Emporia vs Grizzl-E Classic Connect

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Both of these get recommended to first-time buyers, and both deserve it. The decision comes down to a question about your house rather than the chargers: are you hardwiring, or plugging in?

Side by side

The 8 amps, and whether you can use them

Hardwired, the Emporia delivers 11.5 kW against the Grizzl-E's 9.6 kW -- roughly six more miles of range an hour. Getting them needs a 60 A circuit and an electrician. On an existing NEMA 14-50, both units charge at 40 A and the difference disappears entirely.

Where the Grizzl-E wins

• A NACS cable option, which removes the adapter from a Tesla owner's daily routine.
• A published temperature range of -22 F to 122 F, and a published UL/cUL file number.
• A foot more cable, at 25 ft.
• A five-year warranty option, where the Emporia's term is three years.

Where the Emporia wins

• 48 A when hardwired, which the Grizzl-E cannot match at any circuit size.
• ENERGY STAR certification, which means laboratory testing and lower idle draw.
• Energy monitoring in the app, with no subscription.
• The larger owner base, which in practice means more people have solved whatever you run into.

The two chargers

Same speed on a plug. The Emporia pulls ahead only when hardwired.

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 output	48 A / 11.5 kW at 240 V (hardwired)
Plug-in output	40 A with the NEMA 14-50 plug
Connector	SAE J1772
Cable	24 ft
Enclosure	NEMA Type 4, indoor or outdoor
Certification	UL listed, Energy Star
Warranty	3 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.

$449.00 · View on Amazon#ad how we are funded · price as of September 27, 2026

2. Grizzl-E toughness, with an app

Grizzl-E Classic Connect

United Chargers · J1772 · 40 A / 9.6 kW · 25 ft cable

The next-generation Grizzl-E: 40 A on a NEMA 14-50, a 25 ft cable, a UL Type 4 indoor/outdoor rating -- and, unlike the Classic, Wi-Fi and the Grizzl-E Connect app. Sold with a J1772 or NACS cable.

What is good

• +25 ft cable, a foot longer than the Classic Extreme Edition's
• +Wi-Fi app with schedules and charging statistics, which the Classic deliberately lacks
• +UL/cUL listed, with a published file number
• +Rated to run from -22 F to 122 F

What is not

• −40 A ceiling, with no hardwired 48 A version
• −Sold with a NEMA 14-50 plug; the Classic's 6-50 option is not among the Connect listings we found
• −The app needs 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi where the charger is mounted

Published specifications for the Grizzl-E Classic Connect

Maximum output	40 A / 9.6 kW at 240 V (the maker lists 10 kW)
Adjustable	16 A to 40 A
Connector	SAE J1772 or NACS, chosen at purchase
Cable	25 ft (7.6 m)
Plug	NEMA 14-50
Enclosure rating	UL Type 4, indoor and outdoor
Operating temperature	-22 F to 122 F
Size	10.25 x 6.25 x 3.75 in
Connectivity	Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) and the Grizzl-E Connect app
Certification	UL/cUL, file E510712
Warranty	3 years; 5-year warranty sold separately

Skip this if: Skip it if you wanted a Grizzl-E precisely because it has no app -- the original Classic is still the no-software choice -- or if you want 48 A. The Classic Connect is a 40 A plug-in unit.

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

$349.99 · View on Amazon#ad how we are funded · price as of September 27, 2026