The 5 best electric vehicle chargers to use at home, according to experts

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as running out of juice, especially when you need to hit the road.

Owning a car already requires plenty of work, from cleaning and detailing to organizing the garage. Anyone with an electric vehicle also knows the importance of finding the best electric charger.

While most EVs, also known as electric vehicles, come with a compact Level 1 charger for on-the-go charging situations, many drivers will also want to invest in a Level 2 charger for speedier, super-powered charging.

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Those new to the EV sphere might be wondering what charger is right for their car. There are a few important factors to consider before purchasing a home EV charger — everything from panel capacity and safety features to pricing and smart settings for a customized charging experience.

For answers to all your frequently asked questions, The New York Post has consulted EV Expert, Michael Krauthammer, for recommendations on finding the best EV chargers, as well as how to use them, store them, and choose the right one.

Krauthammer is the Managing Director of EV Advisors and a senior advisor to the Alliance for Transportation Electrification. He has over a decade of experience in the EV charging space.

Read on for the best EV chargers to use at home, and browse the FAQ section for more guidance from Krauthammer.

Best Overall Charger: Autel Home Level 2 EV Charger up to 40Amp

Amazon

Autel has been making intelligent automotive products since 2004. This EV charger provides a range of charging speeds from 16 to 40 amps. Users can also set the charger’s start and stop to take advantage of off-peak utility charging rates.

Having a 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, many shoppers rave about the performance and sleek appearance. “This car charger matches the maximum level-2 charging current (48 amps) but will adjust to any lesser current too using cell phone control. It is a technological marvel that makes charging easy rather than complicated. This company makes all the test equipment that car dealer shops use to diagnose and repair today’s modern vehicles,” one reviewer wrote.

Cord length: 25 feet | Input Voltage: 240 volts | Charging Speed: 30 miles of range with every hour of charge | Amperage: 40 amp

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Best Charger for Teslas: Tesla Wall Connector Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charger

Amazon

Take a look at the go-to charger for Tesla drivers. This charger is compatible with Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Ys. You can expect to get to 44 miles of range per hour, with up to 11.5 kW/48 amp output, depending on the car model and breaker size. This smart charger offers Smart App integration and connects to Wi-Fi to receive the latest features via over-the-air firmware updates.

Many buyers say this charger was built to work easily alongside all Tesla models. “The convenience factor cannot be overstated. With the ability to start or schedule charging sessions right from the Tesla app, managing my vehicle’s power has never been easier. It’s a seamless integration into the Tesla ecosystem that enhances the overall ownership experience,” wrote one reviewer.

Cord length: 24 feet | Input Voltage: 240 volts | Charging Speed: 44 miles of range per hour of charge | Amperage: 48 amp

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Best Budget Charger: Grizzl-E Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charger

Amazon

This affordable, heavy-duty charger is fully tested and certified, and compatible with all EVs and PHEVs sold in North America. Installation is relatively straightforward: just install a simple 14-50R outlet and you are ready to plug in your Grizzl-E. The charger can easily be detached from the mounting bracket and transported between different locations.

Smart and simple is how buyers describe this EV charger. “This thing is built super tough and has possibly the thickest most durable cabling I’ve come across. Not only that, but the installation was unbelievably easy and the unit itself just looks pretty badass in the garage. Definitely grab this if you want a simple, sturdy, cool looking, and super fast home charger!” wrote one satisfied shopper.

Cord length: 25 feet | Input Voltage: N/A | Charging Speed: 28-30 miles per hour at 40A | Amperage: 40 amp

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Best Smart Charger: JuiceBox 40 Smart Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station with WiFi

Amazon

If you’re shopping for a smart charger, JuiceBox has a great option. This charger connects to the JuiceNet app, allowing users to control and monitor charging remotely, and be notified when their car is fully charged. The JuiceBox charger also can be paired with Amazon Echo or Alexa for voice control. Enjoy a worry-free, 3-year limited warranty for normal residential use. Many buyers say they purchased the JuiceBox charger to take advantage of smart grid savings since you can schedule charging times when rates are lower.

“It works very well with our 2021 Kia Niro PHEV,” one person shared. “The app is nice as it will allow you to customize the charging and control how much to charge. Works with ComEd to time the charge overnight should you have that agreement with them.”

Cord length: 25 feet | Input Voltage: N/A | Charging Speed: 28-30 miles per hour | Amperage: 40 amp

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Best Fast Charging: ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 NEMA 14-50 Plug Electric Vehicle EV Charger

Amazon

Charge faster! The ChargePoint EVC is a No. 1 best-seller on Amazon for a good reason. The Level 2 system features flexible amperage settings from 16 to 50 amps. This station charges up to nine times faster than a standard wall outlet, adding up to 37 miles of range per hour. Simply choose between hardwiring or plugging in for ultimate versatility. While this is one of the pricer Level 2 chargers on the market, you’re sure to get some more miles for your buck.

In addition to the charging speed, reviewers have suggested that they also save time during set-up. “[I really like] how quick and easy it is to get the charging process started. The user interface and controls are intuitive, allowing me to initiate the charging process effortlessly. It saves me time and hassle, which is a big plus for an EV owner,” one customer commented.

Cord length: 23 feet | Input Voltage: 240 volts | Charging Speed: 30 miles per hour of charge | Amperage: 50 amp

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EV Chargers FAQ

Michael Krauthamer is the Managing Director of EV Advisors, a firm that advises a wide array of clients across the EV charging ecosystem. Krauthammer is also a senior advisor to the Alliance for Transportation Electrification and has over a decade of experience in the EV charging space.

Does everyone who owns an EV need a home charger?

“Yes, although not necessarily every day. Having a Level 2 charger means your car will pretty much always be ready to go, and is a necessity if you drive a lot of miles,” Krauthamer said.

The EV expert explained that a Level 1 wall outlet provides only about 4 miles of range per hour, whereas Level 2 charger typically provides between 25 to 30 miles of range per hour.

“What that means, in practice, is that charging from empty could take almost 20 hours to refill on Level 1, whereas Level 2 can refill the battery from completely empty in under 4 hours.”

What are some factors to consider before buying a Home EV Charger?

“The most important factor to consider is a dedicated circuit for your charger. This is a safety issue and will also prevent tripping a breaker,” said Krauthamer. “The second most important consideration is determining the amount of spare capacity in your electric [panel].”

EV owners want to get the most powerful charger their panel can handle, and the panel’s capacity will be the limiting factor. Krauthamer has suggested consulting a listened electrician if your charger requires more power than your panel can supply. In some situations, you may need a panel upgrade.

“A networked, or ‘smart charger,’ adds certain capabilities such as setting start and end times for your charger,” he explained. Smart chargers allow users to take advantage of time-of-use energy pricing if that’s available where you live. However, many EVs already have all of the time of use scheduling and power use tracking, so ‘smart chargers’ aren’t always necessary.

How much should you expect to spend on an EV charger?

According to Krauthamer, you can expect to find a perfectly good residential non-networked 32 amp charger for as little as $350. 

What are some of the best EV charging brands?

“As with any electrical device, safety is paramount so stick with reputable brands and ensure the charger has a legitimate listing with a nationally recognized testing lab such as UL,” suggested Krauthamer. “I’ve been hearing good things about Grizzl-E, Autel, and Electrify America; Tesla is good too, if that’s the car you have,” he told The Post.

Some of the best EV chargers below are recommended by Krauthamer (and have high customer ratings!) or are hand-selected from our New York Post based on the knowledge we learned from the expert.

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Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

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