Lectron Portable Level 1 & 2 Tesla (NACS) EV Charger (12 A / 40 A)
Our score: 7.7/10 out of 1040 A max · 16 ft cable · 2-yr warranty
No Canada price yet
Portable chargers
A portable charger is a charging cable with its control box built in. On a standard 120 V outlet it charges at Level 1; on a 240 V outlet such as a NEMA 14-50 it charges at Level 2. It goes with you when you move or travel, but the outlet and its circuit set the speed and the safety, so the receptacle matters as much as the charger. For a unit fixed to the wall, see Level 2 chargers (J1772) or Tesla & NACS chargers.
Before you buy
- Start from the outlet you have. The plug and the circuit behind it set the current. Use only the charger maker’s own plugs or adapters, at the current the manual gives for that outlet. What a charging outlet needs.
- Never use an extension cord. Charger manuals forbid extension cords, power strips and plug converters. If the cable doesn’t reach, choose a longer one or have an outlet added.
- Check the listing for your country. Look for a UL, ETL or CSA mark in the US, and a Canadian mark (cUL, cETL, CSA) in Canada. Cheap unlisted cords are left off this site.
Top picks
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Best Level 1 and 2
Pion Power Flex-AC Elite 40 A Portable Level 2 EV Charger (J1772)
Canadian-sold, CSA-stated cord with 120/240 V adapters and app current control
- 40 A max
- 22 ft cable
- 2-yr warranty
No US price yet -
Best portable
Lectron Portable Level 2 J1772 EV Charger (40 A, NEMA 14-50)
Full 40 A from a NEMA 14-50 outlet in a cord you can pack
- 40 A max
- 16 ft cable
- 2-yr warranty
No Canada price yet -
Best Tesla portable
Tesla Mobile Connector (Gen 3)
Swappable plug adapters give 12–32 A from 120 V or 240 V outlets
- 32 A max
- 20 ft cable
- 1-yr warranty
Each pick, and the outlet it needs, is explained in the best portable EV chargers. Not sure you need 240 V at all? Read Level 1 vs Level 2 charging.
More chargers
3 chargers, sorted by our score
Lectron Portable Level 2 Tesla (NACS) EV Charger (40 A, NEMA 14-50)
Our score: 7.6/10 out of 1040 A max · 16 ft cable · 2-yr warranty
No Canada price yetRivian Portable Charger (J1772, Rivian vehicles only)
Our score: 6.8/10 out of 1032 A max · 18 ft cable · No app (plug and charge) connectivity
No Canada price yet
Portable chargers questions
Can a portable charger be my everyday home charger?
Yes, if it plugs into a properly installed, heavy-duty outlet on its own circuit and runs at the current the manual allows for it. Check the plug and outlet for heat, and have a worn or loose outlet replaced by an electrician.
Can I use an extension cord?
No. Charger manuals and safety authorities say never to use extension cords, power strips or plug converters with an EV charger. Choose a charger with a longer cable, or have an outlet installed closer to where you park.
Can I charge from my dryer outlet?
Only with the charger maker’s own adapter for that outlet type, such as a NEMA 14-30, at the lower current it sets. Have an electrician check the outlet and circuit first: dryer outlets are often old or shared.
Level 1, Level 2 or both?
A dual-voltage charger works on a 120 V household outlet and on a 240 V outlet with the maker’s plugs. Level 1 adds only a few miles of range per hour, so most daily drivers want the 240 V outlet.
How do I know a safety listing is real?
Look for the certifier’s mark (UL, ETL, CSA) and a file or control number on the unit’s label, and check it in the certifier’s online directory. In Canada the mark must come from a body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada.
Image credits: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz), CC BY-SA 4.0
