Switching to an electric car is a major step. But a crucial question quickly arises: how do you charge it at home? Faced with a dizzying array of power ratings, installation types, and smart options, it can be overwhelming. Our mission: to guide you step-by-step in finding the Type 2 charging station that truly fits your vehicle and your lifestyle, all without unnecessary technical jargon.
Whether you're a homeowner, a renter, or frequently on the road, we've analyzed the most practical and reliable solutions on the market.
How to Choose Your Home Charging Station?
Before diving into our selection, let's review the three fundamental criteria that will guide your decision.
1. Defining the Right Power Level: 7 kW, 22 kW, or a Portable Solution?
The station's power rating determines your vehicle's charging speed.
- Portable Charger (up to 3.5 kW): Often called a domestic plug charger, it plugs into any standard outlet (Schuko type) with no installation required. It's the perfect solution for slow overnight charging or as a backup.
- 7 kW Wallbox: This is the standard for home charging stations. Installed on a dedicated single-phase circuit, a 7 kW wallbox can fully charge most batteries in 4 to 8 hours—the length of a good night's sleep. It represents the ideal balance between charging speed and installation simplicity.
- 22 kW Three-Phase Charging Station: For those in a hurry, this solution offers the fastest alternating current (AC) charging available. However, it requires a three-phase electrical installation, which is less common in older homes but increasingly found in new builds and condominiums.
2. Fixed Installation (Wallbox) or Portable Charger?
The choice here will depend on your living situation and lifestyle.
- The Wallbox (Fixed Installation): Mounted on your garage wall or on a dedicated outdoor stand, this is the ultimate long-term solution. Robust, secure, and always ready to use, it's the only way to achieve the highest charging power levels.
- The T2 Portable Charger: Lightweight and compact, it fits easily in your car's trunk. It's the ideal solution for renters, for those who want to charge at the office (if an outlet is available), or simply while on vacation.
3. Smart Features: A Genuine Everyday Advantage
A smart charging station, also known as a Wi-Fi-connected wallbox, is more than just a gimmick. It simplifies your life with a mobile app that allows you to:
- Schedule charging sessions to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates.
- Track your energy consumption in real time.
- Start or stop charging remotely.
- Adjust the current intensity to avoid overloading your electrical system.
Recommended Type 2 Charging Stations
Here are three models we've selected. Each meets a specific need and was chosen for its technical specifications and real-world performance.
feyree 7 kW Wallbox: The Perfect Balance for Daily Charging
Why it stands out: This 7 kW wallbox is the Swiss Army knife of single-phase home charging. Its main advantage? The manually adjustable current, which offers a level of flexibility and safety rarely seen at this price point. A simple, effective, and no-frills solution.
Advantages:
- 7 kW Power: Allows for a full charge overnight for the majority of electric vehicles.
- Adjustable Current: The ability to set the intensity from 8A to 32A to match your electrical circuit's capacity and prevent overloads.
- IP65 Protection: Its dust-tight and water-resistant design allows for safe installation both indoors and outdoors.
- Integrated Storage: The station's body includes a holder for the plug and the 5-meter Type 2 charging cable, keeping your garage tidy.
Who is it for? For drivers looking for a fixed, reliable, and fast solution for their daily charging needs on a standard single-phase installation.
feyree 22 kW Smart Wallbox: Performance for Three-Phase Installations
Why it stands out: Designed for three-phase installations, this 22 kW station is built for performance and drastically reduces charging times. Its real advantage is its Wi-Fi connectivity: through its app, it becomes a true smart charging station for managing your consumption down to the last kilowatt-hour.
Advantages:
- High Power of 22 kW: Significantly reduces charging time for compatible vehicles.
- App Control (Wi-Fi): The Tuya Smart app lets you monitor charging, schedule it during off-peak hours, and adjust the current remotely.
- Advanced Safety: Integrates a comprehensive suite of protections (lightning, overvoltage, overheating, current leakage).
- Controlled Access: The optional RFID card function allows you to restrict the station's use to authorized users, a major asset in shared properties or condominiums.
Who is it for? For the most demanding users with a three-phase setup who want the fastest possible home charging, with all the benefits of smart, connected management.
feyree 3.5 kW Portable Charger: Flexibility Without Installation
Why it stands out: This is the champion of flexibility. This T2 portable charger plugs into a simple power outlet (Schuko) with no installation required. It's the ultimate solution for freedom for anyone who can't or doesn't want to install a wallbox.
Advantages:
- Zero Installation: Simply plug it into a domestic outlet to start charging.
- Adjustable Current: Manual current adjustment (8A, 10A, 13A, 16A) ensures safe charging on electrical circuits of unknown capacity.
- Compact and Portable: Comes with a carrying case and fits easily in the trunk for charging on the go, at a friend's house, or on vacation.
- Convenient OLED Screen: Displays the real-time charging status, selected current, and any potential errors.
Who is it for? For renters, nomadic drivers, or simply as a backup charger to keep in the trunk. It's perfect for top-up charging or overnight charging for vehicles with smaller batteries, all with zero installation hassle.
Looking for Other Options?
Our selection aims to cover the most common use cases, but your situation might be different. To discover other models, power ratings, or features, feel free to browse our full range.
Discover all our electric car charging solutions
Frequently Asked Questions about Type 2 Charging Stations
1. What power level should I choose for a home charging station?
The choice depends on your installation and your need for speed. To put it simply:
- 3.5 kW (Portable): Absolute flexibility, no installation, for slow charging.
- 7 kW (Wallbox): The gold standard for efficient overnight charging at home (single-phase).
- 22 kW (Wallbox): Maximum speed for those in a hurry, provided you have a three-phase connection.
2. Do I need a qualified electrician to install a charging station?
Yes, and this is non-negotiable. To install a wallbox (7 kW or 22 kW), the intervention of a qualified electrician (ideally certified for EV charger installation) is mandatory for safety and insurance reasons. In contrast, a portable charger plugs into a standard outlet and requires no professional intervention.
3. Is a charger with a Type 2 charging cable universal?
The Type 2 connector is indeed the European standard for alternating current (AC) charging. It is therefore compatible with the vast majority of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the European market (Tesla, Renault, Peugeot, Volkswagen...). However, be aware: the actual charging speed will always be limited by the maximum power that your car's onboard charger can accept.
