In today’s increasingly eco-conscious world, electric vehicles (a.k.a. EVs) are gaining popularity for their sustainability and efficiency. In fact, EV registrations in Canada hit an all-time high of 8.7% in 2022.
While buying an electric vehicle is one thing, you also have to think about charging it. Platforms like ChargeHub make it easy to find the closest EV charging stations, but nothing beats the convenience of your own personal EV charging station.
That said, in order to fully embrace the EV experience, you’ll need a reliable home charger. With several options available, choosing the right one can be a daunting task.
This guide will help you navigate the maze of choices and choose the perfect home charger for your EV. I’ll also highlight the best EV chargers on the market this year.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: ChargePoint Home Flex
Jump to Review - Best For Outdoor Installation: Grizzl-E EV Charger
Jump to Review - Best Value: Autel MaxiCharger
Jump to Review - Best Budget-Friendly: Emporia EV Charger
Jump to Review - Best For Energy Efficiency: JuiceBox 40
Jump to Review
What Are The Best EV Chargers in Canada?
I’ve researched the best-selling home EV charging stations to provide you with a selection of the top models, based on several key factors. Here they are:
Best Overall: ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2
The Home Flex Level 2 EV Charger is the latest of ChargePoint’s home charging stations. As a Level 2 charger, it will charge your EV efficiently. It offers Wi-Fi connectivity and a range of convenient smart features, including scheduled charging and voice control.
In terms of changing capacity, the charger is highly flexible and can be set from 16 to 50 amps. At 50 amps, you’ll be able to add about 60 km of range per hour to your vehicle. With a J-plug connector, the Home Flex can charge pretty much any EV sold in Canada.
What’s also great about the ChargePoint Home Flex is that most public charging stations across Canada are powered by ChargePoint, so there is a minimal learning curve to this charger.
In terms of disadvantages, I was disappointed to learn that the charger doesn’t allow for power-sharing. This means you cannot install two Home Flex chargers on the same circuit.
Why it’s great
- Suitable for Canadian weather
- Universally compatible with all EV models
- Comes with an app & convenient smart features
What can be improved
- Can only charge one EV per account
- Lacks NEMA 4 rating (not as suitable for heavy rain)
Best For Outdoor Use: Grizzl-E Level 2 EV Charger
The Grizzl-E charger is a great choice if you’re looking for a basic but reliable EV charger. It’s made in Canada and you can tell by the quality and durability of its components. The charger is designed to stand up to our challenging weather conditions. It has a water and fire-resistant construction and built-in GFCI protection.
The Grizzle-E is also a more budget-friendly option, costing you around $500 with minimal installation required. With a J-plug connector, it’s compatible with all EVs in Canada.
While it may lack smart features, it excels as a heavy-duty Level 2 charger, offering adjustable amperage settings from 16 to 40 amps, making it versatile for various charging needs. Its straightforward design is more basic than most, but it’s highly rated for its rugged performance, adding up to 40 kilometers of range per hour at its max 40-amp capacity.
The main downside of the Grizzle-E is that it doesn’t have a power switch. This means you’ll have to disconnect the cable or flip the breaker switch to turn it off.
Why it’s great
- Fire and weather-resistant (has NEMA 4 rating)
- Allows for power-sharing
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
- Made in Canada
What can be improved
- No app or smart features
- No power switch (must disconnect the cable to turn off)
Best Value: Autel MaxiCharger EV Charger
The Autel MaxiCharger is another excellent Level 2 home EV charger that’s Wi-Fi enabled. With 12kW and up to 50 amps, the charger is highly efficient. Costing around $900, the MaxiCharger is an excellent value for what you get.
The charger can be controlled using Autel Charge app which gives you access to some solid smart features. For example, you can manage and schedule your charging needs remotely or by voice commands (using Google or Alexa). Best of all, you can even track the cost of charging your vehicle over time.
In terms of charging capacity, the Maxicharger has a power output range of 6 amps to as high as 50 amps. At 50 amps, you can expect to add about 60 kilometers to your vehicle per hour.
The unit comes with a 25-foot cable, which will give you a wider range of installation options. With NEMA 4X protection, it’s suitable for outdoor use in Canada’s unpredictable and harsh weather conditions. The only downside is that the cable is quite stiff in cold weather.
Why it’s great
- Excellent value
- Comes with an app & useful smart features
- Extra long charging cable (25 feet)
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
What can be improved
- Charging cable is quite stiff (especially in cold weather)
Best Budget-Friendly: Emporia EV Charger
If you’re looking for a simple and budget-friendly home EV charger, look no further. Costing under $600, the Emporia Level 2 EV Charger is one of the cheapest in Canada. Despite its lower price point, it still offers a lot of the same features are high-priced EV chargers (without a fancy design). For example, it comes with the Emporia app that lets you monitor your energy usage, schedule your charging sessions, and more. The app can be accessed through a smartphone or even on a web browser.
In terms of charging efficiency, it offers adjustable amperage settings from 6 to 48 amps, making it suitable for various charging needs. With a J-plug connector, the Emporia is compatible with most EVs in Canada.
With a NEMA 4 enclosure, the charger can be safely installed indoors or outdoors in Canada. Unlike some charging cables, the cable remains flexible even in cold weather.
The main drawback of the Empora EV charger is the design of the connector holster. The connector connects facings upwards and is not easy to grab onto and remove.
Why it’s great
- Budget-friendly at under $600
- Offers Wi-Fi connectivity & decent range of smart features
- Flexible charging cable, even in cold weather
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
What can be improved
- Not the most modern in terms of design
- Connector holster is poorly designed and not ergonomic to handle
Best Electricity-Saver: JuiceBox 40 Smart EV Charger
The JuiceBox 40 Smart EV Charging Station is another high-performance Level 2 charger worth considering. With 10kW and up to 40 amps, it offers fast and efficient charging at home. In fact, you can expect to add up to 96 kilometres to your vehicle per hour of charging.
Thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity and a user-friendly app, the JuiceBox is very easy to use. The app lets you schedule your charging time, monitor your electricity usage, and receive convenient notifications and reminders. It’s also great for optimizing your charging costs and ensuring efficiency. And if energy efficiency is important to you, it’s one of the few EV chargers that’s Energy Star certified.
Another detail I appreciate about the JuiceBox is its compact and minimal design and extra-long charging cable. With a 25-foot charging cable and J-plug connector, the JuiceBox is highly versatile to install and is compatible with pretty much all EVs in Canada.
Overall, if you’re looking for a home charging solution that’s easy to use and lets you manage your energy consumption, the JuiceBox 40 EV Charging Station is for you.
Why it’s great
- Weather-resistant
- Energy-Star certified
- Offers Wi-Fi connectivity & a useful app
- Comes with a 3-year warranty.
- Extra long charging cable
What can be improved
- Only charges up to 40 amps
- Relatively expensive
What to Consider When Choosing an EV Charger
Before diving into the home EV charger selection process, you’ll need to have a good idea of your charging requirements. Here are some factors to consider:
Required Battery Size
It’s important to know the charging capacity of your EV’s battery. A larger battery may require a more powerful charger for faster charging times. Look in your car’s manual or get in touch with the manufacturer to find out the maximum charging capacity your car can handle. This information should be given in kilowatts (kW).
Your Driving Habits
Next, it’s important to assess your daily driving habits. How far do you typically drive? And how often do you take your car out? A longer or more frequent commute may necessitate a faster charger, such as a CCS charger.
Preferred Charging Speed
To avoid frustration down the road, it’s a good idea to figure out your desired charging speed. Home chargers range from Level 1 (standard) to Level 2 (faster) and even Level 3 (DC fast charging). Level 2 chargers are the most common EV chargers for home use.
Charging Connector Compatibility
It’s critical to ensure that the charger you choose is compatible with your electric car’s charging port. Common connectors include SAE J1772 (a.k.a. J-plug, used by most EVs in Canada except Tesla), Tesla-specific connectors or adaptors, CHAdeMO (most common for fast charging stations), and CCS (Combined Charging System). That said, make sure to verify your vehicle’s connector type before making a purchase to avoid compatibility issues.
Installation & Cost
When considering the cost of a home EV charger, you have to consider the cost of the charger itself and the cost of installation. An EV charger will cost you anywhere from $350 for a Level 1 to well over $2,000 for a Level 2, but the cost of installation can be much higher.
Installation costs tend to vary based on your home’s electrical setup and where you live. Some EV chargers may require additional wiring or a dedicated circuit which can add to the costs. To avoid unexpected costs, I highly recommend getting an installation quote before making a purchase decision. In general, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 to install an EV charger in your home in Canada.
Level 1 vs. Level 2: Which Type of EV Charger Do I Need?
There are two main types of home EV chargers: Level 1 (120V) and Level 2 (240V). Here’s a breakdown of each type:
Level 1 EV Chargers
Level 1 EV chargers use a standard 120V household outlet and provide a slow charging rate, typically around 5 to 8 kilometres of range per hour. They’re best suited for plug-in hybrids or EVs with small batteries and short daily commutes. The main benefit of Level 1 chargers is that they’re affordable and easy to install.
Level 2 EV Chargers
Level 2 EV chargers operate on a 240V circuit, offering a significantly faster charging rate, often between 24 and 48 kilometres of range per hour. They are the preferred choice for most EV owners due to their charging efficiency. While they require professional installation and may cost more to buy upfront, they provide a more practical and convenient charging solution for electric cars.
FAQ on EV Chargers
Quebec offers a discount of up to $600 on the purchase and installation of a home charging station. The condition is that you must have spent at least $600 (before taxes) on the charger and installation combined. The charging station you purchase must also be included in this list of eligible home EV chargers.
