Wallbox vs ChargePoint | Which EV Charger Should You Buy?
If you’ve already started looking into an EV charging station, you’ll probably recognize the name ChargePoint. But what about Wallbox and, specifically their Pulsar Plus home EV charger? Well, read on to find out the key similarities and differences to determine which one to buy.
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Editors Choice
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Primary Rating:
5.0
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Primary Rating:
5.0
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Pros:
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Pros:
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- Connect to WiFi and Bluetooth, Charge multiple EVs simultaneously, Level 2 charges 7 times faster
- Level 2 Charger, WiFi Enabled, Compatible With Home Devices, Energy Star Certified
Wallbox Pulsar Plus Charger
Key points to consider in your buying decision:
- This watertight, compactly designed power pack is perfect for outdoor use and includes a NEMA 14-50 plug.
- 40-volt Level 2 EV charging is much faster than the standard Level 1 (120V) charging cables, charging 7 times faster.
- The myWallbox app allows you to adjust power and connect to WiFi and Bluetooth.
- Charging multiple EVs simultaneously: You can charge multiple EVs at once by connecting two or more chargers to a single circuit. This is a great way to reduce charging time and improve efficiency.
- Pair the Pulsar Plus with our smart meter to get the most powerful charge, even in homes with limited capacity.
- The Eco-Smart setting on your electric car can use energy only from your solar panels or use a mixture of solar and grid energy.
The Wallbox Pulsar Plus is a small, powerful level 2 charger for electric vehicles that charges 7 times faster than standard 120v chargers. The Pulsar Plus is easy to install and comes with a J1772 connector to charge any electric car on the market today.
You can easily control your home EV charging with the integrated myWallbox app, which connects to your smart devices via WiFi or Bluetooth. This makes charging your EV more efficient and simpler.
Pulsar Plus gives you power over your energy consumption. By scheduling and regulating your charging times, you can take advantage of lower electricity rates and save money. Get Pulsar Plus and start making more intelligent decisions about your charging!
Wallbox Pulsar Plus EV Smart Charger
ChargePoint Home Flex Charger
Key points to consider in your buying decision:
- Universally compatible with electric vehicles, the J1772 universal connector is the industry standard.
- The ChargePoint app allows you to charge your device faster and more efficiently over Wi-Fi.
- Set a schedule to only charge when electricity is cheapest, and set reminders, so you never forget to plug in.
- Use Alexa voice control, and see all your ChargePoint charging data in one place.
- Reliable and safe, it comes with a 3-year warranty and 24/7 customer support from a company with over 10 years of experience in EV charging.
- UL listed for electrical safety and ENERGY STAR certified for efficiency.
- Can be installed both indoors and outdoors, with a NEMA 6-50 or 14-50 outlet (requires circuits rated 40A or 50A for plug-in installation), but the plug can be removed for hardwired installation on other circuit ratings, including 60A-80A for 48A-50A charging.
- Select the amperage that works best for you and your home, helping to avoid electrical upgrades.
A level 2 home charger that delivers up to 50 amps of power is much better than a standard wall outlet. ChargePoint’s Home Flex can add up to 37 miles of Range Per Hour to your EV.
After installation, you can use the ChargePoint app to select the appropriate amperage for your home. This station can be either plug-in or hardwired, allowing drivers and homeowners to choose the speed that best suits them and their home’s electrical supply.
This Wi-Fi-enabled charging station also offers various smart charging features through the Charge Point app, such as the ability to set a charging schedule, receive reminders to plug in, view all charging history in one place, connect with Alexa, and more.
The Home Flex is eligible for a wide variety of utility rebates and other incentives, including the U.S. federal tax credit for 30% of total station and installation cost, up to $1000.
ChargePoint Home Flex EV Charging Station
Common Features: Wallbox vs ChargePoint
Here’s what the Wallbox Pulsar Plus and the
- The price: ChargePoint begins at $749, and the Wallbox from $649.
- They use a standard J1772 connector which is compatible with almost all EVs in North America.
- You have the option to install them hardwired or plugged in. The Home Flex offers more flexibility with plugs.
- Both are available for the federal Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit.
- Similar cable length and there is built-in cable storage. The Wallbox has a slightly longer charging cable.
- They can be used both indoors and outdoors.
- They are Wi-Fi enabled, allowing the use of apps to track or schedule charging.
- They are UL listed, which means they meet safety standards.
- They are Energy Star Certified, which means they are energy efficient.
- They are both backed by a lengthy 3-year warranty.
Notable Differences: Wallbox vs ChargePoint
- Wallbox can be used with your home solar panels. The Eco-smart feature that is part of Wallbox’s energy management system means you can harness your home solar to ensure you avoid high energy grid prices. You can also charge using a mix, the choice is yours.
- Power sharing: Wallbox features load balancing allows you to charge multiple electric vehicles simultaneously by distributing power across connected chargers.
- ChargePoint can deliver 50 amps, all from the same unit. The Wallbox can’t deliver the same amperage in the same unit, so you’ll need to upgrade to match the ChargePoint if you need it in the future. For example, upgrading the Wallbox 40 amp to the 48 amp smart charger.
- Wallbox only has 14-50 plug compatibility, which is only available for their 40 amp model. So you’ll need an extra extension or to change your plug socket. This adds extra cost, especially if you need to hire an electrician to do the work.
- The
ChargePoint Home Flex is more flexible when selecting the amperage that works best for you and your home, helping to avoid electrical upgrades. - Wallbox works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The ChargePoint only has Alexa capability.
- The
ChargePoint Home Flex is Wi-Fi enabled, while the Pulsar Plus is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. The Bluetooth capability gives an extra layer of control over the charging process. - Customer support: ChargePoint is the market leader by some margin, and Wallbox lacks in this key area.
Final Verdict: ChargePoint Home Flex vs Pulsar Plus?
Although I don’t typically like to sit on the fence when it comes to giving my final verdict. In this case, it genuinely is tough and depends on your specific needs.
The
It’s likely that the 50 amp mark won’t be beaten any time soon (not without major home re-wiring projects), and you can match the unit to your home. So, for example, you can choose between NEMA 6-50 and 14-50 plugs or have either hardwired to make full use of your circuits.
The Wallbox Pulsar Plus, on the other hand, integrates seamlessly into their energy management program and is more suited to the smart home.
If you have home solar already, then tapping into the Wallbox eco-system is a no-brainer. If you want a greener (and more energy-efficient) home charging experience, then the Wallbox is the winner.
And with that, if either of those factors isn’t important to you, then the
