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Mercedes-Benz

The best home charger for a Mercedes-Benz CLA

The 2026 CLA is Mercedes' first car with a NACS port -- but, like the new Nissan Leaf, that port is for DC fast charging. Home charging goes through a separate J1772 port.

By Sawyer V. · Published September 10, 2026

A silver Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class sedan from an earlier generation
An earlier CLA; the electric model is newer. Illustrative photo.

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Two ports, two jobs

SimpleSwitch describes the CLA as the first Mercedes-Benz model with a NACS charging port, though it works a little differently than most: the NACS port handles DC fast charging only, while a separate J1772 port takes care of AC charging. CarGurus likewise names the 2026 CLA-Class as the first in the lineup with native NACS.

Which port does what
ChargingPortWhat that means at home
AC (Level 1 and Level 2)J1772Any J1772 home charger plugs straight in
DC fast chargingNACSNot used by a home charger

Choosing the charger

Check the AC charging rate in your owner's manual and buy the charger tier that matches it; a charger above the car's onboard limit charges no faster. For daily driving, a 40 A unit on a 50 A circuit replaces a long day overnight. How many amps you need.

Chargers that suit a CLA

Ranked for a first home charger. Every row jumps to the full write-up below.

#ProductBest forMax outputPrice
1Emporia Level 2 EV Charger (Classic)A first charger, hardwired. J1772, 24 ft cable.A first charger, hardwired48 A11.5 kWCheck price on Amazon#ad how we are funded
2ChargePoint Home FlexHomes with an uncertain panel. J1772, 23 ft cable.Homes with an uncertain panel50 A12 kWCheck price on Amazon#ad how we are funded
3Grizzl-E ClassicHarsh weather and no app. J1772, 24 ft cable.Harsh weather and no app40 A9.6 kWCheck price on Amazon#ad how we are funded

The chargers in detail

Three J1772 units, each with the case against it.

1. A first charger, hardwired

Emporia Level 2 EV Charger (Classic)

Emporia · J1772 · 48 A / 11.5 kW · 24 ft cable

The safe default for a first home charger: 48 amps hardwired, a genuinely long cable, a NEMA 4 outdoor-rated case, and no subscription attached to the app.

What is good

  • 48 A hardwired is the fastest tier most homes can realistically support
  • 24 ft of cable reaches across a two-car garage without a fight
  • NEMA Type 4 enclosure is rated for outdoor mounting
  • Energy monitoring in the app with no subscription

What is not

  • Drops to 40 A if you use the NEMA 14-50 plug rather than hardwiring
  • The app is the only way to change the amperage setting
Published specifications for the Emporia Level 2 EV Charger (Classic)
Maximum output48 A / 11.5 kW at 240 V (hardwired)
Plug-in output40 A with the NEMA 14-50 plug
ConnectorSAE J1772
Cable24 ft
EnclosureNEMA Type 4, indoor or outdoor
CertificationUL listed, Energy Star
Warranty3 years

Skip this if: Skip it if you want a unit with no app or network connection at all. The Grizzl-E Classic is the simpler machine.

Specifications above are the manufacturer’s published figures. Source: Emporia Energy. We have not tested this unit — see how we pick.

Check price on Amazon#ad how we are funded

2. Homes with an uncertain panel

ChargePoint Home Flex

ChargePoint · J1772 · 50 A / 12 kW · 23 ft cable

The most adjustable unit here. It can be set anywhere from 16 A to 50 A, which makes it the one to buy when you do not yet know what your panel will allow.

What is good

  • Six selectable amperage settings from 16 A to 50 A
  • Sold in both hardwired and NEMA 14-50 versions
  • Rated for indoor or outdoor installation
  • The app is mature and does not require a subscription

What is not

  • 23 ft is a foot shorter than the longest cables in this group
  • The 50 A setting needs a bigger circuit than most panels have spare
Published specifications for the ChargePoint Home Flex
Maximum output50 A / 12 kW at 240 V
Amperage settings16, 24, 32, 40, 48 or 50 A
ConnectorSAE J1772
Cable23 ft
InstallationHardwired or NEMA 14-50
CertificationUL listed, Energy Star
Warranty3 years

Skip this if: Skip it if your circuit is already fixed and you just want the cheapest safe 40 A unit. You are paying for flexibility you will not use.

Specifications above are the manufacturer’s published figures. Source: ChargePoint, ChargePoint. We have not tested this unit — see how we pick.

Check price on Amazon#ad how we are funded

3. Harsh weather and no app

Grizzl-E Classic

United Chargers · J1772 · 40 A / 9.6 kW · 24 ft cable

A cast-aluminum box with no app, no account and no firmware to update. If you want a charger that behaves like an appliance, this is the one.

What is good

  • Cast aluminum NEMA 4 / IP67 enclosure, built for outdoor mounting
  • No app, no account, no network dependency
  • Amperage is set with physical switches, not software
  • Protections for over-current, over-voltage, ground fault and over-temperature

What is not

  • 40 A ceiling, slower than the 48 A units if your panel can take more
  • No scheduling, so off-peak charging has to be set in the car
  • The cold-flexible 24 ft cable is only on the Extreme Edition
Published specifications for the Grizzl-E Classic
Maximum output40 A / 9.6 kW at 240 V
Adjustable16, 24, 32 or 40 A
ConnectorSAE J1772
Cable24 ft on the Extreme Edition
EnclosureCast aluminum, NEMA 4 / IP67
CertificationUL certified
Warranty3 years

Skip this if: Skip it if you want scheduled charging or energy tracking in an app. The Classic deliberately has neither.

Specifications above are the manufacturer’s published figures. Source: United Chargers, InsideEVs. We have not tested this unit — see how we pick.

Check price on Amazon#ad how we are funded

FAQ

Questions people actually ask

What charger do I need for a 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA?
A J1772 Level 2 charger. Published lists say the CLA's NACS port handles DC fast charging only, and AC charging goes through a separate J1772 port.
Does the Mercedes CLA have a NACS port?
The 2026 CLA is the first Mercedes-Benz with a NACS port, but it is for DC fast charging. Home charging uses its J1772 port.
Can I use a Tesla Wall Connector with a Mercedes CLA?
Not through the NACS port, which is DC only. It would need a NACS-to-J1772 adapter into the J1772 port.

Sources

Where these numbers come from

  1. All EVs with a NACS charging port in 2026 — SimpleSwitchPublished list of 2026 native-NACS models, with a note on each. Fetched 2026-09-10.
  2. All the EVs that use Tesla's NACS plug — CarGurusModel-year NACS status and adapter availability by manufacturer. Read 2026-09-10.

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