Which EV Charger Is Right For You? Our Top 5 EV Chargers We’d Pick
Are you planning on buying your first EV car or a hybrid car? Many Irish motorists are now buying EV’s for a number of reasons. They’re becoming more affordable, they’re cheaper to maintain and service, they’re environmentally friendly and they are also convenient in terms of charging.
If you are looking to purchase an EV you’ll probably also need an EV Charger so you can charge your car from the convenience of your own home. This is where things can get a little bit overwhelming. You’re probably wondering which EV charger is right for you and what are the differences between them all?
We’ve created this short guide to help you choose between the various different EV charging units on the market right now so make sure you get the best EV charger that’s suited towards your car and house.
Here are some of our top picks.
Zappi Charger
The Zappi charger is one of the most popular chargers in Ireland at the moment and it’s not hard to see why. It’s affordable, smart and also looks great. It also comes in a number of different colours and variations too including a tethered and untethered model.
The beauty about the Zappi charger is that it can be used in conjunction with renewable energy. This means if you have solar panels on your roof you can use the energy harnessed from your solar panels to charge your car. This form of energy is completely free which means you could essentially run your car for free all year round.
The technology in the Zappi charger means that it’s one of the safest chargers currently on the market. It is the only EV charger on the market at the moment that has built-in PEN fault technology which means the cost of installation is greatly reduced.
It also has a number of smart features built into it too. You can set timers on it to charge your car at certain times throughout the day. Many people opt to charge their EV at night time as the rates are usually cheaper during the night.
Zappi EV Chargers also have a number of security features built into it which means no one can tamper with your settings without your 5 digit code and also it means that no one else can use your charger when you’re not around. You can also control the entire charger through the myenergia app on your smartphone too.
If you’d like to learn more about the Zappi charger then feel free to check out their website here for more information on their charger.
EO Mini
If you’re looking for a charger that’s sleek, small and durable then look no further than the EO Mini. EO charging is soon to release their latest small form EV smart charger called the EO Mini Pro and we are seriously impressed.
The charger itself offers a small form factor which means it can be neatly tucked away and not create such a large footprint on your house. Many of our customers have opted to have their EO Mini tucked down behind a bed of flowers or behind a small angled wall on the house.
Similar to the Zappi charger the EO Mini Pro offers a range of smart features and allows homeowners to harness the power of their solar panels to charge their EV cars.
The EO Mini Pro is designed to last the test of time. If you’re worried about your EV charger being exposed to the Irish elements then look no further than the EO Mini Pro. The EO Mini Pro has been designed to withstand the hottest of climate and the coldest of temperatures.
The EO mini does not come with a tethered option. This means that your charger won’t have a charging cable hanging out of it and instead you will need to plug it into your EO Mini and then your car every time you wish to charge and do the reverse once you have finished.
Who is it for?
The EO Mini Pro has been designed with style in mind. It has predominantly been designed for those who are looking for a sleek, styling and minimal EV charger that won’t ruin or take away from the aesthetics of their home.
Its minimal design makes it perfect for EV owners who are looking for a small yet convenient charger they can tuck away and hook up to when they please. This charger might not be great for hybrid owners who may need to charge their car every night as it will require connecting a charging cable up the charger and then to the car every time you want to charge which may take some time.
Wallbox Charger
The Wallbox charger combines the functionality of the Zappi charger and the small footprint of the EO Mini.
The Wallbox charger offers the convenience of having a charging cable attached to the central unit and a holster for the charging plug too. The Wallbox EV charger comes in a number of different configurations offering both different lengths of charging cables.
The Wallbox charger also has a number of smart features built into it too and it can be controlled completely from your smartphone too. Within the app you can schedule times of when you want your EV to charge and also at what speed you wish to charge at too.
The Wallbox charger has also been designed with durability in mind too. It’s a sturdy little charger and is sure to serve you well for many years to come.
Who is it for?
As mentioned above, the Wallbox offers both a small footprint and also great functionality. It’s perfect for both hybrid and full EV owners who wish to charge their car at home. The small footprint of the charger means it can be tucked away out of sight and then convenience of the tethered option means it is also very functional ensuring it’s ready to use whenever you need it which is especially useful if you find yourself charging every day.
Tesla Wall Connector
Arguably the most stylish of all the chargers we’ve listed so far the Tesla Wall Connector has a lot to offer. The Tesla wall connector is a stylish EV charger that would look great outside any house. The charger itself comes tethered and is completely compatible with the Tesla app that you get on your smartphone.
The Tesla Wall Connector comes with an arrangement of smart features that allow you to schedule departure times for your daily routines to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck when it comes to charging your car.
The Tesla Wall Connector is also always connected to your Wifi which ensures your EV charger is constantly getting the most up to date firmware updates available.
Who is it for?
The Tesla Wall Connector doesn’t necessarily offer more than any other charger unless of course you own a Tesla. It’s brilliant for those who own chargers as it integrates especially well with the software on your phone and your Tesla. We’d definitely recommend getting this if you have a Tesla but you may also be limiting yourself in future if you change EV’s which is something to be mindful of.
Anderson Charger
The Anderson charger is the more premium option when it comes to EV charging and it’s not hard to see why. These EV chargers offer the functionality of a normal charger but without actually looking like a charger and instead looking like something that is already part of your house.
The Anderson charger comes in a wide range of different colours and it also allows you to even add in some wood finishing too. You can also choose a 2 colour tone as well by customizing the surrounding metal around the charger.
There are also a few options to get different lengths of tethered cables available too depending on how far away you park your EV.
It’s worth noting that these Anderson chargers can be nearly double and sometimes triple the price of the likes of Zappi and EO.
Who is it for?
This is definitely a charger for those who prefer the premium product and also want a charger that looks well on the outside of their house. We’ve seen many customers install this EV charger to match galvanized steel side gates.
Which One Would You Pick?
Every EV Charger is different and suited to every individual's needs. Some are big, some are small. Some have lots of functions and others don’t. Use this guide as a baseline to determine which charger might be a good fit for your EV charging needs. If you’re still unsure then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team and we’ll be more than happy to help.