Level 2 chargers (J1772)
A Level 2 charger runs on a 240 V circuit and refills most EVs overnight, far faster than the 120 V cord many cars come with. Every charger here has a J1772 plug. Beyond the plug, they differ in the current they deliver, whether they plug in or are hardwired, the app, the safety listing for your country and the warranty. Chargers with a Tesla-style plug are in Tesla & NACS chargers, and cords you can take with you are in portable chargers.
Before you buy
- Check what your car can take. The car’s onboard charger sets the ceiling: a 48 A charger won’t charge a car that accepts 32 A any faster. Look up your car’s limit before paying for amps and a bigger circuit, then see which charger and breaker size you need.
- Price the installation first. A licensed electrician, the wire run, spare panel capacity and the permit often cost more than the charger. Load management can avoid a panel upgrade. Our guide to getting a charger installed covers permits in the US and each province.
- Plug-in or hardwired? Plug-in units need a heavy-duty 14-50 or 6-50 outlet, GFCI-protected where the code requires it, and are usually limited to 40 A. Hardwiring reaches full output and skips the outlet. Hardwired vs plug-in, and why GFCI breakers trip.
Top picks
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Best overall
Autel MaxiCharger AC Lite Home 50A
50 A, rated to -40°F, NEMA 4X, sold direct in US and Canada
- 50 A max
- 25 ft cable
- 3-yr warranty
-
Best for solar homes
Enphase IQ EV Charger 2
Charges from surplus solar and balances load with an Enphase system
- 48 A max
- 25 ft cable
- 5-yr warranty
No Canada price yet -
Best smart charger
Emporia Pro EV Charger
Panel monitor included: slows charging when the house needs the power
- 48 A max
- 24 ft cable
- 3-yr warranty
No Canada price yet
Our full ranking across both plugs, with the reasons, is in the best home EV chargers. For outdoor installs and Canadian winters, see the best EV chargers for cold climates and Canada.
More chargers
Emporia Classic EV Charger
Our score: 8.1/10 out of 1048 A max · 25 ft cable · 3-yr warranty
Schneider Charge
Our score: 8.1/10 out of 1048 A max · 25 ft cable · 3-yr warranty
No Canada price yetGrizzl-E Ultimate 48A
Our score: 8.0/10 out of 1048 A max · 25 ft cable · 3-yr warranty
CA$600Out of stockCheck price at Grizzl-E Canada (opens in a new tab)Grizzl-E Duo Connect 40A
Our score: 7.6/10 out of 1040 A max · 25 ft cable · 3-yr warranty
Wallbox Pulsar Plus
Our score: 7.6/10 out of 1048 A max · 25 ft cable · 3-yr warranty
No Canada price yetChargePoint Home Flex
Our score: 7.5/10 out of 1050 A max · 23 ft cable · 3-yr warranty
Level 2 chargers (J1772) questions
Do I need an electrician and a permit?
Plan on both. A Level 2 charger needs its own 240 V circuit, and most places require a permit and an inspection. Many manuals and rebates require a licensed installer, Quebec requires a licensed electrical contractor, and Ontario and BC allow homeowners to do the work only with a permit.
What breaker size does a Level 2 charger need?
The one in the charger’s installation manual for the current it will be set to. Charging is a continuous load, so the circuit is sized at 125 percent of the charging current: the manuals pair a 48 A setting with a 60 A breaker. Many chargers can be set lower to suit an existing circuit.
Hardwired or plug-in: which is better?
Hardwired units reach their top setting and avoid wear on the outlet and the GFCI breaker trips some owners see with plug-in units. A plug-in unit on a NEMA 14-50 or 6-50 outlet is easier to take with you when you move, but is usually limited to 40 A.
Will a J1772 charger work with a car that has a NACS port?
Yes, with an adapter rated for AC (Level 2) charging: one your carmaker supplies or approves, or one certified to UL 2252 and allowed by the car and charger makers. Some adapters that come with new cars only work at DC fast chargers. More in NACS or J1772.
Do I need Wi-Fi?
Usually not to charge: most chargers keep charging without a connection once they are set up, though some need the app for the first setup. Wi-Fi adds scheduling for off-peak rates, energy logs and some utility programs. Many units use 2.4 GHz only, so check the signal where the charger will hang.
Can a Level 2 charger go outdoors?
Yes, if it is rated for outdoor use: see the enclosure rating in each spec table. Outdoors, a plug-in unit needs a weather-resistant outlet with an in-use cover, and the charger is mounted at the height its manual and the code require, out of the way of cars.