Buying guides
EV charger buying guides
Last reviewed: 8 October 2026
Choose a home charger around your parking, electricity supply and charging routine. Start here, then compare the exact models and installation quotations that fit those requirements.
Start here: six checks before choosing
- Where will you park? With no driveway, check council permission and permanent channels first. If you rent or own a flat, establish property permission and grant eligibility.
- What can your property support? Get an installer to assess the supply, cable route, protection and any load management. Use the installation checklist before comparing equipment prices.
- Which tariff and connection will you use? Fixed off-peak windows and supplier-managed charging have different requirements. Check your car/charger combination with the supplier and confirm Wi-Fi, Ethernet or mobile coverage for the exact hardware. See smart charging and tariff compatibility.
- Do you have solar or a home battery? Check the model's solar mode, required sensors and interaction with battery storage. Compare forgone export income with avoided imports; solar charging is not automatically free. Our Zappi vs Hypervolt solar comparison explains modes and battery behaviour.
- Which cable arrangement fits? Check reach to the car in its usual position, storage and whether a separate cable is included. A socketed charger may allow a cable to stay locked in place, but behaviour varies: read the untethered cable guide.
- Compare a shortlist and the complete quote. Use the brand and model directory, match the full part number and confirm required accessories. Supplier snapshots are dated hardware prices, not installed quotations or rankings.
Work out your running costs
Use our 400-mile cost example with your own electricity rate and efficiency. It shows the calculation, charging-loss assumptions and effective tariff dates. Check the whole household bill as well as the overnight price.
What our comparisons can tell you
We compare documented features and practical requirements. We have not installed or tested these chargers, so the directory does not award performance scores or claim a universal best model. How we check information.
Guides in this section
- Zappi vs Hypervolt: Solar Charging Compared
Compare myenergi zappi and Hypervolt Home 3 Pro for surplus solar, home batteries, cable options and charging routines using manufacturer guidance.
- Hypervolt vs Ohme Home Pro: Which Suits Your Home?
Compare Hypervolt Home 3 Pro and Ohme Home Pro: connectivity, cable lengths, smart tariffs, solar and daily controls, using manufacturer documentation.
- Is a Smart EV Charger Worth the Extra Cost?
Work out whether a smart EV charger pays for itself. Compare installation costs, tariff savings, mileage and the extra cost of a premium model.
- EV Charger Cable Stolen: Can It Be Replaced?
Stolen EV charging cable? Compare detachable cable replacement with tethered charger repairs, plus compatibility, insurance and safer next steps.
- Can You Leave an Untethered EV Cable Plugged In?
Leaving a cable in a socketed EV charger can be convenient. Check permanent locking, cable instructions, outdoor storage and access before making it a habit.
- What It Costs to Charge an EV for 400 Miles
Calculate EV charging costs for 400 miles using clear efficiency and loss assumptions, dated home tariff examples and your public charging price.