Head to head
Lectron vs MUSTART portable EV charger
Two plug-in Level 2 portables at the budget end of the market. One is faster and better equipped; the other publishes the safety listing. For a charger that runs unattended for hours, that trade matters.
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.
Portables in this bracket look alike -- a control box, a 14-50 plug, a J1772 connector. What separates these two is not the shape but the numbers and the paperwork: current, cable length, features, and whether a recognized lab listing is published for the unit you are buying.
Side by side
| Lectron portable Level 2 | MUSTART Level 2 portable | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum output | 32 A / 7.7 kW | 40 A / 9.6 kW |
| Connector | SAE J1772 | SAE J1772 |
| Cable | 21 ft | 25 ft |
| Plug | NEMA 14-50, with a standard-outlet adapter | NEMA 14-50 |
| Display and timer | -- | LCD; 1-10 hour delay timer |
| Safety listing | Listed to applicable UL standards | Not verified from published sources |
| Warranty | Manufacturer limited warranty | 2 years |
What the extra 8 amps buys you
On a NEMA 14-50 outlet
Lectron: 32 A x 240 V = 7.7 kW, about 27 miles of range per hour at 3.5 mi/kWh
MUSTART: 40 A x 240 V = 9.6 kW, about 34 miles per hour
Over a ten-hour night: roughly 270 miles against 340
Either way, more than most people drive in a day
The circuit matters too. A 40 A portable needs the 14-50 outlet to be on a 50 A circuit; a 32 A unit is within the limit of a 40 A circuit. If you are not sure what your outlet is wired for, the lower-current unit is the safer default -- how many amps you need.
The listing question
A portable charger carries tens of amps for hours, often on outlets you did not install. A listing from a recognized laboratory is the one specification on this purchase with no acceptable trade-off. Lectron's portable is listed to applicable UL standards. For the MUSTART, we could not find a safety listing in the published sources we could check -- which is a statement about what we could verify, not an accusation. Confirm its current listing with the seller before you buy. How to read certification wording.
The two, at a glance
Ranked for a first home charger. Every row jumps to the full write-up below.
| # | Product | Best for | Max output | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lectron portable Level 2 chargerTravel and rentals. J1772, 21 ft cable. | Travel and rentals | 32 A7.7 kW | Check price on Amazon#ad how we are funded |
| 2 | MUSTART Level 2 portable chargerBudget portable. J1772, 25 ft cable. | Budget portable | 40 A9.6 kW | Check price on Amazon#ad how we are funded |
Both portables in full
Full specifications and the case against each.
1. Travel and rentals
Lectron portable Level 2 charger
Lectron · J1772 · 32 A / 7.7 kW · 21 ft cable
A plug-in portable that runs at Level 2 speed from a NEMA 14-50 and drops to a standard wall outlet with the included adapter. The travel unit, not the garage unit.
What is good
- Level 2 speed from a NEMA 14-50 without an installed charger
- Falls back to a standard household outlet with the adapter
- Small enough to keep in the trunk
What is not
- 32 A ceiling, meaningfully slower than a 48 A wall unit
- Not weather-rated for permanent outdoor mounting
- Repeated plugging and unplugging wears a NEMA 14-50 receptacle faster than a hardwired unit
| Maximum output | 32 A / 7.7 kW at 240 V |
|---|---|
| Connector | SAE J1772 |
| Plug | NEMA 14-50, with an adapter for a standard outlet |
| Use | Portable. Lives in the car, not on the wall |
Skip this if: Skip it if this is your only charger and you have a garage. A wall unit is faster and does not live in your trunk.
Specifications above are the manufacturer’s published figures. Source: Lectron. We have not tested this unit — see how we pick.
2. Budget portable
MUSTART Level 2 portable charger
MUSTART · J1772 · 40 A / 9.6 kW · 25 ft cable
A 40 A portable with an LCD display, adjustable current and a delay timer, at the budget end of the category. The display is genuinely useful on a unit with no app.
What is good
- 40 A from a portable, the same speed as many wall units on a NEMA 14-50
- LCD display shows current, voltage and power without needing an app
- Built-in delay timer for off-peak charging with no phone involved
- Adjustable current, so it works on smaller circuits too
What is not
- Two-year warranty, shorter than the three-year category standard
- We could not verify a specific safety listing from published sources -- confirm before buying
- No app or connectivity of any kind
| Maximum output | 40 A / 9.6 kW at 240 V |
|---|---|
| Adjustable | 15, 25 or 40 A, depending on version |
| Connector | SAE J1772 |
| Cable | 25 ft |
| Plug | NEMA 14-50 |
| Display | LCD showing current, voltage, power and status |
| Delay timer | 1 to 10 hours |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Skip this if: Skip it if you need a documented safety listing you can verify -- see the note below before buying.
Specifications above are the manufacturer’s published figures. Source: MUSTART. We have not tested this unit — see how we pick.
The verdict
Lectron for most buyers: slower, but with a published listing and a standard-outlet adapter in the box. MUSTART only if you want the extra speed and cable and can confirm its listing first. Want 40 A with a published listing? Look at the J+ Booster 2.
FAQ
Questions people actually ask
Is Lectron or MUSTART better?
Which is faster, Lectron or MUSTART?
Is the MUSTART portable charger UL listed?
Sources
Where these numbers come from
- Lectron Level 2 EV chargers — Lectron
- MUSTART Level 2 portable EV charger, 240 V, 25 ft, 40 A, NEMA 14-50P — MUSTART
- NEC Article 625: EV charging equipment — WireRefContinuous-load rule behind every circuit figure on this page.
Read next
Related reading
- Lectron portable Level 2 charger32 A from a NEMA 14-50 with a 5-15 adapter included. The straightforward travel option.
- MUSTART Level 2 portable charger40 A, LCD display and delay timer at the budget end, with a certification caveat.
- The best portable EV chargersPortable Level 2 chargers for renters and travelers, with the honest case for buying none.
- MUSTART vs J+ Booster 2Same 40 A: a verifiable listing and rugged body against a display and delay timer.