Original Post Date: September 5, 2023
Source: Gear Patrol
Read the full article here

A built-in wall unit works for most people— but not everyone.

Public EV charging infrastructure can be spotty. That’s especially true if you live in a rural area and don’t have a Tesla to access the Supercharger network. Most electric car owners will install a Level 2 charger in their home, letting them fully recharge the vehicle overnight.

But a Level 2 wall charger won’t suit everyone’s needs. It can’t come with you when you’re traveling to a campsite, visiting relatives for the holidays or moving out of your rental. Portable chargers tend to lack some of the features of high-end Level 2 wall chargers like Wifi compatibility and programmable charging. But they are also much more affordable and (if you have the outlet already) require no additional installation.

What to Consider When Buying a Portable Level 2 EV Charger

Amperage

Amperage determines how quickly a Level 2 charger can power up the vehicle. A 40-amp charger will charge the vehicle more quickly than a 16-amp charger. Some chargers will offer adjustable amperage. Cheaper 16-amp chargers will still charge the vehicle around three times faster than a Level 1 outlet, but that may not be enough to charge the vehicle fully overnight.

Cable Length

The cable needs to be long enough to connect the vehicle with the intended outlet from where it’s parked (you cannot use extension cords to charge an EV). The longer the cable the more flexibility you have on where to park. Though a longer cable may be bulkier when transporting it.

Monitoring and Customization Features

Portable Level 2 EV chargers have a wide range of readouts they can give you. Some offer rich LCD readout displays with charging data. Some only offer a green light to confirm it’s charging and a red light to alert you to an error. Added complexity and features will result in a higher price.

Having the Right Plugs and Outlets

Most portable EV chargers are designed to work with the J1772 outlet used by most manufacturers. Tesla owners need to use an adapter. Also, note that there’s no universal standard for Level 2 compatible outlets. The NEMA 14-30 plug used for driers differs from the NEMA 14-50 plug used for ovens at campsites. Some portable EV chargers will have adapters for different NEMA plugs or to connect to a standard household outlet.

Warranty

Portable Level 2 EV chargers are expensive. Many of the companies selling them are new and not particularly name-brand. Some chargers can come with one or multiple-year warranties to offer some peace of mind.

Weatherproofing

Odds are that if you’re using a portable EV charger, it may be outside. Dust can still be a concern, even if you live outside an area with wet winters. Certain chargers will have an IP rating, indicating their ingress protection against solid particles and liquids.

What Type of Vehicle You Have

The larger the battery in the vehicle the faster charging you’re going to need. If you have a plug-in hybrid, a 16-amp Level 2 charger or even a Level 1 charger may suffice. But if you have a 200 kWh pack in your new GMC Hummer EV SUT, you may want to level up to something faster.

The Best Portable Level 2 EV Chargers

Mustart 40-amp Level 2 EV Charger