Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

The best level 2 home EV chargers

JuiceBox 40 Charging Station
JuiceBox 40 Charging Station
Two can play at this game
Jump to details
ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle Charger
ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle Charge
The fastest option
Jump to details

When you brought home your shiny new electric vehicle, it came with a home charging cord. But that was likely a Level 1 charger, which can only add two or three miles of range per hour. Upgrading to a Level 2 home EV charger can triple that speed — or more — plus provide you with a multitude of options to help lower your electricity bill and extend your car battery life.

In other words, it's now easy to keep your car topped up without ever having to drive to a DC fast charging station unless you're on a road-trip -- ensuring that in day-to-day use, your car will stay fully charged.

There are, of course, a few things to note before buying a home EV charger. For starters, most of the chargers on this list make use of the SAE J1772 connector that works with most modern EVs that aren't Teslas, which need an adapter. That said, that's likely to change over the next few years, as a number of car manufacturers have announced that they're switching the charging ports on their cars to the Tesla NACS connector. Also, it's important to keep in mind that Level 2 chargers can't be plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet, so a larger 240-volt outlet is required. You also have to make sure your home’s electrical system can handle the charging station. Manufacturers should provide instructions on how to determine that.

It's wise to check our list of local EV tax credits and incentives before you select a charger, since many local utilities offer generous rebates that may cover most or all of the cost of your charger, but only if you select the right model. Typically utilities incentivize smart, internet-connected chargers that can be remotely throttled back in the event of a brownout. Always check the terms and conditions to make sure you're following them to the letter.

From the five best electric vehicle charger manufacturers come our top home EV chargers. Check out the best home EV chargers below.

What is Lorem Ipsum? Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Key Value
Key 1 Value 1
Key 2 Value 2
Key 3 Value 3
An Juicebox Electric Vehicle Charger with the cable underneath it.
.

JuiceBox 40 Charging Station

Two can play at this game

Pros
  • Compatible with Google Home and Alexa
  • Long 25-foot cord
  • Hardwired or plug-in
  • One circuit can handle multiple JuiceBoxes
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Maxes out at 40A

The Enel JuiceBox comes in 32-amp or 40-amp models and is Wi-Fi-enabled, allowing you to monitor and schedule charging with the JuiceNet mobile app or web portal. The charging station features a built-in cable rack and security lock. You can choose to buy the model that hardwires into your house or the plug-in model that comes with a NEMA 14-50 plug, or the optional NEMA 14-30 or 10-30 plugs.

The charging station can also be controlled and monitored with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. Indoor or outdoor use is possible because the unit is weatherproof, dust-tight, and made of polycarbonate. The JuiceBox makes a smart buy if you think you may someday own multiple EVs, because you can connect multiple JuiceBox charging stations to the same circuit.

Hardwired or plug: Both
Amp rating: 32 and 40
Wi-Fi capability: Yes
Cord length: 25 feet
Indoor/outdoor: Both
Warranty: 3 years
JuiceBox 40 Charging Station
JuiceBox 40 Charging Station
Two can play at this game
amazon kia ev charger sales program chargepoint home wifi enabled electric vehicle  level 2 evse 240 volt 01 750x500
Image used with permission by copyright holder

ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle Charge

The fastest option

Pros
  • Charging speeds up to 50A
  • Works with existing ChargePoint app
  • Hardwired or plug-in
Cons
  • Expensive

ChargePoint, also known for its network of public charging stations, offers one model for home charging. The older 32A model has been recently discontinued. The company's latest model, Home Flex, offers adjustable amperage to 50 amps so owners can match their electrical panel’s or car’s capacity. The plug-in model can be used outdoors (unlike the 32A model) and comes with a NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 5-50 plug. The Home Flex can also be used with the ChargePoint app, Nest, and Amazon Alexa. Both models are Energy Star certified, making them the only ones on this list. That can be important for rebate eligibility in some scenarios. The ChargePoint app used to control and monitor charging can also be used to locate and pay for public charging stations.

Hardwired or plug: Both
Amp rating: Adjustable up to 50 amps
Wi-Fi capability: Yes
Cord length: 23 feet
Indoor/outdoor: Yes
Warranty: 3 years
ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle Charger
ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle Charge
The fastest option

Afraid you’ll drop your new phone and crack the screen? Don’t be. SUPCASE’s flagship case, the Unicorn Beetle Pro, or UB Pro, is a rugged full-body shell separated into two parts. It has a back casing and a front frame that clips into that to create the ultimate protective seal around the edges of your shiny new Galaxy S24. Precise cutouts allow access to all important ports, and it’s wireless charging compatible, too. A built-in kickstand doubles as a ring holder, and the UB Pro either comes with a built-in screen protector or without.

Lectron Level 2 EV Charger

The cheapest option

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Compact
Cons
  • No smart features
  • Maxes out at 32A

If you're looking for something relatively basic, then the Lectron 32 NEMA 14-50 EV charger may be worth considering. You won't get fancy features like Wi-Fi connectivity, but you will be able to easily charge at home at a reasonably fast pace, without having to pay for extra bells and whistles. It's relatively compact too, which might make it a better choice for some users.

This charger is 32 amps and can be used both indoors or outdoors. It can be plugged in or hardwired and uses the J1772 connector, so it should connect perfectly fine to most non-Tesla EVs.

Hardwired or plug: Both
Amp rating: 32
Wi-Fi capability: No
Cord length: 21 feet
Indoor/outdoor: Yes
Warranty: 1 year

The name you know

Pros
  • Long cord
  • Separate plug holster
  • Works with existing Electrify America app
Cons
  • Maxes out at 40A

If you own an EV and regularly charge on the go, it's very likely you've used an Electrify America charging station. And, if you have, and you like the app, then it's worth considering the Electrify HomeStation charger. This charger works with the same app as the Electrify America fast chargers, meaning you can easily monitor charging progress.

The Electrify HomeStation has a cord length that's similar to the others on this list, but on the higher end -- so if you need something a little longer than the others, it might work for you. It can be used both indoors and outdoors and has the J1772 connector.

Hardwired or plug: Both
Amp rating: Adjustable up to 40 amps
Wi-Fi capability: Yes
Cord length: 24 feet
Indoor/outdoor: Yes
Warranty: 3 years

Afraid you’ll drop your new phone and crack the screen? Don’t be. SUPCASE’s flagship case, the Unicorn Beetle Pro, or UB Pro, is a rugged full-body shell separated into two parts. It has a back casing and a front frame that clips into that to create the ultimate protective seal around the edges of your shiny new Galaxy S24. Precise cutouts allow access to all important ports, and it’s wireless charging compatible, too. A built-in kickstand doubles as a ring holder, and the UB Pro either comes with a built-in screen protector or without.

best ev charging stations tesla wall connector
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A no-brainer for your Tesla

Pros
  • Charging speeds up to 48A
  • Tesla plug is increasingly popular
  • Long four-year warranty
Cons
  • No plug-in option

The Tesla Wall Connector could be a whole lot more useful in the next few years. If you have a Tesla, it's a no-brainer to get this over the competition, considering the fact that it can be monitored through the Tesla app and has the Tesla NACS connector. But, it can still be used with non-Tesla cars through an adapter, and as more carmakers, like Ford and GM, adopt Tesla's connector, fewer and fewer users will need to use it with an adapter.

This charger is hardwired, so you'll need to get a professional to install it. It has a 24-foot cord, and as mentioned, it works with the Tesla app. It's not overly expensive, which is nice, too.

Hardwired or plug: Hardwire
Amp rating: Adjustable up to 48 amps
Wi-Fi capability: Yes
Cord length: 24 feet
Indoor/outdoor: Yes
Warranty: 4 years

Editors' Recommendations

Christian de Looper

Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he knew didn’t work, but he bought anyway. Now living in California, he covers the world of mobile technology for Digital Trends, from the latest Apple iPhone and iPad to the vast array of Android smartphones on the market -- and the various apps and services. Apart from writing about tech, Christian spends his time in the music studio as a producer.

The 4 best portable jump starters for cars in 2024
The Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 portable jump starter connected to a truck battery.

A proper backup situation is good to have around any time you hit the road, and something to keep in the trunk alongside one of the best portable tire inflators is a portable jump starter. You never know when cold weather, inadvertently leaving the dome light on, or plain old Father Time can leave you with a dead battery. Ensuring you have one of the best portable jump starters can save you in just such a jam, which is why we’ve rounded up what we feel are the best portable jump starters in 2024.
The best portable jump starters in 2024

Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter overall.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter runner-up.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter and tire inflator combo.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter for cheap.

Read more
The 5 best front and rear dash cams for cars in 2024
The Nextbase iQ 4K Dash Cam installed in a vehicle.

Give yourself peace of mind by installing a front and rear dash cam in your car. Compared to dash cams that only have a front-facing camera, a front and rear dash cam will also record everything that happens behind your vehicle, which will be helpful in determining who's at fault when there's a rear-end collision. With front and rear dash cams coming in various models and made by different brands, it's going to be hard to choose what to equip your car with, so to help with your decision, we've listed the best front and rear dash cams below.
The best front and rear dash cams in 2024

Buy the if you want the best overall front and rear dash cam.
Buy the if you want a front and rear dash cam that's loaded with smart features.
Buy the if you want a front and rear dash cam with smart features for an affordable price.
Buy the if you want a front and rear dash cam with 4K resolution for cheap.
Buy the if you want a front and rear dash cam on a very tight budget.

Read more
The 5 best portable power inverters for cars in 2024
A man enjoying the Energizer 4000W power inverter.

Whether there's a power outage locally or you're driving to a remote location, sometimes we just need portable power. While you could lug around one of the best portable power stations to get your remote electricity fix, your best bet may be one of the best portable power inverters instead. These devices draw energy directly from your car's battery, giving you accessibility to power without needing to carry around a very heavy battery, charge it, or any of the other hassles associated with portable energy. If you have a car, you're ready to use a portable power inverter.
The best portable power inverters of 2024
The following portable power inverters span a large range of models, port types, and wattages. Check them out here based on a brief recommendation or continue on for a more detailed analysis.

Buy the if you want the best power inverter for most people.
Buy the for a solid upgrade.
Buy the power inverter for a small but reliable pick.
Buy the power inverter for your high-powered needs.
Buy the if you want something to plug into the inside of your car during travel.

Read more