Electric Car Charging Stations: Complete Guide and Our Selection

Switching to an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle is a major step. Then comes the crucial question: how do you charge it efficiently and safely at home? Faced with a jungle of options, choosing the right electric car charger can quickly become a headache. Between the different power levels, plug types, and smart features, it's easy to get lost.

This guide is here to shed some light. We break down the essential criteria to consider before you buy and present a selection of products suited to all needs and installations, whether you have a single-phase or three-phase supply.

How to Choose the Right Charger for Your Electric Vehicle?

Before diving into our selection, a quick technical detour is in order. Here are the three key points to making the right choice.

1. Charging Power and Electrical Installation

Charging speed is directly linked to two factors: the power of the station and the capacity of your electrical installation.

• Single-phase: This is the most common installation in UK homes.

  • Up to 3.7?kW (16A): Allows for slow charging from a standard domestic (Schuko) or reinforced socket. Ideal for a full overnight charge of a plug-in hybrid or for topping up a 100% electric model.
  • Up to 7.4?kW (32A): Here, installing a charging station (or wallbox) on a dedicated circuit is essential. The time savings are significant.

• Three-phase: Rarer in private homes, three-phase power is mostly found in new builds or commercial premises. Its advantage: it allows for much higher charging power.

  • 11?kW (16A per phase): This is the ideal compromise for a home wallbox, combining charging speed with reasonable installation requirements.
  • 22?kW (32A per phase): This is the maximum you can get from alternating current (AC) at home. Be aware that this requires a substantial electricity plan and, of course, a vehicle compatible with such power.

2. Portable Charger or Wall-Mounted Charging Station (Wallbox)?

It all depends on your habits and needs.

• The Portable EV Charger: The ultimate on-the-go solution. It plugs into any socket (domestic, industrial) without a fixed installation. It's the perfect option for travel, for renters, or simply as a backup solution.

• The Charging Station (Wallbox): Fixed to the wall of your garage or outdoors, this is the safest and most efficient solution for daily use. It offers higher charging power and often includes very practical smart features.

3. Smart Features: Off-Peak Charging and WiFi App

To lower your electricity bill, smart features are your best friends.

• Scheduling for off-peak charging: Most smart stations and chargers allow you to schedule the start of the charge. By programming it for off-peak hours, you benefit from a much lower price per kilowatt-hour.
• WiFi App: A dedicated WiFi app gives you total control, even remotely. Start or stop charging, adjust the power, monitor consumption in real-time, and receive alerts—all from your smartphone.

Our Electric Car Charger Picks

Let's move on to our selection. We've chosen these models for their reliability, features, and excellent value for money, keeping the real-world needs of EV drivers in mind.

GONEO Portable Type 2 Charger - 3.68 kW

Why we love it: For its stunning simplicity and portability. You plug it into a standard domestic socket (Schuko 16A), and that's it. It's the "Plug & Play" of charging, completely hassle-free.

Its strengths:

• Universal: Compatible with any Schuko domestic socket and all vehicles equipped with a Type 2 charging cable connector.
• Economical: The charge can be delayed for up to 8 hours to automatically switch to off-peak hours.
• Safe: It integrates all necessary protections: current leakage (RCD 30mA AC + 6mA DC) and temperature monitoring to prevent any overheating.
• Informative: Its LED screen displays voltage, current, and temperature in real-time. Handy for keeping an eye on the charge.

Who is it for? Ideal for owners of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles who want a backup solution, a charger to take on holiday, or simply to charge overnight at home without undertaking major installation work.

feyree Portable Type 2 Charger - 11 kW with WiFi App

Why we love it: It combines the best of both worlds: the flexibility of a portable EV charger and the power of three-phase charging. With its 11 kW and control via a WiFi app, it makes charging fast and smart, anywhere.

Its strengths:

• Fast Portable Charging: Capable of reaching 11 kW on a CEE industrial socket, it cuts charging time by two-thirds compared to a standard socket.
• Smart Control: The mobile app (connected via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) lets you manage everything remotely: schedule charging, adjust amperage (from 8A to 16A), and track its progress.
• Large LCD Screen: Its 2.8-inch screen displays all charging session data very clearly.
• Maximum Safety: It includes Type B differential protection (30mA AC + 6mA DC), the most comprehensive available, as well as overvoltage and overheating protection.

Who is it for? For those who have access to a three-phase CEE socket (at home, at the office...) and want a charging solution that is fast, smart, and easy to transport.

feyree Wallbox 22 kW with Dynamic Load Balancing

Why we love it: This is the ultimate wall-mounted solution for performance and safety at home. Its real advantage: the Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB) feature, which adjusts charging power in real-time to never trip the circuit breaker.

Its strengths:

• Serious Power: It can deliver up to 22 kW on a three-phase supply, the fastest possible AC charge at home (if your installation and vehicle allow it).
• Smart Energy Management: Thanks to the DLB box, the station measures the home's overall consumption and modulates its power to avoid overloading the meter. No more tripped breakers when you turn on the oven!
• Total Control via App: The Tuya app (a home automation standard) centralises all controls: scheduling, consumption tracking, power adjustment, and more.
• Built to Last: IP65 certified, it is resistant to both rain and dust and can be installed indoors (garage) or outdoors. Its materials are made to stand the test of time.

Who is it for? For homeowners with a three-phase supply who want the best of the best in home charging: the fastest, safest, and most integrated solution for their electrical ecosystem.

Looking for Other Options?

Our selection covers the most common use cases, from the portable charger for holidays to the high-powered wallbox. But every situation is unique, and the market is full of other solutions.

To discover a wider range of stations and chargers with various features, feel free to explore our complete catalogue of electric vehicle chargers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What charger power should I choose for my home?

It all depends on your installation and the speed you're aiming for. On a single-phase supply, a 7.4 kW wallbox is an excellent compromise. If you have a three-phase supply, an 11 kW station is the perfect balance for most cars. The 22 kW station is reserved for those who want top speed and have a compatible vehicle. Finally, a 3.7 kW portable charger remains a simple and perfect solution for a full overnight charge.

Is a portable charger safe?

Yes, provided you choose a certified model (CE marked) that includes essential safety features. Make sure it has differential protection (RCD), overheating protection, and an earth connection check. Rest assured, all the models in our selection include these devices.

How can I use off-peak hours to charge my electric car?

The easiest way is to opt for an electric car charger with time scheduling or control via a WiFi app. These features allow you to start the charge automatically at the beginning of your off-peak hours. It's the best way to make significant savings on your electricity bill.