EVIQO level 2 charger review: A budget EV charger that actually delivers

There’s a pretty clear pattern in the home electric vehicle (EV) charger market: The big-name brands charge a premium, and the cheaper options can feel like a gamble. The EVIQO Gen 2 sits right in between—it’s affordable, but doesn’t come with the usual compromises.

EVIQO’s second-generation Level 2 charger feels like a real step forward. EV charging expert and EnergySage partner Tom Moloughney put it through his full testing process and gave it an 84 out of 100 (4.2 out of 5). Starting at around $400 for the plug-in version, it delivers fast charging speeds, a NEMA 4 weatherproof rating, strong cold-weather cable performance, and a solid app—without creeping into premium pricing territory.

Tom called out the value, upgraded cable, and high-quality J1772 connector and holster as standout features. The downsides are pretty limited, but still notable: There’s no load management or power sharing, and at the time of his original review, it only came with a J1772 connector. EVIQO has since added a native NACS option, which helps close that gap.

The Gen 2 replaced the original on Tom’s Best EV Chargers of 2025 list, which says a lot about how much it improved on the first version. If you want a reliable, no-nonsense Level 2 charger that doesn’t feel cheap—and doesn’t cost a ton—it’s one of the better options out there right now.

The EVIQO level 2 charger Gen 2 comes in both plug-in and hardwired versions, with your choice of J1772 or NACS connector. The hardwired model can deliver up to 48 amps (11.5 kW), while the plug-in version maxes out at 40 amps (9.6 kW) on a NEMA 14-50 outlet. The 84/100 score is based on the plug-in version, which was the only one available at the time of Tom’s testing.

On the design side, Tom called out the rubberized J1772 connector and holster as standout details—they feel more durable and better thought-out than what you usually see at this price. There’s also an internal dip switch that lets you cap the charging current directly on the unit, without relying on the app, which is a small but useful safety feature.

The Gen 2 is rated NEMA 4 and IP66, so it’s built to handle the elements without issue, whether that’s heavy rain, snow, dust, or windblown debris.

We partnered with Tom Moloughney to evaluate the Gen 2 using his ChargerRater, a 100-point system that grades home EV chargers across four categories: cost and value, power and construction, testing, and intelligence. His score is based on the plug-in version, which was the model available at the time.

The Gen 2 earned an 84 out of 100 (4.2 out of 5 stars). It performed best in power and construction, where its build quality, weatherproofing, and connector design really stood out.

Its lowest score came in the intelligence category—mostly due to limited scheduling features and the lack of load management, which is pretty typical for chargers at this price point.

EVIQO Gen 2 vs. other top home chargers

The Gen 2's value proposition becomes especially clear in a direct comparison. Here's how it stacks up against other highly rated chargers:

*Hardwired version specs

You want strong value without sacrificing build quality

At around $400 in plug-in form and $429 for the hardwired version, the Gen 2 is one of the most affordable Level 2 chargers on the market. Unlike some budget options, it doesn't cut corners on construction. The NEMA 4 enclosure, rubberized connector, metal locking tab, and well-designed holster are the kind of details that reflect genuine product development rather than cost-cutting. And, Tom's freeze test, drop test, heat test, and automatic restart test all came back clean.

You live somewhere with heavy rain, snow, or dust

The Gen 2's NEMA 4 and IP66 rating offers stronger protection against sustained, direct water exposure than the NEMA 3R standard found on the ChargePoint Home Flex and Tesla Wall Connector. If you're planning an outdoor EV charger installation in the Pacific Northwest, a snowy climate, or anywhere that sees significant rainfall, that extra weatherproofing is worth having. For dusty environments, the IP66 dust protection is similarly valuable.

You're charging in a cold climate

After time at sub-zero temperatures in Tom's freeze test, the Gen 2's cable came out flexible and manageable. This was also an improvement over the first-generation Evipower, whose cable was good but showed more stiffness in extreme cold. A cable that stays pliable in freezing temperatures is more than a convenience—it's something you'll notice every morning during a cold winter, and the Gen 2 handles it well.

Your household runs two EVs

Without load management or power sharing, the Gen 2 can't coordinate with a second charger to distribute your home's available electrical capacity. In a two-EV household, that could mean sizing two separate circuits independently—a more expensive electrical panel upgrade than a load-managed system would require. If intelligently balancing two chargers is a priority, the Emporia Pro handles that automatically with its PowerSmart load management, and it bundles a home energy monitor.

You want advanced smart features or solar integration

The Gen 2's app is capable and user-friendly, but it stops short of what higher-end options offer. Scheduling is capped at three presets, there's no dynamic load management, and there's no solar integration. If you have solar panels at home and want your charger to automatically draw from excess solar production, or if you need the charger to actively respond to your home's electrical load in real time, the Emporia Pro or ChargePoint Home Flex is a better fit. The trade-off for those features, of course, is a significantly higher price.

Brand longevity matters to you

EVIQO is a newer company. Tom called this out specifically as one of his "misses" in his review. The product itself is well-made and well-reviewed, and EVIQO backs it with a three-year warranty (extendable to four). But if a multi-decade track record matters in your purchase decision, established brands like ChargePoint—which has been in the EV charging business since 2007—or Tesla offer longer institutional histories.

The EVIQO Gen 2 gets the fundamentals right and improves where it actually matters. The NEMA 4 weatherproofing, cold-weather cable performance, rubberized connector design, and physical dip switch for current control all point to a product built for real-world daily use, not just a spec sheet. 

The trade-offs aren’t glaring: No load management, no power sharing, and an app that's functional but not feature-rich. For homeowners who need those capabilities, a charger like the Emporia Pro is worth the extra investment.

As always, the charger is only part of the total investment. Installation costs depend on your home's electrical setup, the distance from your panel to where you park, and local labor rates. Getting quotes from licensed electricians is the best way to understand what setup is right for your home.