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Electric vehicle charging station types run from a slow plug on a standard outlet to a faster charger on a higher-voltage outlet, and the right type matches your outlet, your driving and your parking. A portable charger that works on both outlet types covers home and travel, while a fixed charger stays in the garage. The guide below explains the types, and the gear section names the portable chargers that cover each type.
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Electric vehicle charging station types: the quick answer
Level 1 charging uses a standard 120V outlet at 12 to 15 amps for slow overnight charging, while Level 2 charging uses a 240V outlet at 16 amps and up for faster charging. A portable Level 1 and 2 charger moves between Level 1 and Level 2 with an adapter, so the same unit works at home and on the road. Pick the type by your outlet: a standard outlet means Level 1, and a 240V outlet means Level 2.
Step 1: Check your outlet
Check the outlet before you buy. The bokman charger lists a NEMA 6-20 plug for Level 2 and a NEMA 5-15 adapter for Level 1, the Raylix charger lists NEMA 5-15 and 6-20 plugs, and the EVDANCE charger lists a NEMA 6-20 plug with a 6-20 to 5-15 adapter. The Lectron charger (on Amazon) lists a NEMA 5-15 plug for a standard 120V outlet. The EVDANCE listing states it is not compatible with NEMA 6-15, 10-30, 14-30, 14-50 and 6-50 outlets, so check your outlet type before you buy. A licensed electrician should install or check the outlet, and the guide gives no wiring steps.
Step 2: Pick the charging current
Pick a current the car and the outlet can take. The bokman charger lists adjustable current at 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 amps, the Raylix charger lists 4 levels at 8, 10, 12 and 16 amps, and the Lectron charger lists 15 amps on a 120V outlet. The bokman listing notes 32A as a home standard and 40A for long-range driving over 80 miles a day. A higher current fills the car sooner, while a lower current suits a standard outlet. Set the current before you start, and let the charger run.
Step 3: Set the timer and watch the display
Set the timer for off-peak hours and watch the display while the car charges. The bokman charger lists a 1 to 12 hour delay timer, and the Raylix charger lists a 1 to 12 hour smart delay timer. The Raylix charger lists a TFT color display that shows voltage, current, power load and charging temperature, and the EVDANCE charger lists a LED display that shows status and errors. The bokman charger lists a LED display and tactile buttons that work with gloves on.
The gear for electric vehicle charging station types
The outlet match needs the right plug, the current match needs adjustable amps, and the overnight charge needs a timer and a display: the chargers below cover those parts, ranked by their scores.
| # | Product | Solar Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  bokman 16A Portable EV Charger | 9.7/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |  Raylix 16A Level 1 and 2 Charger | 9.7/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |  EVDANCE Level 1 and 2 Charger | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |  Lectron Level 1 EV Charger | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
bokman 16A Portable EV Charger
A portable Level 1 and 2 EV charger with 16 amps, a 20ft cable and a 1 to 12 hour delay timer for 120V and 240V outlets.
Pros
- Dual 120V and 240V charging with a NEMA 6-20 plug and a 5-15 adapter
- Adjustable current at 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 amps
- 1 to 12 hour delay timer for off-peak charging
- ETL certified with an IP65 enclosure and GFCI, over-voltage, over-current, surge, short-circuit and over-temp protection
Cons
- Listing mentions 32A and 40A chargers, but this unit tops out at 16 amps
- No app or Wi-Fi for remote control
- Tesla EVs need a separate J1772 adapter
- 20ft cable is shorter than the 25ft cable on the EVDANCE charger
Detailed Review
The listing states a portable Level 1 and 2 EV charger with 16 amps, a 20ft cable, a NEMA 6-20 plug and a NEMA 5-15 adapter, for 120V and 240V outlets. It lists adjustable current at 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 amps, a 1 to 12 hour delay timer, a LED display and tactile buttons. The listing states ETL certification, an IP65 enclosure, a range of -22°F to 130°F and protection against GFCI, over-voltage, over-current, surge, short-circuit and over-temp. The listing notes 32A as a home standard and 40A for long-range driving over 80 miles a day, but this unit tops out at 16 amps.
Who it's for: travellers and renters who want a portable dual-level charger with a timer and adjustable current. Who should skip it: owners who want a 32A or 40A charger for faster home charging.
Its Solar Score of 9.7/10 comes from performance 32/35, build 22/25, value 21/25, safety 9/10 and warranty 2/5: 86 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Charging | Level 1 and 2, 120V and 240V, 16A |
|---|---|
| Current | Adjustable 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 amps |
| Cable | 20ft with NEMA 6-20 plug and 5-15 adapter |
| Timer | 1 to 12 hour delay |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 10 November 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. ETL certified, IP65 enclosure and GFCI, over-voltage, over-current, surge, short-circuit and over-temp protection stated, so safety scores 9 of 10. 2 year warranty stated. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 2 of 5. See How We Pick.
Match the charger. Use a charger mode that matches your battery's stated chemistry and voltage, connect in the order the manual gives, and keep it ventilated and dry.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
Raylix 16A Level 1 and 2 Charger
A Level 1 and 2 EV charger with 8 to 16 amps, a 1 to 12 hour delay timer and a 21ft cable for 110V to 240V outlets.
Pros
- Adjustable current at 8, 10, 12 and 16 amps
- 1 to 12 hour smart delay timer
- TFT color display shows voltage, current, power load and charging temperature
- 21ft cable with NEMA 5-15 and 6-20 plugs
Cons
- No ETL certification is stated, only FCC and CE
- Bullets call it a Tesla charger in places, while the title states J1772 EVs
- No carry bag is listed
- Current limits to 12A on a 5-15 outlet, so Level 1 charging stays at 12 amps
Detailed Review
The listing states a Level 1 and 2 EV charger with 4-level adjustable current at 8, 10, 12 and 16 amps, a 1 to 12 hour smart delay timer and a 21ft cable, for 110V to 240V outlets. It lists a NEMA 6-20 plug for Level 2 charging at 240V, 16A and 3.68kW, and a NEMA 5-15 adapter for Level 1 charging at 120V, 12A and 1.44kW, with the current limited to 12A on a 5-15 outlet. The listing states FCC and CE certification, an IP65 enclosure, UL94V-0 flame resistance and protection against overheating, overvoltage and overcurrent, plus a TFT color display and a 2 year warranty. The bullets call it a Tesla charger in places, while the title states it is for J1772 EVs.
Who it's for: owners who want a display and a timer on a portable dual-level charger. Who should skip it: owners who want ETL certification or a carry bag in the box.
Its Solar Score of 9.7/10 comes from performance 30/35, build 22/25, value 21/25, safety 9/10 and warranty 2/5: 84 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Charging | Level 1 and 2, 110V to 240V, 16A |
|---|---|
| Current | Adjustable 8, 10, 12 and 16 amps |
| Cable | 21ft with NEMA 5-15 and 6-20 plugs |
| Display | TFT color display |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 10 November 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. FCC and CE certified, IP65 enclosure, UL94V-0 flame resistance and overheat, overvoltage and overcurrent protection stated, so safety scores 9 of 10. 2 year warranty stated. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 2 of 5. See How We Pick.
Match the charger. Use a charger mode that matches your battery's stated chemistry and voltage, connect in the order the manual gives, and keep it ventilated and dry.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
EVDANCE Level 1 and 2 Charger
A Level 1 and 2 EV charger with a 25ft cable, a LED display and 16 amps on 240V and 12 amps on 120V.
Pros
- 25ft cable is the longest in this group
- Dual 120V and 240V charging at 12A and 16A
- LED display shows status and errors
- Carry bag included
Cons
- 1 year warranty is the lowest in this group
- Not compatible with NEMA 6-15, 10-30, 14-30, 14-50 and 6-50 outlets
- Tesla models need a J1772 to Tesla adapter bought separately
Detailed Review
The listing states a Level 1 and 2 EV charger with a 25ft cable, a NEMA 6-20 plug for 16A 240V charging at 3.68kW and 10 to 12 miles per hour, and a NEMA 6-20 to 5-15 adapter for 12A 120V charging at 1.44kW and 2 to 5 miles per hour. It lists a LED display, a carry bag, FCC and CE certification, an IP66 housing and UL 94 V-0 flame resistance, and a 1 year warranty. The title lists ETL certification while the bullets list FCC and CE certification. The listing states it is not compatible with NEMA 6-15, 10-30, 14-30, 14-50 and 6-50 outlets.
Who it's for: owners who want the longest cable and a carry bag on a dual-level charger. Who should skip it: owners who want a 2 year warranty or an ETL listing in the bullets.
Its Solar Score of 9.6/10 comes from performance 29/35, build 21/25, value 20/25, safety 8/10 and warranty 2/5: 80 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Charging | Level 1 and 2, 12A 120V and 16A 240V |
|---|---|
| Power | 1.44kW Level 1, 3.68kW Level 2 |
| Cable | 25ft with NEMA 6-20 plug and 5-15 adapter |
| Housing | IP66, UL 94 V-0 flame resistance |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 10 November 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. FCC and CE certified, IP66 housing and UL 94 V-0 flame resistance stated, so safety scores 8 of 10. 1 year warranty stated. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 2 of 5. See How We Pick.
Match the charger. Use a charger mode that matches your battery's stated chemistry and voltage, connect in the order the manual gives, and keep it ventilated and dry.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
Lectron Level 1 EV Charger
A Level 1 EV charger with 15 amps and 1.65 kW on a 120V outlet, with a 16ft cord and a NEMA 5-15 plug.
Pros
- 15 amps and 1.65 kW on a standard 120V outlet
- Adds 40 to 50 miles of charge overnight
- FCC and ETL certified to UL2594 and IP65 rated
- Energy Star certified for efficiency
Cons
- Level 1 only, with no 240V charging
- 16ft cord is shorter than the 20ft, 21ft and 25ft cords in this group
- No delay timer is stated
- No adjustable current is stated
Detailed Review
The listing states a Level 1 EV charger with 15 amps and 1.65 kW on a 120V outlet, a 16ft cord and a NEMA 5-15 plug, for J1772 EVs. It lists FCC and ETL certification to the UL2594 standard, Energy Star certification, IP65 dust and water protection and protection against overvoltage, overcurrent and short circuit. The listing states an extra 40 to 50 miles of overnight charge at home. The spec table lists a size of 15.0 by 3.8 by 11.0 inches and a 2 year warranty.
Who it's for: owners who want a simple Level 1 charger for overnight charging at home. Who should skip it: owners who want 240V charging or a delay timer.
Its Solar Score of 9.6/10 comes from performance 26/35, build 20/25, value 20/25, safety 9/10 and warranty 2/5: 77 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Charging | Level 1, 120V, 15A, 1.65kW |
|---|---|
| Cord | 16ft with NEMA 5-15 plug |
| Certification | FCC and ETL to UL2594, Energy Star, IP65 |
| Size | 15.0 by 3.8 by 11.0 inches |
Figures as published on the retailer listing, collected 10 November 2026. Performance figures are manufacturer rated.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. FCC and ETL certified to UL2594, IP65 rated, overvoltage, overcurrent and short circuit protection stated, so safety scores 9 of 10. 2 year warranty stated. It does not say everything a buyer needs, such as who pays return shipping, so warranty scores 2 of 5. See How We Pick.
Match the charger. Use a charger mode that matches your battery's stated chemistry and voltage, connect in the order the manual gives, and keep it ventilated and dry.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
FAQ: power away from the grid
What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 EV charging?
Level 1 charging uses a standard 120V outlet at 12 to 15 amps, while Level 2 charging uses a 240V outlet at 16 amps for faster charging. The EVDANCE charger (on Amazon) lists 12A 120V charging at 1.44kW and 2 to 5 miles per hour, and 16A 240V charging at 3.68kW and 10 to 12 miles per hour. A portable Level 1 and 2 charger covers both with an adapter.
Can I charge my EV from a standard outlet?
Yes, with a Level 1 charger and a NEMA 5-15 plug. The Lectron charger lists 15 amps and 1.65 kW on a 120V outlet, and the bokman, Raylix and EVDANCE chargers list a NEMA 5-15 adapter for Level 1 charging. Level 1 charging is slow, so it suits overnight charging at home.
Do I need an electrician to install a Level 2 charger?
A Level 2 charger needs a 240V outlet or circuit, so a licensed electrician should install or check the outlet. The portable chargers in this guide plug into a NEMA 6-20 outlet, so check that your outlet matches before you buy.
How many miles of charge does Level 1 add overnight?
The Lectron charger lists an extra 40 to 50 miles of overnight charge at home. The EVDANCE charger lists 2 to 5 miles per hour on Level 1, and 10 to 12 miles per hour on Level 2. Your car and battery size move the figure, so use the listing figures as a guide.
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