There is no single best model, because a single-phase supply fixes the class before you start shopping. Single-phase homes top out at the 32 A class, about 7 kW, so the real decision is which shape inside that class fits your house: a fixed wallbox or a portable unit, and whether you want adjustable current steps or a fixed output.
Key Takeaways
- A single-phase supply caps home charging at the 32 A class, about 7 kW, on a 40 A breaker.
- Shop inside the class: the real choice is wallbox vs portable, fixed vs adjustable.
- Adjustable steps are insurance for circuits that cannot carry full current today.
- Tenure, circuit state and the car’s connector separate the models that remain.
The Ceiling Your Supply Sets
On a single-phase supply, a home charger can draw up to 32 A continuously, which electrical rules treat as a continuous load: the breaker is sized at 125 percent of the charger current, so 32 A of charging sits on a 40 A breaker. That is the top of the single-phase class. A three-phase charger connected to a single-phase supply does not break this ceiling; it simply runs at its single-phase rate. Our explainer on single-phase vs three-phase charging sets out how the classes are built. Money spent above the 32 A class buys nothing until the supply itself changes, which is a network-operator project, not a charger choice.
Wallbox or Portable: The Shape Decision
| Question | Wallbox fits better | Portable fits better |
|---|---|---|
| How permanent is the parking arrangement? | You own the home and park in one place | You rent, or the setup may move |
| What feeds it? | A new dedicated circuit, hard-wired | An existing suitable socket circuit |
| Where else will it work? | Only at home | It travels with the car |
| How is it controlled? | Fixed unit, set up once by the installer | Settings on the unit itself |
The 7 kW portable vs wallbox comparison works through this trade in detail, and the portable EV charger buying guide covers the portable side’s specification checks.
Adjustable Steps Are Circuit Insurance
Not every single-phase circuit can carry 32 A. An older panel, a long cable run or a circuit shared with other loads can all argue for less. A charger with adjustable current steps lets the installer set the unit to what your circuit can actually carry today, and step it up later if the wiring is upgraded. A fixed-output unit has no such give: it must match the circuit exactly on day one. Treat the steps as insurance you may never claim, priced against the cost of an electrician’s return visit.
The Deciders That Actually Separate Models
- Tenure. Renters and anyone likely to move should weight portability heavily; the unit leaves with you.
- Circuit state. A circuit that can carry the full 32 A today favours a fixed wallbox; a marginal circuit favours adjustable steps.
- Connector. The car decides: NACS or Type 2 in most single-phase markets. Match the car’s inlet, per its specification.
- Cable length as stated. Compare the manufacturer’s stated length against your parking geometry, not a class average.
- A second EV later. A future second car is a design conversation with your electrician about panel capacity, not a reason to oversize today’s charger.
Single-Phase Options From EVDANCE
The EV-ACS3210E is a 32 A Type 2 portable charger, single-phase at about 7 kW, rated IP66. For NACS cars, the EV-ACS3210T is a 32 A NACS portable charger at about 7.7 kW on a NEMA 14-50 plug, with current adjustable from 10 to 32 A in six steps and an IP66 rating. Both sit squarely in the single-phase class and state their figures on their product pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fit a 22 kW charger on a single-phase supply anyway?
It can usually be connected, but it will only deliver single-phase power. You pay for three-phase capacity the supply cannot feed until the network operator upgrades it. Buy in the class your supply supports.
Is about 7 kW enough for overnight charging?
For most drivers, yes. Level 2 charging adds roughly 10 to 20 miles of range per hour, so an overnight window replaces several days of typical driving. Very high daily miles are the exception, and they argue for a supply conversation, not just a bigger charger.
Does the charger need an app?
Only if the model states one and you want its features. Many drivers schedule from the car instead. Compare stated features on the exact model rather than assuming a class standard.
Related Reading
- Single-Phase vs Three-Phase EV Charging: 7 kW, 11 kW and 22 kW Explained
- 7kW Portable EV Charger vs. 7kW Wallbox: Which Should You Choose?
- Portable EV Charger Buying Guide 2026: Specs, Costs, and When to Choose One Over a Wallbox
- EV Charger Hardwired vs Plug-In: Which Should You Choose?
