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- Untethered chargers are often neater because there’s no cable tidy.
- Tethered chargers are more convenient because the cable is built-in.
- Untethered cables can be upgraded, tethered cables are fixed.
- With a tethered charger, there is no risk of losing the cable or forgetting it.
Tethered or untethered charger? The truth is, both have pros and cons. A tethered charger means no faffing around with cables, while an untethered charger means a cleaner installation.
The article compares tethered and untethered electric vehicle home chargers. Key points: Tethered chargers have built-in cables for convenience but need cable tidies. Untethered chargers require a cable but allow for neater installations. Tethered chargers cost more due to the cable. Most owners prefer tethered for convenience despite the untidier look. Untethered works well if you remove your cable when traveling. Overall, tethered chargers are more convenient but untethered chargers allow for cleaner look.
- Tethered or untethered charger
- evec EV charger
- What is a tethered charger?
- Tethered charger pros and cons
- What is an untethered charger?
- Untethered charger pros and cons
- Tethered vs untethered charger cost
- Tethered vs untethered charger security
- Tethered vs untethered charger variety
- What are the best tethered chargers?
- What are the best untethered chargers?
- Tethered or untethered charger for Tesla
- Tethered or untethered charger for VW ID
- Tethered or untethered for Hyundai IONIQ
- Tethered or untethered for KIA EV6
- Summing up
Tethered or untethered charger
- Future-proofing – Untethered chargers allow you to upgrade the charging cable separately from the charger unit itself. This means you can upgrade to a thicker, higher power cable in the future without replacing the whole charger.
- Smart charging capabilities – Many modern chargers have smart features like scheduling and power balancing. Generally, untethered chargers tend to have more advanced smart charging options compared to basic tethered models.
- Customization – Untethered chargers allow you to use your own cable, so you can choose the length, thickness, color etc. Tethered cables are fixed.
- Portability – Some untethered chargers are truly portable, running off a plug instead of being hardwired. This allows you to move the charger between locations. Tethered chargers are fixed installations.
- Future connections – Untethered chargers with interchangeable plugs may support new connector types in the future, like the upcoming CCS2 standard. Tethered cables can’t be adapted.
Advocates of tethered chargers say they make life easier by reducing the number of steps required to start starting, while untethered advocates would rather have the extra step in return for a cleaner, cableless installation.
Top untethered choice
evec EV charger
The evec EV charger gives you smart scheduling, 7.4kW charge speeds, and a sleek design for less than £420. It’s a fantastic choice for those on a budget.
Which side do you take?
Me, I prefer untethered chargers because I would much rather have a clean, simple home charger installation with no cable tidy. But I can totally understand why you might prefer a tethered charger that has the cable ready to go all the time.
But I do have a secret – I leave my charging cable plugged into my untethered charger most of the time anyway… I went untethered because I like having the ability to remove it when I go away!
The Easee One is a great charger in this regard because it’s untethered but lets you lock the charging cable into place, creating a tethered unit.
Another big argument is cost. Tethered chargers are around 20% more expensive than untethered chargers because of the 5m or 7.5m cable. My car came with a Type 2 cable, so I don’t have to spend extra to get a cable.
One area where tethered chargers definitely beat untethered chargers is the sheer range of chargers available. By our count, there are 10 tethered chargers for every 1 untethered charger, and only a handful of companies make great untethered chargers (for reference, I recommend Indra, Sync EV, Easee and Rolec).
What is a tethered charger?
A tethered charger has a Type 2 cable wired into it, creating an all-in-one home charger installation. To charge, you plug the holstered charger cable into your car.
Tethered charger pros and cons
Tethered chargers let you park up and charge straight from the wall without getting a cable out of your boot. Although more convenient, they usually look fussier.
Tethered charger pros
- Fewer charging steps
- No risk of forgetting the cable
- In-built cable can be of a higher quality than the vehicle cable
Tethered charger cons
- The tethered cable needs a tidier
- The cable is unsightly and makes the unit bulkier
What is an untethered charger?
An untethered charger is a charging unit with a power outlet for your own charging cable. To charge, you plug your cable into the charger and then your car (or vice versa).
Not keen on the boxy shape? Check out the Pod Point Solo 3.
Untethered charger pros and cons
Untethered chargers are tidier than tethered chargers, but you need to plug your own cable into the charger, creating an extra step.
Untethered charger pros
- Smaller, tidier installation
- Cheaper (around 20% less)
- You can upgrade your cable anytime
Untethered charger cons
- Fewer products available
- Adds an extra charging step
- You need to remember your cable
Tethered vs untethered charger cost
Tethered chargers cost around 20% more than untethered chargers because of the extra cable, which is typically 5m or 7.5m The installation cost is the same because electricians have fixed prices for home charge point installation.
Tethered vs untethered charger security
Unfortunately, both tethered and untethered chargers can attract thieves who may want to steal your cable, which is worth around £20 scrap.
Tethered chargers are more likely to be targeted because of the built-in cable, which is available day and night. A tethered charging cable can be ripped from the charger, along with the case, permanently damaging the unit. Untethered chargers are less likely to be targeted because there’s a smaller window of opportunity for thieves, even if it is easier to remove a cable that isn’t fixed to the charging unit.
Tethered vs untethered charger variety
There are more tethered chargers than untethered chargers, especially from known, reputable brands. While some brands offer tethered and untethered versions of the same charger (like the EO Mini Pro 2), others only offer one version.
What are the best tethered chargers?
We recommend the following tethered chargers:
What are the best untethered chargers?
We recommend the following untethered home chargers:
Of course, there are many other excellent products out there.
Tethered or untethered charger for Tesla
Most Tesla owners I speak to have an untethered charger, preferring to use the Tesla cable that came with their car. However, if you want a tethered charger, Tesla does the Tesla Wall Connector, a tethered charger that charges up to 7.4kW.
Tethered or untethered charger for VW ID
VW ID electric cars work best with tethered chargers because the cables VW supply with the cars aren’t the sleekest or grippiest. A high-quality tethered charger like the Hypervolt Home 2.0 will serve you very well indeed as an ID owner.
Tethered or untethered for Hyundai IONIQ
Hyundai IONIQ electric cars work well with tethered and untethered chargers, although most owners use tethered chargers. The Wallbox Pulsar Plus is popular with Hyundai drivers, but if you want an untethered charger, look at the EO Mini Pro 2.
Tethered or untethered for KIA EV6
The Kia EV6 works fine with an untethered charger and comes supplied as standard with a Type 2 cable. A tethered charger is more convenient, however, and is preferred by most Kia drivers I’ve spoken to. The Hypervolt is a popular choice.
Summing up
In conclusion, tethered chargers are more convenient but most products are untidy with a primitive cable tidy. The Anderson A2 bucks this trend, but it’s expensive, costing around £1,000.
Untethered chargers are cheaper and tidier because you can remove the cable, however, the novelty of getting your cable out of the car every time you need to charge soon wears off.
Me, I have a Sync EV untethered charger and I leave my cable in it all the time, so the unit may as well be tethered. However, this setup works for me because I travel often and want to be able to remove the cable before I go away.
Any idea what proportion of public Type 2 c hargers are tethered/untethered?
It’s an issue with an e-motorcycle where you don’t have much luggage space to carry a cable!
Are you implying that you cannot add a longer cable to a tethered charger? if you have a tethered charger you are stuck with the length of cable that came with it? is there any way around this, apart from paying a lot of money to change the charger to untethered?
You should consider the extra resistance of the extra plug and socket of the untethered charger. This generates heat, which subtracts from the power that is transferred to the EV. The permanent connection of the cable to the EVSE will have lower resistance, and deliver slightly more power to the EV.
Thank you Evan. Looking forward to hearing more on the hidden impact of untethered cabling.
I spoke to Indra today – they say no efficiency difference between tethered & untethered…