Tesla Wall Connector review: A great EV charger

Tesla’s roadside Superchargers might be the world's most popular and beloved EV chargers. The Tesla Wall Connector for at-home charging is no slouch, either.

Level 2 EV chargers don’t need to be fancy to get the job done, and you can keep any EV charged up using a low-cost charger from a no-name brand. But Tesla’s hardwired home charger is still worth considering thanks to its sleek design, durability, and all-around good reputation, as well as a few unique features that might be useful for Tesla owners or homes with multiple EVs.

Tesla owners are a natural fit, but it works with other brands, too

As of mid-2024, the Tesla Wall Connector makes sense mainly for Tesla owners since Tesla EVs are the only ones with a port for the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug (usually just called the Tesla charger). 

That’ll change soon: Starting at the end of this year, EVs from most brands will begin to include the NACS port. In the meantime, the higher-end Tesla Universal Wall Connector comes with a clever self-storing adapter for J-1772 ports. You’ve always been able to charge other EV brands with Tesla chargers with an adapter, but this design means less fumbling around.

You can also set up a VIN lock security feature through the Tesla app. The charger will only work with specific Tesla models that you’ve allowed.

Finally, if you have a Tesla Solar system, you can set the Wall Connector to Charge on Solar mode, which only tops up the car battery with excess solar power from your panels—nothing from the grid. In parts of the country with weak solar net metering rules, this strategy could save you a decent chunk of money on your electric bills. It could also have some small environmental benefits.

Anyone looking for a quick, reliable, hardwired Level 2 charger

The Wall Connector gets all the basics right for a Level 2 charger. Since it’s hardwired, it can charge at up to 48 amps / 11.5 kW. That’s speedy enough to refill most Teslas to the recommended 80% charge in about 6 hours, or up to 44 miles of range per hour with certain models. The cord is about as long as you’ll find in a Level 2 charger. It can also connect to Wi-Fi, which is not a must-have feature, but some people like controlling the charging through an app. 

User ratings for the Wall Connector are excellent, hovering at around 4.8 stars out of 5 at many major retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy. That tends to be a sign of durability, reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, and decent customer service. If you look hard enough, you’ll find negative reviews, as you would with any Level 2 charger. But the volume of those complaints is quite low.

Like most Level 2 chargers, the Tesla Wall Connector can be installed outdoors or indoors. While it doesn’t have the extreme weatherproofing of a charger like the Grizzl-E, it’s rated for safety in all weather, even snow. Some reviews note that the cord starts to get stiff once the temperature falls below freezing, but that’s typical for most other brands, too.

If you need to charge multiple EVs

As multi-EV households have become more common, so too have solutions for charging multiple EVs simultaneously. 

One method (among many) is a load-sharing feature, which was recently introduced with the Tesla Universal Wall Connector. You can connect multiple Wall Connectors to the same electrical circuit. If both of them are in use at the same time, they’ll communicate with each other so that they don’t try to draw too much power at once and trip your breaker. If one EV finishes charging before the other, the system will then send the extra power to the EV that’s still charging. 

Again, there are different methods to charge two EVs at once, some of which cost less and don’t require an internet connection. But it’s a neat system that might make sense for some buyers.

It’s expensive

Cheap EV chargers can refill your car overnight just as reliably as the expensive models. On that basic level, there’s nothing “better” about the Wall Connector. 

So, if you’re more interested in saving money and less concerned about the Tesla brand name, brand integrations, design, or any of the special features, there’s no pressing reason to get a Tesla Wall Connector. Other well-rated 48-amp hardwired chargers can cost $350 or less, while slower-but-fast-enough chargers can cost less than $200.

There’s no non-hardwired option

Hardwired EV chargers look cleaner when they’re installed because there are fewer boxes and wires than a plug-in model needs. But you’ll need to call an electrician anytime you need or want to change your EV charger, which costs at least a few hundred dollars in addition to the cost of the new charger. 

Most other popular Level 2 chargers come in both plug-in and hardwired versions, but the Tesla Wall Connector doesn’t have that option. 

That said, Tesla sells the Mobile Connector, a plug-in charger that’s a bit slower than the Wall Connector. Again, it does many of the same things as non-Tesla plug-in chargers and costs more than most. But it’s an option if you want to stay within the Tesla universe.

At EnergySage, we're your trusted partner on the journey to electrify your home. Imagine a future where your home (and car) is powered by clean, renewable energy, where your car charges effortlessly in your driveway, and where your heating and cooling systems are not only efficient but also environmentally friendly. With EnergySage, this future is within reach. 

Whether you're looking to install an EV charger, go solar, upgrade your existing furnace or AC to a high-efficiency heat pump, or explore other electrification options, our comprehensive guides and expert, independent advisors are here to support you every step of the way. Join the thousands of homeowners who have already taken the leap toward a smarter, greener, and more sustainable lifestyle.