Have you just bought your first electric vehicle (EV) and are now searching for the perfect home charging station setup? Choosing the right home charger can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure where to begin. To assist you in determining which Level 2 (L2) home charger is ideal for your specific requirements, we’ve created this useful guide.

To begin with, let’s discuss chargers and how to determine the best type for your needs. Although the technical name for the hardware used to charge electric vehicles is EVSE (electric vehicle service equipment), it is commonly referred to as a “charger.” Most electric vehicles come with a portable L1 (120 V) charger that provides about 1.5 kW of power, resulting in a range of roughly 45 miles (72 kilometers) after a 10 to 12 hour overnight charge. While this may suffice for some individuals, many electric vehicle owners require a full charge each morning to accommodate their daily driving needs. If this applies to you, then upgrading to an L2 charger may be the appropriate decision.

Upgrading to an L2 EVSE (240 V) can be beneficial to enable faster charging between longer trips. A level 2 can be hard-wired or plugged into a 240 V outlet. If you already have a 240 V outlet located near where you park, you can get an EVSE with the right plug and be ready to go. Otherwise, you’ll need an electrician to install an outlet or hard wire the EVSE. Once you have made a decision about the kind of EVSE that will work best for your particular situation and needs, you will have many different brands to choose from, so narrowing it down may help you come to a decision about which brand to choose. Consider the following questions.

There is a huge range of different models of home EVSE for people to choose from in North America, but one’s budget likely plays the most vital role when choosing the L2 charger. An important detail to recognize is that many economy models you might find listed online may be lacking important safety features found in higher quality charging equipment—this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to find a charger that suits your budget, but it is important to be aware of. Make sure that your EVSE comes from a certified seller, so that you will avoid costly issues in the future such as your EVSE being poorly made, or it being locked by the manufacturer for being sold by an unauthorized seller. Home EV chargers cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000, based on several different variables, but depending on where you live, you may be able to get a tax credit or benefit from other incentives.

Some EVSE will come with different smart capabilities like remote controls and vehicle monitoring. However, many people in the modern age like to connect their devices to their appliances for the sake of simplicity and better overall efficiency. Some of these smart features include things like scheduling your EV’s next charge, stopping the charge, unlocking the hose, and monitoring the battery status– all from your mobile device. Some chargers that are not smart have interfaces built in to connect to third-party controls, so it may be worth taking into consideration.

Another aspect that may be worth your attention is how well your EVSE holds up in different climates. If your EVSE is installed inside of your garage, it will most likely be just fine—but some people may like to have their EVSE located outside where they usually park their car. For outdoor installations, it is recommended to install a hardwired 240V EV charging station with an enclosure to protect it from environmental damage.

When it comes to selecting the best charger, it’s important to think about *how* you drive. Do you drive many hours each day for work? Do you have days where you don’t drive at all? Knowing your specific driving needs will help you determine what types of L2 chargers you need to adequately power your vehicle. Energy star lists models that meet their criteria for standby power consumption and efficiency which you can find here.

Look for something ETL or UL listed, as this means a product was tested and approved by testing service laboratories. This is one of the main distinguishing features between high quality equipment and inadequate low-cost products you can find online. Some cheaper model L2 chargers can be missing essential safety features that protect the user from shocks. To check whether a product is listed, search that has just products certified to the EVSE standard.

You should only ever install your own L2 charger is you yourself are a certified electrician. Otherwise, call your local electrician to come and safely install your new L2 changer.

When all is said and done, choosing an EVSE setup that’s right for you is a need-specific decision with no real right answer. The main takeaway to remember when choosing your equipment are to ask yourself about EVSE cost, smart capabilities, weather resistance, efficiency, and safety. With the information above, you should be able to determine the best ESVE for you.