Once you’ve decided on adding a Tesla to your garage, you’re going to quickly realize you’re going to need some way to charge it. Previously, Tesla models would come with mobile power cord that you could plug into a standard wall outlet for level 1 slow charging, and it was capable of being plugged into an adapter to enable level 2 not-as-slow charging. But now that cable is no longer included.
So you’re going to need a way to charge at home. Which way should you go?
A mobile connector
The easiest would be buying a mobile connector that you can plug into a wall outlet that’ll plug into your car. Some of these EVSE chargers only support level 1, but it’s worth springing for one that also supports a NEMA 14-50 plug so you can charge at level 2 speeds. A level 2 charger can recharge many Teslas from completely dead in 6 to 7 hours. The mobile cords cap out at around 7.6 kW of total charging speed, but that’s really more than enough for most people.
Plus, the mobile connector can travel with you in the car – we like the frunk for cable storage – and you can have it in case of an emergency.
Our recommended mobile charger for Tesla
A hardwired home connector
Hardwiring a home connector in your garage or attached to your house is a great way to get quicker charging speeds and a reliable and predictable experience. These chargers often have features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, so you can keep track of energy usage, schedule charging during off-peak hours, and enable other functionality that might be missing from a mobile connector.
An 80 amp EVSE can charge at up to 19.2 kW, meaning even the largest batteries can charge quickly. A 50 amp unit can do around 10 kW on a 240-volt setup. Some of the offerings out there even come with smart home management, so you don’t need to do an expensive panel upgrade to get a faster EV charging experience, which can save you a ton of money in the long run.
Our recommended hardwired chargers for Tesla
The difference between Level 1 and Level 2
Level 1 charging
A Level 1 charger is the slowest option for charging an EV, providing about 4 miles of range per hour. While it’s not the most efficient charging method, it does have the advantage of requiring no special equipment – just a standard household outlet. The only potential cost is hiring an electrician to install an outlet near your parking spot if one isn’t already available.
Upgrading to Level 2 charging
A Level 2 charger offers a much faster way to charge your Tesla, typically delivering around 25 miles of range per hour using a 240-volt connection. This makes it a more convenient option for daily charging compared to using a Level 1 charger, which requires frequent packing and unpacking of cables and adapters.
Level 2 chargers come in two types: plug-in and hardwired. A plug-in unit requires a compatible outlet, usually a NEMA 14-50 or 6-50, similar to what’s used for clothes dryers. If you already have one near your parking spot, you’re good to go; otherwise, you’ll need a licensed electrician to install it.
Opting for a hardwired Level 2 charger means you’ll definitely need professional installation, which is more expensive but offers certain advantages. Hardwired units are better suited for extreme weather conditions, such as heavy snow or rain, and they provide added security against theft, as they are more challenging to remove compared to plug-in models.
NACS
With every EV sold in America switching to the NACS Tesla connector, you might as well purchase a charger with that connector already natively supported. Your Tesla does come with an adapter to convert a SAE J1772 connector to the SAE J3400 connector. The SAE J3400 connector is the NACS or Tesla plug.
If you’ve lost your adapter, you can pick up a replacement one to make your car more compatible with level 2 public charging stations.
Official Tesla charging hardware
If you want to go with official Tesla charging hardware, we don’t blame you. It does match the aesthetic of your vehicle the most, and some folks want the futuristic design in their garage. You can get the Tesla Wall Connector either as a universal device, that supports SAE J1772 and SAE J3400 (NACS), or you can get one that just supports J3400.
Regardless of which way you go, we HIGHLY recommend having some sort of solution for home charging. Relying solely on public charging, even the reliable Tesla Supercharger network, can ultimately be frustrating as you spend time during your week waiting to charge when you could be doing something else.
If you can charge at home or at work, then you always have a “full tank” and you get to experience one of the best benefits of EV ownership – never having to go to the gas station again.
