Choosing the right electric vehicle (EV) is just the first step. For most EV owners, the next crucial decision is selecting the best Level 2 EV charger for their home. Level 2 charging is the most practical and efficient way to replenish your EV’s battery overnight, ensuring you start each day with a full charge. But with numerous options available, finding the ideal home EV charger can feel overwhelming.
This guide is different. Forget generic lists that simply aggregate specs. Here, you’ll find insights based on rigorous, independent testing. As a dedicated EV charging expert and content creator for State of Charge, I personally put these chargers through extensive real-world testing, pushing them to their limits and using them daily. My unique ChargerRater system scores each charger based on a comprehensive evaluation process.
There’s no single “best” EV charger for everyone. The perfect Level 2 charger depends on your individual needs, budget, and EV. However, after countless hours of testing, I’ve compiled a list of the top Level 2 EV chargers for 2024 that stand out from the competition. These recommendations are in order of preference, considering overall performance, features, and value.
Top Level 2 EV Charger Picks for 2024
1. Emporia 48-amp: The Best Value Smart Level 2 EV Charger
Emporia burst onto the EV charger scene in 2022 with a game-changer: a high-quality, 48-amp smart Level 2 EV charger at an incredibly affordable price. Initially launched at just $399.00, the Emporia remains one of the most budget-friendly, yet fully-featured, Wi-Fi connected smart chargers on the market, all while holding essential safety certifications.
It quickly became a top recommendation due to its exceptional value proposition – offering premium features without the premium price tag. While updates have been minimal since its release, Emporia now provides options for both the standard J1772 connector and the increasingly popular North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector, catering to a wider range of EVs.
The Emporia achieved a remarkable score of 99 on the ChargerRater system, tying for the highest score ever recorded. For a deep dive into its performance and features, check out the full review of the Emporia Smart EV Charger on InsideEVs.
2. ChargePoint Home Flex: The Best Premium and Cold-Weather Level 2 EV Charger
The ChargePoint Home Flex represents the second generation of ChargePoint’s home charging solutions. A long-standing leader in the EV charging industry, ChargePoint has consistently delivered reliable and user-friendly products. The Home Flex, available since 2019, has solidified its position as a best-selling Level 2 EV charger for the past five years.
Offering flexibility in installation, the Home Flex comes as a plug-in unit configurable up to 40 amps or a hardwired option delivering up to 48 amps for faster charging speeds. As a Wi-Fi connected smart charger, it seamlessly integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control and smart home integration. Notably, the ChargePoint Home Flex boasts the best cold-weather cable I’ve tested, making it an ideal Level 2 charger for outdoor installations and regions with harsh winter climates.
ChargePoint recently made this already excellent charger even more appealing by significantly reducing its price. The NEMA 14-50 plug-in version is now available for $599.00, down from $699.00, increasing its value in the competitive Level 2 charger market.
For a complete analysis, read the comprehensive ChargePoint Home Flex EV charger review on InsideEVs.
Important Note: While ChargePoint markets the Home Flex as a 50-amp charger, it’s crucial to understand this can be slightly misleading. Electrical code mandates that devices with continuous loads (operating for three hours or more) at 50 amps require a thicker no. 4 wire gauge. However, the Home Flex is not designed to accommodate no. 4 wire; the thickest gauge it accepts is no. 6. According to the National Electric Code, no. 6 wire is rated for a maximum continuous load of 48 amps. While the 2-amp difference is negligible in real-world charging, it’s more accurate to consider and market this as a 48-amp Level 2 EV charger.
3. Tesla Universal Wall Connector: The Most Versatile Level 2 Charger with Magic Dock Technology
The Tesla Universal Wall Connector is a truly unique 48-amp Level 2 EV charger, setting itself apart with unmatched compatibility. It achieves something no other EV charger currently offers: the ability to charge any electric vehicle sold in North America without requiring a separate adapter. This groundbreaking capability is thanks to Tesla’s innovative “Magic Dock” technology.
The Magic Dock is essentially a built-in J1772 adapter seamlessly integrated with the Tesla (NACS) connector. For Tesla vehicles, it functions as a standard NACS charger. However, when charging a J1772-equipped EV (the majority of non-Tesla EVs currently on the road), pressing a button on the Magic Dock releases the J1772 adapter, which remains tethered to the NACS connector. This ingenious design makes the Universal Wall Connector truly universal, eliminating adapter hassles and simplifying EV charging for multi-EV households or locations serving diverse EV brands.
Beyond universal compatibility, the Universal Wall Connector is also bi-directional charging capable. When paired with vehicles like the Tesla Cybertruck, it can draw power from the vehicle’s battery to power your home during outages or peak demand periods, offering potential energy savings and grid resilience benefits.
It’s worth noting that the standard Tesla Wall Connector (without the Magic Dock) remains an excellent Level 2 charger option, particularly if universal compatibility and bi-directional features are not primary requirements.
The Tesla Universal Wall Connector is priced at $620.00. For a detailed evaluation, refer to the full InsideEVs review of the Tesla Universal Wall Connector.
4. Wallbox Pulsar Plus 48: The Most Compact and Feature-Rich Smart Level 2 Charger
The Wallbox Pulsar Plus is available in both 40-amp and 48-amp configurations. While both are outstanding Level 2 charger choices, the 48-amp version earns its place among the top picks due to its enhanced charging capacity for a minimal price difference. For only a $50.00 premium, upgrading to the 48-amp Pulsar Plus unlocks faster charging speeds and future-proofs your home charging setup.
The Wallbox Pulsar Plus stands out as the most remarkably compact 48-amp Level 2 charger I’ve tested. Its small footprint belies its impressive capabilities. Packed with smart charging features, the Pulsar Plus boasts a robust NEMA-4 rated enclosure, ensuring durability and weather resistance for both indoor and outdoor installations. Furthermore, it supports power sharing with up to 25 other Wallbox units, making it an ideal Level 2 charging solution for apartment complexes, multi-family residences, and commercial applications.
For individual homeowners with two EVs and limited electrical panel capacity, two Pulsar Plus units can be connected to a single circuit. The chargers intelligently communicate and share power, preventing circuit overloads and enabling simultaneous Level 2 charging for two vehicles without requiring costly electrical upgrades.
The Wallbox Pulsar Plus 48 is priced at $699.00, making it the most expensive Level 2 charger on this list. However, its compact size, advanced smart features, and power-sharing capabilities justify the investment for users seeking a premium and versatile home charging solution. Explore its full capabilities in the detailed review of the 48-amp Pulsar Plus on InsideEVs.
5. Autel MaxiCharger Lite 50: The Best Customizable and User-Friendly Level 2 Home Charger
Autel offers its MaxiCharger Level 2 EV charger in 40-amp and 50-amp versions, along with Elite and Lite model variations. While the range offers several excellent options, the MaxiCharger Lite 50 stands out as a top pick due to its balance of features and value. The 50-amp Elite model, while offering slightly more advanced features, comes at a $130.00 premium over the 50-amp Lite with minimal functional advantages for most users, making the Lite version the smarter choice for cost-conscious buyers seeking a high-performance Level 2 charger.
All MaxiCharger versions are smart chargers, equipped with a comprehensive suite of features and a user-friendly mobile app for unit control and charging data monitoring. Like all Level 2 chargers on this recommended list, the Autel MaxiCharger is safety-certified and Energy Star rated, ensuring both safe and efficient operation. A unique feature of the MaxiCharger is its installation flexibility: it’s the only Level 2 charger offering the choice between an integrated connector holster or a remote holster that can be installed separately at a more convenient location in your garage.
Priced at $569.00, the Autel MaxiCharger Lite 50 offers exceptional value for its feature set and user-friendly design. Learn more in the full InsideEVs review of the Autel MaxiCharger Lite.
6. EVIQO EVPOWER 48: The Best Budget-Friendly and Reliable Level 2 Charger Newcomer
The EVIQO EVPOWER 48-amp Level 2 EV charger is a new entrant to the market this year. Despite being the company’s first offering in the EV charging space, the EVPOWER 48 impresses with its solid performance and remarkably competitive price. At just $399.00, it directly competes with other top-rated Level 2 chargers on this list that often cost hundreds of dollars more, making it a standout option for budget-conscious EV owners.
This Level 2 charger features a compact design, a durable NEMA 4 enclosure for weather resistance, and a generous 25-foot cable length, providing flexibility in installation and reaching vehicle charging ports. One area where the EVIQO EVPOWER 48 deviates slightly from industry standards is its standard warranty, which is two years. In comparison, most other Level 2 chargers on this list offer a 3-year warranty, with Tesla providing a 4-year warranty for its Universal Wall Connector.
EVIQO does offer a free third year of warranty coverage if customers submit a review of the charger. While this is a way to extend the warranty, it introduces an extra step that isn’t typically required to achieve the industry-standard 3-year coverage.
For a closer look and performance testing details, watch the full review video of the EVIQO EVPOWER 48-amp EV charger.
7. Grizzl-E Smart: The Most Rugged and Durable Level 2 EV Charger
The Grizzl-E Smart Level 2 EV charger is manufactured in Canada by United Chargers. In addition to the smart version, Grizzl-E also offers a non-smart variant called the Grizzl-E Classic, priced at $349.99. Both the Grizzl-E Classic and the Grizzl-E Smart are 40-amp Level 2 chargers, delivering slightly less power compared to the 48-amp units dominating this list.
However, for the majority of EV owners who primarily charge overnight at home, the 8-amp difference in charging capacity is unlikely to be significant. The standout feature of Grizzl-E chargers is their exceptionally robust construction. They feature an incredibly durable aluminum outer casing with an IP67 rating for extreme weather resistance, making them an excellent Level 2 charger choice for outdoor installations and demanding environments, including public use locations where durability is paramount. The Grizzl-E is built to withstand significant physical abuse and harsh weather conditions.
Explore the ruggedness and smart features in the full review of the Grizzl-E Smart EV charger.
Important Consideration: Hardwiring for Optimal Performance and Safety
It’s important to note that many 48-amp Level 2 EV chargers currently available, including several on this list, are often equipped with a NEMA 14-50 plug. However, when used in a plug-in configuration with a NEMA 14-50 outlet, these chargers are typically limited to a maximum of 40 amps of continuous output by the National Electrical Code. To unlock the full 48-amp charging potential of these Level 2 chargers, hardwiring is necessary.
Regardless of power output, I strongly recommend hardwiring your Level 2 EV charging equipment. Hardwiring, performed by a qualified electrician, establishes a more secure and reliable electrical connection, eliminating a potential point of failure associated with plug-in connections.
Using a NEMA 14-50 outlet and plug-in Level 2 charger necessitates ensuring a high-quality outlet is installed. Substandard outlets are prone to overheating and failure under the sustained high-power demands of EV charging, as highlighted in my article on How To Safely Charge Your EV.
EV charging involves drawing substantial power – often exceeding the total power consumption of the rest of your household – for extended periods, frequently every night. Hardwiring your Level 2 charger, when executed by experienced and licensed professionals like Qmerit, provides a significantly safer and more robust solution for home EV charging.
What Level 2 home charger do you use? Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below!
Source: State Of Charge
