Best Home Level 2 EV Charger: Juicebox vs Chargepoint

As electric vehicle (EV) adoption rates rise so does the demand for home charging units. EV drivers realize the Level 1 chargers that come with their cars are not practical and can add stress to their daily commute. Level 1 chargers are too slow to be sufficient. On the other hand, planning around public Level 2 chargers can also add stress to an electric vehicle driver’s day. The best way for an EV owner to charge their electric car is through a home Level 2 charging station. With a home charger, they can charge their car in the safety and comfort of their own homes. Two of the most popular are the Juicebox 40 and the Chargepoint Home Flex. They both have great reputations and the devices are extremely popular among EV drivers. In this Juicebox vs. Chargepoint article, we take a look at the two home EV chargers and tell you which one comes out on top.

Juicebox 40 vs. Chargepoint Home Flex

Let’s take a look at the aesthetics first before we get into the software of the charging stations.

The Juicebox 40 EV charger is manufactured by Enel X. According to Enel X, it is the best-selling home smart charging station. The Juicebox 40 has a sleek design and is white with a black cable. It features a rounded rectangular box with a cable rack underneath. It comes with a quick-release mounting bracket and a long 25-foot cable. The screen has LED lights that show power, connectivity, and charging status. It comes in a hardwired or plug-in version. A hardwired electric car charger is attached to the wall and is permanent, while a plug-in is portable and can be changed if you decided to upgrade or move. The Juicebox comes with a weatherproof polycarbonate casing which is especially useful if you plan to install your home Level 2 charger outdoors. As of this publication, the going price for the Juicebox 40 was $649.00.

The Chargepoint Home Flex EV charger costs about the same and as of this publication was listed at $699.00. The Home Flex is a gray- and silver-colored charger with a black 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 updates. The cable is foot shorter than the Juicebox at 23 feet. It does not come with a polycarbonate casing like the Juicebox 40 but is weatherproof and rated NEMA 3R for outdoor use. It also comes in a hardwired or plug-in version. 

Both the Juicebox 40 and Chargepoint Home Flex can power all electric vehicles on the market, including Teslas (with an adaptor that comes with all Tesla purchases). They both can have Amazon Alexa integration, but the Juicebox 40 also works with Google Assistant. They both come with smart features and are ENERGY STAR certified.

The Enel X Juicebox comes with a lock to secure the cable, while the Chargepoint does not. 

The Juicebox is heavier and bulkier than the Chargepoint. It weighs 16 pounds, while the Chargepoint EV charging station weighs 13.8lbs.

Juicebox vs Chargepoint Installation

When you first open the package, the Juicebox EV charger is already mostly assembled, while the Chargepoint EV charger requires additional assembling. The Chargepoint also requires quite a few more screws and drilling when compared with the Juicebox. The Enel X Juicebox charger slides onto a quick-release mounting bracket, while the Chargepoint requires you to mount the unit by securing screws into the unit itself. 

Juicebox vs Chargepoint Charging Speed 

Both of the chargers get you the satisfactory charging speeds of Level 2 chargers. Chargepoint says the Home Flex can get you up to 37 miles of range per hour of charge, while Enel X says the Juicebox 40 will add 12 to 60 miles of driving range per hour of charge. From our experiences, it depends on the type of EV you are charging and its acceptance rate. 

One important difference to note here is that the Chargepoint home charging station has flexible amperage settings from 16 amps to 50 amps. The Juicebox 40 only comes in a 40 amp version hench the name, but the charger does come in a 32-amp and a 48-amp version. The more amps you have, the faster the charge. While 40 amps is sufficient by today’s standards, in the future as electric vehicle technology evolves you may want your home EV charger to have more power, but you won’t be able to adapt to that need with the Juicebox. If you do want to have more amps, the Juicebox 48 is currently listed at $689 and must be hardwired.

If you have more than one EV in the household, the Enel X Juicebox may be the better choice since it offers share load capabilities for two or more chargers on one circuit. With the Chargepoint, each station will require its own dedicated circuit. 

Juicebox vs Chargepoint App Features

Both the Enel X app, JuicePass, and the Chargepoint app allow you to set a schedule so you charge when your electricity rates are lowest, set reminders, and track usage. Both apps allow you to manage charging at public and private charging stations within their networks. The apps are both simple and easy to use. 

The main difference between them is that Chargepoint has a much larger away-from-home charging network. Chargepoint is the largest charging network in the U.S. with 15,454 locations. Enel X has one of the a much smaller charging network in the nation.

The Verdict

The Juicebox 40 and Chargepoint Home Flex are both excellent choices for a Level 2 EV charger. Which one is better for you depends on your lifestyle and preferences. For example, you may have two EVs in your household and would prefer to be able to load share. In that case, you may prefer the Juicebox. Or maybe you prefer being able to charge with 50 amps as opposed to 40 amps and in that case you would opt for the Chargepoint. 

Whichever home EV charger you choose, you will be in a much better situation than before relying on a Level 1 charger or public charging stations.

To learn more about Chargepoint Home Flex or Juicebox 40 EV charging station installation or to learn about other electric vehicle chargers, like the Wallbox Pulsar, that may be just as good or better for you, check out our website wattlogic.com. 

Even better, skip waiting for electricians to get back to you and dealing with the hassle of shopping around. Fill out our non-commital digital survey from whatever device you are reading this on and we can get you a home EV charger installation quote in no time! After you answer a few questions, we send out your request to licensed and certified electricians. Then, before we finalize an estimate and send it off to you, our staff will compare pricing, capabilities, and warranties.