Best EV Home Chargers For BMW I3

The BMW i3 is a compact, electric vehicle that can be used as a daily driver or an all-electric car with zero emissions.

The battery pack allows you to travel up to 100 miles on one charge and the range is increased when using regenerative braking.

BMW first introduced the i3 onto the electric vehicle market in 2013. It has quickly become very popular thanks to its compact design, making it easy to drive through cities.

It also has a number of other attractive qualities. Investing in an electric vehicle can be daunting, and you’ll need to make sure that you have the best home charging system to support your new wheels.

Below are our favorite EV home chargers for the BMW i3.

Charging Your BMW i3

Before jumping into electric vehicle chargers, let’s start with the basics – how are electric vehicles charged?

Every level of charging offers a different charging speed.

An electric car has a maximum charge power that it can accept, so you have to go by the standards of your own vehicle. .

Choosing the right charger reduces hassle and the cost of installation. It also allows you to enjoy driving an electric vehicle without worrying about fuelling it.

OUR TOP PICK

BMW i Wallbox Essential

EDITORS CHOICE

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ClipperCreek HCS-40P 240V 32A EV Charging Station

BEST VALUE

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AmazonBasics Electric Vehicle (EV) Level 2 Charging Station

OUR TOP PICK

BMW i Wallbox Essential

Let’s start with BMW’s own specific model for the i3 vehicle.

The i Wallbox Essential is a great choice because it’s a simple unit that connects and synchronizes with your car perfectly without any need for additional apps or displays.

Plug your car into this charger, and you’ll be able to recharge it quickly without the use of additional apps that just get in the way. This charger also features a high power output, and it charges your car quickly.

If you want to use a charger for your BMW i3, you can use either a NEMA 6-50 plug or hardwire it to achieve a charging output of up to 7.7 kW.

This allows you to charge your car in about 6 hours from completely drained to full power.

Unfortunately, the US version doesn’t feature the 3 phase charging option like the European version does.

However, what it does have is the same inspired style, usability, reliability, and overall convenience of buying everything from one brand.

Pros

• High output power of 7.7kW
• Easy to use design
• Made specifically for the BMW i3
• High-quality materials used that are also eco-friendly

Cons

• Doesn’t come with three-phase charging like the European version does

EDITORS CHOICE

ClipperCreek HCS-40P 240V 32A EV Charging Station

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The ClipperCreek is a well-known brand in the world of EV charging and everything is made in America.

This unit has an output of 7.7 kW, which is around 5 times quicker than charging on Level 1 would be.

It comes in a sturdy NEMA 4 exterior for safe indoor/outdoor installation.Moreover, this charger is backed up with a warranty of three years.

All you need to do is insert it into a NEMA 14-50 outlet.

This product is a great choice if you’re looking for something simple and reliable. You won’t be disappointed!

Quality EV Level 2 Chargers are great for people who want to charge their car while away from home. These chargers provide fast charging times and are compact enough to fit anywhere.

Pros

• High quality construction certified by the ETL safety
• Extremely simple to use
• 25-foot long cable works in large garages
• Warranty of three years

Cons

• High price point considering the simplicity of the system

BEST VALUE

AmazonBasics Electric Vehicle (EV) Level 2 Charging Station

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Simple yet effective, a charger from AmazonBasics can add 33 miles in a single hour of charging, making it good for keeping the i3 powered in short spurts, and completely charged overnight.

It’s a basic design, but still an extremely durable design made from a material with an IPX10 rating.

It has a compact design but with an extremely useful 25′ cable to use in larger garages, although some users say that the cable is a bit too hard to coil and tricky to maneuver from its wound up starting point.

Pros

• A simple and compact unit for a smaller home setup
• Quick charging of 33 miles every hour
• Durable materials
• Easy to use NEMA 6-50 setup

Cons

• Cable is rather stiff and difficult to untangle

RUNNER UP

POTATO EV Charger Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station

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Not all BMW i3 drivers want to mount a completely different unit in their garage. Instead, they might rather have a product that they can keep within their car or in their garage without requiring any mounting.

With POTATO EV, you get three times faster charging speeds than you would with level 1 charging, and it’s possible to switch between level 1 and level 2 so that you can decide how quick your recharge needs to be.

This charger is made from sturdy ABS plastic, and the external box includes an integrated chip that helps automatically fix any errors or glitches that could cause problems when charging.

Pros

• Portable and simple to use both at home and away
• Can charge up to three times quicker than charging on level 1
• Can be used on either level 1 or level 2
• Made of durable materials
• Integrated chip automatically fixes issues that arise

Cons

• Charging can be slower than an average level 2 unit

RUNNER UP

Splitvolt Level 2 EV Portable Charger 40 AMP

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Portable chargers don’t always charge your device slowly.

Instead, the most important aspects of your charger could be compact and powerful, this charger from Splitvolt is for you.

With 40-amp fast charging, this charger can keep up with the majority of the leading wall box chargers in regards to its rating.

The main difference with this charger is that it requires a 220V NEMA 14-50 outlet to operate. It’s certified by both CE and TUV for outdoor use and is rated for all weather situations.

The 16.4′ extension lead is a bit short for a charger of its quality, but this isn’t a major issue for most people and their situations.

Pros

• 40-amp charger rivals leading wall boxes’ power
• Certified for outdoor use and all-weathers
• Simple to use
• Affordable and portable

Cons

• Short cable might not work in every situation

Summary

There are many different options available for electric vehicle owners who want to keep their vehicles charged while at home.

Our favorite is the BMW’s own I Wallbox Essential, but there is something in our list above for everyone.