We install around 40–60 home EV chargers a year across Mid Somerset and we fit every major brand. Customers ask us for a recommendation constantly — the honest answer is it depends on what you want it to do. Here’s the real-world comparison, with no sponsor money and no affiliate links.
Quick picks: Best for tariffs — Ohme. Best for looks — Hypervolt 3 or Andersen. Best for multiple chargers on one supply — Easee. Best for workplace / fleet — Fastamps. Best all-rounder for smart charging — Zappi.
What matters in a home charger
- Charging speed — 7.4kW single-phase is the norm (about 25 miles range per hour). 22kW three-phase is only useful if you have three-phase supply AND a car that accepts it (Tesla Model 3, BMW i4 etc.)
- Tariff integration — Octopus Go / Intelligent Go / Agile, OVO Charge Anytime, British Gas EV tariff. Most chargers work with time-of-use schedules; some integrate directly
- Load balancing — if you have a small main fuse (60A is common in older UK homes), the charger can throttle when the kettle and oven are on
- Aesthetics — it’s going on your house. Some chargers are better looking than others
- PEN fault detection — UK homes with PME earthing need this or an earth rod. Some chargers have it built in; others don’t
- App reliability — the one no-one mentions until it breaks. Hypervolt and Easee score better than some of the budget options
Hypervolt 3
Best for: aesthetics, software, Octopus tariff users
The Hypervolt 3 is the charger we’re fitting most this year. 7.4kW single-phase, tethered or socketed, IP65, Wi-Fi plus 4G backup, OCPP 1.6J for commercial integration, over-the-air firmware updates. The distinguishing feature is the illuminated tube with customisable LED colours — the only UK charger where the aesthetic is genuinely part of the product.
Software is where Hypervolt pulls ahead of some competitors. Smart Schedule integrates cleanly with Octopus tariffs and the app is stable. CT clamp-based load balancing is supported. 3-year warranty.
Not for: properties with limited single-phase supply capacity that need aggressive dynamic load management across multiple chargers — Easee is stronger there.
Fastamps
Best for: workplace, fleet, commercial sites
Fastamps is where we go for commercial: hotels with multiple parking spaces, fleet depots, car parks, workplace charging. Heavy-duty AC units in single or twin-socket wall-mount or pedestal variants, 7.4kW or 22kW three-phase, OCPP 1.6J-compliant so they work with any back-office billing system (Monta, Fuuse, Charge Your Car etc.).
RFID authentication for driver identification, dynamic load management, MID-certified metering (essential for accurate cost chargeback to employees or tenants). Not pretty. Doesn’t need to be.
Not for: domestic aesthetics or homes with a single charger point.
Easee
Best for: multiple chargers on one supply, flats, apartments
Norwegian-designed, compact at just 69mm thin. Single-phase 7.4kW or three-phase 22kW. The killer feature is native load balancing — you can put three Easee chargers on a single 63A commercial supply without any extra DNO capacity, and the system dynamically splits power across whichever are active.
Ideal for developments, small blocks of flats, or anywhere you want more than one charger without upgrading the main supply. Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity, IP55, 3-year warranty.
Not for: people who care about looks — it’s an unapologetically technical-looking product.
Ohme
Best for: Octopus Agile / Intelligent Go, dynamic tariff users
Ohme’s USP is deep integration with dynamic time-of-use tariffs. Octopus Agile (half-hourly pricing), Octopus Go (fixed cheap window), Intelligent Go, OVO Charge Anytime — the charger automatically shifts charging to the cheapest half-hours of the day, not just a fixed overnight window.
If you’re on a dynamic tariff, Ohme can save 40–70% over a dumb charger. 7.4kW Type 2 tethered. CT clamp compatible. OZEV approved. 3-year warranty.
Not for: people on fixed tariffs (it’s overkill) or those who need 22kW three-phase (single-phase only).
Zappi (myenergi)
Best for: smart-charging integration, myenergi ecosystem users
The Zappi is one of the most well-engineered British-made chargers. Three charging modes give full control over how the car draws power — Fast draws full grid power, Eco throttles back during high household demand, Eco+ waits for surplus home generation if you have it.
Built-in Type A RCD with 6mA DC fault detection (no separate consumer unit module needed). IP65. Pairs with the wider myenergi ecosystem (Eddi immersion controller and Harvi wireless CT clamp). 7.4kW single-phase or 22kW three-phase. 3-year warranty.
Not for: anyone wanting the absolute cheapest smart charger — Ohme or Easee will cost less.
Andersen
Best for: period properties, design-led installations
British-designed with a real wood or painted metal fascia — 14 colour options to match your property. The most discreet premium charger on the market; on a Cotswold stone cottage or Georgian townhouse it can genuinely disappear into the facade.
7kW Type 2 tethered, IP54 rated (indoor and outdoor), PEN fault detection built in (no earth rod needed on PME supplies). Smart scheduling via app. 3-year warranty. Expensive — but you’re paying for the enclosure.
Not for: anyone on a tight budget. Andersen is typically £400–£600 more than the Hypervolt 3.
What to think about before choosing
1. Your energy tariff
On a fixed tariff, any charger will do. On Octopus Agile or Intelligent Go, Ohme is a meaningful saver. For myenergi ecosystem users, Zappi.
2. Your main fuse rating
60A supply and a 7kW charger leaves about 30A for everything else. Consider either a DNO upgrade to 100A (free or low-cost from your local DNO) or a load-balancing charger (Easee, Ohme with CT clamp).
3. Your earthing
Most UK homes have PME (TN-C-S). For safe EV charging on PME, either the charger needs built-in PEN fault detection (Andersen, Hypervolt 3, Easee) or we install an earth rod to create a TT arrangement at the charger.
4. Your aesthetic priorities
On a modern house anything goes. On a Listed building or conservation area, Andersen or a cleanly-positioned Hypervolt 3 is usually the only palatable option.
5. Future-proofing
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) bidirectional charging is coming. Check the charger’s hardware supports OCPP 2.0.1 and ISO 15118 if this matters to you. Hypervolt 3 and most Fastamps models are currently best-positioned.
OZEV grant — up to £350 off
Homeowners, tenants, and landlords with eligible off-street parking can claim up to £350 off their charger installation under the EV Chargepoint Grant. Workplaces can claim up to £14,000 under the Workplace Charging Scheme. You claim via the OZEV portal directly — we provide the BS 7671 certification and evidence pack you'll need to submit.
Installation requirements common to all chargers
- Dedicated 32A radial circuit from your consumer unit
- 6mm² T&E internal runs up to 22m, or 10mm² SWA for external runs
- Type A RCD with 6mA DC detection (or Type B) per BS 7671 Regulation 722.531.2
- PME earthing assessment — earth rod where required
- DNO notification for installations above 3.68kW
- Full BS 7671 Electrical Installation Certificate on completion
Getting a quote
We quote after a 15-minute site survey: measure the cable run, check your consumer unit, inspect main fuse and earthing. Written fixed-price quote within 48 hours. Call 07889 334849 or visit our EV charger page for more detail.