If you are looking for a level 1 charger for your vehicle, it may be overwhelming looking through all the available options. So, we have decided to make things easy for you by compiling a list of the best Level 1 chargers on the market.
Why Level 1 Charger?
Electric vehicle chargers come in levels that describe how quickly the charger will recharge your EV’s battery. So you can say that EV chargers are defined by the number of Kilowatts (kW) they output.
Each Kilowatt-hour (kWh) received by a standard passenger-sized EV equates to 4 miles of driving range. So, the higher the Kilowatts-hour output from the charger, the faster the EV will charge.
Level 1 is the slowest type of EV charger. L1 chargers plug directly into a standard 120V AC power outlet supplying an average of 1.3kW to 2.4kW. This power output is equivalent to 3-5 miles of EV range per hour. An overnight charge will add 30-50 miles of range which is sufficient for most commuters. However, charging an empty EV battery can take over 24 hours.
Most passenger EVs come with a built-in SAE J1772 charge port, more commonly known as the J port. This allows them to plug into standard electrical outlets for level-one charging. [1]
But with all these, why would anyone pick a Level 1 charger?
The main advantage of the L1 charger is affordability and ease. It’s always cheaper to buy a Level 1 charger compared to a Level 2 charger.
A homeowner can simply park their EV in the garage and plug it into an existing outlet. You don’t need to book an electrician to change your voltage output and install a charging station.
Drivers who own commercial vehicles or have short commutes can get by using L1 chargers most times. All level 1 chargers are easy to carry and they can be used as backup.
Best Level 1 Charger
#1 Premium Charger: MEGEAR
This charger comes highly recommended. It has a J1772 charging cable that is compatible with most EV vehicles in the US. For Tesla vehicles, there is usually an adapter delivered with the car.
The cable of the MEGEAR measures 25 feet or 7.6 meters. This charger is capable of supplying 1.92kW to your EV. It works perfectly when you want to top up your battery, or when there is no other option. It can be connected to a regular home outlet without needing any further modifications to the wiring.
The Brainbox is IP55 rated and consists of 4 LED lights that display the charging status. One of these lights will also notify you of a problem with the EV charger. It also comes with a one-year warranty.
There are no smart features like WiFi connectivity or smartphone app on this Level One charger. Of course, there is no Alexa integration nor is there a charge scheduling function. But this is the same with all Level 1 EV chargers.
Pros
- It has a long charging cable
- It is easy to use
- It is very portable
- It has a chip that can detect any malfunctions
Cons
- There have been several reports of the cable failing
- The cable is fixed.
#2 Cheapest: Morec
Compared to other models, the Morec circuitry boasts better heat dissipation and waterproofing that prevents short-circuiting. This charger features high-quality engineering that makes it safer and more effective. On top of all that, you will still get fast charging.
The name of this EV charger may throw you off but it is a Level 1 charger that is marketed as a Level 1-2. It also boasts a J1772 cord that is 24 feet long which can connect to and charge different types of vehicles. It supplies 1.8W and has a maximum current of 15A.
This is a charger you can easily throw into your boot and use anywhere a socket is located. It can also correct minor problems while charging, thanks to an intelligent chip embedded.
The Morec Level 1 portable EV charging has an IP 65 rating, so which means you can use it in the rain.
The brain box of the Morec charger is equipped with 4 LED lights to indicate its charging state. It also has a strip of LCD screen that lets you read basic info like the temperature and amperage.
It also has a host of safety features including, Overcurrent protection, Overvoltage, Under Voltage, Leakage, and Overheating.
Pros
- Simple and portable design
- It has an LCD screen that monitors charging sessions
- It comes with a long cable
- It is dustproof and waterproof
Cons
- Its full warranty only lasts six months.
#3 Best Value for Money: Lectron
This EV charger also charges most EVs, so you’ll be covered if you get a second EV vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. It is equipped with a Duosida charging box that features LED indicators that communicate its charging status. This indicator can tell when it’s malfunctioning and when it’s not working at all.
Its cable is 21 feet and can cover most driveways. The Lectron charger supplies a maximum current of 16A. Lectron hasn’t mentioned an IP rating for this one, but we know that this control box is IP55. It also comes with a one-year warranty.
Pros
- It is easy to use.
- It is designed to report any malfunctions it may have.
- It has a long enough charging cable.
Cons
- It could be tricky to get to work.
Level 1 vs. Level 2 Charging Cost
Level 1 charging is affordable and requires no particular setup or additional hardware/software. This makes it a convenient choice for residential use. But if you purchase a pre-owned EV that doesn’t have its original charger, the cost of a replacement is around $379-$495.
However, it may take up to 24 hours to fully charge a battery, making Level 1 impractical for drivers that log a lot of miles daily. Assuming the driver pays for electricity, an overnight charge costs approximately $1.33 (in the US average cost of electricity 13.3¢/kWh). A full charge can vary between $1.20 and $13.00 depending on the size of the EV battery and the electricity rate.
Level 2 chargers are often equipped with software that can intelligently charge an EV, adjust power levels, and bill the customer appropriately.
However, all these are reflected in the cost, making level 2 chargers a more significant investment. Level 2 chargers cost about $500 to $2000 depending on the brand, power rating, and installation requirements.
The price for charging at an L2 station can vary broadly. While some providers offer free charging, many public L2 chargers cost between $0.20-$0.30 per kWh, which is equivalent to $ 1.00-$5.00 per hour.
An eight-hour charge on a public L2 will nearly fill the battery of almost every EV available. Charging an EV at home using a similar L2 charging infrastructure, will cost approximately $6.00- $10.00 for a full charge.
How Fast Does a Level 1 Charger Charge?
Level one charging may be convenient for home use but it charges very slowly. It is known as trickle charging because a typical level one charger will output roughly 5 km or 3.11 miles of Range Per Hour (RPH) of charging. A level one charger charges through the common residential 120-volt (120v) AC outlet.
Modern PHEVs are EPA-rated with 15-60 miles of electric range, while EVs are between 150-400 miles, so it will take about 30 hours to replenish 150 miles of range at Level one’s fastest. Level one chargers can take up to 40-50 hours to charge a BEV to 80% from empty and 5-6 hours for a PHEV. [2]
Is Level one Charging bad for Battery?
Level one charging operates at a lower voltage, thus a slower charging speed when compared to level two charging. Slower charging time has some advantages for battery health as it generates less heat during the charging period.
This is good for long-term battery longevity. So, the simple answer is no, plugging in on level 1 instead of level 2 is technically better for overall battery life and health.
Related: Best Level 2 Charger For Jeep 4xe
Final Thoughts
In our opinion, the best portable level 1 charger remains MEGEAR, as it provides the best value for your money.
In a close second are Lectron Level 1 portable EV charger and Morec Level 1-2 portable EV charger. [3]
Morec Level 1-2 portable EV charger is the most affordable on this list. We hope that our list of the best Level 1 EV Chargers was able to curb any doubts you had in your mind.
Investing in a Level 1 EV charger in your home is a smart choice for EV owners who want a more portable and solid backup option.
While Level 1 chargers are not the fastest or most efficient, they do fill an important gap for owners of plug-in hybrids, replace a failed charger that comes with the car, and for those looking for a robust portable charger that’s always ready for use.
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