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The best level 2 home EV chargers

ChargePoint Home EV charger plugged into car.
ChargePoint
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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 2 or 3 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, basically all the time.

There are, of course, a few things to note before buying a home EV charger. We're heading toward standardization of charging plugs in the U.S., but that's likely to be a long, drawn-out process. If you own a non-Tesla, chances are your car can charge with a CCS or SAE J1772 connector — but to use that connector on a Tesla, you'll need an adapter to convert that plug to the Tesla NACS connector. Most automakers have announced that they're switching to the NACS connector, so hopefully within a few years all new EVs will have the same port, and charging stations will switch over for added convenience.

The good news is that many home chargers these days are available with the option of a SAE J1772 connector or a NACS connector. Even if you have a car without NACS it might be worth buying a charger with an NACS connector and using an adapter, especially if you plan on replacing your EV in the near future or adding a second EV to your family. Also, it's important to keep in mind that Level 2 chargers can't be plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet, so you'll either need a larger 240-volt outlet or the help of an electrician to actually wire the charger into your home's power. A good middle ground can be having an electrician wire in a new 240-volt outlet, which should be a pretty straightforward process. You also have to make sure your home’s electrical system can handle the charging station in the first place. 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 best electric vehicle charger manufacturers come our top home EV chargers. Check out the best home EV chargers below.

ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle Charger
ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle Charge
The most versatile option
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EMPORIA Level 2 EV Charger
Emporia EV Charger
Energy monitoring on a budget
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Tesla Wall Connector
Tesla Wall Connector
A no-brainer for your Tesla
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Tesla Universal Wall Connector
Tesla Universal Wall Connector
For multi-EV households
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JuiceBox 40 Charging Station
JuiceBox 40 Charging Station
Two can play at this game
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ChargePoint Home Flex Electric Vehicle Charge

Pros
  • Charging speeds up to 50A
  • Works with existing ChargePoint app
  • Hardwired or plug-in
  • NACS or J1772
Cons
  • Expensive

ChargePoint, also known for its network of public charging stations, offers one model for home charging. The company's latest home model, Home Flex, offers adjustable amperage to 50 amps so owners can match their electrical panel’s or car’s capacity, and it can be scheduled to charge when it's not peak time — for energy and money savings. The charger is available with NACS or J1772 connectors, and the plug-in model can be used outdoors and comes with a NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 5-50 plug. The Home Flex can also be used with the ChargePoint app or 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
Plug type: tktk
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 most versatile option
Emporia EV Charger
Emporia

Emporia EV Charger

Pros
  • Reasonably priced
  • Fast charging for the price
  • NACS or J1772 connector
Cons
  • App is a little hard to navigate

Emporia has become a well-known energy-monitoring company, and the Emporia EV Charger is a good example of why. The charger is available as a plug-in or hard-wired charger, and has options for a J1772 or NACS connector. It's rated for outdoor use, and can charge your vehicle at up to 11.5kW, which is decently quick. And with its Wi-Fi connectivity, you can monitor charging through the connected app, even though that app isn't the best-designed out there. You can even get a breakdown of electricity pricing.

Hardwired or plug: Both
Plug type: J1772 and NACS
Amp rating: Up to 48 amps
Wi-Fi capability: Yes
Cord length: 24 feet
Indoor/outdoor: Yes
Warranty: 3 years
EMPORIA Level 2 EV Charger
Emporia EV Charger
Energy monitoring on a budget
best electric car charger deals tesla wall connector
Tesla

Tesla Wall Connector

Pros
  • Charging speeds up to 48A
  • Long four-year warranty
  • Sleek design
Cons
  • No plug-in option

The Tesla Wall Connector is one of the best-designed options on this list, and is set to be a whole lot more useful as more companies adopt NACS — though if you need NACS and J1772, consider the Tesla Universal Wall Connector, which has a built-in adapter. 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 so you don't have to manage and download additional apps.

This charger is hardwired, so you'll need to get a professional to install it, and there's no plug-in option. 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
Plug type: NACS
Amp rating: Adjustable up to 48 amps
Wi-Fi capability: Yes
Cord length: 24 feet
Indoor/outdoor: Yes
Warranty: 4 years
Tesla Wall Connector
Tesla Wall Connector
A no-brainer for your Tesla
Tesla Universal Wall Connector
Tesla

Tesla Universal Wall Connector

Pros
  • Sleek and stylish design
  • Can switch between NACS and J1772
  • Four-year warranty
Cons
  • A little pricey

Live in a household that uses different plug types for different cars? The Tesla Universal Wall Connector is worth considering. This home charger is more expensive than the NACS-only model, but it comes with an adapter built right into it that can allow it to work with both NACS- and J1772-equipped EVs. It isn't a basic dumb adapter either — the adapter electronically locks onto the end of the cable so you can't lose it.

Like the standard Tesla Wall Connector, the Universal model has a 24-foot cord and a sleek and stylish design that means it should look great in any garage. It has an output capacity of up to 48 amps, and can be controlled straight through the Tesla app.

Hardwired or plug: Hardwire
Plug type: NACS and J1772
Amp rating: Adjustable up to 48 amps
Wi-Fi capability: Yes
Cord length: 24 feet
Indoor/outdoor: Yes
Warranty: 4 years
Tesla Universal Wall Connector
Tesla Universal Wall Connector
For multi-EV households
An Juicebox Electric Vehicle Charger with the cable underneath it.
.

JuiceBox 40 Charging Station

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
  • No NACS option (yet)

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. It isn't available with an NACS connector, but that's apparently coming soon.

Hardwired or plug: Both
Plug type: J1772
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
Christian de Looper

Christian de Looper is a long-time freelance writer who has covered every facet of the consumer tech and electric vehicle space over the past decade-plus. Christian's byline can be found in the largest and most influential consumer tech publications on the internet. He got his start covering mobile for Talk Android, then moving to a five-year stint as a mobile contributor at Digital Trends, covering new smartphones, the rise and rollout of 5G, and the many mergers and attempted telecom mergers that took place during that time. During that time, he also covered mobile technology for the likes of TechRadar, and began covering other areas of the consumer tech industry. Today, he covers automotive and electric vehicles for Digital Trends, including all the latest and greatest EVs and everything that happens in the EV industry. He also covers personal audio for PCMag, smart home and home theater for Tom's Guide, consumer tech reviews for BGR, and general consumer technology for Forbes Vetted, and tech design for Design Milk. Since 2012 when he first began writing about consumer technology, he has also appeared in publications like Lifewire, Mashable, US News & World Report, AP Buyline, and CNN Underscored. He’s attended all the biggest trade shows in the industry, including CES, MWC, and IFA, and personally reviewed all the biggest and most important gadgets over the past ten years.

Christian studied music production at a small music school in Minnesota, where he both learned how to produce music and discovered his passion for writing. In college, he found himself wanting a job, but couldn’t go to one in person without a car or a driver’s license — so he turned to online work. He soon started writing for small phone blogs (his first big gig was at Talk Android), building his byline over time.

Christian's lack of a driver's license wasn't because of a poor driving ability. He spent the first 14 years of his life in Canberra, Australia, where he spent hours on his PlayStation 2 and honing his drumming skills. After his father got a job in Paris, France, Christian spent the next five years of his life there, learning French and developing an interest in music production. In Paris, he graduated from high school, and with the U.S. citizenship that he got through his American mother, he soon moved to Minnesota to pursue a higher education in music technology. After college, Christian moved to Los Angeles but eventually settled in Santa Cruz, California, where he now lives with his wife, daughter, and cat. When he's not hanging out with his family or working, he can be found playing PlayStation or developing a new hobby (his latest is leather-working). Oh, and he's a pretty good driver now too.

The week in EV tech: From sky-high dreams to ground-level drama
tesla robotaxi feud alef in transition flight

Welcome to Digital Trends’ weekly recap of the revolutionary technology powering, connecting, and now driving next-gen electric vehicles. 
Buckle up, folks — this week we’re taking off with a look at the futuristic dream of flying electric cars possibly gliding above U.S. roads sooner than you think. But before we get carried away, let’s bring it back down to the bumpy road of present-day realities.
Even if you’re mostly interested about the tech powering the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, it’s become increasingly hard to avoid the politics around it: You guessed it, we’re talking about this week’s public feud between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump.
What does this have to do with EV tech? Well, quite a lot actually. For starters, the technology behind Tesla’s Autopilot and Full-Self Driving (FSD) modes may return in the crosshairs of regulators: Despite the names, these are still driver-assist features that require active driver supervision, and until Trump’s election, they had been under heavy scrutiny by safety regulators for several years.
Last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  (NHTSA) launched an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD. Big questions remain about the driver-assist system's performance under adverse, yet naturally-occurring conditions such as fog, sun glare, rain, and snow.
When Musk, who spent about $275 million to help elect Trump, was appointed to head a newly-created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), it raised more than a few eyebrows about his power and influence over the regulators who are supposed to oversee traffic safety, and therefore Tesla.
It didn’t help that the Trump administration followed Musk’s recommendations and relaxed crash-reporting requirements put in place since 2021, while also relaxing rules to accelerate the deployment of fully-automated robotaxis.
The Trump/Musk clash takes place just as Tesla is due to launch its robotaxi pilot progam in Texas later this month. While Trump is now threatening to pull billions of dollars in government subsidies and contracts from Musk’s companies, it’s unclear whether he might pressure the Department of Transportation to again tighten the regulatory screws on Tesla. What is clear is that Trump has never been a fan of electric vehicles and is already trying to end federal subsidies on EV purchases and leases. And while he had made a big deal about buying a bright red Tesla Model S back in March, Trump now says he wants to sell it.
Back to the tech
Meanwhile, Tesla is still required to respond to information and data requests from NHTSA regarding the safety of its robotaxis by July 1. And ultimately, it should come down to the performance of the technology.
For Autopilot and FSD, Tesla has opted for less expensive navigational tech relying on multiple onboard cameras that feed AI machine-learning models. But especially for so-called adverse driving conditions, it’s the more expensive technology relying on a blend of pre-mapped roads, sensors, cameras, radar, and lidar (a laser-light radar) which has received the nod of regulators.
Waymo, the sole robotaxi service currently operating in the U.S., and Zoox, Amazon’s upcoming robotaxi service, both use that blend of navigational tech.
For its robotaxis, Tesla is said to have upped its game in terms of autonomous driving with its Hardware 4 (HW4) technology, which does include radar sensors and promises enhanced environmental perception.
Will that be enough for Tesla to convince regulators, catch up with Waymo, or compete effectively with Zoox?
We’ll have to wait and see.
Flying cars
In a recent edition, we noted that while consumer confidence about robotaxi technology is on the rise, most people also want more data before they hop into a self-driving vehicle.
What about flying taxis? According to a recent survey by Honeywell, nearly all U.S. airline fliers, or 98%, said they would consider using a so-called electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle, or eVTOL, as part of their travel journey.
But while the buzz around flying electric vehicles has mostly focused on air taxis— like Archer Aviation’s Midnight, expected to fly athletes around the 2028 LA Olympics, or Joby’s slick air taxi, backed by Toyota — one California startup is shooting for something a little more... driveable.
Meet Alef Aeronautics, a Bay Area company that wants to put the “car” back in “flying car.” This week, Alef announced it has received over 3,400 pre-orders for its electric flying vehicle, the Model A — and get this: it’s not a futuristic prototype gathering dust in a lab. Alef says production could begin by the end of 2025, or early next year.
On the ground, the Model A operates like a low-speed electric car, complete with hub motors in the wheels and—wait for it—a real steering wheel. You can legally drive it at up to 25 mph on public roads, parking it in a normal garage like any other EV. It’s refreshingly manual in an increasingly hands-free world.
But when it's time for lift off, the steering wheel takes a backseat. For vertical takeoff and flight, the Model A transforms into a drone-like aircraft. Its cabin rotates sideways to create lift, and eight electric rotors—controlled by a flight system and joysticks—take over. No pedals, no yoke, just a bit of joystick magic (or autopilot, if you prefer).
The Model A has already received the nod from regulators for test flights.
While the $300,000 price tag won’t fit everyone’s budget, the company is clearly betting on a future where you don’t have to choose between a car and a flying machine—you can have both.

Read more
8 key things you need to know from Apple’s WWDC 2025 event
From a fresh look and updated names, to new features, more intelligence and live translation
iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26 shown on devices.

The WWDC 2025 keynote ran for just over an hour and a half. For those of you who don't fancy sitting through the whole presentation, we've pulled out the key things you need to know from the latest Apple event.

1. Welcome to the 26 club

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Tesla’s robotaxi service is almost here, but it’s not the car you want to see
Silver Tesla Model Y Juniper side

Tesla chief Elon Musk has said that the automaker is aiming to launch its robotaxi service on June 22, in Austin, Texas.

“Tentatively, June 22,” Musk said in a post on X on Tuesday, adding: “We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift.”

Read more