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September 2, 2025
If you recently bought an electric vehicle (or plan to in the coming year), one of the first things you’ll need is a reliable way to charge it at home. While public charging networks continue to expand, most daily EV drivers rely on a dedicated EV charger at home for everyday convenience and peace of mind.
There are two types of home EV chargers: Level 1 and Level 2 chargers. Level 1 refers to a basic charger that often comes included with your car — it plugs into a standard wall outlet and gets the job done, just slowly. It’s best if you only drive short distances or own a hybrid. This guide focuses on Level 2 chargers, which are the more powerful upgrade. Level 2 offers much faster charging, typically charging your vehicle back up to 100% overnight. It’s the best option for daily EV drivers and will help you make the most of your EV ownership.
But not all Level 2 home EV chargers are created equal. With so many models, features, and connection types available in 2025, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is right for your garage, your vehicle, and your routine. That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll walk you through our recommendations for some of the best EV chargers on the market and break down what really matters when comparing them.
When evaluating home EV chargers, you should be reviewing each charger’s performance, safety, and long-term compatibility with your car and electrical system.
Here are the four most important factors to consider:
One of the first things to compare is charging speeds. Most Level 2 charging stations offer much faster charging than the Level 1 cord that comes with your electric vehicle. These chargers can typically deliver ~32 miles or more of range per hour, depending on the vehicle and the unit’s charge rate. You can determine the unit’s charge rate based on the amperage listed for the charger (listed as “40A” or “50A” for example). These chargers translate into dramatically shorter charging times, especially for long-range EVs. For more information, check out our guide on how long it takes to charge your EV based on your car and setup.
Some chargers are plug-in models that connect to a NEMA 14-50 or similar outlet, while others are hardwired into your home’s electrical system. Treehouse always recommends hardwiring your charger, as it offers better performance, code compliance and safety standards, and a cleaner aesthetic compared to outlet installs. And – contrary to common belief – it is typically less expensive to hardwire a charger than it is to install a new outlet.
Many modern chargers now include Wi-Fi connectivity, and are often referred to as “smart” chargers. These chargers allow you to monitor usage, schedule charge sessions, and even integrate with smart home platforms or energy-saving programs. These smart features are not required, but can make your life easier and help you easily manage energy costs by ensuring your vehicle is charging during off-peak electricity hours when rates are lowest. Note, many new EVs come with charging programming capabilities built directly into the vehicle, which also allows you to control when your vehicle is charging.
Depending on the model, features, and brand, you can expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $700+ for a Level 2 EV charger. You can browse the chargers Treehouse offers here.
With dozens of Level 2 EV chargers on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for your home. Below, we’ve rounded up five of the best EV chargers for 2025, covering a mix of performance, price, smart features, and compatibility to help you find the perfect fit.
Best for: EV owners looking for a brand-name, award-winning charger with robust features and long-term reliability
Treehouse price: $549
If you're looking for a trusted EV charging solution with broad compatibility, ChargePoint continues to lead the pack. The ChargePoint Home Flex is a flexible, Wi-Fi–connected Level 2 charger that can deliver up to 50 amps, depending on your vehicle and electrical setup. You can manage charging schedules or monitor usage through the included ChargePoint app.
This model supports both hardwired and plug-in (NEMA 14-50 or 6-50) installations, giving homeowners flexibility (though as mentioned, Treehouse always recommends hardwiring). It’s available in both J1772 (non-Tesla) and NACS (Tesla and some newer, non-Tesla EVs) vehicle connections to work well with any EV, no adapter required.
Best for: Budget-conscious EV owners who want advanced energy monitoring and high performance without the premium price tag
Treehouse price: $429
The Emporia Classic Level 2 charger is one of the most cost-effective options on the market, offering a rich feature set at an affordable price point. It can deliver up to 48 amps of power (when hardwired), depending on your vehicle and electrical setup. In addition to supporting scheduled charging, the Emporia app also integrates with energy usage monitoring tools, ideal for energy-conscious homeowners.
Similar to ChargePoint, the Emporia Classic is available in both J1772 and NACS vehicle connection options, pairing well with your EV without the need for an adapter. It comes in both a black and white version to match your home’s aesthetic.
Upgrade option for homeowners with limited electrical capacity: Emporia recently launched the Emporia Pro Level 2 EV Charger, with built-in load management capabilities. Emporia’s PowerSmart technology works with your existing electrical panel to automatically balance load and help you charge at the maximum speed possible. Priced at $599, this charger can be a much more efficient and cost-effective solution than a more expensive system upgrade.
Best for: Tesla and non-Tesla owners who want a sleek, reliable charger that’s ready for the NACS future and integrates with Tesla’s broader charging ecosystem
Tesla price: $650
Tesla’s Universal Wall Connector is their most flexible charging option to date, featuring the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector and an included J1772 adapter for non-Tesla EVs. This means it works across brands, so you can charge your Tesla EV and another non-Tesla vehicle without switching hardware.
Alt. Text: A product image of the Tesla Universal Wall Connector (Source)
It delivers up to 48 amps for fast home charging and is designed for wall-mounted, hardwired installation. It integrates seamlessly with Tesla vehicles and the Tesla app for charging control.
Best for: Budget-conscious EV owners looking for a basic, no-frills charger that just works
Treehouse price: $379
The Grizzl-E Classic is a heavy-duty charger with basic capabilities – no smart charging, Wi-Fi connectivity, or app integrations, but a fast Level 2 charger delivering up to 40A that will get the job done.
The Grizzl-E Classic’s weatherproof aluminum casing is built for both indoor and outdoor use.
Option for households with multiple EVs: Grizzl-E also offers the Grizzl-E Duo ($799), which comes with two cables designed to support charging two EVs at the same time. It delivers up to 40 amps and supports plug-in installation via a NEMA 14-50 outlet only.
Best for: Homeowners who want a compact, feature-rich charger that looks as good as it performs
Treehouse price: $699
Compact, powerful, and smart, the Wallbox Pulsar Plus is a favorite among tech-forward homeowners. Despite its small size, it delivers up to 48 amps of output (when hardwired). The Wallbox app enables scheduling, real-time tracking, and even voice control through Alexa or Google Home.
It supports both hardwired and NEMA 14-50 plug-in setups. It’s also sleek and stylish, making it a discreet yet capable choice for garages or driveways.
Installing a home EV charger like those recommended above might seem straightforward, but require a trained, licensed electrician to ensure your installation is done safely and to code. A Level 2 charger is one of the most power-intensive appliances in your home. Installing one without a licensed electrician introduces major safety and liability risks, including:
Proper installation also ensures your charger meets local building codes, passes inspection, and protects both your home and your investment.
That’s why Treehouse manages everything for you—from NEC-compliant load calculations to permitting, installation, and final inspection—so you never have to worry about safety or compliance. For a full walkthrough of the process, see our step-by-step EV charger installation guide.
Choosing the right EV charger is one of the most impactful decisions a homeowner can make after purchasing an electric car. For EV owners, it’s all about creating a reliable, safe, and convenient setup that supports daily life and helps you make the most of your electric vehicle. Additionally, choosing the right charger also plays a role in maximizing long-term savings.
Treehouse is here to help you compare and select the right charger for your specific setup, ensuring you get a reliable system without overpaying. Consider the following:
Ready to upgrade your charging setup? Treehouse offers expert Level 2 charger recommendations, expert installation from our team of skilled, licensed electricians, and end-to-end support to make your home EV charger journey hassle-free from start to finish. Get started by requesting a free estimate today.
Level 2 charging adds 20-30 miles of range per hour of charge and will fully charge your vehicle in 7-10 hours.
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Compare Level 1 vs. Level 2 EV charging. Learn the cost, speed, and installation factors so you can make the best choice for your home and daily driving needs.
