Head to head
Grizzl-E Classic vs Autel MaxiCharger
Two chargers built to live on an outside wall. One refuses to have an app; the other has the longest cable here. The decision is about what you want the box to do.
By Sawyer V. · Published September 10, 2026
How this page is funded: we earn a commission if you buy through our Amazon links, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we recommend, and we say plainly when the honest answer is to buy nothing. Full disclosure.
These two show up together because they solve the same problem: a charger that has to survive an exposed wall, in rain and snow, for years. They go about it differently, and the difference is mostly about software rather than weather.
The two units
Ranked for a first home charger. Every row jumps to the full write-up below.
| # | Product | Best for | Max output | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grizzl-E ClassicHarsh weather and no app. J1772, 24 ft cable. | Harsh weather and no app | 40 A9.6 kW | Check price on Amazon#ad how we are funded |
| 2 | Autel MaxiCharger AC HomeLong reach outdoors. J1772, 25 ft cable. | Long reach outdoors | 50 A12 kW | Check price on Amazon#ad how we are funded |
The specifications, side by side
| Grizzl-E Classic | Autel MaxiCharger AC Home | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum output | 40 A / 9.6 kW | 50 A / 12 kW hardwired; 40 A / 9.6 kW plug-in |
| Amperage setting | Physical switches: 16, 24, 32 or 40 A | In the app |
| App | None | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth |
| Connector | J1772 | J1772 |
| Cable | 24 ft (Extreme Edition) | 25 ft |
| Plug options | NEMA 14-50 or 6-50 | NEMA 14-50 or 6-50, or hardwired |
| Enclosure | Cast aluminum, NEMA 4 / IP67 | NEMA Type 4 |
| Certification | UL certified | Tested to UL standards by CSA |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
Where they are the same
At the plug-in setting
Both plug into a NEMA 14-50 at 40 A: 40 x 240 = 9.6 kW
At 3.5 mi/kWh that is about 34 miles of range per hour
Over a ten-hour night, about 340 miles -- from either unit
If you are plugging in rather than hardwiring, the speed argument disappears entirely. You are choosing between a switch and an app, a 24-foot cable and a 25-foot one, and a metal case and a NEMA 4 plastic one.
Where they genuinely differ
- Software. The Grizzl-E has none, by design -- amperage is set once with switches, and there is nothing to update or log into. The Autel runs through an app with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so it stays controllable even when your network is down.
- Reach. Twenty-five feet against twenty-four. Trivial until your measured run lands at 22 feet with slack -- how to measure.
- Headroom. The Autel is sold in a 50 A hardwired version. The Grizzl-E tops out at 40.
- Enclosure material. Cast aluminum with a published IP67 rating on the Grizzl-E, which also handles UV and knocks well.
Both units in full
The complete spec picture for each, with the case against both.
1. 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
| Maximum output | 40 A / 9.6 kW at 240 V |
|---|---|
| Adjustable | 16, 24, 32 or 40 A |
| Connector | SAE J1772 |
| Cable | 24 ft on the Extreme Edition |
| Enclosure | Cast aluminum, NEMA 4 / IP67 |
| Certification | UL certified |
| Warranty | 3 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.
2. Long reach outdoors
Autel MaxiCharger AC Home
Autel Energy · J1772 · 50 A / 12 kW · 25 ft cable
The 25 ft cable is the longest in this group, and the NEMA 4 case plus a cold-flexible cord make it the easiest unit to live with on an exposed outside wall.
What is good
- 25 ft cable, the longest of the wall units here
- Sold in NEMA 14-50, NEMA 6-50 and hardwired versions
- NEMA Type 4 enclosure rated for rain, snow, hail and sleet
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so it still works if the Wi-Fi drops
What is not
- The 50 A version is hardwired only
- The app has more features than a first-time owner needs
| Maximum output | 50 A / 12 kW hardwired; 40 A / 9.6 kW plug-in |
|---|---|
| Connector | SAE J1772 |
| Cable | 25 ft |
| Enclosure | NEMA Type 4 |
| Certification | Tested to UL standards by CSA |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Skip this if: Skip it if your parking spot is right next to the panel. You are paying for cable you will coil up and never use.
Specifications above are the manufacturer’s published figures. Source: Autel Energy. We have not tested this unit — see how we pick.
The verdict
Grizzl-E if your car already schedules its own charging and you would rather own an appliance than an account -- particularly on a cold, exposed wall. Autel if your parking spot is a long way from the wall, or you want charging data and control from your phone.
If neither suits, the outdoor roundup covers the other weather-rated units, and chargers with no app makes the case for the Grizzl-E's approach in full.
FAQ
Questions people actually ask
Is the Grizzl-E or Autel charger better for outdoor installation?
Which is faster, the Grizzl-E or the Autel?
Does the Grizzl-E have an app like the Autel?
Sources
Where these numbers come from
- Grizzl-E Classic product specifications — United Chargers
- MaxiCharger AC Elite Home 40A specifications — Autel Energy
- NEC Article 625: EV charging equipment — WireRefContinuous-load rule behind every circuit figure on this page.
Read next
Related reading
- Grizzl-E Classic40 A, cast aluminum NEMA 4 / IP67, no app. The charger that behaves like an appliance.
- Autel MaxiCharger AC HomeUp to 50 A hardwired, 25 ft cable, NEMA 4, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The longest reach here.
- The best EV chargers for mounting outdoorsChargers genuinely rated for outdoor mounting, and what NEMA 4 and IP67 actually certify.
- The best EV chargers with no app and no WiFiChargers with no app, no account and nothing to update, and why that is a feature.