With the UK banning new petrol and diesel car sales from 2035, millions of EV owners need a reliable home charger. But the market is crowded with options from £300 to £1,200+. We’ve tested and compared the best home EV chargers to help you choose the right one.
Best Home EV Chargers 2025: Quick Comparison
| Charger | Power | Cable | Smart Features | Price (Installed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohme Home Pro | 7.4kW | Tethered 5m | Smart tariff, solar, app | £850 – £1,100 |
| Zappi V2.1 | 7.4kW | Tethered/Untethered | Solar divert, app, eco modes | £900 – £1,200 |
| Wallbox Pulsar Plus | 7.4kW | Tethered 5m | App, power sharing | £750 – £950 |
| Easee One | 7.4kW | Untethered | Load balancing, app | £800 – £1,050 |
| Pod Point Solo 3 | 7.4kW | Untethered | App, Tesco Clubcard | £800 – £1,000 |
| Andersen A3 | 7.4kW | Tethered/Untethered | App, premium design | £1,100 – £1,500 |
Detailed Reviews
1. Ohme Home Pro – Best Overall
The Ohme Home Pro stands out for its intelligent tariff integration. It automatically charges when electricity is cheapest on time-of-use tariffs like Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus. Pair it with solar panels and it can divert excess generation to your car. The app is intuitive, and the charger supports OCPP for future-proofing.
✅ Pros
- Automatic cheap-rate charging (Octopus, OVO etc.)
- Solar PV diversion built-in
- Compact, attractive design
- OZEV grant eligible
- 3-year warranty
⚠️ Cons
- Tethered only (can’t use your own cable)
- Requires Wi-Fi for smart features
- No built-in energy meter
2. Zappi V2.1 – Best for Solar Owners
The Zappi by Myenergi is the go-to charger for solar panel owners. Its three charging modes (Fast, Eco, and Eco+) let you choose between grid power, a mix of solar and grid, or 100% solar-only charging. If you have solar panels, no other charger matches the Zappi’s solar integration.
✅ Pros
- Best-in-class solar diversion (3 modes)
- Works with Myenergi Eddi and Harvi
- Available tethered or untethered
- Built-in energy meter
- Made in the UK
⚠️ Cons
- More expensive than competitors
- App could be more polished
- Solar features need a CT clamp or Harvi sensor
3. Wallbox Pulsar Plus – Best Budget Smart Charger
The Pulsar Plus offers excellent smart features at the most competitive price point. The app provides scheduling, consumption tracking, and power sharing (useful if you have two EVs). It’s compact, reliable, and well-reviewed by installers.
✅ Pros
- Lowest price for a smart charger
- Compact and lightweight
- Power sharing for multiple chargers
- Good app with scheduling
⚠️ Cons
- No solar diversion
- Tethered only
- Customer support can be slow
Tethered vs Untethered: Which Is Better?
| Feature | Tethered | Untethered |
|---|---|---|
| Cable | Permanently attached | Bring your own Type 2 cable |
| Convenience | Just plug in and go | Must connect cable each time |
| Flexibility | One cable length only | Can use different length cables |
| Tidiness | Cable always visible | Cleaner look when not charging |
| Best for | Single-car households | Multiple EVs or shared parking |
EV Charger Grants (OZEV/EVHS)
The UK government offers grants towards home EV charger installation:
- EV chargepoint grant (renters/flat owners): Up to £350 off installation costs
- Landlord grant: Up to £350 per socket (max 200 sockets)
- Workplace Charging Scheme: Up to £350 per socket (max 40 sockets)
Running Cost Comparison
| Charging Method | Cost per kWh | Cost per 200 Miles | Annual Cost (10,000 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public rapid charger | 65–79p | £32–£40 | £1,600–£2,000 |
| Home charger (standard tariff) | 28p | £14 | £700 |
| Home charger (Octopus Go overnight) | 7.5p | £3.75 | £190 |
| Home charger (solar excess) | 0p | £0 | £0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I charge my EV from a normal plug?
Yes, using a 3-pin granny charger. But it’s very slow (8–12 hours for a partial charge) and not recommended for regular use as it can strain older wiring. A dedicated 7.4kW home charger is 3–4x faster and much safer.
Do I need a new consumer unit/fuse board?
Often no, but sometimes yes. Your installer will check if your existing board has a spare way and sufficient capacity. If your board is very old (pre-2006), it may need upgrading (£300–£600) as part of the installation.
How long does installation take?
A standard installation takes 2–4 hours. More complex jobs (long cable runs, consumer unit upgrade) may take a full day. The installer handles DNO notification as part of the process.
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