I just picked up a new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and I’m absolutely loving the drive, but the standard Level 1 cord is taking way too long to top off the battery overnight. I’m looking to install a Level 2 charger in my garage to speed things up. Since the Outlander’s onboard charger is capped at 3.7kW, I’m torn between getting a heavy-duty unit like a Grizzl-E or something smarter like a ChargePoint Home Flex. I want something reliable that won't overheat the J1772 connector and is easy to wall-mount. For those of you with an Outlander, which specific Level 2 brand have you found to be the most reliable and best value for this car?
Hey! Congrats on the new Outlander PHEV, I absolutely love mine! Honestly, that slow Level 1 charging was driving me crazy too. Since our cars are capped at 3.7kW (which is basically just 15-16 amps at 240V), you don't technically need a super high-power unit, but it’s good to be future-proof!
For your situation, here's what I recommend:
- Grizzl-E Classic Level 2 EV Charger 40 Amp: This thing is amazing! It’s a heavy-duty, no-nonsense unit. It’s fantastic because it's built like a tank and the internal components are really high-quality, so no overheating issues.
- ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV Charger 16-50 Amp: If you want data and apps to track costs, this is the one. It’s super sleek!
I think the Grizzl-E is the best value... well, actually, it's definitely the most reliable if you don't need fancy WiFi. It's so easy to wall-mount too! Hope this helps!
Seconding the recommendation above! Since the Outlander's 3.7kW limit is so low, you're basically paying for unused capacity with high-end smart chargers. If you want reliability without the "smart" markup, look at the Grizzl-E Classic Level 2 EV Charger 16/24/32/40 Amp. It's built like a tank and handles the J1772 connection perfectly. Another budget-friendly beast is the Schumacher SC1455 Level 2 EV Charger 16A 240V. It's simple, UL-rated, and fits the Outlander's specs perfectly for way less cash. Hope this helps!
Just sharing my experience: I went through this exact same internal debate last year when I first brought my Outlander home. Since our onboard chargers are hardware-limited to 3.7kW, it really changes the math on what you actually need. Most people overbuy, which is fine for future-proofing, but for the current PHEV setup, you're looking for stability over raw speed.
Technically speaking, at 240V, the car is only drawing about 15.4 amps. I actually started out with a cheap no-name portable unit, but the J1772 handle got alarmingy hot during summer sessions. That’s why I eventually swapped over to the Enel X Way JuiceBox 32 Next Generation Smart EV Charging Station. It’s a 32-amp unit, so it’s already overkill for the Outlander, but the build quality on the cabling is night and day compared to the budget stuff.
Another solid option I've seen in my local EV group is the Wallbox Pulsar Plus 40 Amp Level 2 EV Smart Charger. It’s super compact and the cable management is great for tight garage spaces. Honestly, the main thing I learned is that since we aren't pulling 40+ amps, you don't need to stress about the ultra-heavy-duty industrial units as much, but you definitely want something UL-listed for safety. Quick tip: focus on the cable length and flexibility; some of those cold-weather cables are a total pain to coil up in the winter! Good luck with the install, it really makes the PHEV experience so much better when you can top off in 3-4 hours instead of 12.