Although you don’t have to go to the gas station to fill up your electric vehicle, you do need to recharge the engine. Having the best charger can make this process faster and more efficient, meaning that you don’t have to wait hours to get back out on the road. This article will compare the best level 2 chargers for the Nissan Leaf. However, these products work for most electric vehicles, provided that they can accept that much electricity at once.
When it comes to electric vehicle chargers, you need to be sure that you pick a reliable and long-lasting unit. Although these are all level 2 chargers, some models can work for lower amperage and voltage ratings, giving them greater versatility.
We’ll break down the primary features and benefits in each review, what we liked (and didn’t like), and the essential pros and cons. We’ll also answer some questions about level 2 chargers at the end.
COMPARISON CHART
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Siemens US2 VersiCharge Universal
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Amazon Basics Electric Vehicle (EV)
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Mustart Travelmaster Level 2
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Morec EV Charger Level 2
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EVoCharge iEVSE Level 2
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Specification
| Amperage: | 30 Amps |
| Length of Cable: | 20 ft. Charging Cable |
WHAT WE LIKE
As a level 2 charger, this device can generate up to 240 volts at 30 amps. It comes with a NEMA 6-50 plug, meaning that you can connect it to a standard washing machine or dryer outlet. One unique feature of this charger is its delay capability, which allows you to set a two, four, six, or eight-hour delay, depending on your needs.
Siemens is a reliable brand, and this charger works well for the price. We like that it’s compatible with all electric vehicles, including both the Nissan Leaf and Tesla models. Since it works both inside and out, you can mount it practically anywhere for fast and convenient charging.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
That said, some users have reported that the internal circuit breaker can trip at random, particularly when charging overnight. In some cases, owners came out to find that the unit stopped at some point, meaning that there wasn’t much electricity in the car.
PROS
- Convenient mounting bracket provided.
- Works in extreme temperatures (-30 to 50 degrees C).
- Rated for indoor and outdoor use.
- Universal compatibility, including Tesla vehicles.
- Three-year limited warranty.
CONS
- In rare cases, the circuit may trip randomly and stop charging.
- The delay settings don’t work with all EVs.
Specification
| Amperage: | 32 Amps |
| Length of Cable: | 18 ft Charging Cable |
WHAT WE LIKE
One of the primary advantages of this charging station is that you can either hardwire it to your home’s electrical grid or plug it into a standard NEMA 6-50 outlet. Although hardwiring the unit is more complicated, it offers more flexibility on where it can go since your washer or dryer outlet may not be close to where you park your EV.
The weather-resistant design also means that you can install this charger inside or outside – whichever works best. At first, you might not think that an Amazon Basics product would hold up with professional-grade brands, but this unit works like a charm. We like its fast and reliable charging method, which is ideal for overnight usage.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
However, installing this charging station is a bit tricky since it doesn’t come with mounting hardware. The cable itself is a bit stiff and heavy, so it can be kind of challenging to get it to your car’s charging port.
PROS
- Built-in water and dust protection.
- Can be hardwired or plugged in.
- Compact design.
- 18-foot or 25-foot charging cables available.
- Delivers up to 25 miles per charging hour.
CONS
- No mounting hardware provided.
- Cable is stiff and rigid, making it hard to unravel.
- More expensive than other models.
Specification
| Amperage: | 32 Amps |
| Length of Cable: | 21.5 ft Adaptable Charging Cable |
WHAT WE LIKE
One of the biggest challenges with using a level 2 charger is that most home outlets are not rated for 240 volts or 30 amps. Fortunately, this charging station from Mustart helps alleviate that problem with multiple outlet adapters and an intelligent charging system.
The vehicle connector automatically adapts to your car’s needs. So, if your vehicle can only receive 120 volts at 15 amps, the Travelmaster will adjust accordingly. As its name suggests, you can bring this on the road and plug it in almost anywhere.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
Although the Travelmaster’s adaptability is a primary selling point, it doesn’t always draw the right amount of electricity from the outlet. For vehicles that can receive a full 30-amp load, this charger may cause a power surge from the energy source, which can be a fire hazard. Be sure to check the outlet for overheating before leaving your car charging for extended periods.
PROS
- Intelligent adapter works on all vehicles.
- Multiple outlet adapters so you can plug in anywhere.
- Extra-long 21-foot cable.
- Built-in LED screen for convenience.
- Built-in safety features like overheating protection.
CONS
- Adapter may not always sense the correct power requirements.
- Depending on the outlet, this charger could draw too much power.
Specification
| Amperage: | 32 Amps |
| Length of Cable: | 26 ft. Charging Cable |
WHAT WE LIKE
Here we have another portable charging station designed to be used on the go. The rugged design and 26-foot cable give you extra versatility when “filling up” your electric vehicle.
Although we’re comparing level 2 chargers for the Nissan Leaf, this product has a universal adapter for all EVs, including Teslas. This feature means that you can upgrade your car and still keep the same charger.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
Although this unit is durable, it’s not 100 percent waterproof, so we don’t recommend using it in the rain. Also, it delivers 32 amps regardless of what your car takes, so it might overload your vehicle’s internal systems if it doesn’t have a high-quality voltage regulator. Watch out for loud noises while charging, as that indicates a problem.
Otherwise, this charging station does have overheat and battery leakage protection built-in, but those are for the charger itself, not your car’s battery. The LED screen should tell you if something is wrong, but not always.
PROS
- Durable construction.
- 26-foot charging cable.
- Universal connector works on all EVs.
- Built-in safety protections.
- Easy to read menu and LED screen.
- Compact and portable design.
CONS
- Not fully waterproof or weather resistant.
- In some cases, the unit may deliver too many amps to the vehicle.
Specification
| Amperage: | 32 Amps |
| Length of Cable: | 18 ft Adjustable Charging Cable |
WHAT WE LIKE
While other level 2 chargers may only have one setting, this product allows you to adjust the output level manually. So, if you plug it into a standard 120-volt, 15 amp outlet, you don’t have to worry about overloading the system and causing a fire.
Since this charger comes with a mounting bracket, it’s designed for at-home use so that you can charge your car overnight. The iEVSE is almost universally compatible, working with standard EVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and Teslas.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
We like the adjustable output setting, which ensures better safety than some other charging stations. However, the connector is a little finicky at times, meaning that you can’t always assume it’s working. If this model had an LED screen, it would be easier to tell, but instead, you have to look at your car’s dashboard to make sure that it’s charging. Otherwise, you’ll have to jiggle the connector or reset the whole thing. This problem doesn’t happen often, but it’s worth noting.
PROS
- Universal mounting bracket included.
- Compatible with all EVs and PHEVs.
- All-weather durability and usage.
- Manually adjust the max output.
- WiFi capability optional.
CONS
- In rare cases, the unit will flash red and require a complete reset at random.
- You may have to jiggle the connection to ensure that it starts charging correctly.
Level 1 vs. Level 2: Which is Better?
The charger level determines the amount of electricity that can flow through the system. Level 1 chargers can be plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet, meaning you don’t need an adapter. However, they’re much slower, with an average range of three to five miles per hour of charging.
Level 2 models, however, can hook up to 240-volt outlets and deliver much faster results. In most cases, you can get up to 25 miles per charging hour.
Is a Level 2 Charger Worth It?
While level 2 chargers are faster, they can only deliver as much electricity as the car can handle. So, if you’re plugging in an older model that can only accept 120 volts, the higher level won’t matter.
If you have a newer electric vehicle that can charge at a higher rate, a level 2 charger is worth it because you can recharge in a fraction of the time of a level 1 unit. Some of these chargers are also adaptable, meaning that they can work at multiple amperages for added versatility, meaning that you get the best of both worlds.
Final Verdict
When it comes to reliability and longevity, we believe that the Siemens US2 VersiCharge is the best option. We like its simple design and control panel, as well as its stability while charging. This product was also rated Wirecutter’s “Best EV Charging Station” in 2017.
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