EV Charger Comparison: How to Compare EV Chargers for Your Home
Connor Priestman
Licensed Electrican
Understanding EV charging levels
Before you compare EV chargers, it helps to understand the different types of EV chargers available in Australia.
Level 1 EV Chargers: These plug into a standard power outlet and deliver around 2.4 kW. They’re slow, adding roughly 15 km of range per hour. Fine for a small battery or a plug-in hybrid, but not practical for most modern EVs.
Level 2 EV Chargers: These are the standard for home EV charging in Australia. They connect to your switchboard and deliver between 7 kW (single phase) and 22 kW (three phase), adding 40–120+ km of range per hour depending on the output.
DC fast chargers: These are high-powered commercial units found at shopping centres and public charging stations. They’re not designed for home use and are beyond the scope of this comparison.
For almost all Perth homeowners, a Level 2 AC charger is a good choice.
Home Charging Considerations
Charging speed and your switchboard
The most important metric for any electric car charger comparison is output power. A 7 kW charger on single-phase power can fully charge most EVs overnight. Three-phase power unlocks 11 kW or 22 kW charging, which is faster but requires a compatible switchboard and vehicle.
Most residential properties in Perth are connected to single-phase power, which caps charging at 7 kW.
Before purchasing a charger, it’s worth having a licensed electrician check your switchboard to confirm what your home can support. You can also read more about EV charger installation requirements to understand what’s involved.
Tethered cable vs socketed units
Home EV chargers come in two configurations. Tethered units have a fixed EV charging cable attached, typically 5–7 metres long. Socketed units have a port that accepts a separate charging cable.
Tethered chargers are more convenient day-to-day since the cable is always ready to go. Socketed units offer flexibility if you own two cars with different plug types, or if you want to use your own cable. For most households with a single EV, a tethered unit is the simpler option.
Smart EV chargers
Smart EV chargers connect to your home Wi-Fi and offer a range of features through a phone app. The ability to schedule charging during off-peak hours is one of the most practical. Synergy’s EV Add-on tariff offers significantly reduced rates overnight, so being able to automatically initiate charging at a set time can make a real difference to your electricity bill.
For homes with solar panels, solar-integrated smart chargers are particularly valuable. Models like the myenergi Zappi can detect surplus solar generation and divert that energy directly to your EV, letting you charge for very little cost during the middle of the day.
Other useful smart features include load management, which prevents your charger from drawing too much power when other appliances are running, and OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) compatibility, which future-proofs the charger for utility demand-response programmes that are expected to become more common in WA.
Popular chargers in Australia: a quick comparison
Here’s a snapshot of commonly installed home EV chargers in Australia:
| Charger | Output | Solar mode | OCPP | Cable |
| Tesla Wall Connector | 7 kW | No | No | 7.3 m tethered |
| Wallbox Pulsar Max | 7–22 kW | Yes (Eco-Smart) | Yes | 5 m tethered |
| myenergi Zappi | 7 kW | Yes (Eco/Eco+) | Yes | Tethered |
| Fronius Wattpilot | 11–22 kW | Yes | Yes | Tethered |
| GoodWe charger | 7 kW | Yes | Yes | Tethered |
| SolarEdge EV charger | 7 kW | Yes | Yes | Tethered |
| Sungrow charger | 7 kW | Yes | Yes | Tethered |
We also install chargers for specific vehicle brands, including BMW, BYD, and MG owners.
Compliance and warranty
Any charger you buy in Australia should carry the RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark), confirming it meets Australian safety standards. Beyond the product warranty (look for at least two to three years, with some brands offering four or five), you’re also protected under Australian Consumer Law if a product fails to meet acceptable quality standards.
On the installation side, EV charger installation must be carried out by a licensed electrician to comply with AS/NZS 3000:2018 and WA requirements. It’s worth reading about common EV charger installation mistakes before you commit to a product or installer, as the wrong decisions at this stage can be costly to fix.
At Voltaic Electrical, all installations come with a lifetime workmanship warranty and are carried out by fully licensed and insured electricians across the Perth metro area.
Making the right choice for your home
The best home EV charger is the one that suits your vehicle, your property, and how you actually use your car. A solar household will get the most value from a smart charger with surplus-solar capability. A Tesla owner with a straightforward setup might find the Wall Connector is all they need. Someone with two EVs and three-phase power has different priorities again.
If you’d like personalised advice before you buy, contact the team at Voltaic Electrical on (08) 9444 9170 or get in touch via our website. We’re happy to assess your home’s setup and recommend the right charger and installation approach for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your vehicle’s battery size. A 7 kW charger adds roughly 40 km of range per hour. For a 60 kWh battery starting from near empty, expect around 9–10 hours to reach a full charge, making overnight charging very practical.
No. Most home EV chargers in Australia operate on single-phase power at 7 kW, which is sufficient for overnight home charging. Three-phase power allows for faster charging (up to 22 kW) but requires a compatible switchboard and vehicle.
Yes, a compliant charger without smart features is perfectly safe. You simply won’t have access to scheduling, solar integration, or app control, which means you may miss out on cost savings from off-peak tariffs or surplus solar.
Yes, with a solar-compatible smart charger. Models like the myenergi Zappi detect when your solar system is generating surplus power and use that energy to charge your EV, which can significantly reduce your charging costs.
No, as long as the charger is compliant and installed by a licensed electrician. Using non-compliant charging equipment could create issues, which is why professional installation matters.
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