Best EV Charging Stations in 2023

Volts, amps, and kilowatts 

In very general terms, higher volts, amps, or kilowatts will mean more electricity. But buying an EV charging station can be complicated and you should understand the differences between the terms.  

It’s easiest to think about volts, amps, and kilowatts as if you were moving water instead of electricity:

• Volts are like the water pressure. A Level 2 ESVE will use a 240 volt outlet (like the outlet for your clothes dryer). 
• Amps measure flow rate. You can think about it like the volume of water that comes out of a hose at a given point. Most EVSEs provide somewhere between 20 and 40 amps of electricity. 
• Kilowatts measure how much power you get when you multiply the volts (pressure) and the amps (volume). Because all Level 2 EVSEs use 240 volts, the kilowatts delivered by two different 40 amp charging stations will be the same. 

Most EVSE product descriptions use amps as the main measurement to indicate how fast your vehicle will charge. A good rule of thumb is that an output of 30 amps will give you approximately 30 miles of driving per one hour of charging time. It’s a rough estimate, but the logic follows for other levels of amps as well: 40 amps for one hour would give you approximately 40 miles of driving. 

We recommend buying a station with an output of at least 30 amps. Since EVs are the way of the future, planning ahead is wise. You might not need 30 amps for your current vehicle, but if you upgrade or add a new EV to your fleet, you won’t have to purchase a new EVSE at the same time. 

Location: outside vs. inside

Not all EV owners have garages or room to store their cars inside. In those cases they will need to research charging stations that have outdoor functionality. A holster that protects the plug on the end of a charging cord, called the J1772 connector, is recommended for outdoor installations.  

If you need an outdoor installation, look for the device’s NEMA enclosure ratings. Both NEMA 3 and NEMA 4 rated outlets should be suitable for outdoor use, but a NEMA 4 rating means the charging station will be slightly more weatherproof. 

Plugged-in vs. hardwired EVSEs

A plugged-in EVSE describes a charging station that plugs into a 240 volt wall outlet, just like your clothes dryer unit. A plugged-in station is usually slightly more expensive, but is portable and easier to repair or replace. Any EV driver that has two homes and hopes to use the same EVSE at both locations will want stations that plug into an outlet.

By comparison, a hardwired EVSE has an interior electric connection, like a ceiling fan. A hardwired station allows you to avoid installing a junction box (the metal box behind your outlet) and may be necessary for outdoor installations. With the interior connection, repairing and replacing a hardwired charging station can be more complicated.  

Wi-Fi connected capabilities

EVSEs connected to Wi-Fi typically also include an app from the manufacturer that allows you to control scheduling, remote starting and reminders. For EV drivers with time-of-use (TOU) metering, this functionality can allow you to program your charge for the time of day when your electricity is cheapest. 

Note that some connected devices will not function without Wi-Fi access. If you’re getting a charger the requires Wi-Fi, you’ll want to make sure your signal is strong enough in the location where you install the EVSE. 

Some EVs come with remote start and remote scheduling installed directly into the car, in which case having this feature on the charging station may not be necessary. However, again, consider that your next EV may not have Wi-Fi capabilities. 

Charging station cable length 

Most EVSE manufacturers sell both 16 and 25 foot chargers, with the longer chargers usually priced a little bit higher. When considering EVSE cable length, imagine where your car and the charging station will be positioned. Ask yourself: How far from the charging station will the car’s outlet be? 

Twenty-five foot chargers come with the convenience of extra mobility and may help you save money on installation if less electrical work inside the wall is necessary as a result. Also remember that you’ll likely charge your vehicle every night – the added convenience of mobility can be worth the premium. 

Price of EV charging stations 

At about $500 for the cheapest model, charging stations do not have to break the bank, but models with Wi-Fi or other additional features can increase the cost to almost $800. You will also want to factor in the cost of installation. Depending on the requirements for your installation and going rate for electricians in your area, installation can vary from a few hundred dollars to as much as $1000. 

Luckily, powering up with a charging station is cheaper than buying traditional fuel. In fact, you can save several hundred dollars a year driving an EV. Over time you will be able to make up the cost of the charging station, especially if you combine your EV with rooftop solar.  

EV tax credits and incentives

Many states have rebate programs or other incentives to encourage the use of electric vehicles and EVSEs, including specific programs to reduce the cost of installing a charging station. The Department of Energy maintains a list of the different programs in place and can be a good resource. 

Installation: finding a quality electrician

At some point you should consult an electrician. EVSEs usually involve installing a new outlet or doing other electrical work behind your walls. Unless you’re an expert yourself or you know an electrician already, any search for an EVSE should include research into electricians as well.