EV Charger Levels, Explained
Level 1 charges an EV from a 120V outlet at about 5 miles of range per hour; Level 2 uses 240V, adds about 25 miles an hour and refills most cars overnight.
By Andrian ChengContributing writer.
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The short answer
EV charging comes in three levels, sorted by how fast they refill the battery. Figures here come from the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC):
| Level | Power | Range added | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 120V AC outlet | About 5 miles per hour | Home, with the cord that comes with most EVs |
| Level 2 | 240V (home) or 208V (commercial) AC | About 25 miles per hour | Home, work, public lots |
| DC fast | Up to 500 kW | About 100 to 200+ miles per 30 minutes | Highway stations |
Home charging is a choice between Level 1 and Level 2.
Level 1 vs Level 2 charger
Level 1 uses a standard household plug (a NEMA 5-15) on one end and a J1772 connector on the other. Most EVs come with a Level 1 cord, so it costs nothing extra. The AFDC gives an example: 8 hours at 120V puts back about 40 miles of range in a mid-size EV. It notes that many owners cover their daily driving this way, if there is an outlet on a dedicated circuit near where they park.
Level 2 runs on 240V, which most homes have, and the AFDC says it can charge a typical EV battery overnight. It suits longer commutes, irregular schedules or large batteries that need more than one night on Level 1. A Level 2 unit can deliver anywhere from 2.9 to 19.2 kW.
Both levels use the same J1772 connector, and the AFDC says every EV sold in the US can charge on either. Teslas use a J3400 (NACS) port and come with a J1772 adapter.
What amp EV charger do I need
The AFDC says most home Level 2 chargers run at up to 30 amps, which delivers 7.2 kW, and that such a unit needs a dedicated 40-amp circuit under Article 625 of the National Electrical Code. The circuit is rated above the charger because EV charging counts as a continuous load.
So the questions are:
- How much can your panel spare? An electrician can tell you whether your home has the capacity, and can add a circuit if needed.
- How much can your car take? The car's onboard charger caps the rate, so check its guidance before you buy a larger unit.
- Plug-in or hardwired? A plug-in unit uses a 240V outlet; a hardwired one is wired straight to the circuit. The AFDC notes that local permits may be required either way.
How long does it take to charge an EV on Level 2
At about 25 miles per hour, a Level 2 charger adds roughly 200 miles in an 8-hour night. Real times vary with how empty the battery is, its size, the car's onboard charger and the charger's power, as the AFDC notes.
EV chargers on Wiki Shopping
Of the 205 EV chargers listed on Wiki Shopping on October 26, 2026, 105 are Level 2 chargers, 46 work as Level 1 and 2 and 6 are Level 1 only. Most, 109, are plug-in units. Start from all EV chargers.
How we count
Each charger is grouped by the level, amperage and connection its store listing states, from a read-only count of our listing pages on October 26, 2026. Chargers that state no amperage are left out of the chart. The counts change as listings come and go.
Shop by spec
EV Chargers
Level 1, J1772, Up to 20 A, Plug-in
- LEVEL 1 CHARGING - The Lectron Level 1 Charger lets you quickly charge your EV with a standard 120V outlet; You get 15 amps and 1.65 kW of power for the standard full-charge time for your car, at home or at wor
- CONVENIENT OVERNIGHT CHARGING - The Lectron 15 Amp EV Charger is a more affordable and faster charging option compared to other Level 2 EV chargers, delivering an extra 40-50 miles of overnight charge at home, without breaking the bank
- J1772 COMPATIBILITY - This J1772 charger is compatible with all electric vehicles that use the J1772 standard, including BMW, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Porsche, Nissan, and Chevy
- SAFE AND RELIABLE - FCC and ETL certified (UL2594 standard) for safety with overvoltage, overcurrent, and short circuit protection; Energy Star certified for efficiency; IP65 rated for dust and water resistance
- PORTABLE CONVENIENCE - Whether you're on a road trip or visiting a friend, you can easily plug in your EV and charge with our portable EV charger. Please refer to the included User Manual for complete operating instructions and compatibility requirements
Level 1, NACS, Up to 20 A, Plug-in
- SMART WIFI & APP CONTROL - This portable Wifi-enabled EV charger allows you to keep tabs on your charging status in real-time, schedule your charging sessions, and even control how many kWh you want to charge your EV via the Lectron App
- TESLA & NACS COMPATIBILITY - The Lectron Level 1 Tesla EV charger is fully compatible with Tesla Model S, 3, X, Y & Cybertruck and all electric vehicles in the North American Charging Standard (NACS) alliance
- OVERNIGHT CHARGING - This portable charging station provides up to 1.44 kW of power and delivers 30-40 miles of range overnight at home or anywhere with a compatible NEMA 5-15 outlet
- SAFE & RELIABLE - This portable electric car charger has overvoltage, overcurrent, and short-circuit protection, which is easily detected through the LED status indicator. Its control box is also IP67-rated
- PORTABLE & CONVENIENT - This WiFi EV charger comes with a durable carrying case, making it easy to store and transport your charger wherever you go. Perfect for travel or keeping your charging equipment organized at home
Level 2, NACS, 40 A, Plug-in
- FAST LEVEL 2 CHARGING UP TO 38 MILES PER HOUR – This wall-mounted Level 2 home charging station delivers up to 40 amps at 240V (9.6 kW), adding up to 38 miles of range per hour. Charge overnight and wake up to a full battery in your Tesla or NACS EV
- COMPATIBLE WITH ALL TESLA & NACS EVs – SAE J3400 NACS connector works seamlessly with Tesla Model S/3/X/Y and Cybertruck plus next-gen EVs with native NACS ports including Chevrolet Bolt (2027), Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2025), Kia EV6 (2025), Lexus RZ (2026), Toyota bZ4X (2026), Toyota C-HR (2026)
- PLUG INTO NEMA 14-50 FOR 40A POWER – Designed for a standard 240V NEMA 14-50 outlet. No hardwiring or electrician required. Perfect for fast, reliable daily home charging
- IP66 WEATHERPROOF WITH EXTRA-LONG 23FT CABLE – Built for indoor and outdoor use in rain, snow, heat and dust. Long cable and included charger holster make mounting and cable management easy
- UL 2594, UL 2231, UL 2251 & UL 817 SAFETY CERTIFIED (ETL LISTED) – Independently tested for automotive-grade charging safety covering shock protection, cable integrity and system reliability. Built-in protection against overheating, overcurrent, voltage faults and ground faults. Energy Star and FCC certified
- LECTRON 3-YEAR WARRANTY - The Lectron NEXUS includes a 3-year limited warranty from the date of purchase
Level 2, J1772, 40 A, Plug-in
- FAST LEVEL 2 CHARGING UP TO 38 MILES PER HOUR – This wall-mounted Level 2 home charging station delivers up to 40 amps at 240V (9.6 kW), adding up to 38 miles of range per hour. Charge overnight and wake up ready to go in your J1772 EV
- COMPATIBLE WITH ALL J1772 EVs – Works seamlessly with all electric vehicles using a J1772 charging port. Tesla vehicles are supported with a compatible NACS adapter
- PLUG INTO NEMA 14-50 FOR 40A POWER – Designed for a standard 240V NEMA 14-50 outlet. No hardwiring or electrician required. Perfect for fast, reliable daily home charging
- IP66 WEATHERPROOF WITH EXTRA-LONG 23FT CABLE – Built for indoor and outdoor use in rain, snow, heat and dust. Long cable and included charger holster make mounting and cable management easy
- UL 2594, UL 2231, UL 2251 AND UL 817 SAFETY CERTIFIED (ETL LISTED) – Independently tested for automotive-grade charging safety covering shock protection, cable integrity and system reliability. Built-in protection against overheating, overcurrent, voltage faults and ground faults. Energy Star and FCC certified
- LECTRON 3-YEAR WARRANTY - The Lectron NEXUS includes a 3-year limited warranty from the date of purchase