By Sarah Witman

Sarah Witman is a writer focused on batteries and charging accessories. She has spent countless hours charging, discharging, and recharging batteries.

Whether you’re a longtime electric vehicle owner, or you’re still waiting for your first EV to leave the factory floor, you should consider investing in a Level 2 charger for your home.

Most modern EVs ship with a Level 1 charger, which you can toss in your trunk (or frunk) and plug into any standard wall outlet. But the fastest way to juice up an EV at home is to use a Level 2 charger, which can add four or more times as many miles per hour of charge.

After 58 hours of research and 95 hours of testing, we found the Emporia Level 2 EV Charger (J version) to be the best at-home charger for EVs with a J port, whereas the Emporia Level 2 EV Charger (NACS version) is best for Teslas and other EVs with a J connector (also called the North American Charging Standard, or NACS).

In either configuration, it’s powerful, easy to use, and equipped with a long cord. And thanks to its streamlined shape, it doesn’t take up much space in the garage.

Everything we recommend

Top pick

This fast-charging Level 2 EV charger is compatible with any J electric vehicle. It has a compact body and a 24-foot cord. Plus, it’s one of the most weatherized models we’ve tested.

This fast-charging Level 2 EV charger is compatible with any Tesla or other NACS electric vehicle. It has a compact body and a 24-foot cord. Plus, it’s one of the most weatherized models we’ve tested.

Budget pick

This model supports up to 40 A charging, has a 25-foot cord, and is fully weatherproofed. Plus, it’s less expensive than many comparable models.

Best for...

If you want to charge two EVs at once, this charger has two 24-foot cords. But it can’t be hardwired, and it splits 40 A between two vehicles, so it charges slower than our other picks.

Best for...

This portable J charger is small enough to easily toss in a trunk, and it has many of the same features found in the best full-size EV chargers. It isn’t as powerful as some others we tested, but it often costs less.

This portable NACS charger is small enough to easily toss in a trunk, and it has many of the same features found in the best full-size EV chargers. It isn’t as powerful as some others we tested, but it often costs less.

Testing notes

• What can it charge?

  We focused on chargers compatible with most electric vehicles, including those with a J and/or NACS port.

• How powerful is it?

  To ensure a faster charge than standard Level 1 chargers provide, we required that each model be rated at 32 A or higher.

• Is its cord lengthy?

  Since a typical single-car garage is up to 16 feet wide, we required each charger to have at least a 16-foot cord.

• How is it installed?

  We preferred each charger to have multiple installation options, including a hardwired or 240 V plug-in setup.

Top pick

This fast-charging Level 2 EV charger is compatible with any J electric vehicle. It has a compact body and a 24-foot cord. Plus, it’s one of the most weatherized models we’ve tested.

This fast-charging Level 2 EV charger is compatible with any Tesla or other NACS electric vehicle. It has a compact body and a 24-foot cord. Plus, it’s one of the most weatherized models we’ve tested.

The Emporia Level 2 EV Charger (both the J and NACS versions) supports up to 48 A charging, allowing you to fully charge most EV batteries in five to eight hours — a claim that we confirmed in our testing. It has a 24-foot cord (nearly the longest that safety regulations permit) and supports either a hardwired or plug-in installation, though the latter limits charging speeds to 40 A.

It’s UL listed for safety and compliance, and since it’s rated NEMA 4 (similar to IP66), it has total protection against dust and can withstand strong sprays of water. At this writing, it costs $430 and has a three-year warranty.

Maximum current rating: 48 amps
Weatherization rating: IP66 (fully dustproof and mostly waterproof)
Installation options: two (hardwire, NEMA 14-50 plug)
Warranty: three years

Budget pick

This model supports up to 40 A charging, has a 25-foot cord, and is fully weatherproofed. Plus, it’s less expensive than many comparable models.

If you’re on a tighter budget and don’t mind waiting an extra hour for your battery to charge, the United Chargers Grizzl-E Classic 40A offers many of the same capabilities as our top pick at a typically lower price. It has a J connector, and an optional holster (sold separately for $20 at this writing) makes it easier to pair with an NACS adapter in comparison with most models.

The Classic supports up to 40 A charging, allowing you to charge most EV batteries in six to nine hours. It has a 25-foot cord, and it’s available in either a hardwire or plug-in configuration.

Like the Emporia charger, this Grizzl-E model is UL listed, and its IP67 rating indicates that it’s totally protected against dust and can withstand shallow water immersion. At this writing, it costs $400 and comes with a three-year warranty (or a five-year warranty for an additional $100).

Maximum current rating: 40 amps
Weatherization rating: IP67 (fully dustproof and waterproof)
Installation options: three (hardwire, NEMA 14-50 plug, NEMA 6-50 plug)
Warranty: three years (or five years for $100 more)

Best for...

If you want to charge two EVs at once, this charger has two 24-foot cords. But it can’t be hardwired, and it splits 40 A between two vehicles, so it charges slower than our other picks.

The United Chargers Grizzl-E Duo is one of the few Level 2 chargers that can simultaneously charge two EVs. It has two J connectors, and like our budget pick, it has an optional holster for easy pairing with an NACS adapter to charge a Tesla or any other NACS vehicle.

When charging one car, the Grizzl-E Duo supports up to 40 A charging, allowing you to charge most EV batteries in six to nine hours. When charging two cars at once, it splits that power between them (up to 20 A apiece), and as a result, charging each car takes about twice as long.

The Grizzl-E Duo has two 24-foot cords, and the charger can plug into either a NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50 outlet. It can’t be hardwired, which doesn’t affect the charging speed in this case since it’s already limited to 40 A, but that is a slight drawback if you want your charger to be permanently installed.

Like the Grizzle-E Classic, the Grizzl-E Duo has an IP67 weatherization rating, and it’s UL listed. At this writing, it costs $800 and has a three-year warranty.

Maximum current rating: 40 amps (or 20 amps apiece when charging two vehicles)
Weatherization rating: IP67 (fully dustproof and waterproof)
Installation options: two (NEMA 14-50 plug or NEMA 6-50 plug)
Warranty: three years

Best for...

This portable J charger is small enough to easily toss in a trunk, and it has many of the same features found in the best full-size EV chargers. It isn’t as powerful as some others we tested, but it often costs less.

This portable NACS charger is small enough to easily toss in a trunk, and it has many of the same features found in the best full-size EV chargers. It isn’t as powerful as some others we tested, but it often costs less.

If you want something that offers more power than most Level 1 chargers but is just as compact and portable, get the Lectron Portable Level 2 Charger (either the J or NACS version). Like the Grizzl-E Classic and Grizzl-E Duo, it supports up to 40 A charging, allowing you to charge most EV batteries in six to nine hours.

This Lectron charger has a 16-foot cord, which is shorter than the cords on our other picks but still practical for a portable model. It can plug into a NEMA 14-50 outlet, but it can’t be hardwired, which makes sense for a portable model.

It’s less weatherized than our other picks — its IP65 rating means it’s totally protected against dust and can withstand light sprays of water — but still ruggedly built. And its two-year warranty is shorter than the coverage on many of the chargers we tested. But it’s typically the least expensive of our picks, costing $290 for the J version and $270 for the NACS version at this writing.

Maximum current rating: 40 amps
Weatherization rating: IP65 (fully dustproof and moderately waterproof)
Installation options: one (NEMA 14-50 plug)
Warranty: two years

Why you should trust us

I’ve been a science writer for more than a decade, covering a wide variety of topics from particle physics to satellite remote sensing. Since joining Wirecutter in , I’ve reported on surge protectors, rechargeable batteries, power banks, and more.

For this guide:

• I spent 58 hours researching and 95 hours testing dozens of EV chargers.
• I interviewed Paul Vosper, then the CEO of JuiceBar (a manufacturer of commercial EV charging stations from to ), about the history of the EV charging industry.
• I interviewed Tracy Price (founder of Qmerit) and Caradoc Ehrenhalt (CEO of EV Safe Charge) about installing an EV charger in a private home or multi-unit building.
• To better understand the needs of EV drivers, I interviewed Joe Flores, a deputy director at the nonprofit electricity provider San José Clean Energy at the time; Suncheth Bhat, then the director of clean energy transportation for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E); and Aaron August, who was PG&E’s vice president of utility partnerships and innovation.
• I interviewed Amine Zitour, CEO of A2Z Canada, about EV charging adapters in North America.
• Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.

Who is this for

Whether you’re in the process of buying an EV and want the fastest possible at-home charge, or you already own an EV and want to upgrade from a sluggish Level 1 charger to a speedier Level 2 charger, this guide is for you.

EV drivers have widely varying lifestyles, needs, and priorities, but having a powerful EV charger at home is likely to be a worthwhile investment in most cases. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, a Level 1 charger can take days (40 to 50 hours) to charge an EV battery from empty to 80% charged, whereas a Level 2 charger can complete the same task in just four to 10 hours.

Even if you don’t put many miles on your car, and topping off the battery overnight works for you most of the time, you still might want to have a charger at home that lets you juice up quickly in the event of a wildfire, flash flood, or other unforeseen disaster.

In addition to faster charging times, Level 2 chargers often come with features you might not get from the charger that came with your EV, such as:

• the option to hardwire the charger directly into your home’s electrical grid
• a long cord that can reach across a two-car garage or carport
• a smartphone app that supplements your EV’s app to track battery life, charge times, and more
• a weatherproof enclosure to add protection from the elements

As is true of any home-improvement project, upgrading your EV charging setup comes at a cost. In addition to the sticker price of the charger, you’re likely to pay around $550 to $1,400 to have it professionally installed. You can circumvent this hurdle by buying a plug-in model, but if you don’t already have a 240 V outlet at your parking spot (they’re typically used for RVs or electric stovetops, among other things), you still need to spend at least a few hundred dollars to get one installed and take advantage of the Level 2 charger’s higher current.

The silver lining here is that to help recoup the costs of going electric, many federal, state, and regional programs offer rebates and other incentives. If you rent your home, and you’re unsure whether your rental agreement allows you to install a Level 2 charger, check your state’s “right to charge” laws. Likewise, if you own a home or rental property, the U.S. Department of Energy has a trove of resources on installing EV chargers.

How we picked and tested

To find the most well-known and widely available makers of Level 2 EV chargers, we searched the websites of major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, and we also looked at reviews from industry publications such as Car and Driver, CleanTechnica, Electrek, and InsideEVs. From there, we built a list of contenders based on the following features:

• J and/or NACS connector: Since most EVs in the US have either a J or NACS port, we focused on chargers compatible with either (or, preferably, both) of those connectors. In the US, the vast majority of EV owners drive Tesla models, which have an NACS charging port, and most other car makers have recently committed to implementing the NACS connector in new models. But many existing EVs use the longstanding J connector, and since EVs tend to require less maintenance than gas-powered vehicles, these models are likely to be on the road for decades to come.
• At least a 32 A maximum current rating: To provide the fastest possible at-home charge, Level 2 chargers run off a 240-volt circuit, passing from 16 to 80 amperes of current to your vehicle. Since most EVs come with a portable Level 1 charger capable of trickle charging up to 32 A from a standard 120 V outlet, we made that our cutoff.
• At least a 16-foot cord: Longer cords tend to be thicker and more unwieldy than shorter ones, but a lengthy cord is critical for an EV charger since it ensures that it can reach the car’s charging port. The National Electrical Code (NEC) caps cord length at 25 feet, and a typical single-car garage is up to 16 feet wide. So we struck from our testing pool any chargers with a cord shorter than 16 feet.
• NEMA 14-50 plug and/or ability to be hardwired: Hardwiring is generally preferable to a plug-in installation because it creates a more seamless (and therefore more energy-efficient) connection between your home’s wiring and the charger. It also offers better protection against the elements and can deliver up to 60 A to your vehicle, whereas a NEMA 14-50 (plug-in) connection can handle a maximum of just 50 A. The downside of hardwiring your charger is that you need to have it installed, ideally by a certified electrician. We required each model in our testing pool to offer at least one of these installation options, and we preferred those with both. We considered additional plug configurations (such as the less-versatile NEMA 6-50 plug, which lacks a neutral wire and is most commonly used for welding equipment) to be nonessential bonuses.
• Certification from a reputable testing organization: A seal of approval from any Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) indicates that a product meets rigorous safety and compliance standards. So we required that each charger have a certification from one or more of these organizations.
• Ability to be used safely outdoors: Even if you plan to keep your charger in an enclosed garage, it’ll be exposed to the elements when the door is open. We gave preference to chargers with more-robust Ingress Protection (IP) or National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) ratings (two common grading scales for weatherizing) and those rated to withstand more-extreme temperatures.
• Price less than $2,000: Most chargers we considered cost $1,000 or less, but we were open to pricier options with extra features. The annual savings from switching to electric will vary depending on your driving habits, the type of car you drive, fuel costs, and a variety of other factors. But whether you spend $500 or $2,000, your EV is likely to pay for the cost of your charger in less than a year. On average, it costs less than half as much annually to power an EV than it does to fuel a traditional car. And that doesn’t even include the reduction in maintenance costs. (You can see how your car stacks up using an online calculator from the U.S. Department of Energy.)
• At least a one-year warranty: A year is ample time to use your charger on a regular basis and confirm that it isn’t a dud.
• Positive owner reviews: We ran some of our top contenders through FindOurView, a program that analyzes online user ratings and reviews to highlight common patterns. Some models had an insufficient number of reviews for the software to analyze, but doing this allowed us to identify a few models with consistently reported problems; we then cut those models from our list.

To test the chargers, we borrowed a Volkswagen ID.4 Pro and rented a Tesla (a Model Y Long-Range AWD in and a Model 3 in ) for a week apiece. The former had a J port, and the latter had an NACS port, so testing with these EVs allowed us to confirm the chargers’ compatibility with both connector types.

Over the course of two weeks, we drove the cars up and down country roads, circled parking lots, and waited in fast-food drive-through queues to run the batteries down to a 65% charge. We then charged the batteries up to 75% and recorded three key measurements, as reported by the cars’ built-in software: time elapsed (in minutes), battery capacity (in kilowatt-hours, or kWh), and maximum current (in amps, or A).

In general, to make EV batteries last longer, you should keep them at a 20% to 80% charge and ideally never allow them to get lower than 10% or above 90%. We chose an even narrower window for our testing, though, since staying above a 65% charge and below a 75% charge puts minimal strain on a lithium-ion battery (the kind found in most EVs).

We ran the majority of our charging tests using a NEMA 14-50 wall outlet, which is rated for 240 V and 50 A. Even though hardwiring offers some well-documented advantages for long-term use, we didn’t think we’d glean any additional insights by hiring an electrician to install and uninstall more than a dozen chargers for our two-week testing period.

Before getting started, we used a Klein Tools electrical test kit to confirm that the voltage and wiring conditions of both outlets were up to snuff (they were). And we used a Kill A Watt power meter to verify that its time, capacity, and amperage measurements matched the readings shown on the EVs’ respective display screens (they did).

As needed, we used a Lectron Tesla to J Charging Adapter (Max 48 A) or Tesla SAE J Charging Adapter to connect the Tesla or Volkswagen (respectively) to a non-compatible charger. Once we’d identified the most powerful chargers, we used them to test the other prospective adapters.

In addition to those quantitative tests, we spent hours collecting qualitative data. Throughout our two-week testing period, we took stock of the overall look, feel, ease of use, and build quality of the chargers. We also assessed the efficacy and added value of any extra features, such as a mobile app or cord-storage rack. We did the same for the adapters we tested.

Top pick: Emporia Level 2 EV Charger (J or NACS)

Top pick

This fast-charging Level 2 EV charger is compatible with any J electric vehicle. It has a compact body and a 24-foot cord. Plus, it’s one of the most weatherized models we’ve tested.

This fast-charging Level 2 EV charger is compatible with any Tesla or other NACS electric vehicle. It has a compact body and a 24-foot cord. Plus, it’s one of the most weatherized models we’ve tested.

The Emporia Level 2 EV Charger (in both its J and NACS versions) has all the key features we prize in a home EV charger, yet it costs less than many comparable models. It has plenty of power to charge most EVs at top speed, a long cord, multiple installation options, and ample weatherizing, as well as an NRTL safety certification, a solid warranty, and a good look and feel.

It charges quickly. Emporia’s charger puts out up to 48 A, allowing you to charge most EV batteries in five to eight hours — a claim that we confirmed in our testing. Even if you have a long commute, you’ll be able to easily recharge your battery overnight.

It has a long cord. Safety regulations permit home EV chargers to have cords only up to 25 feet, and this model’s 24-foot cord is one of the longest of the models we tested. This gives you much more flexibility in where you need to park to recharge your EV.

It offers versatile installation options. Since this charger supports hardwired installation but can also plug into a NEMA 14-50 outlet, you can decide whether you prefer the higher speed of permanent installation or the flexibility of a plug-in setup (with charging speeds limited to 40 A).

It’s safe and reliable. This charger is UL listed for safety and compliance, and it’s made by a reputable brand with responsive customer support. Plus, it’s backed by a three-year warranty, in case you run into any problems.

It works in a variety of environments. Emporia’s charger is rated to operate in temperatures between -22 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit. It also has a NEMA 4 (similar to IP66) weatherization rating, which means it has total protection against dust and can withstand strong sprays of water.

It’s ruggedly built. While it doesn’t have a metal exterior like some models we tested (Emporia opted for a plastic shell), this charger feels sturdy and well made. Plus, its plug has a removable rubber cap, further protecting its innards from dust and water damage.

It has a contemporary look. Weighing just 17 pounds, the Emporia charger has a sleek, low-profile shape. It comes in either black or white, so it can more easily blend in with its surroundings.

It has a user-friendly design. It comes with a slim, flexible cord and a built-in cord holder. Also, a handy set of hook-and-loop ties allows you to keep the cord neatly coiled when you aren’t using it, as well as all the necessary hardware to mount it to a wall.

It’s a good value. At this writing, both versions of the Emporia charger cost $430. Although it isn’t the cheapest model we tested, it’s comparable to some chargers that cost hundreds of dollars more.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The J version’s cord holder feels flimsy and can’t be replaced. Also, since it’s attached to the body of the charger, you can’t decide where to mount it, as you can with the cord holder that comes with the NACS version.

Budget pick: United Chargers Grizzl-E Classic 40A

Budget pick

This model supports up to 40 A charging, has a 25-foot cord, and is fully weatherproofed. Plus, it’s less expensive than many comparable models.

Despite costing less than many of the chargers in our testing pool, the United Chargers Grizzl-E Classic 40A offers many of the same capabilities and features available in pricier models. It isn’t as elegant-looking as some of our other picks, and it’s available only in a J-plug configuration, but it’s powerful, ruggedly built, easy to use, and equipped with a long cord.

It works with most EVs. Unlike our top pick, the Grizzl-E Classic has only a J plug, but you can still buy a separate J-to-NACS adapter to use it with a Tesla or other vehicle that has an NACS port. The company also sells an NACS plug holder that you can mount next to the charger, which is convenient if you plan to use that type of adapter frequently.

Goto Inventronics to know more.

It’s powerful. The Grizzl-E Classic is rated for a maximum current of 40 A, which we were able to reproduce in our testing. It can charge much faster than the Level 1 chargers that come with most EVs.

It has a long, flexible cord. Like the Emporia charger, the Grizzl-E Classic has a 25-foot cord, one of the longest of the chargers we tested. The cord is thin and flexible enough for you to easily wind it up when you aren’t using it.

It offers multiple installation options. In addition to being hardwire-ready, the Grizzl-E Classic comes with either a NEMA 14-50 plug or a NEMA 6-50 plug; you choose one or the other at checkout.

It’s a safe buy. The Grizzl-E Classic is UL-listed, which means it’s been tested and certified to be in accordance with national safety and compliance standards.

It’s built for most environments. If you’d like the option of installing your charger outside, this model has the most weatherproof exterior of any we tested. Its IP67 rating indicates that the charger is fully protected against superficial dirt, dust, moisture, and even heavy rain or snow.

The Grizzl-E Classic’s charging plug has a rubber cover attached by a short tether, which further protects the internal components from the elements. Also, like most models we tested, this one is rated to operate safely within a temperature range of -22 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s relatively affordable. At this writing, the Grizzl-E Classic is one of the least expensive models we tested, costing just $400.

It has a great warranty. United Chargers’s three-year warranty is as long as any we’ve seen, so you’ll have plenty of time to install your charger, use it, and determine if it needs to be replaced or repaired. An optional five-year warranty costs $100 more.

It doesn’t take up much space. This model is relatively compact and lightweight, measuring 6.25 by 10.25 by 3.5 inches (not including the cord) and weighing just 20 pounds (about as much as a beagle). It comes with wall-mounting hardware for the main unit, as well as a wall-mountable holster for the charging nozzle.

It comes in three colors. The original Grizzl-E Classic is black. The Grizzl-E Avalanche 40A and Grizzl-E Extreme 40A are identical models that come in white and a camouflage print, respectively.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It isn’t the best-looking charger we’ve tested. The Grizzl-E Classic has a blocky design, and the glossy surfaces of its painted metal enclosure attract fingerprints and smudges more than most. But we think most people can overlook its subpar aesthetics in exchange for its superior weatherization.

The packaging isn’t great. When we unboxed this charger, it wasn’t as well wrapped as other models; this could have potentially led to its being harmed in transit (and we found several buyer reviews reporting damaged parts, dents, or scratches straight out of the box). But since ours arrived intact, and the charger seems sturdily built overall, we don’t think that’s a major cause for concern. Just be sure to inspect yours for signs of damage before setting it up.

How the Grizzl-E Classic 40A has held up

Our long-term testing model’s nozzle got stuck in a Rivian charging port. After using this charger every day for a few months, our long-term tester encountered a problem: The charging nozzle got stuck in her car’s charging port. United Chargers provided her with a replacement charger within a few days, and in the meantime, she got a representative from Rivian to make a house call — they got the plug unstuck with a screwdriver. Nearly a year has passed with no recurring issues, but we’ve found two owner reviews reporting the same problem, so we’re keeping an eye out for others.

Best for charging two EVs: United Chargers Grizzl-E Duo

Best for...

If you want to charge two EVs at once, this charger has two 24-foot cords. But it can’t be hardwired, and it splits 40 A between two vehicles, so it charges slower than our other picks.

The United Chargers Grizzl-E Duo is one of the few Level 2 chargers that can simultaneously charge two EVs. It charges slower than our other picks when two vehicles are connected, and it costs more than those models at this writing, but it’s your best bet if you want the option to charge two EVs at once.

It has two long cords. The Grizzl-E Duo has two 24-foot cords, each of which has a J plug. As with our budget pick, you can get a separate holster (or pair of holsters) to easily keep an NACS adapter attached to one or both of the plugs when you aren’t using them.

It’s a safe buy. This model is UL listed, so it’s been independently tested for safety and compliance. United Chargers backs it with a three-year warranty.

It offers multiple installation options. Although the Grizzl-E Duo cannot be hardwired, it comes in either a NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50 plug-in configuration, so you still have more than one installation option (you choose the version you want at checkout). Plus, since it’s already limited to 40 A output, you’re not losing any power by not hardwiring it.

It can be used in most environments. This charger’s IP67 weatherization rating means it has total protection against both dust and water, and it’s rated to operate in temperatures between -22 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit. As on the Grizzl-E Classic, this model’s nozzles have protective caps attached to the cords by short tethers that help keep the plugs free of debris and moisture when you aren’t using them.

It comes with handy accessories. Similar to the Emporia charger and the Grizzl-E Classic, the Grizzl-E Duo comes with hardware to mount it on a wall. Also included are two wall-mountable holsters for the charging nozzles.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It can charge two cars at once, but not at top speed. When charging one car, the Grizzl-E Duo supports up to 40 A charging, allowing you to charge most EV batteries in six to nine hours. But in our testing we found that when charging two cars at once, it splits that power between them (up to 20 A apiece) and charges them in about twice the time.

It’s on the bulkier side but ruggedly built. Like the Grizzl-E Classic, the Grizzl-E Duo is encased in a protective metal box. However, it isn’t as compact as its sibling, measuring 10.25 by 6.75 by 6.25 inches (not including the cords). It also weighs twice as much, at 40 pounds.

It’s costly, but it’s worth the investment if you have more than one EV. The Grizzl-E Duo costs more than our other picks ($800 at this writing), but that’s because it can charge twice as many vehicles at once.

Best portable EV charger: Lectron Portable Level 2 Charger (J or NACS)

Best for...

This portable J charger is small enough to easily toss in a trunk, and it has many of the same features found in the best full-size EV chargers. It isn’t as powerful as some others we tested, but it often costs less.

This portable NACS charger is small enough to easily toss in a trunk, and it has many of the same features found in the best full-size EV chargers. It isn’t as powerful as some others we tested, but it often costs less.

If you want a home EV charger that’s easy to take with you, get the Lectron Portable Level 2 Charger (J or NACS version). It’s more powerful than most Level 1 chargers, but it’s still small and light enough to pack in a bag or toss in your trunk.

This is handy if you frequently travel between two homes, if your garage is especially tight on space, or if the 240 V outlet you use to charge your EV is in a shared parking lot or driveway.

It’s versatile. Like our top pick, this Lectron charger comes in two configurations, with either a J or NACS connector. The two work equally well, so get the one that matches your car’s charging port.

It charges quickly. Like the Grizzl-E Classic and Duo, the Lectron charger supports up to 40 A charging, which is less power than our top pick offers but still more than what you can get from a standard Level 1 charger. That’s enough power to charge most EVs in six to nine hours, a claim that we confirmed in our testing.

It offers one installation option. This charger has a NEMA 14-50 plug to draw power from a 240 V wall outlet. It can’t be hardwired, but that’s necessary for portability.

It’s a safe buy. Lectron’s portable charger is ETL certified for safety and compliance (which, like UL listing, means it’s been tested and approved by an NRTL). It’s made by a brand we trust with fast and responsive customer support.

It’s well protected against the elements. Though slightly less weatherized than our other picks, this charger’s IP65 rating indicates that it’s totally protected against dust and can withstand light sprays of water. And like our other picks, it’s rated to operate in temperatures between -22 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

This model’s charging nozzle has a slightly lower weatherization rating (IP54) compared with the body of the unit; although it can withstand light sprays of water, it has only limited protection against dust. But it also has a protective cap over the charging nozzle, attached by a short tether, to further keep out debris and moisture.

It’s a good value. At this writing, the Lectron charger is the least expensive of our picks, costing $260 for the J version and $275 for the NACS version.

It has a svelte design. Lectron’s portable charger has a streamlined shape, a compact size, and a thin, flexible cord. It’s sturdily built and exceptionally lightweight at just 14.4 pounds, in contrast to the 20 to 40 pounds of our other picks.

It has a two-year warranty. This model’s two-year warranty is as short as the coverage on any charger we tested, but that should still give you plenty of time to use it and confirm that it’s working properly.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It has a short but easily packable cord. The Lectron charger has a 16-foot cord, which is shorter than those of our other picks, but since that length allows it to pack up smaller, it makes sense for a portable model. The charger is also equipped with a hook-and-loop cable tie to keep the cord neatly wound when you aren’t using it.

How to charge a Tesla with a non-Tesla charger (and vice versa)

This easy-to-use adapter is the best option for charging any Tesla or other NACS vehicle using a J charger. It supports up to 60 A, so it can pair with any Level 1 or 2 charger.

To charge a Tesla or any other NACS vehicle on a non-Tesla charger (not including CCS fast chargers), get the Lectron J to Tesla 60A Charging Adapter. At this writing, it’s one of the least expensive and most widely available options — even in comparison with Tesla’s own version.

This adapter is small and lightweight, so it’s easy to pack in a trunk or even a glove compartment. It supports up to 60 A charging, it’s UL listed, and it has an IP54 weatherization rating, so it’s highly protected from dust and can withstand light sprays of water. Plus, it’s backed by Lectron’s one-year warranty.

This easy-to-use adapter allows drivers of non-Tesla EVs to use Tesla chargers (except Superchargers) to juice up. When paired with a compatible charger, it can provide up to 48 A of current.

The Lectron Tesla to J 48A Charging Adapter allows EVs with a J charging port to juice up at most Tesla chargers (except Superchargers). This is helpful if your J EV’s battery is running low and a Tesla charging station is the closest option, or if you’re at a friend’s house and you want to top off your battery with their NACS charger.

This adapter is small and compact, and in our testing it supported up to 49 A charging speeds, slightly exceeding its 48 A rating. It makes a satisfying click when it snaps into place, and a simple press of a button releases it from the plug after charging. It’s also UL listed, rated IP54 for weatherization, and backed by a one-year warranty.

Rated for up to 300 A charging, this is the best adapter for charging a Tesla or other NACS EV with a CCS fast charger.

This adapter is the best option for charging a Tesla or other NACS EV with a CCS (non-Tesla) fast charger. It has a lower amperage rating than the Tesla and A2Z versions we tested (300 A versus 500 A), but it’s otherwise identical and more widely available at this writing.

Its UL certification is pending, but that’s currently true of all adapters of this type. It has an IP54 weatherization rating and comes with a one-year warranty.

Ruggedly built and rated for up to 500 A charging, this is the best adapter for charging a J EV with a Tesla Supercharger.

The Lectron Vortex Plug Tesla Supercharger NACS to CCS 500A Adapter is the best option for charging a J EV with a Tesla Supercharger. It supports up to 500 A charging, and it’s more widely available than the A2Z version we tested (Tesla doesn’t currently sell an adapter like this). Its UL certification is pending, but that’s the case for all adapters of this type right now.

It has an IP65 weatherization rating, so it’s totally protected against dust and can withstand light sprays of water. It comes with a one-year warranty.

Other EV chargers and adapters worth considering

Chargers

If you want interchangeable connectors, and you don’t mind less weatherproofing and a higher cost than with our top pick: Get the ChargePoint Home Flex. It has a 23-foot cord and comes with a J connector, which you can swap for an NACS connector with a separate conversion kit.

It’s the only model we tested with a user-replaceable cord, so you can simply swap in a new one when it wears out, rather than having to replace the entire unit. This is handy since the cord gets handled more frequently than other components, so it’s likely to wear out before the charger itself does.

It supports up to 50 A charging, allowing you to charge most EVs in five to eight hours. However, if you don’t connect to ChargePoint’s mobile app, you’re stuck at a sluggish 16 A charging rate (which we confirmed in our testing).

Available in hardwire (50 A) and plug-in (40 A) installation configurations, it’s UL listed and backed by ChargePoint’s three-year warranty. But its NEMA 3R rating (similar to IP14) offers only minimal protection against dust and light water sprays.

At this writing, the Home Flex costs $550, and the conversion kit costs an extra $200. That makes it one of the most expensive models we tested.

If you want a portable charger with a longer cord than our portable pick’s, you need only an NACS connector, and you don’t mind a slower charge and less weatherproofing: Get the Tesla Mobile Connector. It supports up to 32 A charging, allowing you to charge most EVs in eight to 12 hours. It has a 20-foot cord — 4 feet longer than that of the Lectron Portable Level 2 Charger — and can plug into either a NEMA 14-50 outlet or a standard wall outlet. It can’t be hardwired, but that makes sense for a portable charger. It’s UL listed, and its NEMA 4X rating (similar to IP66) means it’s totally protected against dust and can withstand strong sprays of water. Currently, it costs $300 and has a one-year warranty (or four years if it came with your vehicle).

If you want a portable charger with a longer cord and more weatherproofing than our portable pick has, and you don’t mind paying almost twice as much: Get the United Chargers Grizzl-E Mini. It supports up to 40 A charging, allowing you to charge most EVs in six to nine hours, and it’s available in either a J or NACS version. It has a 25-foot cord, and although it can’t be hardwired, it can plug into a wide variety of wall outlets (NEMA 14-50, NEMA 5-15, NEMA TT-30, NEMA 14-30, or NEMA 6-50). It’s UL listed and has an IP67 weatherization rating. At this writing, it costs $480 and has a three-year warranty.

Adapters

If our J-to-NACS pick is unavailable: Get the United Chargers SAE J to Tesla Charging Adapter. It supports up to 80 A, which is more than Lectron’s version handles (though many home circuits allow only up to 40 A or 50 A anyway). Both models cost around $35 and have a one-year warranty. But unlike Lectron’s version, this adapter is not UL listed and has only a NEMA 3R (similar to IP14) weatherization rating.

If our CCS-to-NACS pick is unavailable: Get the A2Z CCS Combo 1 (CCS1) to NACS Adapter. It supports up to 350 A (whereas Lectron’s version is rated for 300 A), it’s just as weatherized (IP54), and it costs less ($112 at this writing). However, it isn’t as widely available.

If our NACS-to-CCS pick is unavailable: Get the A2Z Typhoon Pro NACS to CCS Adapter. They’re practically identical, but this one is less widely available.

The competition

This is not a comprehensive list of models we’ve tested. We have removed discontinued models and those that no longer meet our criteria.

Chargers

The Autel MaxiCharger AC Elite Home 40A, Blink HQ-200, JuiceBox 40 (the maker of which recently folded), Enphase HCS-50, Enphase HCS-60, Enphase HCS-80, and Lectron V-Box 48A are compatible only with J vehicles, which makes them less versatile and future-proof than otherwise comparable models. They also cost more or offer fewer installation options than some models we tested with as much or more power.

The Autel MaxiCharger AC Lite Home 50A comes in either a J or NACS configuration, and it supports up to 50 A charging. However, it requires a hardwired installation, and it costs more than some equally powerful models we tested.

‎The Enphase HCS-D50 costs more than twice as much as our dual-charger pick, and the main benefits it offers over that model are longer cords (25 feet versus 24 feet) and the option for a hardwired installation. We don’t think either feature is worth the added cost.

The Enphase IQ 50 and Enphase IQ 60 both cost more and have fewer installation options than some models we tested with as much or more power.

‎The Enphase IQ 80 and United Chargers Grizzl-E Ultimate 80A are more powerful than any of our picks (rated for 64 A and 80 A, respectively), but they’re limited to a hardwired installation. Also, most home circuits don’t support that much power draw, so installing either model would likely require a significant (and pricey) upgrade.

The EVoCharge Home 50 costs more than some models we tested with as much or more power. Also, at this writing, it comes only in a J version and is limited to a hardwired installation, though a representative from the company told us that it expects to release an NACS version and a NEMA 14-50 plug adapter in late .

The Lectron V-Box Pro 48A has a much shorter cord (16 feet) than otherwise comparable models we tested.

The Tesla Universal Wall Connector is one of just two chargers we’ve seen with a swappable plug, allowing you to charge either a J or NACS vehicle. (The other is the ChargePoint Home Flex, which costs slightly less but requires you to buy a separate $200 conversion kit to take advantage of that feature.) However, we still don’t recommend this model since it’s limited to a hardwired installation, and it costs more than some models we tested with as much or more power.

The Tesla Wall Connector is limited to a hardwired installation, and it costs more than some models we tested with as much or more power. It’s also less weatherized than otherwise comparable models.

The United Chargers Grizzl-E Ultimate 48A is limited to a hardwired installation, and it’s compatible only with J vehicles. A representative from the company told us that it expects to release an NACS version in late .

Adapters

The Tesla CCS Combo 1 Adapter is less weatherized (it has an IP44 rating) and less widely available than the other versions we tested.

The Tesla SAE J Charging Adapter is less weatherized than our J-to-NACS adapter pick from Lectron (it has a NEMA 3R rating, which is similar to IP14). It also costs more than other versions we tested ($50 at this writing) and is less widely available. If you have one that came with your Tesla, there’s nothing wrong with it. But if you want a replacement or backup, or you want something more weatherized, get our pick.

This article was edited by Ben Keough and Erica Ogg.

Sources

1. Paul Vosper, CEO of commercial EV charging station manufacturer JuiceBar, interview , January 6,

2. Aaron August, vice president of utility partnerships and innovation for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, interview , February 23,

3. Suncheth Bhat, director of clean energy transportation for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, interview , February 23,

4. Tracy Price, CEO of EV charger installation network Qmerit, interview , February 24,

5. Caradoc Ehrenhalt, CEO of EV charger installation and consulting firm EV Safe Charge, interview , February 25,

6. Joe Flores, deputy director at nonprofit electricity supplier San José Clean Energy, interview , February 25,

7. Amine Zitour, CEO of EV accessory maker A2Z Canada, interview , August 22,

Meet your guide

Sarah Witman

I research and test a wide variety of batteries, including some that are smaller than a Tootsie Roll (for tiny gadgets such as a stylus or penlight) or bigger than an overweight English bulldog (to keep vital electronics running during a power outage or camping trip). To test chargers, I’ve spent countless hours waiting for the batteries in my , laptop, and other household appliances to die—just so I could recharge them. Outside of my usual coverage areas, I’ve reported on the best wooden pencils, mousetraps, massage chairs, and scented candles for Wirecutter.

Further reading

• The Best USB Car Charger

  by Nick Guy and Sarah Witman

  We’ve tested the best car chargers, and we have recommendations for affordable, reliable options that can fast-charge any device while you’re on the road.

• The Best Car Mount

  by Roderick Scott

  No matter where you want to mount your in your car, we’ve got plenty of options to keep it safely in view while you’re driving.

• The Best Wireless Charging Mounts for Cars

  by Sarah Witman

  A wireless charging mount lets you safely use a while driving and keep it juiced up along the way. iOttie’s Easy One Touch Wireless 2 remains the best.

• Dear Wirecutter: What Is the Best Fast-Charging Four-Port Car Charger?

  by Nick Guy

  If you need to charge up to four devices with various charging standards in a car, the iXCC 50W 4 Port Car Charger is a great option.

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