Best NEMA 14-50 EV Charger in 2023

The NEMA 14-50 EV charger is the most common type of Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging station that EV drivers purchase for home charging. Level 2 charging is up to 15 times faster than the standard Level 1 charger that comes with the purchase or lease of an EV. The NEMA 14-50 EV charger can be installed indoors, in the garage, or outdoors such as in the driveway. It can charge both battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

The NEMA 14-50 EV charger is well suited for all EVs currently on the market, including the BMW i3, Chevy Bolt, and all Teslas, and even some that are no longer available, like the Ford C MAX Energi and Fiat 500e. The charger comes in all different types of styles, brands, prices, and different types of smart charging capabilities. 

Every EV owner has different preferences when it comes to what they’re looking for in their home EV charging equipment. If you’re an electric car owner, deciding which NEMA 14-50 EV charger is right for you can be a challenge, so we’ve come up with this quick list to make choosing the best one for you easy!

Best Overall: WallBox Pulsar Plus 48 amp

Best Value: Lectron NEMA 14-50 Level 2 EV Charger

Best Smart Charging Features: Enel X Juicebox 40

Best Charging Speeds: ChargePoint Home Flex

Best for Outdoors: The Grizzl-E Smart

Best for Tesla EVs: Tesla Wall Connector

Best Overall: WallBox Pulsar Plus 48 amp

We picked the Wallbox Pulsar Plus 48 amp for its power, compactness, ruggedness, smart features, and ability to charge an EV with solar power. The Wallbox Pulsar Plus 48 amp charger delivers 11.5 kilowatts (kW) of power and this means quicker charging times. While most EVs on the market today do not necessitate high amperage charging, you get quicker charging now and you’ll future-proof for the more robust EVs that are sure to come into the market in the future. 

The Wallbox has a longer cable than most chargers with a 25-foot cable length. It comes in a compact, sleek design of a gray box within a black box. It has LCD indicator lights in between the two boxes. It is wall mounted and does not come with any cable mounting or racking. The Wallbox has an IP54 rating, which means it is protected from dust, particles, and water sprays. The Wallbox has a standard SAE J1772 connector and can charge all EVs available for purchase in the U.S. 

Just keep in mind that if you choose the Wallbox 48 amp version it must be hardwired. Hardwired means it will be a permanent installation, while a plug-in EV charger is portable. Hardwired EV charging equipment is more reliable and isn’t prone to tripping like a plug-in charger is. Due to EV charging installation regulations, a NEMA 14-50 outlet must be installed on a GFCI breaker, which is needed for safety but leads to the likelihood of a breaker being tripped. A licensed electrician can further advise you on the benefits of a hardwired installation.

You also have power-sharing options with the Pulsar Plus and can have two chargers on the same circuit. If you own two EVs in your household or plan to add another one in the future, this feature allows you to divide electricity between two EVs charging at the same time.

Power sharing and many other smart features can be accessed through the myWallbox app. You’ll be able to monitor the status of your home smart charger from anywhere you have access to a smartphone, remotely start or stop charging, view real-time statistics on use and energy consumption, and schedule your EV’s charge time for when electricity rates are cheapest.

The Pulsar Plus has Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa connectivity. You can wirelessly connect to the Wallbox through WiFi or Bluetooth.

The Pulsar Plus has an added benefit that the other big names in residential EV charging do not offer – solar charging. If you have solar panels installed at your home you can use the Wallbox to charge your EV with solar energy. The Pulsar Plus Eco-Smart Solar EV charging feature allows you to choose between two modes: full renewable or a mix of green and grid electricity. You can disable the mode at any time if you wish to switch back to solely grid power.

The Pulsar Plus 48 amp retails for $699.

Best Value: Lectron NEMA 14-50 Level 2 EV Charger

The Lectron NEMA 14-50 NEMA 14-50 32 amp Level 2 EV charger is a no-nonsense charger and is cheaper than all the rest at $318.99. You won’t get any smart features with this EV charging station. Smart features will cost you more money. The Lectron NEMA 14-50 32 amp Level 2 EV charger is a plug-in and a portable EV charger. It has a small LCD display screen that shows you the voltage, amperage, charge time, kWh, and temperature. It does have LED indicator lights that show when it’s receiving power, when it’s connected, when it’s charging, and if there is a fault. It has a standard J1772 connector and a 21-foot cable. It does not come with any mounting hardware, but you can purchase some yourself or keep it tucked away on a shelf. It is one of the easiest EV chargers to figure out due to its simple design.

Best Smart Charging Features: Enel X Juicebox 40

The Enel X Juicebox 40 has a sleek design and is white with a black cable and is full of smart features. 

Through the JuicePass app, you’ll be able to monitor the status of your home smart charger from anywhere you have access to a smartphone, remotely start or stop charging, view real-time statistics on use and energy consumption, and schedule your EV’s charge time for when electricity rates are cheapest. The Juicebox has Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The Juicebox offers WiFi connectivity. You’ll also be able to access power sharing through the JuicePass app. As an added bonus, since Enel X does have public chargers, you’ll also be able to access their chargers through the app when you’re on the road.

The Juicebox 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 32-amp and 40-amp versions. The Enel X Juicebox has a NEMA 4X rating, the equivalent of IP66, which is one of the higher IP ratings. The Juicebox is equipped with the standard SAE J1772 connector and can charge all EVs available for purchase in the U.S. 

It comes in a hardwired or plug-in version (NEMA 14-50 and NEMA 6-50). The Juicebox goes for $649.00.

Best Charging Speeds: ChargePoint Home Flex

The ChargePoint Home Flex is a popular EV charging station among electric car owners but is currently one of the most expensive chargers on the market at $749. The Home Flex has many smart features but was selected for the speed category due to its ability to charge at 50 amps. You can adjust your amperage settings if you choose to do so, from 16 to 50 amps. 

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. It comes with a 23-foot cable and is rated NEMA 3R for outdoor use. It also comes in hardwired or NEMA 6-50 and NEMA 14-50 plug-in versions. It has a standard J1772 connector. 

Best for Outdoors: The Grizzl-E Smart

The Grizzl-E Smart is sold as a rugged EV charging station and it definitely lives up to its name. Its outer casing is made of thick, durable aluminum. The other chargers in this list come with a plastic enclosure. It has a NEMA 4 rating and is protected against extreme weather like blowing rain or snow. It has a thicker cable than the other EV charging stations in this list. Despite the thickness it is still flexible in cold temperatures. 

It comes with a 24-foot cable and has a 40 amp output, but can be configured to 16 amps, 24 amps, or 32 amps. It also comes with three DIP switches so you can ensure the charger only delivers as much power as your electrical circuit can handle.

The Grizzle-E Smart comes with a separate holster that can be mounted where needed. It also comes with smart features through WiFi connectivity. You’ll be able to set a charging schedule, view charging statistics, and remotely control your EV charger. With the Grizzle-E Smart you won’t be tied to one manufacturer’s software since it is built to work with the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP). 

The Grizzle-E Smart retails for $449. 

Best for Tesla EVs: Tesla Wall Connector

While you can charge your Tesla with any NEMA 14-50 EV charger, the best Tesla charger is the Tesla Wall Connector. The charger is specifically made for Teslas, while other chargers are designed to be universal for all EVs. 

If you’re a Tesla owner, you know your Tesla vehicle comes with a proprietary connector so to charge with other EV chargers besides the Tesla Wall Connector you’ll have to use an adaptor. It is easy enough to use but this means you’ll always need to have the adaptor with you every time you charge at home. 

A Tesla Wall Connector will provide you with the fastest charging speeds outside of a Tesla Supercharger. The maximum charge rate for a Tesla on a NEMA 14-50 EV charger will be less than on a Tesla Wall Connector. For example, the maximum charge rate for a Tesla Model S on a NEMA 14-50 outlet is 23 miles of range per hour, while the Wall Connector does 34 miles of range per hour. 

Getting a NEMA 14-50 EV charger installed at your home

To get a NEMA 14-50 EV charger at your home you’ll need to enlist the services of a qualified licensed electrician. The electrician can install a NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwire the EV charger for you. Either way, getting the help you need shouldn’t be stressful or difficult. We’re on a mission to bring more EV chargers into homes and boost EV adoption by making the installation process a breeze. Just fill out our quick online survey – you’ll answer a few questions and snap a few photos – and you can skip having to call around and schedule electricians to come to your house. By the time they can schedule visits to your home for estimates we will have already sent a quote to you!