Best EV Chargers Under $300 in 2026

The Emporia Energy Smart charger is the standout value in the under-$300 category — and it is not even close. At $159, it delivers 48 amps (11.52 kW) with full WiFi smart features, including scheduled charging, real-time energy monitoring, and usage history. That is the same raw charging speed as premium units from Wallbox and ChargePoint that cost $500–$700. You get roughly 37 miles of range per hour, enough to fully charge most EVs from near-empty overnight. For a detailed comparison of how this stacks up across all price ranges, see our best cheap Level 2 EV chargers guide.

The trade-offs are cosmetic, not functional. The plastic enclosure will not win any build-quality awards next to a Grizzl-E, and some users report occasional WiFi dropouts in the app. But the unit is UL-listed and ETL-certified, so safety is not a concern. If you have time-of-use electricity pricing, the scheduling feature alone can save $15–$40 per month by charging during off-peak hours — use our EV charging cost calculator to estimate your savings. For the price of a nice dinner out, you get a charger that performs like one costing four times as much.

The BougeRV Level 2 40A is the best all-around charger under $300 if you do not need smart features. It delivers 40 amps (9.6 kW), which adds about 30 miles of range per hour — more than enough to fully charge any EV overnight. The 25-foot cable is a genuine differentiator at this price; most competitors in this range ship with 18–21 feet, which can leave you stretched thin depending on your garage layout. The IP66 weatherproof rating means you can mount it outdoors without worry, and adjustable amperage via DIP switches lets you dial it down for smaller electrical panels. For the full picture on how it compares to higher-priced alternatives, see our best cheap Level 2 EV chargers roundup.

BougeRV is primarily known for solar panels and RV accessories, so the EV charger does not have the multi-year track record of brands like Grizzl-E or ChargePoint. That said, early owner reviews are solidly positive, the unit is UL-listed, and BougeRV backs it with a standard warranty. If you are deciding between this and the Emporia at $159, the BougeRV wins on build quality and weather resistance, while the Emporia wins on speed and smart features. Use our charging time calculator to see exact charge times for your vehicle at 40A vs. 48A — for most daily commutes, the difference is negligible.

The Lectron Portable Level 2 is the charger for people who cannot or do not want to bolt something to a wall. 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), adding about 25 miles of range per hour. That is roughly 5x faster than the Level 1 trickle charger that came with your car. No drilling, no conduit, no landlord permission required. The included carrying case makes it practical for road trips to campgrounds, Airbnbs, or family homes with a 14-50 outlet. For a deeper dive into portable options, read our best portable EV chargers guide.

The trade-off versus wall-mounted units is speed. At 32 amps, it charges about 30% slower than the Emporia at 48A or the BougeRV at 40A. For a typical daily commute (30–50 miles), you will still recover full range in 2–3 hours — but if you regularly drain 200+ miles, overnight charging cuts it closer. Lectron is an established brand in the EV accessories space with solid warranty support. If you are a renter or you split time between locations, this is the only charger in our under-$300 list that truly goes where you go. Use our EV vs. gas savings calculator to see how much portable Level 2 charging saves you compared to relying on public stations.

The VEVOR Level 2 32A is the least expensive way to get a permanently hardwired Level 2 charger on your garage wall. At $189, it undercuts most competitors by $80–$100, and hardwired installation gives it a cleaner, more permanent look than plug-in units with a dangling NEMA 14-50 cord. The NEMA 4 weatherproof enclosure means you can mount it outside, and the compact form factor keeps it unobtrusive. It delivers 32 amps (7.68 kW), adding about 25 miles of range per hour — enough for most daily commutes with plenty of overnight headroom. For context on how different amperages affect your charge time, check our main Level 2 charger guide.

The catch is that hardwire installation adds $200–$500 in electrician costs, which narrows the price gap with plug-in chargers like the Emporia ($159, plug-in) or the BougeRV ($279, plug-in). The 20-foot cable is also shorter than the BougeRV's 25 feet, so measure your garage before buying. VEVOR is a large industrial tool brand with a broad product catalog — their EV charger is UL-listed and carries a standard warranty. If you already have a 40A circuit wired and want the cheapest possible wall-mounted unit, the VEVOR delivers. Use our charging cost calculator to see what 32A charging costs per month on your electricity rate.

The Morec Level 2 40A strips EV charging down to the essentials: plug it in, connect your car, walk away. At $209 for 40 amps (9.6 kW), it offers one of the best amps-per-dollar ratios in the entire under-$300 market — you get the same 30 miles of range per hour as the BougeRV ($279) while saving $70. There is no app, no WiFi, no Bluetooth. You plug the NEMA 14-50 into your 240V outlet, hang the unit on the included wall bracket, and charge. For a broader comparison with chargers across all price points, see our best cheap Level 2 EV chargers list.

The built-in safety features are solid: temperature monitoring, overcurrent protection, and ground fault detection are all present, and the unit is UL-listed. The IP65 weather rating is adequate for covered garages and carports, though it is a step below the BougeRV's IP66 for fully exposed outdoor mounting. The main limitation is the 20-foot cable — shorter than the BougeRV's 25 feet and potentially an issue in larger garages. Morec is a smaller brand, but they have been in the EV charging space for several years with generally positive owner reviews. If you simply want 40-amp charging at the lowest possible price without any smart features getting in the way, the Morec is hard to beat. Pair it with our charging time calculator to confirm it meets your nightly charging needs.