The Best EV Chargers for Your Home

The Grizzl-E Classic stands out as our pick for all-around best charger due to several compelling reasons. First is that it's one of the most affordable options on the market, coming in at under $400. What's particularly noteworthy is that it has undergone testing and approval by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an organization that ensures products adhere to common safety standards and pose no hazards when utilized. (Many cheaper chargers on the market lack UL approval.)

Second, this charger features a rugged aluminum construction, making it sturdier and less prone to fading or wearing compared to chargers utilizing plastic materials — a boon if you plan on frequently moving it around or utilizing it outdoors. It can also be wall-mounted, for added convenience.

The third feature that impressed us is its nearly 24-foot-long cable, which provides exceptional flexibility in terms of reach. This is especially useful if you're using an existing 240-volt power outlet or have it hardwired into your electrical box (another available option) and need to charge vehicles parked in various locations in your garage or driveway. Additionally, the thin design of the cable makes it easier to coil up and store when not in use.

Lastly, the Grizzl-E Classic has a maximum rating of 40 amps, allowing for faster charging speeds (if your home can deliver that level of power). It can be pre-set to accommodate 16, 24, 32 or 40 amps, depending on your requirements.

While this charger lacks an extensive suite of WiFi-enabled features, for most users, this shouldn't be a major drawback. Many EVs offer the ability to set charging times and maximum levels directly through their in-car infotainment systems to enable cost savings and enhance battery life. Additionally, the wealth of information provided by most WiFi-enabled apps tends to be excessive for your standard EV user. Just as we don't meticulously monitor the electricity consumed by our appliances like dryers or fridges, there's little need to obsess over our cars' charging process. Simply set it and forget it, we say.

Smaller, sleeker and lighter compared to other chargers, the design of Tesla's wall-mounted charger is complemented by its user-friendly nature. With an available 48 amp output, it also offers one of the fastest recharge rates on the market based on our research. Just bear in mind that, unlike other options, this charger must be hardwired into your home's electrical system; it cannot be simply plugged into a 240-volt outlet.

Additionally, due to the high demand for Tesla vehicles, you may find this Tesla-branded charger is temporarily out of stock, requiring some patience before it becomes available again.

Owning a Tesla is not a requirement to purchase or utilize this branded charger. However, if you don't own a Tesla, you will need to acquire an adapter to ensure compatibility with your EV's J1772 plug (which is shared by all other electric vehicles except for Teslas). This can be pricey, so it may not be the best option if you're not a Tesla owner.

ChargePoint has been around since 2007, and continues to be a leader in the field of EV chargers. This Level 2 charger — a winner in GH's most recent Home Renovation Awards — is the most expensive of our recommendations, but that's because it packs in an array of compelling features.

First and foremost is its user-friendly operation. As one of the leading providers of public chargers, ChargePoint allows you to utilize the same app for both your home charger and locating and controlling charging on public chargers. This integration creates a unified ecosystem for all of your charging needs, whether at home or on the go. Additionally, we like that it features a rotating holster, making it easier to use when clipping it away into the base. We also appreciate the integrated cord holster, which provides a tidier solution compared to the hook found on the Grizzl-E charger, for example. It’s fast too, delivering up to 37 miles of range per hour of charging when operating at the maximum 50 amps of power.

However, if you're seeking in-depth and nuanced information about your charging, this particular model may not meet your expectations as it provides only basic information. That said, the HomeFlex app does offer loads of details regarding the various rate plans offered by local utilities, which may be useful to those interested in charting precise calculations involving fractions of a penny.

GH Institute Chief Technologist Rachel Rothman, who routinely test-drives EVs as part of our auto coverage, underwent the process of upgrading her home's electrical system to accommodate 240 volts and had this unit installed in her garage by an electrician, since it requires a dedicated circuit (the case with most EV chargers). She appreciates that this slim wall-mounted charger takes up minimal space and that the 23-foot charging cable offers ample range. She also enjoys the app: "I really like the metrics showing charge rate and energy output, as well as the ability to adjust charge time to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates."

This JuiceBox charger stood out to us as another excellent option, particularly for those who want a lot of WiFi-enabled features and are willing to pay for them.

One notable advantage is that in addition to 40-amp and 32-amp options, it is available in a 48 amp (11.5 kW) version, which offers some of the fastest home charging speeds we've observed, provided your personal grid can deliver that level of power. In addition to its impressive performance, it features an attractive and minimalist design, complemented by a convenient built-in cord holster.

For anyone who values the ability to monitor and customize their charging experience in advance or in real-time (although, for us, such monitoring is about as fascinating as watching grass grow in real-time), JuiceBox offers lots of built-in features. However, basic information — like the battery's current charge level, estimated completion time of the charging cycle or range — is not included in this suite of details. Currently, only Tesla vehicles are capable of communicating this information effectively.