ChargePoint vs Blink: Which Home Level 2 EV Charger Should You Buy?

ChargePoint and Blink Charging are some of the most recognizable names in public charging stations and EV infrastructure in the United States, but what about home electric vehicle (EV) charging? If you’re an EV driver looking to buy a home Level 2 charger, chances are you have visited a Chargepoint or Blink network charging station to juice up and now need that fast and efficient charging at home. You won’t be able to add a Level 3 DC fast charger to your driveway or garage due to the electrical infrastructure work and power needed. 

Chargepoint and Blink do have Level 2 EV charger options that can charge all EVs, including Teslas. A Level 2 charging station is up to 4x faster than Level 1 charger that came standard with the purchase of your electric car. Plus, you’ll get to charge up your EV in the safety and convenience of your own home instead of having to stop at gas stations once or twice a week to fill up (yay, clean energy). In this article, we will take a deep dive into Chargepoint vs Blink Charging home chargers and help you figure out which one you should choose.

The ChargePoint Home Flex

The ChargePoint Home Flex comes in NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50 charging outlets options. It has flexible amperage settings from 16 amps to 50 amps. It is available in a plug-in or hardwired version. An electrician can install the ChargePoint station indoors or outdoors. The Home Flex is rated NEMA 3R, which means it is weatherproof. If you do plan to install it outdoors, you’ll have to choose a hardwired installation or add a weatherproof NEMA receptacle to your plug-in installation. 

The ChargePoint Home Flex has a standard SAE J1772 connector and can charge all EVs (including Ford, General Motors, Rivian, and Tesla) available for purchase in the U.S.

The Home Flex is a gray- and silver-colored EV charging station with a 23-foot black charging cable. The cable rack is integrated into the design of the main unit and loops around the top of the charger. It has a green LED indicator light around the charger holder, which changes color to show charge status and updates. It weighs 17.6 pounds.

It comes with smart features and goes for $749.

The Blink HQ150

The Blink HQ150 comes in a NEMA 6-50 plug option only. It is a 32 amp charger. It is only available in a hardwired version. Like the ChargePoint charger, it is rated NEMA 3R and is weatherproof. It also is equipped with a standard SAE J1772 connector and can charge all EVs available for purchase in the U.S.

The HQ150 is sleek and compact in a rounded matte black square design. It comes with a 25-foot charging cable and comes with a cable holster so you can stow away the cable when not in use. It weighs 15.7 pounds.

It is a very simple charger and doesn’t have any smart features so it goes for a much cheaper $459. 

The Blink HQ200 

The HQ200 is a new residential EV charger from Blink and is currently only available for preorder. It comes in a NEMA 14-50 plug and has flexible amperage settings from 12 amps to 50 amps. It is also rated NEMA 3R and can be installed indoors or outdoors. It is equipped with a standard SAE J1772 connector and can charge all EVs available for purchase in the U.S.

It comes in a smaller, more compact design than the HQ150 in a more grayscale color. LED lights indicate charging status. It comes with a 23-foot charging cable and a holster to tuck away the cord when not in use. It weighs 20.94 pounds.

It has smart features and will go for $899.

ChargePoint vs Blink Differences

The differences between the ChargePoint Home Flex and the Blink HQ150 EV chargers all fall on their smart capabilities. The ChargePoint station has many smart features while the Blink charger has none. The Blink HQ150 is a no-nonsense charger for EV owners who just want to charge their car without any smart features. It doesn’t have an app, WiFi connectivity, or Bluetooth connectivity. That is why it’s the less expensive option. Smart EV charging equipment is always going to cost more than EV chargers without smart features.

On the other hand, the ChargePoint Home Flex has smart features that include WiFi, Bluetooth (16A), Amazon Alexa, and Apple Siri connectivity. It cannot connect to Google Home.

The HQ150 will be slower at charging that the HQ200 and the Home Flex. It will still be up to 4x faster than the standard Level 1 charger. 

The ChargePoint app allows you to set a schedule so you charge when your electricity rates are cheapest, set reminders, and track usage and energy consumption. You can also stop or start a charge remotely. 

The HQ200 does come with similar smart features that can be accessed through the Blink mobile app. You can also schedule charging hours remotely and take advantage of cheaper electricity rates. It can be Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Siri enabled.

The main difference between the ChargePoint Home Flex and the Blink Charging Co HQ200 is the price point. The Blink charger is Google Home enabled, while the ChargePoint is not. The ChargePoint Home Flex does not have load-sharing technology, which the Blink HQ200 does. Load sharing technology allows you to distribute energy between chargers at the same time so you can charge multiple EVs on one circuit.

Both apps allow you to manage EV chargers at private and public charging stations within their networks. It should be noted that ChargePoint has a much larger away-from-home EV charging network than Blink Charging. ChargePoint is the largest EV charging network in the United States with 15,454 locations. Blink EV charging stations are growing, but they are still the fourth largest EV charging network in the U.S. with 1,416 locations. Tesla is second, Sema Connect is third, and Electrify America is fifth.

Which is better, ChargePoint or Blink?

The ChargePoint Home Flex and Blink HQ150 are both recommended by electric car drivers. They are both efficient at charging an EV, especially if you plan to charge overnight like most EV owners. Which one is better for you depends on your preferences as an EV driver.

If you want to charge your electric vehicle without any bells and whistles, the Blink HQ150 is the right one for you. If you want a smart charger that can help you charge your car when electricity rates are cheapest or start and stop a charging session among other smart features, then the ChargePoint Home Flex is the better option. Of course, the price may be a deciding factor as well. The Blink Charging Co HQ150 is quite a bit cheaper than the ChargePoint Home Flex due to the Blink’s lack of smart features. 

If you’re deciding between the Home Flex and the HQ200, the differences are minor and you may opt for one over the other over things like aesthetics or the price difference. Or if you want to be able to control your electric vehicle charger with voice commands through Google Home only, your choice would be the Blink HQ200. The only other notable difference between the two is the Blink HQ200 allows for load sharing, while the ChargePoint Home Flex does not. If you have multiple EVs under one roof, the Blink HQ200 may be the better choice for that reason. 

By the way, if the price is a deciding factor for you, don’t eliminate the more expensive option if you prefer it just yet! You may be surprised by how many organizations offer EV charger rebates and incentives. You may end up spending a very small amount on your charger and installation after receiving rebates. You can also receive incentives on your EV itself, including tax incentives that were recently updated with the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Whatever choice you do make, you’ll more than likely need the help of a licensed electrician to install a NEMA 6-50 or NEMA 14-50 plug for you. Whether you opt for hardwired or plug-in charging outlets, doing it yourself is not a good idea. While you may save money, the risks are great for disaster if the plug isn’t installed correctly. Electricity and wires are better left to the professionals. WattLogic is an EV charging company that offers the simplest way to receive an EV charging installation quote.

You just fill out a quick, 7-minute survey right from where you are reading this and you’ll receive a quote in no time. We also have a team of licensed and verified electricians that can get your EV charging station installed safely and quickly. The survey is non-obligatory and completely free so if you need a home charger feel free to fill it out!