Best Cheap Level 2 EV Chargers in 2026

The Lectron V-Box 48A is our top pick for good reason: it delivers 48 amps of charging power — the maximum most EVs can accept on Level 2 — for under $400. That translates to roughly 37 miles of range per hour for most electric vehicles, enough to fully charge a depleted Tesla Model 3 Long Range in about 8 hours overnight. At this price point, no other hardwired or plug-in charger matches its raw speed.

Build quality is solid. The NEMA 4-rated enclosure handles rain, snow, and dust, so you can mount it on an exterior wall or inside a garage without worry. The 24-foot cable is a meaningful advantage over the 18- or 20-foot cables on competing units like the Grizzl-E Classic or BougeRV Level 2. Cable management wraps neatly around the unit itself.

The main trade-off is simplicity: there is no WiFi, no app, and no energy monitoring. If you want scheduled charging or usage tracking, look at the Wallbox Pulsar Plus instead. But if you just want to plug in and charge at maximum speed for minimum cost, the V-Box 48A is the one to beat. Lectron is a well-established brand in the EV accessories space — you can verify their full product lineup and certifications on their official site.

The Grizzl-E Classic is the charger you buy when you need something that will survive anything. Its NEMA 4X-rated aluminum enclosure is tested to operate from −30°C to +50°C, making it the clear choice for garages, carports, and fully exposed outdoor installations in harsh climates. After years on the market, it has accumulated over 5,000 reviews with a 4.7-star average — one of the highest ratings in the entire category.

Charging speed tops out at 40 amps (9.6 kW), which adds about 30 miles of range per hour. That is slightly slower than the Lectron V-Box 48A at 48 amps, but the difference only matters if you regularly need to recover more than 250 miles overnight — most drivers will not notice. The adjustable amperage via internal DIP switches (16A, 24A, 32A, 40A) is genuinely useful if your electrical panel has limited capacity.

Like the V-Box, the Grizzl-E Classic has no WiFi or smart features. It is a plug-in-and-forget workhorse. If you live in a mild climate and want the fastest charge, the V-Box edges ahead. But for Canadian winters, dusty ranch garages, or exposed driveways, the Grizzl-E is purpose-built to last. The manufacturer provides a 3-year warranty, and you can review their full technical specifications on the official Grizzl-E site.

The Emporia Energy Smart charger is, frankly, absurd value. At $159, it delivers 48 amps and full WiFi smart features — a combination that no competitor can touch at this price. For context, the Wallbox Pulsar Plus offers similar smart capabilities at $549. The Emporia gives you scheduled charging, real-time energy monitoring, and usage history through a clean mobile app, all for less than the cost of two tanks of gas.

Charging performance matches the Lectron V-Box 48A at 48 amps (11.52 kW), adding roughly 37 miles of range per hour. The 24-foot cable is generous. Where the Emporia falls short is fit and finish: the plastic housing does not feel as robust as the Grizzl-E's aluminum shell, and some users report occasional WiFi disconnections in the app. These are cosmetic and software issues, not safety concerns — the unit is fully UL-listed.

If you pair the charger with Emporia's Vue energy monitor, you get whole-home energy visibility alongside your EV charging data — a powerful combination for anyone trying to optimize electricity costs. For buyers on a tight budget who still want app control, this is the standout pick. See our full under-$300 roundup for more budget options.

The Wallbox Pulsar Plus is the charger to get if smart features are your priority. Its app is the most polished in this roundup, offering granular scheduling (set different charge windows for weekdays vs. weekends), detailed energy consumption history, and a unique Power Boost mode that dynamically reduces charging amps when your home is under heavy electrical load. If you have solar panels, the Wallbox can integrate with your system to prioritize solar-generated electricity.

At 48 amps and 11.52 kW, charging speed matches the Lectron V-Box and Emporia Smart. The 25-foot cable is the longest in our lineup. The unit itself is impressively compact — about the size of a small toaster — with a clean, modern aesthetic that looks good on any garage wall. It requires hardwire installation (no NEMA plug), which adds $100–$300 in electrician costs.

The honest question is whether the Wallbox justifies a $390 premium over the Emporia Smart. If you need power sharing between multiple chargers, solar integration, or the most reliable app experience, yes. If you just want basic scheduling and energy tracking, the Emporia gets you 90% of the way there at a fraction of the price. Wallbox is a publicly traded company with a strong track record — see their official Pulsar Plus product page for full specifications.

The ChargePoint Home Flex is the premium pick on this list, and its main advantage is ecosystem integration. ChargePoint operates the largest public EV charging network in North America, and the Home Flex ties directly into their app. That means you manage home charging and find public stations from a single interface — useful for road-trippers and commuters alike. The unit delivers up to 50 amps (12.0 kW), the highest output in our roundup, adding approximately 37.5 miles of range per hour.

Smart features are comprehensive: scheduled charging, energy usage tracking, Alexa and Google Home integration, and automatic reminders if you forget to plug in. The Home Flex is also ENERGY STAR certified, which may qualify you for utility rebates in certain states — potentially bringing the effective cost closer to the Wallbox Pulsar Plus.

At $699, this is a tough sell on pure value compared to the Emporia at $159 or the V-Box at $379, both of which charge nearly as fast. You are paying for the ChargePoint brand, the polished app, and the voice assistant integration. If those matter to you and your budget allows it, the Home Flex is a refined, high-quality charger. If you are purely optimizing for cost-per-amp, look elsewhere on this list.

The Lectron Portable Level 2 charger solves a specific problem: you need Level 2 charging speed but you cannot (or do not want to) permanently install a wall unit. It plugs into any standard NEMA 14-50 outlet — the same 240V outlet used by electric dryers and RV hookups — and delivers 32 amps (7.68 kW). That adds about 25 miles of range per hour, roughly 5x faster than the trickle charger that came with your car.

For renters, this is the go-to option. You do not need to drill holes, run conduit, or get landlord approval. Just plug it in and start charging. The adjustable amperage (16A, 24A, 32A) also means you can use it on lower-capacity outlets when needed. The included carrying case makes it practical for road trips — if your destination has a 14-50 outlet (common at RV parks, campgrounds, and some Airbnbs), you have Level 2 charging on the go.

The trade-off is speed: at 32 amps, it charges about 30% slower than the V-Box 48A or Emporia Smart. It is also not weatherproof, so you need a covered or indoor outlet. For a deeper look at portable options, see our best portable EV chargers guide. You can verify Lectron's product specs and safety certifications on the manufacturer's website.

The BougeRV Level 2 charger hits a sweet spot that is hard to argue with: 40 amps, 25-foot cable, IP66 weatherproofing, and adjustable amperage — all for $279. If you compare it spec-for-spec with the Grizzl-E Classic (same 40A, similar cable, $399), the BougeRV saves you $120 while matching most key specifications. It adds roughly 30 miles of range per hour, which fully charges most EVs overnight with room to spare.

The 25-foot cable is a standout feature at this price. Many sub-$300 chargers skimp on cable length (18–20 feet is common), which can be a real problem if your outlet is not directly next to your parking spot. The IP66 weatherproof rating means it handles rain and hose-down conditions, though it is not quite as rugged as the Grizzl-E's NEMA 4X aluminum housing for extreme cold.

BougeRV is better known for solar panels and RV accessories, so their EV charger does not have the track record of ChargePoint or Grizzl-E yet. That said, early reviews are positive, and the unit is UL-listed. If you want 40-amp wall-mounted charging for the lowest possible price, this is the best option in our testing. Check our best EV chargers under $300 guide for a head-to-head comparison with similar budget units, and see BougeRV's official site for warranty details.