Best EV Chargers: Charge Your Car at Any Time
Power your car into the future with these top EV chargers.
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The future is electric. Car manufacturers are angling towards renewable energy and producing more and more electric cars. This has created a whole new market for electric vehicle (EV) products. Every electric vehicle owner either has a charging station or a fast charger. In this review, we answer the big question, “Which is the best EV charger on the market?”
Siemens VersiCharge VC30GRYU
This award-winning, California-manufactured charger is durable, offers flexible control, and comes with a three-year company warranty.
- Compatible with Tesla cars, which use Tesla’s charging adapter, and J1772-compliant cars
- Average charge time of 3.5 hours and is perfect for on-the-go charging
- 2/4/6/8 hour delay functions are convenient for long drives
- 2/4/6/8 hour delayed functions are not applicable to all cars
- Charger operates at 30 amps instead of the industry standard of 32 amps
Megear Level 1 EV Charger
This is a portable charger that works well with all electric vehicles. It has multiple protections for safety and fast charging speeds.
- Resistant to flames, water, and lightning
- Offers overvoltage protection and doesn’t overheat
- Charges two times faster with a 110V outlet than your car’s charger
- When using a NEMA 5-15R socket, the current is limited
- Despite its fast charging speed, it’s still slower than level 2 chargers
Blink Charging Home Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger
This EV charge station works with all electric vehicles, including Teslas, and features easy, push-button operation.
- Has a 2-8-hour delay mode, so you can wait to charge it during non-peak utility hours
- No home network connection is required
- Licensed electrician should install it
- Has no smart features
- Wall plug is not included
Best EV Chargers Reviews & Recommendations 2021
When it comes to the best overall versatility, reliability, and cost, you can’t beat the Siemens VersiCharge VC30GRYU. This is one of the quicker chargers currently on the market. Being a Level 2 charger that functions on 240 volts, it’s up to four times faster than Level 1 120-volt chargers. This charger is also durable and can easily withstand temperatures ranging from negative 30 up to 50 degrees Celsius. This charger is universally compatible with all J1772 cars and is even able to work with Tesla vehicles and charging adapters. It was awarded “Best EV Charging Station” of 2017 by The Wirecutter, so you can rest assured you’re absolutely getting a high-quality, reliable product. Its easy setup includes all necessary mounting hardware and a 14-foot charging cable. Professional installation is recommended, however.
When it comes to an excellent value in an EV charger that is both durable and reliable, we recommend the Megear Level 1 EV Charger. This is a 16-amp charger with a NEMA 5-15 plug. No assembly is required; just plug it into your NEMA 5-15 or 5-20 receptacle and get quickly charged up. As a bonus, this charger is also compatible with all major EV makes and even multiple power sources, including regular wall outlets, dryers, and RV outlets with a special adapter. This handy and reliable charger is a Level 2 charger, which allows most compatible vehicles to charge at a rate of up to 11 miles per hour, up to three times faster than your vehicle’s factory charger. This gets you out on the road faster. It includes several key safety features, such as protection from leakage, lightning, overvoltage, overheating, and overcurrent, and it’s also waterproof and flame-resistant.
The Blink Charging Home Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger is compatible with all EVs, including the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt and Volt, Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion, VW eGolf, and Tesla models. This AC charge station features a set of push buttons, is easy to use, and features a delay mode of 2-8 hours, which allows you to charge your vehicle exactly when you want. It has an LED display that shows the charging status and an 18-foot cable, so you can charge your vehicle in the driveway. The charger includes a wall mounting bracket and is compact, so it doesn't take up too much space in your garage. A home network connection is not required to run this charger; however, the manufacturer recommends using a licensed electrician to install it. Users report that it's reliable and well made. Unfortunately, it lacks smart features, so you can't monitor it outside of your home. Also, a wall plug is not included.
The Mustart Level 2 Portable EV Charger is a fast-charging device capable of topping off any electric car quickly. It’s built with sensitive and high-speed computer chips that increase just how much power is transferred from the device to your Tesla or BMW model. It’s been boosted so much that it is able to charge around 2.5 times faster than other models. One of its best overall aspects is its built-in charging cable. The flexible cord is capable of reaching up to 25 feet. All you need in order to properly run the device is a 220-volt or 240-volt NEMA14-50 outlet. The EV charger is durable, reliable, and designed in such a way that it’s lightning-proof. It also prevents overcharging and overheating. The first thing you may notice about the EV charger is its price. Electricity may be free or super cheap when compared to gasoline, but the charger is quite expensive. It also may not be compatible with all types of electric cars.
The ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle Charger is a premium level EV device. It’s a hi-tech 240-volt gadget that is rated to charge up to nine times quicker than a standard everyday wall outlet. It is built to function with the Chevrolet Volt and Bolt EV, Hyundai Kona and Ioniq, Kia NIRO, Nissan LEAF, Tesla models, Toyota Prius Prime, BMW i3, Honda Clarity, Chrysler Pacifica, Jaguar I-PACE, and more electric cars. The charger is built with advanced features that make it much more user-friendly and engaging. It can be connected to Wi-Fi, and with the included app, you can see just how far along the charge is while you’re away from your vehicle. It is even compatible with Alexa. The device also comes with a 23-foot-long cable for extra reach. Similar to several of our other choices on this list, the ChargePoint Home Flex EV charger is quite expensive. You will also be required to pair it with the app in order for it to begin charging. This can be frustrating if you don’t have access to Wi-Fi. The app can also be rather difficult to understand and follow at first.
Tips
Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
Learn more- When selecting a charger for your electric car, always make sure you confirm the NEMA outlet number. This lets you know whether you need to invest in an EV charging adapter.
- If you charge your car at home, schedule it at nighttime. This not only ensures the battery is fully charged by morning, it also helps you cut down on electricity costs.
- Before you install a charging station, have an electrician evaluate and reconfigure the electric wiring in your home. But be sure to purchase the charger you want beforehand, so the technician can know how to configure the wiring.
- It is better to pick the longest cable available as this ensures you can charge your car even when you are in inconvenient locations. Twenty-five-foot cords are the longest, according to the National Electric Code.
- To make your car more capable, especially if you commute, go for a level 2 charger. It has a faster charging speed and delivers more power.
- NEMA 6-50 and NEMA 14-50 are the most common charging outlets for level 2 electric car chargers. Check your charging outlet number before settling on a charger for your car.
FAQs
Q: What is an EV charger?
An electric vehicle uses a battery system for power. An EV charger is a unit that provides an electrical charge to the car’s battery. Homes usually have AC current. It is the charger’s responsibility to convert it to the DC current for your car’s battery needs.
Q: How long does charging take?
Charge time is dependent on your EV battery’s capacity and the charger’s power. Four hours is enough to charge a battery from zero to 80 percent. That’s if you are using a 30-amp charger.
Q: Can I use the charger with a dryer outlet?
Since a dryer outlet provides about 240V, it is safe to use with an EV home charging kit. But it’s important to check the amp capacity before plugging it in.
Final Thoughts
Due to its high ratings, ease of use, and power output, the Siemens VersiCharge VC30GRYU is our top choice. We also love the budget-friendly Megear Level 1 EV Charger because of its safety features and portability.
