What is the Best EV Charger for 2022?

Without a good charger at your disposal, you can’t enjoy the many benefits and thrills your Tesla consistently provides. If you’re familiarizing yourself with your Tesla model, you should know that there are three levels of charging electric vehicles, with the higher levels indicating faster-charging speeds. 

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When considering the best home EV chargers, there are two different types of EV chargers for drivers to consider: Internal/onboard chargers and an External Charger/EVSE. With the variety of available chargers comes a wide range of options you need to consider and narrow down to ensure your Tesla gets the best possible power-up at every opportunity. What are the best chargers you can get, and what should you look for? 

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What are the Types of EV Chargers to Look For?

When people mention Tesla charger types, they’re referring to one of two things. 

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First, there’s the internal charger, also known as the onboard charger, which is a component that can be found inside the Tesla. The charger successfully manages the internal flow of energy to charge the vehicle’s EV battery safely. 

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Alternatively, there’s the external charger, also known as the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The external charger transfers power from the grid or an alternative source, like a solar panel, to the vehicle’s onboard charger. The box-and-cord device isn’t a charger in the truest sense like the internal charger but similarly transmits power flow to home EV chargers. 

What is Level 1 Charging?

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As mentioned above, there are three charging levels to keep in mind when picking the ideal home EV charging station for your Tesla. 

Level 1 charging uses a 120V standard electrical outlet, a common household outlet for charging Teslas. Also known as trickle charging, Level 1 charging allows Tesla owners to charge their phones with the same charging outlets that home electronics use. Owners can charge on regular outlets using the NEMA 5-15 adapter that comes with each vehicle. ‍

That said, Level 1 charging is the least recommended charging method for Teslas as they have larger batteries and only give the Tesla around two miles of range per hour. So, unless you don’t use it daily and plan on going very far, Level 1 charging is highly restrictive. 

However, Level 1 charging does not involve upfront costs. Because you’re plugging the outlet into your regular home electrical outlet, there is no additional charge, and you can charge anywhere across the home. 

What is Level 2 Charging?

Level 2 charging, meanwhile, is the most recommended charging method for Tesla owners. This method involves using 240V electrical charging circuits that are similar to the ones used for electrical washers/dryers and stovetops. Most public charging stations for electric vehicles use Level 2 chargers and Tesla Connectors. 

‍When using Level 2 home EV chargers, the average mile range you get is between 9 and 52 miles per hour of charging, allowing you to go much further than you would normally for Level 1. Additionally, the power delivery using Level 2 charges ranges from 3.7 kW to 17.2 kW. 

‍Level 2 Tesla charger types deliver a maximum of 80 amps of power, though the maximum requires a heavy (and expensive) supply line from a breaker box. A 40-amp charger delivering the middle of the power delivery range is typically recommended for Tesla drivers leveraging this level of charging. 

Homes can successfully add Level 2 chargers without having to get service upgrades. Existing circuits used for washers/dryers, for example, can be shared for Level 2 charging purposes as long as the washer is close to the garage where your Tesla is located. 

What is Level 3 EV Charging?

Level 3 EV charging is also known as supercharging and recharges your Tesla and similar EVs at an average rate of 3 to 20 miles per minute. Compared to Level 1 and 2 chargers that regularly use alternative current (AC), Level 3 Tesla chargers use direct charging. 

Also, unlike Level 1 and 2 chargers, Level 3 EV chargers are very rarely used at home because most homes don’t have the high-voltage level of electricity capacity to handle such a supercharger. Additionally, direct current chargers cost tens of thousands of dollars, meaning that they’ll possibly cost as much or more than the Tesla itself. You’d have to go to a public charging station to use a Tesla supercharger. 

According to the Tesla website, the price for their superchargers varies depending on various factors, including on and off-peak hours, as well as the city’s charging rate and where the supercharger is located. 

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Why is Level 2 Charging the Most Recommended Method?

Level 2 charging is the most recommended charging method because the Level 2 charger provides a broader pipeline of electricity flow to a Tesla. Compared to the trickle chargers for Level 1 charging, Level 2 chargers can charge up to 15 times faster and can be managed successfully using smart methods to maximize battery efficiency. 

Level 2 chargers are also the most convenient chargers for Tesla drivers, especially if you can’t rely on or have the capacity to use superchargers. Also, level 2 Tesla chargers are beneficial to drivers whose electrical utility companies offer time-of-use discounts whenever you charge your Tesla at night. You can also use the self-charging software upgrade when using a Level 2 charger. 

Also, various factors allow you to get the most out of your Tesla Level 2 charger, including the maximum power output of the charger and the maximum intake of the Tesla you drive. The current capacity of the electrical output, as previously mentioned, also plays a key role in how effective the charging is. 

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The Tesla Wall Connector is Your Best Bet 

On the subject of Level 2 connectors, the most recommended Tesla charger to use is the Tesla Wall Connector. It’s the most efficient of all the Tesla charger types available and allows you to leave your vehicle plugged in overnight without issue. 

Whether you have a Model S, X, Y, or 3, the Wall Connector is your best choice among home EV chargers for charging your Tesla because it adds a significant mile range to each of the models–around 44 miles of range per hour of charge up to a 48-amp output. You can maximize every road trip you make thanks to this home charger. 

You can also do power-sharing, ideal for households that need to charge multiple Teslas simultaneously but don’t have the requisite power to charge. With the Power Sharing feature, up to four Wall Connectors can share power from a circuit while still allowing each vehicle to get a significant charge. 

And, you can connect the Wall Connector to a Wi-Fi network, enabling it to receive Over-The-Air software updates, get remote diagnostics access and track usage data. 

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The Tesla Wall Connector is Equally Friendly Indoors and Outdoors

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The Tesla Wall Connector is also highly recommended because it’s equally adaptable indoors and outdoors. Its lightweight design allows for versatile mounting and installation in any setting. 

‍However, the one restriction with the Tesla Wall Connector is that it has a reduced standard cable length, around 18 inches, with no longer option. As a result, if you have a larger garage, you will have a bit of trouble charging your Tesla. 

What is the Cost of a Tesla Wall Connector?

Installing a Level 2 charger costs anywhere from $250 to $1,000 on average, depending on the power capacity and the features involved, while the installation process costs anywhere from $200 to $1,000, with a higher fee required if you need a service upgrade or require an extra circuit. 

When acquiring the Tesla Wall Connector, you should talk with your electrical provider to determine whether your home has the required power to facilitate the connector. Federal tax credits can reduce the costs of purchasing and installing chargers. 

The Tesla Mobile Connector

The Tesla Mobile Connector is a standard option that accompanies each Tesla. Each Mobile Connector comes equipped with a standard 120-volt (NEMA 5-15) outlet, serving as a Level 1 charger. 

While it’s a portable option that can be used on the go, it gives Tesla drivers a minimal mile range. 

You Can Upgrade the Mobile Connector Into a Level 2 Charger

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For faster charging with the Tesla Mobile Connector, you can buy a Gen 2 NEMA adapter to use alongside it, allowing the connector to be plugged into a 240-volt outlet. The attached NEMA 14-50 adapter converts the Level 1 home charger into a Level 2 charger. 

While operating as a Level 2 charger on a 50-amp breaker, your Tesla Model 3 gets up to 30 miles of range per hour thanks to the enhanced Mobile Connector. The Mobile Connector and the adapter are perfectly compatible for manageable commutes and make traveling short distances possible. 

What Should You Focus On When Getting An EV Home Charger?

When getting the best home EV charger for your electric vehicle, ensure that you focus on your home's power capacity, the level of commute you typically make daily, and your budget constraints. But, your best Tesla charger types are the Tesla Wall and Mobile Connectors, which can easily be installed in your home or by a charging station.

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