When you park an EV at home, the biggest decision isn't the car-it's how you refill it overnight. You have two very different paths: a low-cost portable charger that works with outlets you might already have, or a higher-power station that charges faster and stays put in your garage. The right pick depends on how your home is wired and how much range you need to recover overnight. Here's how the VDLPOWER J1772 and the TCHARGE 50A compare for real-world home use.
Quick verdict: If you need a charger right now without wiring changes, the VDLPOWER is the value pick. If you're planning a dedicated circuit and want higher charging speed with certifications, the TCHARGE is the better long-term choice.
| Feature | VDLPOWER J1772 20FT | TCHARGE 50A Home Hardwire |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $124.95 |
| Connection | NEMA 6-20 plug with NEMA 5-15 adapter | Hardwire (permanent) |
| Current / power | 16A / 3.5 kW | 50A circuit rating |
| Condition | Used | New other (open box) |
Where each wins: The VDLPOWER wins on price and portability. For a very low entry cost, you get a plug-in charger that can work from more than one kind of outlet, which is great if you're not ready to commit. It's also a good fit for an existing garage that already has the right outlet. The TCHARGE wins on charging capacity and certifications, with UL, FCC, and Energy Star approvals making it the more substantial hardware. That makes it a stronger choice for a dedicated home charging spot where you can plan the wiring in advance. The VDLPOWER is ready to go the day it arrives; the TCHARGE needs planning and possibly an electrician.
VDLPOWER J1772 Level 1 & 2 EV Charger 20FT
If you want a genuinely low-cost way to get Level 2 speeds from a NEMA 6-20 outlet, the VDLPOWER charger is hard to beat at $49.99. It comes with a NEMA 5-15 adapter for standard household plugs, so it also handles Level 1 charging when you don't have a 20-amp outlet. The 20-foot black cable gives you plenty of reach in most garages. Just know that this is a 16A / 3.5kW unit, so it's not in the same speed class as a higher-powered station. It's also a pre-owned example: the seller says it was used for only three weeks and works perfectly, but you're still getting a used unit rather than a fresh box. And the J1772 plug means it's for non-Tesla EVs unless you have a separate adapter.
TCHARGE Level 2 EV Charger 50 Amp Home Hardwire
The TCHARGE charger takes the opposite approach: it's a permanent hardwired station, not a plug-in unit. At $124.95, it costs $74.96 more than the VDLPOWER, but that price gets you an open-box unit with UL, FCC, and Energy Star certifications called out in the title. The 50-amp circuit rating is a clear step up in charging potential, and the hardwire design means there's no plug or adapter to keep track of. The trade-off is that you'll likely need an electrician to wire it into your home, and once it's installed, moving it isn't easy. If you're ready to commit to a fixed garage station, this is the more capable option for faster overnight charging.
Final choice by use case
If you want a charger you can plug in and unplug, choose the VDLPOWER. If you want a station built for a dedicated circuit, choose the TCHARGE. For a first EV, the VDLPOWER is the easy starter. For a long-term setup, the TCHARGE is the more capable choice. The VDLPOWER gets you charging today for very little money, while the TCHARGE sets you up for years of faster, certified home charging once the wiring is done.
