Home Charging Unit or Portable Charger? Which Is Right for You?
There are two basic ways to charge your electric car at home: a home charging unit (wallbox) fixed to the wall, or a portable charger you plug in and use. Both charge your car, but they differ in use, speed and installation. In this guide we clarify which one is right for you.
What is a home charging unit (wallbox)?
A wallbox is a fixed charging unit mounted on a garage or car-park wall and fed from its own electrical line. An electrician handles the installation. Thanks to the dedicated line it delivers higher, steadier power: up to 7.4 kW on a single-phase installation and up to 22 kW on a three-phase installation.
- Faster, steadier charging (dedicated line).
- The convenience of plug-and-charge every time you get home.
- Features such as app control, RFID, OCPP and load management on smart models.
- A fixed, tidy appearance: no cable clutter.
What is a portable charger?
A portable charger is a device you plug into an existing socket (a household Schuko socket or an industrial CEE socket) and carry with you. It needs no installation; you take it out of its case and plug it in. Power is generally lower on a Schuko socket (around 2.3–3.7 kW); it can go higher on a suitable CEE socket.
- No installation: plugs into any suitable socket.
- Portable: with you when travelling, at the summer house or visiting.
- Also useful as a backup for a wallbox.
- Generally a more affordable entry-level solution.
The main differences between the two
- Power/speed: a wallbox is generally higher and steadier; a portable charger plugged into a Schuko socket is slower.
- Installation: a wallbox needs an electrician + a dedicated line; a portable charger is plug-and-go.
- Portability: a portable charger goes with you; a wallbox is fixed.
- Smart features: app/OCPP/load management are generally stronger on the wallbox side.
Which one should you choose?
- If you charge at home every day and want the fastest, tidiest solution → a home charging unit (wallbox).
- If you want to get started without dealing with installation, carry the device with you, or have a backup → a portable charger.
- The ideal scenario: keep both, a wallbox at home plus a portable charger as a backup in the car.
Bemis home charging units (AC Wallbox) and portable chargers are manufactured in-house. Compare the models.
Explore Home Charging UnitsFrequently Asked Questions
What is a home charging unit (wallbox)?
A home charging unit, commonly known as a wallbox, is a fixed charger mounted on a garage or car-park wall and fed from its own electrical line. An electrician handles the installation, and thanks to the dedicated line it delivers high, steady power: up to 7.4 kW on a single-phase installation and up to 22 kW on a three-phase installation. It lets you plug in and charge every time you get home; smart models offer features such as app control, RFID authorisation, OCPP compatibility and load management that balances several units. With its fixed, tidy appearance, it's the most practical solution for everyday home use.
Is a portable charger suitable for daily home use?
Yes, a portable charger works comfortably for everyday home use; it's enough to charge your car overnight, especially if your daily mileage is low. A big advantage is that it needs no installation: you plug it into a suitable socket and use it. However, power is generally lower on a standard household Schuko socket (around 2.3–3.7 kW), so charging is slower. If you have high daily mileage or want to fill the car quickly, a fixed home charging unit (wallbox) is more suitable. Many users run a wallbox at home and keep a portable charger with them for travel and backup.
Does a home charging unit charge faster?
Generally, yes. Because a home charging unit (wallbox) is fed from its own dedicated electrical line, it delivers higher, steadier power: up to 7.4 kW on a single-phase installation and up to 22 kW on a three-phase installation. A portable charger plugged into a standard Schuko socket generally stays around 2.3–3.7 kW, so it charges more slowly. Even so, the real charging speed is also limited by the AC charging unit inside your car (the onboard charger); if your car accepts low-power AC, the gap between the two methods narrows. If speed is your priority, a wallbox is more advantageous.
What is needed for a wallbox installation?
A wallbox installation generally requires a dedicated (separate) line run from your electrical panel, a cable of the appropriate cross-section, and the correct protective devices (a residual-current device and a fuse). For a three-phase 22 kW installation, your installation must be three-phase; on a single-phase installation, power is limited to 7.4 kW. Always have the installation done by a qualified electrician; choosing the right line and protection is important for both safety and the unit's correct operation. If it's being installed in an apartment or residential-complex car park, permission from the management and the shared-meter/individual-meter arrangement must also be planned.
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