Electric Vehicle Chargers by Consumer Reports: A Review Guide
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, and with that comes the need for reliable and efficient charging solutions. Consumer Reports has put together a comprehensive review guide to help you find the best electric vehicle charger for your needs. This guide will cover the different types of chargers available, the features to look for, and the pros and cons of each.
Types of Electric Vehicle Chargers
There are several types of electric vehicle chargers available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common types are Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast Chargers.
Level 1 Chargers: Level 1 chargers are the most basic type of charger and are typically used for overnight charging. They are usually the slowest type of charger, but they are also the most affordable.
Level 2 Chargers: Level 2 chargers are more powerful than Level 1 chargers and are typically used for faster charging. They are more expensive than Level 1 chargers, but they can charge your vehicle in a fraction of the time.
DC Fast Chargers: DC Fast Chargers are the most powerful type of charger and are typically used for quick charging. They are the most expensive type of charger, but they can charge your vehicle in a matter of minutes.
Features to Look For
When shopping for an electric vehicle charger, there are several features to look for. These include:
• Compatibility: Make sure the charger is compatible with your vehicle.
• Power Output: Look for a charger with a high power output to ensure fast charging.
• Safety Features: Look for a charger with safety features such as over-voltage protection and temperature monitoring.
• Portability: If you plan to take your charger with you, look for one that is lightweight and portable.
Pros and Cons
Each type of charger has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the pros and cons of each type:
Level 1 Chargers: Pros: Affordable, easy to use, good for overnight charging. Cons: Slow charging speed.
Level 2 Chargers: Pros: Faster charging speed, more powerful. Cons: More expensive.
DC Fast Chargers: Pros: Fastest charging speed, most powerful. Cons: Most expensive.
Conclusion
Electric vehicle chargers are an important part of owning an electric vehicle. Consumer Reports has put together this review guide
electric vehicle chargers Comparison Table
Last updated on March 18, 2023 11:58 pm
Best electric vehicle chargers Ratings By Consumer Reports March 2023
Below is the list of top electric vehicle chargers with a detailed guide that you can consider in your purchase:
ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger upto 50 Amp, 240V, Level 2 WiFi Enabled EVSE, UL Listed, Energy Star, NEMA 6-50 Plug or Hardwired, Indoor/Outdoor, 23-Foot Cable
$749.00
in stock
6 new
from $749.00
11 used from $599.20
11 used from $599.20
Free shipping
Amazon.com
as of March 18, 2023 11:58 pm
Features
- Level 2, 240 volt electric vehicle (EV) charging station charges any EV up to 9X faster than a normal wall outlet, with flexible amperage settings up to 50 amps (16/24/32/40/48/50 Amp) and plug-in or hardwired installation. Use the ChargePoint app to pick the right amperage for your home after installation.
- Works with all electric cars, tested on leading EV models: 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 many more
- Charge faster and smarter with the ChargePoint app. Set a schedule to only charge when electricity is cheapest, set reminders so you never forget to plug in, use Alexa voice control, and see all your ChargePoint charging data in one place
- Safe and reliable, with a 3-year backed by 24/7 customer support from a company dedicated to EV charging for 10+ years. UL listed for electrical safety, ENERGY STAR certified for efficiency.
- Easy for any electrician to install indoors or out. Plug-in installation with NEMA 6-50 or 14-50 outlet (6-50 currently selected) requires circuits rated 40A or 50A. For other circuit ratings, including 60A-80A for 48A-50A charging, the plug is easily removed for hardwired installation. Select the amperage that works best for you and your home, helping to avoid electrical upgrades.
MUSTART Level 2 Portable EV Charger (40 Amp, 240 Volt, 25ft Cable), Electric Vehicle Charger Plug-in EV Charging Station with NEMA 14-50P
$319.00 in stock
6 new
from $319.00
11 used from $252.75
11 used from $252.75
Free shipping
Amazon.com
as of March 18, 2023 11:58 pm
Features
- FAST CHARGING SPEEDS: The MUSTART 40A level 2 EV charger which is more sturdy, contains more sensitive chips, higher protection level and better abrasion resistance, can charge your car up to 2.5X faster than the 16A level 2 EV charger. It is 5X faster than the 16A level 1 EV charger that most electric vehicles come with. (The actual working current it depends on your vehicle setting).
- SUPER COMPATIBLE: Works with most electric vehicles in the United States , the EVSE is compatible with all plug-in EVs. *Tesla requires a SAE J1772 adapter.
- 100% SATISFACTION: We are credit for your trust. Whenever your Mustart EV chargers have any problem or anything simply not meeting your needs, please contact us. We provide a two-year warranty of our products from the date of your original order in our store.
- CONVENIENT: Compact size with a total 25 feet charging cable for flexible installation and usability. All you need is just a 220 Volt or 240 Volt NEMA14-50 outlet to plug the charger into.
- HIGH QUALITY: This portable charging station is made to last with durability and reliability. It is lightening-proof and has leakage, overvoltage, overheat and overcurrent protection, so you can safely charge your vehicle.
Lectron NEMA 5-15 Level 1 EV Charger - 110V 16 Amp with 21 ft Extension Cord - Compatible with J1772 EVs
$179.99
in stock
2 new
from $179.99
21 used from $119.99
21 used from $119.99
Free shipping
Amazon.com
as of March 18, 2023 11:58 pm
Features
- FAST CHARGING – Utilizing the standard J1772 charging protocol, this charging cable is compatible with all electric cars and plug-in hybrids. The Level 1 portable electric vehicle charger has a 21ft cable that’s long enough for most driveways or garages
- LEVEL 1 CHARGING – The EV Charger with NEMA 5-15 Plug by Lectron can be used as a Level 1 charger. Connect the charger to a standard outlet in your house and you can charge your vehicle with level 1 charging but connect the charger to a voltage transformer or a special outlet that produces 110V and you will be able to access level 1 charging
- HIGH QUALITY – The charging station is rugged and robust, equipped with overvoltage, overheat and overcurrent protection. The indicating light on the charging station helps to show the various stages of charging and to warn of possible errors
- TECHNICAL SPECS – Input Power: 110V AC, Frequency: 60Hz, Maximum Current: 16A, Cable Length: 21ft (6.4m), Plug:NEMA 5-15, Weight: 3.3kg (7.3lbs), Operating Temp: -30C (-22F) to 50C (+122F)
- LED INDICATOR - The LED indicator lights on the charging cable show you where your car is across three different charging levels. It also alerts you if a fault is discovered
Emporia Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger 48 Amp / 11.5kW / 240V | WiFi Enabled EVSE | UL Listed/Energy Star | NEMA 14-50 Plug or Hardwired | Indoor/Outdoor | 24-Foot Cable
$399.00
in stock
1 new
from $399.00
1 used from $395.01
1 used from $395.01
Free shipping
Amazon.com
as of March 18, 2023 11:58 pm
Features
- UL AND ENERGY STAR CERTIFIED LEVEL 2 EV CHARGER. DEFAULT CHARGE RATE is 40A. WiFi Internet connection is required to raise or lower charge rate. Pair with an Emporia Vue Smart Home Energy Monitor to automatically charge only with excess solar power and curb charging during peak demand.
- UL LISTED WITH YOUR SAFETY IN MIND. Manufactured to meet the safety criteria defined by these industry standards: NEC 625, SAE J1772, UL 817, UL 991, UL 2231, UL 2251, and UL 2594. INSTALLS INDOORS OR OUTDOORS. Your charger will be safe from the elements with a rugged watertight NEMA Type 4 enclosure. Check with your state and local company to see if there are incentives and rebates in your area. PROTECTED BY A 3-YEAR WARRANTY.
- HARDWIRED OR PLUGGED INSTALLATION - 11.5kW (240V/48A) / 9.6kW (240V/40A) / 10kW (208V/48A) / 8.3kW (208V/40A) (up to 48A hardwired or up to 40A NEMA Type 14-50P with 22" cable compliant with 2017 NEC Section 625.17(A)(3)). Requires a dual-pole, dedicated breaker at 60A+ for a 48A charge or 50A+ for a 40A charge. A professional electrician is recommended for hardwiring or installing a NEMA Plug.
- COMPATIBLE WITH ANY EV. The charger comes with a SAE J1772 connector (adapter required for Tesla EVs) and a 24' cable with integrated cable management.
- REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA: REQUIRES 2.4 GHz WIFI WITH AN INTERNET CONNECTION to monitor energy use and charging sessions with iPhone / Android / Web Browser app. Schedule charging with app. Easily manage the parameters to handle variable utility rate charges.
ShockFlo Level 1-2 EV Charger,16 Amp 110-240V 21ft Portable Electric Vehicle Charger,NEMA 6-20 Plug with NEMA 5-15 Adapter Compatible with J1772 Electric Cars
$159.99
in stock
Amazon.com
as of March 18, 2023 11:58 pm
Features
- 4X Faster Charging: SHOCKFLO Level 2 EV Charger offers 4X charging speed than a standard charger, getting you 44 miles with only 4 hours under 240V charge. Replaceable NEMA 5-15 adapter allow it to be used for both level 1 & level 2(Both green and red light may on or flash when powered or charged at 240V, it won't affect the normal use)
- Work with All EVs: SHOCKFLO EV Electric Vehicle Charger is compatible with all electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids meeting J1772 standard
- Charge Anywhere, Anytime: 21ft charging cord is long and flexible enough for most yards or garages. Storage bag is easier to carry, keeping things organized in car and allowing to recharge anytime & anywhere
- Certified Safe, Charged Safer: IP65 waterproof and international certified to charge your car at its highest possible speed safely. Protect against lightning, current leakage, grounding, low-voltage, over-voltage, over-charge, over-heat and over-current.We provide warranty of 12 months
- Plug, and Charge: SHOCKFLO EV Charger is effortless to use. Plug the charger into the outlet, and it starts charging instantly. LED indicator tells charging progress and errors, letting you know if it's working properly
Grizzl-E Level 2 EV Charger, 16/24/32/40 Amp, NEMA 14-50 Plug/06-50 Plug, 24 feet Premium Cable, Indoor/Outdoor Car Charging Station, Classic/Avalanche/Extreme (Classic 14-24-PB)…
$395.00
in stock
1 new
from $395.00
3 used from $390.06
3 used from $390.06
Free shipping
Amazon.com
as of March 18, 2023 11:58 pm
Features
- Grizzl-E Classic NEMA 14-50 Plug with 24 Feet Premium Cable is a simple, powerful, heavy-duty and portable Electric Vehicle Charging Station which is suitable for normal and cold weather. Compatible with all EVs and PHEVs sold in North America.
- UL Full Tested and Certified. Eligible for Federal rebate program. IP67 (Water resistant), Fire resistant. Over Current, Over Voltage , Under Voltage, Missing Diode, Ground Fault, and Over Temperature Protections. Self-Monitoring and Recovery, Power Outage Recovery. Built in GFCI.
- Fast charging and adjustable amperage: 40A, 32A, 24A, 16A. Maximum current output of 40 Amps for 50A circuit breaker, 32 Amps for 40A circuit breaker, 24 Amps for 30A circuit breaker, or 16 Amps for 20A circuit breaker. Charge Rate: 28-30 miles per hour at 40A, 22-25 miles per hour at 32A, 15-18 miles per hour at 24A and 10-12 miles per hour at 16A.
- Easy to install and use. Save hundreds of dollars on installation : just install a simple 14-50R outlet and you are ready to plug in your Grizzl-E. Easily transportable. Simple to remove from the mounting bracket and transport between different locations. NEMA-4 water and air tight metal enclosure. More power and output configurations for your money than any other charging station.
Build Your Own Electric Vehicle, Third Edition
$19.90 in stock
31 new
from $19.90
26 used from $13.49
26 used from $13.49
Amazon.com
as of March 18, 2023 11:58 pm
Features
| Part Number | 9780071770569 |
| Is Adult Product | |
| Release Date | 2013-02-19T00:00:01Z |
| Edition | 3 |
| Language | English |
| Number Of Pages | 416 |
| Publication Date | 2013-02-19T00:00:01Z |
Basesailor USB Type C Charger Cable 6.6FT 2 Pack,Nylon Charging Power Cord for Samsung Galaxy S10E S23 S20 S21 S22,Moto Z3 Z4 G7 G8 G9 Play Power G Pro Fast Stylus,Motorola Razr Edge One 5G,Steam Deck
$12.99
in stock
Amazon.com
as of March 18, 2023 11:58 pm
Features
- ⍟ Colorful cable make colorful life ⍟ --- Select the color resonates with you, makes you happy and energizes you. Or just simply choose the color that match your devices!
- ⍟ FAST CHARGING FOR USB-C DEVICES ⍟ --- Use this cable to connect a device with a USB-C port to a charger or computer with a standard USB port and then you can benefit from the latest speed boosts it brings when charging your USB C device. It can deliver up to 3A of power, so fast charging won’t be a problem.
- ⍟ EXTREMELY DURABLE ⍟ --- Our product is a durable and sturdy cable that you can rely on, with a double-braided exterior and a premium aramid fiber core. It boasts a 7000+ bend-tested lifespan, which enables to endure daily wear and tear. The aluminum alloy connectors also have reinforced necks to reduce damage from bending.
- ⍟ USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN ⍟ --- It comes with an additional flexible Velcro strap to help you keep any excess cable out of the way and to avoid this cable getting knotted. The perfect length of the cable (6.6 FT) makes it suitable to be used in couch, bed, office or even backseat of your car while your device is charging.
- ⍟ REVERSIBLE CONNECTOR ⍟ --- Thanks to the reversible connector, you can finally wave goodbye to the frustration of plug in failures because your cable is in the wrong orientation. Now you can plug the connector easily in either direction without an flip. The cable is compatible with USB-C devices including but not limited to, Galaxy S10 S9 S8 Plus, Galaxy Note 9 8, Google Pixel 3 2 XL, LG V40 V30 G7 thinq and More.
ZENCAR EV Charger Holder Holster Type 1, Electric Vehicle Charger Holder, EV Charger Plug Nozzle Holster Dock for J1772 with EV Charger Wall Hook Cable Holder
$16.99
in stock
Amazon.com
as of March 18, 2023 11:58 pm
Features
- 【Compatible】 Fits all J1772 type 1 connectors and mounts
- 【Material】 High durable material with IP54 waterproof grade.
- 【Features】 The plug holder keeps your type 1 EV charger connector away from rain and dust. And the wall hook makes your charger safe and no cable in mess.
- 【Content】 1 Pcs Type 1 Dummy Socket + 1 Pcs Cable Holder. 4 screws are included.
- 【Warranty and support】 Evcars has been dedicated to charging electric vehicles for 10 years. Offer 1-year warranty and timely professional technical support.
Topdon Level 2 EV Charger, 40Amp 240V Smart Home Electric Car Charger, NEMA 14-50, UL Listed, Energy Star, Electric Vehicle Charger with WiFi, EVSE Indoor/Outdoor EV Charging Station with PulseQ App
$379.99
in stock
Amazon.com
as of March 18, 2023 11:58 pm
Features
- 【Fast Level 2 EV Charger with UL Listed】Topdon PulseQ level 2 EV 240V home charger can work 7X faster than a normal wall outlet. equipped with NEMA 14-50 connector, J1772 TYPE 1 standard connector, so it’s compatible with electric vehicles with American standard AC charging interfaces or plug-in hybrid vehicles, including Tesla (Adaptor Needed), Ford, GM, Volkswagen, Nissan, Audi and more.
- 【Smart APP, Great Value for Money】The PulseQ App allows your vehicles to be charged during off-peak period by setting charging time, saving money on the electricity bills. And,it allows to adjust charging current range from 6 to 40A, check charging miles and cost, view charging history, get fully-charged notification, and track all data of charging status and check the price difference between oil and electricity.
- 【Work Easier With APP】 The ev charger will generate a Wi-Fi signal and use your smartphone to connect it, then you can connect the PulseQ to your home network, easy to use. This APP allows users to connect multiple chargers and perform charging jobs remotely. The PulseQ AC Home EV charger can be controlled by more than one person simultaneously. And, When the App loses its connection with the charger, it will switch into Plug-and-Play mode and continue to charge your vehicles intelligently.
- 【Safety Above Everything】 The PulseQ has been equipped with multiple safety protections：Under Voltage protection, Over Voltage protection, Overload protection, Over-Temp protection, Short Circuit protection, Ground protection, Earth Leakage protection, and Lightning protection. This charging unit can operate in environments of -20℃ to 55℃ (-4 to 131°F). The connector operating life is up to 10000 times. The NEMA TYPE 4 waterproof case, make it suitable for indoor and outdoor application.
- 【Easy Installation & 24/7 Customer Support】The PulseQ AC electric car charger is simple and easy to mount on wall or pole, if the socket is prepared, the charging station can be installed in 15 minutes. And, TOPDON provides comprehensive after-sales service and technical support to all of our customers. Our hotline service can offer technical support to help our customers resolve their problems within 24 hours. TOPDON offers customer support on "Facebook" during weekdays. Search “TOPDON Official” and contact us via message.