCD display right on the charger itself. Added to that fact, you will also find 3 colored lights that will show you if the unit is powered, charging, or faulty. In fact, this model can display everything about the charging process in great detail.
The only real caveat we have with this product is that it is not built for durability. We don't recommend it for heavy-duty use. But for casual charging in your home, this model is excellent and one of the best home charging stations that you can grab.
Pros
Cons
The Leviton EVR40-B25 is a unique EV charger in this review. While other models will immediately switch off in case of a power failure, this model will do the contrary. Indeed, it is equipped with a special feature called auto-reclosure that will automatically restart the charging process without any interruption.
Moreover, it has a superior power output of 40 A, which will allow it to charge your vehicle quite fast. It can deliver 9.6 kW of power which is not the highest we have seen, but a respectable value for a level 2 EV charger. You just need to ensure that your breaker is at least 50 A to operate this EV charger safely.
In addition, talking about safety, there are many safety features in this EV charger like overvoltage and overcharging protection.
The only problem with this model is its price, which is a little bit high. However, considering its rich set of features and high performance of 40 A, this model is definitely one of the best EV Chargers that you can get.
Pros
Cons
The Siemens US2 is a hardwired EV charger that can be used everywhere. Indeed, with its temperature resistance of -30 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius, it is versatile and can be used in any type of environment. It also has excellent resistance to humidity so it can be used outdoors or in humid environments.
The power output of 30 amps is not spectacular for a level 2 EV charger, but still decent. As it will be able to charge your vehicle up to 4X faster when compared to a level I model.
In addition, the build construction is also very good, and it will last a long time as it is durable. You also have the possibility to make multiple adjustments, including time delays to this EV charger. You make all those adjustments right at the front of the unit, so it is easy to use.
As far as we see it, the only real issue with this EV charger is its short length of 14 feet. It is an excellent choice only for those who don't need to charge their EV at long distances from the cradle.
Pros
Cons
Bosch makes very high-quality accessories. This EV charger by Bosch is a great example of that fact. Even if it is pricier than other models, it has a superior build quality. This makes it durable and long-lasting. Moreover, it also looks aesthetically pleasing as well as modern.
With its power output of 30 A and level 2, this model is no slouch as it will be able to charge your electric vehicle quite fast. The handle is long and quite ergonomic. You will have no difficulty holding it or removing it from the cradle.
The installation process is equally easy, and you get all installation accessories out-of-the-box. Right at the front of this EV charger, you will find a start and stop button that you can also use as an emergency button. When not in use, you can fully turn off this EV charger which will not consume any electricity.
This is a simple feature, but many manufacturers of EV Chargers simply do not provide you with this possibility, which is a shame.
All in all, if the price is not an issue and you need a hardwired model with the superior build quality, then this model is definitely one of the best level 2 EV chargers that you can get.
Pros
Cons
As its name suggests, the power output is simply how much power the EV charger is able to send to your vehicle. Of course, the higher the output, the faster you can assume the charging process to be.
In general, most reputable models can fully charge your EV in around 4 to 6 hours because they have a high-power output (high level) when compared to other models.
You can expect your average EV charger to have a power output ranging anywhere from 15 A to 32 A.
The charger level is basically a standard that shows you how much power output the EV charger has.
A level I EV charger will be able to output a maximum of 1.4 kW or 20 A of power. With this type of power output, this EV charger will be able to fully charge an electric vehicle in around 17 to 25 hours.
One of the main advantages of the level I EV charger is that since its charges the battery slowly, the charging process is safer and there is no overheating or overcharge that can happen.
On the other hand, a level 2 EV charger charges much faster because it can output more power. A typical level 2 EV charger will output anywhere from 6.2 to 7.6 kilowatts of power.
So, it can charge your EV very fast, and it usually takes around 4 to 5 hours to fully charge a vehicle with a level 2 model. It also adds 25 miles of range per hour extra when compared to a level 1 charger.
All in all, the level 2 EV charger is the superior type, and as far as possible, we recommend you go with a level 2 model.
The hardwired EV charger is a fixed charger that is permanently connected to an electric supply. You cannot move it around, and it lacks the versatility of a plug-in model. However, the hardwired EV charger is usually more heavy-duty and can carry more amps than the latter.
With the plug-in model, you can connect it to any power supply you want, which makes it highly portable. Furthermore, the installation of the plug-in EV charger is cheaper, and in case you need repairs done, you can simply remove the plug-in charger and ship it.
Indeed, the plug-in charger has more advantages than the hardwired EV charger, especially when it comes to portability and versatility.
Most manufacturers ship their EV chargers with a cord length of at least 10 feet. The cord length will dictate how long you can charge your vehicle from the charger. Of course, the longer the cord length, the better because it will be able to reach longer distances.
However, it usually costs more, and if you don't need a long cord length, then you can save some money by choosing a model that is delivered with a short cord length.
One of the many advantages of the EV charger is that it allows you to control the charger at a distance. It does so by using Wi-Fi for the long-distance connection.
You can use a smartphone equipped with an application to control the charger. If this is a feature that is appealing to you, then go with a model that offers you Wi-Fi connectivity and long-distance control. Not all models have this functionality.
ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger, 16 to 50 Amp, 240V, Level 2 WiFi - Walmart Link
Grizzl-E Level 2 EV Charger, 16/24/32/40 Amp, Indoor/Outdoor Car Charging Station (NEMA - Walmart Link
Pulsar Plus Level 2 Electric Vehicle Smart Charger - 40 Amp NEMA Ultra Compact, WiFi, - Walmart Link
JuiceBox 40 Smart Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station with WiFi - 40 amp Level 2 EVSE, - Walmart Link
EVoCharge EVSE, Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station with 18 ft Cable, 240V 32A, UL - Walmart Link
LEFANEV 40A EV Charger Level 2 Station, Wall Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station - Walmart Link
Amazon Basics Electric Vehicle (EV) Level 2 Charging Station, 32 Amp - 18 feet - Walmart Link
MUSTART Level 2 Portable EV Charger (240 Volt, 25ft Cable, 40 Amp), Electric Vehicle - Walmart Link
ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger, 16 to 50 Amp, 240V, Level 2 WiFi - eBay Link
Grizzl-E Level 2 EV Charger, 16/24/32/40 Amp, Indoor/Outdoor Car Charging Station (NEMA - eBay Link
Pulsar Plus Level 2 Electric Vehicle Smart Charger - 40 Amp NEMA Ultra Compact, WiFi, - eBay Link
JuiceBox 40 Smart Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station with WiFi - 40 amp Level 2 EVSE, - eBay Link
EVoCharge EVSE, Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station with 18 ft Cable, 240V 32A, UL - eBay Link
LEFANEV 40A EV Charger Level 2 Station, Wall Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station - eBay Link
Amazon Basics Electric Vehicle (EV) Level 2 Charging Station, 32 Amp - 18 feet - eBay Link
MUSTART Level 2 Portable EV Charger (240 Volt, 25ft Cable, 40 Amp), Electric Vehicle - eBay Link
If you own an electric vehicle, then you absolutely must have an aftermarket EV charger. It is not only is a safer way to charge your electric vehicle, but it does so more efficiently. Moreover, considering the high price on most electric vehicles, the EV charger is relatively affordable.
It is also compatible with a wide range of vehicles from different brands. One of the best things about the EV charger is that you do not need any experience to operate it. It is extremely beginner-friendly, and most models provide you with clear indications of what the charger is doing.
Finally, our EV charger review above lists some of the best models that you can purchase online. If you don't know which EV charger to purchase yet, then we recommend you read it again.
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About Joshua Thomas
Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.
He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.
His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.
Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.
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