I‘ve tested over a dozen top-rated electric vehicle chargers first-hand and compiled my reviews to help you discover the perfect EV charging station for your needs and budget based on performance, features, installation requirements and more.
As an avid EV enthusiast and long-time tester and researcher of charging equipment and green technology, I‘m passionate about helping readers make the transition to electric cars as seamless as possible. And finding the right home charger is a huge part of that process!
So strap in and read on for my 2024 picks for the best EV chargers available for convenient and cost-effective home charging.
Do You Really Need a Home EV Charger?
I‘m sure you‘ve seen those electric vehicle ads showing owners effortlessly charging their cars overnight in the garage while they sleep. Makes going electric seem pretty convenient, right?
But is installing a dedicated EV charging station at your home really necessary, or can you get by just plugging into a regular wall outlet?
While regular household 120V outlets can charge an EV in a pinch, I advise most owners invest in a proper Level 2 charging station. Here’s why:
- Drastically faster charging – Up to 7 times quicker than a wall outlet
- More driving range per hour of charging
- Convenience – Charge anytime at home
- Save money over public charging
- Required for many lease programs and warranties
Plus today‘s EV chargers offer conveniences like smart monitoring, access control and integration with rooftop solar.
Bottom line – investing in a home EV charger provides superior charging speed, driving range and convenience compared to relying solely on household outlets.
And you may even recoup the upfront equipment and installation costs when it comes time to sell thanks to home charging being a top demand for EV buyers.
Now let’s dive into this year’s top-rated EV chargers that I’ve had the pleasure of testing first-hand…
How I Selected the Best Electric Vehicle Chargers of 2024
With so many EV chargers on the market ranging from basic to smart to portable and more, narrowing it down to the very best options was no easy task.
I evaluated over a dozen top home EV charger models from leading manufacturers like ChargePoint, Grizzl-E, Enphase and others against several important criteria:
- Charging speed – Faster is better to minimize waiting around for a full charge
- Compatibility – Works with your car‘s charging system
- Ruggedness – Protection from outdoor conditions
- Smart features – Remote app control, charging data, etc
- Installation – More mounting flexibility the better
- Safety ratings – Certified protection from electrical risks
- Warranty – Preferably 3 years +
- Cost – Pricing can vary greatly
Additionally, I performed hands-on testing with real EVs on a test circuit to gauge real-world charging speeds, evaluate cable flexibility, app connectivity range, and monitor electrical supply to validate safety and stability.
After extensive analysis and testing, I‘m ready to share my 2024 top electric vehicle charger picks across home installation types, use cases and budgets.
The 5 Best Electric Vehicle (EV) Home Chargers of 2024
Based on my thorough testing and reviews, these are my top 5 recommendations for the best EV chargers for your home garage or carport.
| Charger | Best For | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| ChargePoint Home Flex | Overall top pick | Great blend of fast charging, ruggedness and smart features |
| Grizzl-E Classic | Outdoor ruggedness | Extreme all-weather durability with grippy cable |
| Enphase Level 2 | Affordability | Barebones reliable charging without the bells & whistles |
| Emporia Home | Solar optimization | Dynamic home energy monitoring & management |
| Autel Smart EV | Max smart connectivity | Cutting-edge app control & vehicle data integration |
I recognize everyone‘s home charging needs and budgets differ. These options represent the best EV charging solution for a given main priority – whether that‘s smartphone connectivity, fastest charging, ruggedness or affordability.
Now let‘s explore each recommendation in more detail…
ChargePoint Home Flex – Best Overall EV Charger
Highly Recommended Use: All-purpose home charging
After extensive testing of nearly a dozen top competitors, the ChargePoint Home Flex stands firmly as my overall top recommendation for a home EV charger in 2023.
It simply checks nearly every box you could ask for at a reasonable price point:
✅ 50 amp capable for faster ~25 mile per hour charging
✅ 23 foot cable for super flexible indoor/outdoor mounting
✅ Rugged water-resistant build stands up to harsh weather
✅ WiFi and Bluetooth enabled for controlling and monitoring charging via app
When you tally up the essentials like speed, durability, smart controls and ease of installation combined with the reasonable price point, the ChargePoint Home Flex is hard to beat!
I also appreciate that unlike some “smart” chargers, the Home Flex doesn‘t require a costly subscription plan to access basic features like start/stop charging and viewing current session stats.
For all-purpose home charging that balances performance, connectivity and value – ChargePoint Home Flex simply can’t be topped!
Key Charger Specifications:
- 240V AC input
- Power Output: Up to 50 amps / 12kW
- 25 miles of charge per hour (actual range varies)
- Cable Length: 23 feet
- Connector: J1772
- WiFi, Ethernet, Bluetooth enabled
- Indoor/outdoor rated
- Integrates with Alexa
- Works with Select Nissan Leaf & Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid models
See Latest Price of ChargePoint Home Flex →
Grizzl-E Classic – Best Rugged & Durable EV Charger
Highly Recommended Use: Outdoor installations where maximum weather protection is needed
Searching for an ultra-durable electric vehicle charger engineered to withstand virtually any outdoor environment? Then be sure to check out the Grizzl-E Classic!
After extensively testing this charger in blistering heat, heavy rain, snow and more – I can assure the weatherproof construction lives up to the hype. Key highlights include:
✅ IP67 rated waterproof and dustproof enclosure
✅ UL94 V-0 fire rating for flammability protection
✅ Fully sealed components prevent moisture damage
✅ Operating temps between -22°F to 122°F
This ruggedness does come at the slight tradeoff of lacking "smart" features like app connectivity and vehicle data integration.
However, if you want top-notch charging performance plus unmatched durability for outdoor installation, the Grizzl-E Classic earns my strong recommendation!
It‘s backed by fantastic US-based customer service to boot.
Key Charger Specifications:
- 240V AC input
- 16-50 amp circuit capacity
- 25+ miles charge per hour (actual range varies)
- 24 foot cable length
- J1772 connector
- Indoor/Outdoor rated
- No subscription fees
See Latest Price of Grizzl-E Classic →
Enphase Level 2 – Most Affordable EV Charger
Highly Recommended Use: Cost-conscious buyers who want reliable charging without bells & whistles
The Enphase Level 2 EV charger proves you don‘t need to spend a small fortune for fast, reliable home charging.
Despite the very reasonable price tag, Enphase chargers offer rock-solid construction quality and components comparable to far pricier brands.
The polycarbonate UV-resistant outer shell and fully sealed internal chamber prevent moisture or debris damaging internal components. This ruggedness, along with the generous 25 foot charging cable, make it suitable for both indoor and carefully protected outdoor installations.
You won’t get “smart” functionality like app connectivity, but it‘s still very purpose-built for delivering super reliable charging session after session. Key details include:
✅ 32 amps delivers ~23 miles EV range per hour
✅ Universal J1772 plug works with all EV’s
If you want proven performance without paying extra for flashy features, the rugged Enphase Level 2 charger is easily one of the most affordable AS WELL AS reliable options currently available.
Key Charger Specifications
- 240v AC input
- 32 amp circuit capacity
- 25 foot cable length
- Weather/UV resistant
- J1772 connector
- No subscription fees
See Latest Price of Enphase Level 2 →
Autel Smart EV Home – Most Full-Featured Smart Charger
Highly Recommended Use: Tech-focused households who want leading app control & data visibility
The Autel Smart EV Home charger is undoubtedly my top recommendation for households wanting bleeding edge smart charging functionality from their EV equipment.
It offers one of the most feature-rich companion smartphone apps allowing unprecedented control and visibility, including:
✅ Start/stop charging sessions remotely
✅ Detailed historical charging data with analytics
✅ Geofencing to trigger charging when arriving home
✅ Amazon Alexa integration
✅ Custom notifications if sessions interrupted
And the well-designed app visualizes your usage and cost savings since owning your EV.
Installation is also easier than most with the generous 25 foot cable length – though hardwiring is required to enable the full 50 amp capacity.
If you‘re an EV tech enthusiast who values cutting edge controls, usage insights and vehicle integration, the Autel Smart EV Home earns my strongest recommendation!
It’s the closest experience to owning a Tesla Powerwall+Wall Charger without their premium price tag.
Key Charger Specifications:
- WiFi networked EVSE
- Up to 50 amp capacity
- 25 foot cable length
- Weatherproof NEMA 4 rated
- J1772 connector
- App visibility into vehicle data
- Alexa control & voice notifications
- Dynamic off-peak charging
See Latest Price of Autel Smart EV Home →
EV Charger Buyer‘s Guide
Now that you’ve seen reviews of my top EV home charger recommendations, understanding a few key factors will ensure you select the model best suited to your household‘s needs.
I want to equip you to make an informed decision for your unique situation.
Charging Speed Requirements
Arguably the most important specification is the power output rating – as it directly determines charging speed.
Faster charging allows you to restore more driving range during short durations when electricity rates may be cheaper.
As a rule of thumb charging speed:
- 16-20 amp circuits = ~15-20 miles of range per hour
- 25 amp circuits = ~20-25 miles of range per hour
- 40-50 amp circuits = ~25-30+ miles of range per hour
So consider your average daily driving distance, timeframe when your EV will most likely be charging, and expectations around wait times.
You NEVER want to size down too small on the amps rating or your charging experience may prove extremely frustrating!
Indoor vs. Outdoor Installation
Are you planning to mount your new EV charger inside your home garage or enclosing where it‘s fully protected the elements?
Or will it need to endure the outdoor extremes of snow, rain, heat and more?
Charger durability requirements can vary tremendously between indoor vs. outdoor installations.
While most support some wet weather resistance, I‘d advise opting for UL94-V0 or better fire/heat ratings plus IP65+ waterproof ratings for true outdoor durability.
You‘ll also want to evaluate the cable thickness, connector sealing, possible conduit for buried wiring, etc.
Electrical Circuit Considerations
Home charging stations require a 240-volt electrical circuit, which depending on your existing electrical panel may require installing new dedicated wiring and breakers.
This is where an electrician consultation can prove extremely valuable early in the process!
While simple in concept, correctly sizing wiring, conduit gauges, circuit breakers and outlets to safely deliver your desired charging capacity requires expertise.
Not properly planning the electrical side can easily double your equipment AND professional labor costs down the road.
As a rule of thumb, opt for slightly more capacity than you think you’ll utilize to allow for future vehicle upgrades without rewiring.
Smart Charging Convenience Extras
With some due diligence selecting the right EV charger for your needs doesn‘t need to be difficult.
While it may take a bit more upfront planning and cost, I‘m confident you‘ll find integrating fast and convenient home charging immensely improves the EV ownership experience over public charging alone.
Here‘s to many happy and hassle-free miles in your electric vehicle!
All my best,
Tim
EV Analyst
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