Tesla Wall Connector vs Universal Wall Connector

At a glance

Choose the Tesla Wall Connector, 48 A if…

Choose the standard Wall Connector if every car in the house uses NACS and is likely to for the life of the charger. It is cheaper and it does exactly the same job for those vehicles. If a second car with a J1772 inlet appears later, a NACS to J1772 adapter exists and is the more expensive direction of adapter, which is worth knowing before assuming that route is cheap.

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Choose the Tesla Universal Wall Connector if…

Choose the Universal if two connector standards live in the same driveway now, or plausibly will. An integrated adapter cannot be left in the other car, which is the failure mode that makes loose adapters annoying. Either unit is hardwired to a 60 amp dedicated circuit, which means a permit, an inspection and a licensed electrician in most jurisdictions.

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Related

• Electrical safety and what needs an electrician
• Home EV charger installation guide
• Installation cost calculator

Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

We review it on its own too, in full detail: the Tesla Wall Connector.

Common questions

Which adapter direction is more expensive?

Going from a Tesla wall unit to a J1772 car is the expensive direction, with documented options well above a hundred dollars. A J1772 to NACS adapter, letting a Tesla use a J1772 wall unit, is around thirty. That asymmetry is a real cost to weigh when choosing which connector to put on the wall, and it is why the Universal exists.

Do these work with non Tesla cars?

The Universal does through its integrated J1772 side, and the standard unit does for vehicles with a NACS inlet, which now includes several manufacturers. Support has broadened and continues to. Confirm compatibility for your specific vehicle model and year rather than assuming, since the transition is still in progress.

Can either be installed on a plug rather than hardwired?

Both are designed to be hardwired, which is also what allows the full 48 amp output, since a plug connection is generally limited to 40 amps continuous on a 50 amp circuit. Hardwiring is licensed electrician work with a permit and an inspection in most jurisdictions. The hardwired against plug in page on this site covers the trade in full.

What circuit do they need?

A 60 amp dedicated circuit for the full 48 amp output, sized for continuous duty at 125 percent of the load. Both units can be set to lower amperages if the panel cannot support 60 amps, which is a normal and legitimate installation. Your electrician sets that during commissioning after running a load calculation.

Getting your own panel and load numbers ready for an electrician? The EV Home Charging Install Planner is the paid version of these pages: 8 printable worksheets you fill in with your own numbers, plus the full PDF, $29.