ChargePoint Home Flex electric vehicle (EV) charger works with all electric cars, tested on leading EV models: Chevrolet Volt and Bolt EV, Hyundai Kona and Ioniq, Kia NIRO, Nissan LEAF, Tesla models, Toyota Prius Prime, BMW i3, Honda Clarity, Chrysler Pacifica, Jaguar I-PACE, and many more. Level 2, 240 volt electric vehicle (EV) charging station charges any EV up to 9X faster than a normal wall outlet, with flexible amperage settings up to 50 amps (16A-50A) and plug-in or hardwired installation. Use the ChargePoint app to pick the right amperage for your home after installation. Get details in ChargePoint Home Flex electric vehicle (EV) charger review.
ChargePoint Home Flex electric vehicle (EV) charger review
Design
The design of the ChargePoint Home Flex electric vehicle (EV) charger builds on ChargePoint’s tried and true Home design with an integrated cable management system that makes charging convenient and easy. The charging adapter is made of high quality materials that feel durable enough in hand to survive the rigors of daily use with some of that use coming from our mini-humans that are less gentle with everything they touch.
Mounting
it’s important to get it mounted well before getting too excited about plugging in your EV. For hardwired installations, an electrician is a good bet, especially for higher power installations where the high current requires everything to be perfect.
Long 23-foot Cable
The wall-mounted ChargePoint Home Flex electric vehicle (EV) charger features a long 23-foot cable makes moving the charging port to any side of your car simple to do. The cord is extremely durable and weatherproof (the entire unit is), and it doesn’t kink when moving from place to place.
This long cable will score extra bonus points for those who can’t be darned to hang the plug back onto the charger unit and instead, leave it on the garage floor.
Installation – ChargePoint Home Flex electric vehicle (EV) charger review
On the installation front, the ChargePoint Home Flex installs just like any other 240 volt level 2 EVSE in that it needs to be connected to power. ChargePoint offers the Home Flex with either a NEMA 14-50 plug or a NEMA 6-50 plug on the end. It can also be hardwired directly into the home electrical system for higher amperage installation. That makes it easy to get the garage ready before the charger comes by having a new outlet with the desired amperage installed.
At lower power, the ChargePoint Home Flex can be plugged in or hardwired:
For higher power installations over 50 amps, the ChargePoint Home Flex must be hardwired into the home:
The Home Flex itself requires a few simple connections to bolt up the charging cable to the EVSE itself, and as with any piece of high power equipment, it’s best to seek professional help for the actual installation.
Apps – ChargePoint Home Flex electric vehicle (EV) charger review
When it comes to activating the Home Flex and linking it to your ChargePoint account, the process is very straightforward. Activating the charger gets it connected up to your home’s wifi network, which unlocks a ton of valuable features like reminders, scheduled charging, connecting it with Alexa or Siri, and tracking all of your home EV charging energy use through a single app. For now, ChargePoint does not offer Google Assistant integration, though it has been added to the list for future development. After logging into the app, a few simple clicks walk you through the process of adding the new charger to your account.
Other benefits of the app include creating scheduled charging times, and locating ChargePoint stations anywhere in the world (more than 100,000 stations). In addition, if your hands are busy, you can simply yell at Alexa to relay your commands to the Home Flex.
Charging ability
According to ChargePoint, the Home Flex charges up to nine times faster than your regular wall outlet, providing your car with more than 35 miles of travel per hour of charging. The up-to-50-amp charging ability of the Home Flex can support any EV vehicle sold at any time in the past and present.
Easy use
The integrated connector holster on the ChargePoint Home Flex is one of the best holsters on any EV chargers in our opinion. It swivels up when you remove the connector, allowing for easy holstering when you’re finished charging the car. It also has a tapered edge, allowing an easy return even if you’re not perfect with your aim. It’s also backlit, which is useful in dark garages or poorly lit outdoor installations.
Which one is better – ChargePoint Home Flex vs Enel X JuiceBox
ChargePoint does have some better features, however:
- Alexa integration is nice (I’m a Google/Apple Home so adding those would be helpful)
- iPad and particularly Apple Watch integration beneficial
- More flexible cable makes wrapping and unwrapping the cord easier
- Higher quality grip is nice and feels like it will last longer
- The Flex goes up to 50 amps or 12kW but only when hardwired (40 with NEMA 14-50)
Both of these products are very worthy additions to your EV centric home. However, the Enel X JuiceBox fits my needs better in a few important ways:
- The charging cable is slightly longer, though not as flexible as the ChargePoint, allowing me a little more reach
- The Nema 14-50 lead plug is 3 feet (vs 1 foot for ChargePoint) which allows me to mount it without moving my plug
- Price: Chargepoint Home Flex is $699. Enel X JuiceBox is $599 (Current Prices)
- There is a lock which allows me to block people from using it
- The grip is longer and lighter allowing it to more easily be plugged in and removed
- The app is nicer and will theoretically allow costs savings
- Setup was easier, particularly with the app. Enel X offers a JuiceReady service
Overall, you can’t really go wrong with either one of these chargers, particularly for multiple EV homes. Buy here: Chargepoint Home Flex is $699. Enel X JuiceBox is $599.
