Grizzl-E EV Chargers: Complete Brand Review

Grizzl-E competes directly with Lectron, Emporia Energy, and other value-oriented EV charger brands. The table below compares the most popular models in the $300–$460 range.

Bottom line: The Grizzl-E Classic wins on build quality and extreme weather durability. The Lectron V-Box wins on raw charging speed (48A vs 40A). The Emporia Smart wins on features per dollar with full WiFi and app integration. If you live in a cold or harsh climate and mount your charger outdoors, the Grizzl-E is the safest bet. If you want maximum speed without smart features, the Lectron edges ahead. If you want the full smart package on a budget, Emporia is the pick.

Grizzl-E chargers are not for everyone — and that is by design. They are purpose-built for a specific type of buyer. Here is who benefits the most:

Cold Climate Owners

If you live in Canada, the northern United States, or anywhere that sees harsh winters, the Grizzl-E is the obvious choice. It is the only charger in the sub-$500 range that is genuinely tested and rated for –30°C operation. Many competing chargers claim "outdoor rated" but use plastic housings that become brittle in extreme cold. The Grizzl-E's aluminum enclosure handles temperature swings without degradation.

Outdoor & Exposed Installations

Not everyone has a garage. If you need to mount your charger on an exterior wall, under a carport, or on a post in a driveway, the NEMA 4 rating means the Grizzl-E can handle direct rain, snow, sleet, and dust without issue. The cable jacket is also designed to stay flexible in freezing temperatures — cheaper cables become stiff and difficult to handle below 0°C.

Budget-Conscious Buyers Who Prioritize Longevity

At $300 for the Classic, the Grizzl-E is already one of the cheapest Level 2 chargers available. But its real value proposition is longevity. The aluminum construction, sealed electronics, and minimal moving parts mean this charger should last 10–15 years with zero maintenance. Cheaper plastic chargers may need replacement in 3–5 years, especially in harsh environments.

Multi-EV Households (Duo Model)

The Grizzl-E Duo is uniquely positioned for families with two electric vehicles. At $399, it eliminates the need for a second charger and a second 240V circuit, potentially saving over $1,000 in equipment and electrical work.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you prioritize maximum charging speed (48A), slick app design, solar integration, or compact aesthetics, consider the Wallbox Pulsar Plus or ChargePoint Home Flex. Grizzl-E is built tough, not pretty.

Durability is not a secondary feature for Grizzl-E — it is the entire brand identity. Every unit is built around a heavy-gauge aluminum enclosure with a NEMA 4 ingress protection rating. Here is what that means in practical terms:

• NEMA 4 rating — Protection against windblown dust, rain, sleet, snow, and external ice formation. The charger can be mounted fully exposed to the elements without an additional enclosure or cover.
• Operating range: –30°C to +50°C — Tested at the extremes. Most competitors are rated to –25°C or –20°C, and some budget chargers only guarantee operation above 0°C.
• Aluminum construction — Unlike the ABS plastic housings on many competitors (Emporia, BougeRV), aluminum does not become brittle in cold, does not warp in heat, and resists impact damage from garage bumps or hail.
• Sealed cable entry points — Water cannot wick into the electronics through the cable penetrations, a failure mode seen on some cheaper units.
• Flexible cold-weather cable — The charging cable jacket is formulated to remain pliable below freezing. Anyone who has tried to wrangle a stiff rubber cable at –20°C knows why this matters.

United Chargers tests their products in real Canadian winters — not just in a climate chamber. The company is based in Ontario, where winter temperatures routinely drop below –20°C, and many of their early customers were Canadian EV owners who needed a charger that could survive mounted on an exposed garage wall or carport post.

This durability focus extends to the internal components. The circuit boards are conformal-coated (a protective lacquer that prevents moisture damage), and the power electronics are rated for the full temperature range. The result is a charger with an exceptionally low failure rate — something reflected in customer reviews where reliability is consistently praised.

All three Grizzl-E models share the same core DNA: NEMA 4 aluminum build, 24-foot cable, –30°C to +50°C rating, and 40A charging capacity. The differences come down to connectivity, outputs, and price.

Pick the Classic If:

• You charge overnight and do not need scheduling
• You have flat-rate electricity (no time-of-use savings)
• You want the absolute lowest price for a durable charger
• You prefer simplicity — no apps, no WiFi, no account needed

Pick the Smart If:

• You have time-of-use electricity rates and want scheduled off-peak charging
• You want to track your energy usage and charging costs
• You want app-based amperage control without opening the unit
• You value firmware updates that improve the charger over time

Pick the Duo If:

• Your household has two electric vehicles
• You want to avoid running a second 240V circuit
• Both vehicles typically need moderate overnight charging (not full 0–100% daily)
• You want smart features (scheduling, app) for both vehicles

For most single-EV households, the Classic is the best value. The $159 premium for the Smart only makes financial sense if you can save money with off-peak charging schedules. The Duo is a no-brainer for two-EV families — it is genuinely the most cost-effective way to charge two cars from one circuit.

All three Grizzl-E models support both plug-in (NEMA 14-50) and hardwire installation, giving you flexibility regardless of your electrical setup.

Option 1: NEMA 14-50 Plug-In (Easier)

The simplest installation uses a standard NEMA 14-50 outlet — the same type used for electric dryers and ranges. If you already have one in your garage, you can literally mount the charger, plug it in, and start charging. No electrician needed.

• Requires: Existing NEMA 14-50 outlet on a 50-amp circuit breaker
• Cost: $0 if outlet exists; $300–$800 to install a new outlet
• Advantage: Charger is portable — you can take it if you move
• Limitation: NEC code limits plug-in devices to 40A on a 50A breaker (80% rule)

Option 2: Hardwire (More Permanent)

Hardwiring connects the charger directly to your electrical panel through conduit and wire, without a plug or outlet. This is the preferred method for permanent installations, especially outdoors.

• Requires: Licensed electrician, dedicated 50A circuit breaker, appropriate gauge wire
• Cost: $200–$500 for a straightforward install; $500–$1,500 if your panel is far from the mounting location
• Advantage: Cleaner installation, no exposed outlet, marginally better weather seal
• Limitation: Charger is not portable — stays with the house

Mounting Considerations

The Grizzl-E mounts using a simple wall bracket (included). The unit weighs approximately 10 pounds, so standard wood screws into a stud or concrete anchors on masonry are sufficient. Mount it at a comfortable height — typically 42–48 inches from the ground — with the cable hanging freely. The 24-foot cable gives you plenty of reach, but measure the distance from your mounting point to your vehicle's charge port before installing.

Electrical Panel Requirements

At 40A, the Grizzl-E requires a 50-amp circuit breaker (per the NEC 80% continuous load rule). You will need 6-gauge copper wire (or 4-gauge aluminum) for runs up to 100 feet. If your electrical panel is full, an electrician can often add a tandem breaker or subpanel. For a full breakdown of costs, see our EV Charger Installation Cost Guide.

Cold weather is the biggest enemy of EV charging equipment. Temperature extremes cause cable jackets to crack, plastic housings to become brittle, and electronic components to fail. The Grizzl-E was designed from the ground up to thrive in these conditions — and its Canadian heritage is a genuine competitive advantage.

What Happens to Other Chargers in Cold Weather

• Plastic housings — ABS and polycarbonate plastics lose flexibility below –10°C and can crack from impact or thermal cycling
• Standard cables — Typical rubber cable jackets stiffen at 0°C and become nearly unmanageable at –20°C
• Electronic components — Capacitors and relay contacts rated for commercial temperature ranges (0°C to +40°C) can fail in sub-zero conditions
• Connectors — Moisture that gets into J1772 connectors can freeze and damage pins

How Grizzl-E Addresses Each Issue

• Aluminum enclosure — Metal does not become brittle. Aluminum maintains its structural properties across the entire –30°C to +50°C range without material degradation.
• Cold-rated cable — Grizzl-E uses a specially formulated cable jacket that stays flexible down to –30°C. This is not marketing — anyone who has used the cable in winter can feel the difference compared to standard EV cables.
• Industrial-grade electronics — Internal components are rated for extended temperature ranges, and circuit boards receive conformal coating for moisture protection.
• Holster design — The J1772 connector holster positions the plug face-down, preventing water and ice accumulation in the connector pins.

If you live in a climate where winter temperatures regularly drop below –15°C and your charger will be mounted outdoors, the Grizzl-E is not just a good option — it is the most reliable choice available in the residential market. For more cold-weather charging tips and product comparisons, see our Best EV Chargers for Cold Weather guide.

Grizzl-E offers a 3-year limited warranty on all models (Classic, Smart, and Duo), which is standard for the industry. Here is what you need to know:

What Is Covered

• Manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship
• Electronic component failures under normal use
• Cable and connector defects (excluding physical damage from misuse)

What Is Not Covered

• Damage from improper installation (incorrect wiring, wrong breaker size)
• Physical abuse, lightning strikes, or power surges
• Normal wear on the cable jacket and connector

Customer Support Experience

United Chargers operates its support team from Ontario, Canada. Customer reviews consistently highlight responsive email support — typical response times are 1–2 business days. The company has a reputation for standing behind their products even outside the strict warranty terms, with multiple customer reports of receiving replacement units quickly when issues arise.

For warranty claims, you contact United Chargers directly through their website. They will typically troubleshoot remotely first, and if the issue cannot be resolved, they ship a replacement unit. You do not need to return the defective unit in most cases — a customer-friendly policy that saves you the hassle and shipping costs.

Compared to larger brands like ChargePoint or Wallbox, Grizzl-E's smaller team means you are more likely to interact with someone who genuinely knows the product. The trade-off is that phone support is limited — email is the primary channel.