Electric Car Charger Buying Guide and Top Picks

Switching to an electric vehicle is a major step, but the question of home charging can quickly become a headache. Between the different power levels, connector types, and smart features, it's easy to get lost. This guide is here to explain everything and help you find the electric car charging station that's perfectly suited to your vehicle, your electrical system, and your habits.

Our mission? To present a selection of reliable and relevant products, and to decipher the technical jargon for you so you can make the right choice, fully informed.

How to Choose a Home EV Charger?

Before diving into our selection, let's review the essential criteria that will guide your choice.

Charging Power: 3.5?kW or 7?kW?

The charger's power simply determines your vehicle's charging speed.

• 3.5?kW Chargers: These solutions typically plug into a standard domestic socket (Schuko) or a reinforced socket. They are ideal for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) or electric cars with smaller batteries. A full night (between 8 and 10 hours) is usually enough for a full charge. This is the simple option, which doesn't require significant installation costs.
• 7?kW Charging Station: Often called a wallbox, this solution offers about twice the charging speed. It is recommended for 100% electric vehicles with larger capacity batteries. A 7?kW charging station requires a professional to install it on a dedicated line from your electrical panel. This guarantees optimal safety and performance.

Connectors: The Type 2 Standard in Europe

In the UK and across Europe, almost all electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles use the Type 2 connector (sometimes called Mennekes) for alternating current (AC) charging—the kind you do at home. The Type 2 charging cable is therefore the standard to adopt to ensure maximum compatibility with your car, both now and in the future.

Smart Features: Optimise Your Consumption

Modern chargers do more than just charge your car.

• A smart Wi-Fi charger gives you control via a mobile app to schedule your charging sessions (during off-peak hours to lower your electricity bill, for example), monitor your consumption in real-time, and receive notifications.
• Dynamic Load Balancing is a particularly useful advanced feature. In practice, the charger measures your home's overall electricity consumption and adjusts the power allocated to charging the car in real-time. If you turn on the oven and the washing machine at the same time, the charger will reduce its power to avoid tripping the circuit breaker.

Recommended Home Charging Options

Here is our selection of products that cover different needs and budgets, from a simple portable charger to the most complete wall-mounted station.

1. feyree Type 2 3.5?kW Portable Charger

feyree Type 2 16A 3.5 kW Portable Charger with 5m Cable

What sets it apart

This portable electric car charger is the ultimate plug-and-play solution. No complex installation is required: simply plug it into a standard Schuko socket. Its control box, equipped with an OLED screen, clearly displays the charging status. It also allows you to manually adjust the current (8A, 10A, 13A, 16A) to safely adapt to your electrical circuit.

Pros

• Simplicity: No installation required, ready to use out of the box.
• Flexibility: Adjustable charging current for enhanced safety.
• Portability: Compact and delivered with its carrying case, it's easy to take on trips or use as a backup solution.
• Readability: The OLED screen ensures a perfect view of the power and charging status, even in direct sunlight.

Who is it for?

Ideal for owners of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) or small electric city cars. It's also the perfect solution for those looking for a backup or travel charger without wanting to invest in a fixed installation.

2. feyree Type 2 7?kW Smart Portable Charger with Wi-Fi

feyree Type 2 32A 7 kW Smart Portable Charger with App Control

What sets it apart

This model combines the flexibility of a portable charger with the power and intelligence of a fixed station. Capable of delivering up to 7?kW, it cuts charging times in half compared to a standard socket. Its dual Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity offers full control from a mobile app: schedule charging times, adjust the current remotely (from 8A to 32A), and monitor live data.

Pros

• Fast Charging: Up to 7?kW of power to get a full charge faster.
• Smart Control: The app allows you to schedule charging during off-peak hours for significant savings.
• Large LCD Screen: Its 2.8-inch screen displays all useful information about the current session.
• Maximum Safety: It integrates a full suite of protections (Type B current leakage, overvoltage, overheating...).

Who is it for?

Perfect for drivers of 100% electric vehicles who want fast charging and the ability to optimise their electricity costs through scheduling, all without committing to the installation of a fixed wallbox.

3. feyree 7.6?kW Wall-Mounted Charging Station with Dynamic Load Balancing

feyree Type 2 32A Wall-Mounted Charging Station with Dynamic Load Balancing

What sets it apart

This wall-mounted charging station is the ultimate home solution, built to last. Its key feature? The Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB) function. A small sensor, installed in your electrical panel, constantly communicates with the charger to ensure that vehicle charging never exceeds the available capacity of your home's network. This guarantees a charge that is always optimised and safe, without ever risking tripping the circuit breaker.

Pros

• Smart Power Management: Dynamic load balancing prevents any overload of your electrical system.
• High Performance: Stable and fast charging power up to 7.6?kW.
• Durable Installation: Designed for a fixed wall mount, it is resistant to both rain and dust (IP66 certified) and can be installed indoors or outdoors.
• Full Connectivity: Remotely controllable via the Tuya app for scheduling and consumption monitoring.

Who is it for?

The ideal solution for homeowners who want the ultimate in performance and safety for intensive daily use. It is particularly recommended for households where many electrical appliances are likely to be running at the same time.

Looking for Other Options?

If the models in our selection don't check all your boxes, or if you simply want to explore a wider range, feel free to browse our complete category. You'll discover many other models of chargers and cables for all needs and budgets.

? Discover all our Type 2 EVSE Cables and Chargers

Frequently Asked Questions about EV Chargers

What power level should I choose for a home charger?

It all depends on your vehicle... and your patience! A power level of 3.5?kW is more than enough for overnight charging of a plug-in hybrid or a small electric city car. For a 100% electric vehicle with a large battery, a 7?kW charger offers far superior convenience: it cuts the charging time in half and ensures you start every morning with a full range.

Do I need a qualified electrician for installation?

For a portable electric car charger that plugs into an existing socket, a professional's intervention is not mandatory. However, it is crucial to check that the socket is in perfect condition and, ideally, connected to a dedicated circuit. On the other hand, for the installation of a 7?kW (or higher) Type 2 wallbox, hiring a qualified electrician is not only highly recommended but often mandatory to ensure the safety and compliance of the installation with current standards.

What's the difference between a portable charger and a wallbox?

The portable charger is a mobile solution that can be plugged into various sockets (domestic, industrial...) and taken anywhere. A wallbox, or wall-mounted charging station, is a fixed unit, mounted to the wall and directly wired to your electrical panel. It generally offers more power, a higher level of safety, and advanced features like load balancing.