FYI
Products were collaboratively tested by an electrical engineer who is a tech lover, but values simple and easy to use EV Chargers. Tests were also done by An Electrician with 30 + Years of Experience. We hope this helps!
(Ozzie Moreal – Moreal Electric)
James Fryer – Writer & Electrical Engineer)
Our Top Picks
-2-In-1 Level 1 & 2 Combo (110V-240V)
-Ideal as a Portable or Home Charger
-Adjustable Current
(8-32 Amps or 8-40 Amps)
-Built in Canada
-Amazing Value for the price
-23 ft. Cable
-Works with ALL North American EV Chargers (Tesla Adapter Required)
-NEMA 14-50 & 5-15 Adapter
-Adjustable Current
(12-40 Amps)
-Level 1 & Level 2 Charging Capabilities
-Durable but very pricey
-21 ft. Cable
-12 Amps & 32 Amp Current Options
-25ft. of Cable Length
-Simple Design
-Adjustable Current
(8-32 Amps or 8-40 Amps)
-Level 1 & Level 2 Charging Capabilities
-Built-In-App (Still Needs some work, but the charger is good)
Overall Verdict; Best Value & Safest Option: Hardwiire Level 2 & Level 1 Portable EV Charger 🔗
Must-Knows Before Purchasing A Mobile Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charger
Safety First
When you’re dealing with more than a 110V plug, don’t cut corners on safety. Look for chargers certified by ETL and/or UL Standards. Our top picks are the Hardwiire Level 2 & Level 1 Portable EV Charger and the J Booster Level 2 EV Charger. They are solid portable electric car chargers that are safety certified.
Time & Time Again – we see horror story, after horror story about plugs melting, breakers tripping and people putting themselves, their houses and their loved ones at risk of causing damage to their vehicle/home or causing serious injuries to themselves. Examples Below:
| See attached photos below of melted plugs, destroyed chargers and near electrical fires: |
Level 1 & Level 2: A Must-Have Combo
We can’t emphasize this enough: your portable EV charger should be able to switch between both Level 1 and Level 2 charging (110V-240V). Thankfully many parking lots, work places, etc are now beginning to install Level 2 Outlets (Mostly Nema 14-50’s), so the option to now charge on the go with Level 2 is more widely available. However, you should always have a backup plan even when you’re stuck without a Level 2 Plug (240V). With a Level 1 charging option (standard North American 110V at 15 Amp Outlet), you’re always in the game.
Technical Support & Customer Service Matters
Setting up an EV charger isn’t always as simple as plugging in your phone. It’s a detailed task, and there are times when reliable technical support is crucial. When people purchase a charger and struggle to set it up properly, it can lead to a lot of stress. Just imagine being in a situation where you can’t charge your car because you can’t get a wifi connection. This is why we like try to stay away portable EV chargers that rely on wifi connectivity (unless you know you 100% have a wifi connection). Imagine you’re at a campground and can’t get a wifi signal, so you can’t charge your car. What we’ve found through our experience testing portable EV chargers, less is more.
In the testing of 15 different portable ev chargers, only the ones with responsive technical support made it onto our list. One company, Hardwiire, stood out for their exceptional customer service and technical support. They promptly answered our calls and answered every question we had, and this is what set them apart.
Amperage Matters
Want your EV charged up pronto or access to any outlet? Pay attention to amperage. A 32 or a 40-amp charger is a speed demon compared to a 12 or 16-amp one. Some portable chargers let you adjust this setting, some don’t. Though 32 or 40 Amps is ideal for getting that 30 or 40 Miles an hour, there are times where you may only have access to standard 110V outlet and have to adjust your current to 12 Amps. Adjustable amperage is a necessity for a portable EV charger.
Charge Port Compatibility
The J1772 outlet used by most car makers other than Tesla. Tesla owners, these chargers will work for your vehicle, but the will require an adapter (which is included with your vehicle). And remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all Level 2 outlet standard. Your dryer’s NEMA 14-30 plug is not the same as the campsite’s NEMA 14-50. Some chargers come with adapters for various NEMA plugs or standard household outlets.
Cable Length: Flexibility Matters
Longer cables mean more parking options. But they can be bulky during transport. Aim for a minimum of 20 feet to keep your options open.
Home & Portable Charging Option
While many EV owners think it’s best to just get a home wall-mounted charger installed in your garage or on the side of your house, not everyone has this opportunity to get a home charger installed. Especially if you’re a renter, don’t have a garage/driveway or live in a condo. That’s why we chose chargers that are good for both home or portable charging applications. Our picks consist of chargers that can be used as a Home Charger, then easily wrapped up to take on the go.
SAFETY NOTE TO REMEMBER: We highly recommend purchasing a Portable EV Charger that has been safety certified under a consumer electronics Certification Body such as ETL and/or UL.
The Top 4 Portable EV Chargers Of 2024
The Hardwiire Charger is our top pick for a Level 2 Portable Mobile EV charger. Despite only having a few reviews on amazon, it is our top choice because it is offers the best value, safety features, price and customer service. It is ETL certified and works as both a Level 2 & Level 1 EV Charger. This is a 2024 Must-Have for every EV owner looking for a portable charger.
Best Portable EV Charger of 2024
This Portable EVSE offers several premium features for an affordable price. You can adjust amperage between 8-32 or 8-40 amps. It has a timer function allowing you to set delayed charging of up to 8 Hours so you can charge at more affordable times. It has an IP65 water and dustproofing rating and its military-grade construction means it can withstand a 6,600-pound car driving over it.
Customers like this product, however we found it a little on the expensive side, and the product doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles we hoped for, especially for the price.
Great, but expensive
Customers generally love this brand, and we had high hopes for it. However it did not make our top spot.
We like the charger design as it is similar to the Tesla Mobile Connector, however it only offers settings of 32 Amps & 12 Amps. We think it would be better if it offer 16, 20, and 24 Amps.
Good
Works well, but not a game changer
The charger work well when it’s actually working, but Pion Power has recently tried to develop an app and it is border-line non functional.
Good
We had high hopes for this charger as it seems pretty well made, but the software is not to the same standard as the hardware. Plus it is a little pricey, being over the $300 mark.
Nice article. I was a electronics engineer for 20 years and just retired last year.
I got the Hardwiire 40 Amp Charger a few weeks ago after reading this article. Had a few questions and called their 1800 number and they literally had a good answer to every question I had about tech specs and functionality etc.
Solid Company