Everyone loves a bargain - so it’s no wonder many drivers start their EV journey by hunting for the cheapest charger they can find.
But here’s the thing: a low price tag rarely means a low total cost.
Once you add in installation, smart-tariff compatibility, safety certification, and long-term reliability, that “budget” wall box can easily become the most expensive mistake on your driveway.
In this guide, we’ll cut through the noise and show you what real-world value looks like. You’ll learn:
The cheapest EV chargers available in the UK right now.
True installation costs (and what’s often left out of the headline price).
The features missing from ultra-budget models - and why they matter.
Why Heatable’s Hypervolt Home 3 Pro might not be the cheapest, but is often the smartest long-term investment for your home.
PS We offer EV charger installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and arrange your free quote. 🚗
Cheapest EV Chargers in the UK (2025 Overview)
If you’re hunting for the cheapest EV charger in the UK, you’ll find plenty of “bargains” online - but most quote unit-only prices and quietly skip installation costs, safety upgrades, and smart features.
Tier | Example Models | Typical Unit Cost | Installation | Smart Features |
Budget | OHME ePod, Project EV EVA-07S, Wallbox Pulsar | ~£300 – £500 | ~£500 – £800 | Basic or more |
Mid-Range | myenergi Zappi, Andersen A2 | ~£650 – £950 | ~£500 – £1,000 | App control, solar support |
Premium | Hypervolt Home 3 Pro | ~£520 – £600 | Included in Heatable quote | Full smart features - solar integration, Alexa voice control, built-in PEN fault & load balancing |
Real-World Installation Costs: Expect to pay £800 – £1,500 all in, depending on cable run length, fuse board condition, and whether your setup needs earthing or load-balancing upgrades.
That “£100 cheaper” charger? It can quickly turn into a false economy once an installer adds the missing safety components, certification, or a separate PEN-fault protection device.
With Heatable, all those extras are already included - so you get a fully compliant, smart-ready install with no hidden surprises.
The Hidden Cost of Going Too Cheap
A bargain wall box might look appealing at first glance - but those savings often come from cut corners that affect safety, efficiency, and long-term value.
Here’s what cheaper units typically skip:
No smart scheduling – you can’t time charging to cheap, off-peak hours.
No built-in PEN-fault protection – your installer has to fit a separate (and costly) safety device.
Short or non-existent warranty – and often no UK-based support when things go wrong.
No solar compatibility – meaning you can’t charge using your own generation.
No load balancing – risking blown fuses if you’re running an EV charger alongside other power-hungry appliances.
Features Often Missing in Budget EV Chargers (with Examples)
That “bargain” EV charger might look fine on paper - but what you save upfront, you often lose in functionality, safety, and long-term efficiency.
Here’s what typically gets cut when you opt for the lowest-cost “unit only” wall box - and what that means for your home setup:
1. Smart-Tariff Scheduling
The smartest savings come from charging your car when electricity is cheapest - but most budget chargers don’t talk to your energy tariff.
They lack integrations with flexible plans like Octopus Intelligent Go, OVO Charge Anytime, or British Gas PeakSave.
Without automation, you’ll be stuck charging manually, missing out on £300–£500 per year in potential off-peak savings.
Many budget units offer nothing more than a fixed timer or a “plug in and go” mode with no dynamic price control.
💡 Hypervolt’s Edge: Fully integrates with smart tariffs and lets you schedule charging directly through the Hypervolt app - so you always pay the lowest rates automatically.
2. Solar Integration & Load Balancing
Most low-cost chargers are grid-only, meaning they’ll draw power even when your solar panels are generating excess energy.
They also can’t balance electrical load between your charger and other household devices - a big risk if you’re running ovens, heat pumps, or tumble dryers at the same time.
For example: Many import-only 7 kW chargers lack a CT clamp or solar-compatible firmware, making them incompatible with hybrid setups.
💡 Hypervolt’s Edge: Features “Super Eco Mode,” which prioritises surplus solar generation for EV charging and intelligently balances demand across your home - no tripped breakers, no wasted solar.
3. Built-in Safety & Compliance (PEN-Fault, RCD, Dynamic Load Control)
Budget models often skip crucial safety hardware, forcing installers to bolt on external protection devices to meet UK wiring regulations.
That means extra components, extra costs, and a less tidy install - typically adding £150–£300 to your final bill.
For example: Many “cheap imports” require separate RCD units, PEN-fault devices, or even an earth rod to meet safety standards.
💡 Hypervolt’s Edge: Fully compliant out of the box - no earth rod required. It includes built-in PEN-fault protection, RCD, and dynamic load balancing for complete peace of mind.
4. Connectivity, Firmware, & Warranty Support
Low-end chargers often ship with outdated firmware, no Wi-Fi, or reliance on short-lived 3G apps that stop working after a year or two.
Once the app disappears or the network changes, you’re left with an expensive “dumb” socket on the wall.
Example: Review sites are filled with “app discontinued” and “can’t connect to Wi-Fi” complaints from owners of budget models.
💡 Hypervolt’s Edge: Connects via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Bluetooth and supports over-the-air firmware updates, Alexa voice control, and a robust UK-based support team with a 3-year warranty.
5. Expandability & Future-Proofing
Buying cheap today can mean paying twice tomorrow if you ever upgrade your setup.
Many basic chargers max out at 7 kW single-phase and can’t communicate with a second charger or solar-battery system later on.
Example: A non-networked charger can’t share load or optimise energy between two vehicles - forcing a full hardware replacement.
💡 Hypervolt’s Edge: Ready for multi-EV load sharing, solar and battery integration, and future firmware updates - keeping your system compatible for years to come.
Key takeaway: The cheapest wall box often costs more in the long run once you factor in missing features, installation extras, and lost savings.
Why the Hypervolt Still Wins
The Hypervolt Home 3 Pro, supplied and professionally installed by Heatable, strikes the perfect balance of smart tech, reliability and cost-effectiveness - all wrapped in a sleek, UK-built unit.
Here’s what you actually get:
Smart-tariff integration – Automatically charge when electricity is cheapest. (The Home 3 Pro supports integration with tariffs such as Octopus Intelligent Go and OVO Energy Charge Anytime.
Solar compatibility – Fully capable of charging from your PV surplus and managing solar-optimised modes.
UK manufacture & full support – Designed and built in the UK, backed by UK-based support and service.
Built-in PEN-fault protection – No need for separate earth rods or hidden extras; built-in PEN fault detection simplifies installation.
App + Alexa control – Full remote control via the Hypervolt app (scheduling, real-time monitoring, modes) and voice control via Alexa integration.
Heatable installation included – Professional fitting, testing and certification by nationwide engineers, included – so the price you see is the price you pay.
💷 Typical installed price: Around £999, inclusive of unit, labour, certification and full setup - no surprise extras. (Note: actual price may vary based on site specifics such as cable run length, fuse board condition, earthing or load-balancing requirements.)
Real Comparison: Budget vs. Hypervolt
Feature | Budget Wall Box | Hypervolt |
Upfront unit cost | £350 | £550 |
Installation cost | £650 | Included |
Total | £1,000 | |
Smart tariff savings | None | Up to £500 / yr |
Solar ready | No | Yes |
Warranty | 12 months | 3 years |
App/Alexa | Limited | Full |
Support | Varies | UK based |
Safety compliance | Basic | Full (PEN fault protected) |
Verdict: The Hypervolt’s smart features and included installation make it the better value - and it starts paying for itself in less than a year through off-peak charging.
Installation Costs Explained
Whether you choose a premium or budget EV charger, installation costs are unavoidable - and they can vary quite a bit depending on your home setup.
Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect across the UK:
Type of Work | Typical Cost Range | What It covers |
Standard installation | £500 – £700 | Mounting the charger within 10 m of your fuse board, surface cable run, and basic testing. |
Extended cable run or complex routing | £800 – £1,200 | Longer distances, cable clipping through lofts or walls, or underground ducting to detached garages. |
Fuse board or RCD upgrade | +£150 – £400 | Ensures your electrical system meets the latest 18th Edition wiring regulations. |
PEN-fault protection (if not built-in) | +£100 – £250 | Required by UK law for safety - adds cost when not integrated into the charger. |
Earthing or bonding improvements | +£150 – £300 | Occasionally needed for older homes without modern earthing arrangements. |
💡 Why it matters: Many “cheap” wall boxes list only the unit cost - but when you add the required safety gear, upgrades, and certification, the true price can climb by several hundred pounds.
That’s why Heatable’s Hypervolt installation gives you a single, fixed quote that covers:
All compliance and safety certification
Professional fitting by OZEV-approved engineers
Full testing and commissioning
Smart app setup and demo before hand-off
No hidden extras. No surprise add-ons.
Just a fully installed, compliant charger - ready to plug in and start saving.
Next Steps For Your EV Charger Journey:
When planning to install an EV charger for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section or check out our YouTube channel for informative videos.
Looking for the best deal on a new EV Charger?
If you’re aiming to get the best deal on a new EV charger, consider getting a quote from us. Here’s why:
Installation within 24 hours.
Thousands of satisfied customers with an average score of 4.9 on Trustpilot, surpassing the market leader.
Which? Trusted Trader: Heatable is proudly recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.
Price match guarantee: We will match any like-for-like cheaper quote.
Flexible payment options, including interest-free finance.
Up to a 12-year guarantee on selected models.
Fixed price guarantee: No hidden costs.
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