Grizzl-E Classic Review: The Charger With No App

A metal box, a 24 foot cable and no WiFi at all, which for a lot of people is the selling point.

Specifications

Specifications above come from Grizzl-E's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.

What it does well

• No WiFi, no app, no account and no firmware. Nothing in that list can break, expire or require a password reset in five years.
• IP67 and a metal enclosure, which is a heavier build than most plastic chargers at any price.
• A 24 foot cable, longer than several chargers costing twice as much, and specified for cold weather.
• Adjustable amperage matched to standard breaker sizes, so it fits whatever circuit you have rather than demanding a new one.

Where it falls short

• No scheduling of its own. On a time of use tariff you must schedule from the car, and not every car does this well.
• No energy reporting, so you will not know what charging cost you unless you measure it elsewhere.
• Forty amps is the plug-in ceiling, so if your car can take 11.5 kW you are leaving some speed on the table.
• It is physically heavy, which is a compliment to the build and a consideration for the mounting surface.

What owners report

Published owner reports are unusually consistent and unusually long running for this category, and the theme is durability. Owners in cold climates describe the cable staying flexible and the unit shrugging off winters. The metal case comes up constantly.

The other theme is relief at the absence of software. Several reports describe replacing a connected charger that had become unreliable with this one specifically to eliminate the software layer. The counterpoint appears too: owners on time of use tariffs whose cars schedule poorly wish it had a timer. Both are fair, and which camp you are in decides the purchase.

Who it suits

• Anyone who wants a charger that will still be working in ten years with no support required.
• Cold climate installations where cable flexibility and a metal case matter.
• Drivers whose car schedules charging well on its own.

Who should skip it

• Time of use tariff households whose car cannot schedule reliably.
• Anyone who wants energy usage reporting.
• Owners of cars that accept 11.5 kW and want the full speed.

Alternatives worth considering

Keep reading

• Grizzl-E Classic vs Smart
• Hardwired vs plug-in
• Smart charging and scheduling
• Grizzl-E Smart review
• Emporia 48 amp charger review
• Breaker size calculator

This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Common questions

Do I need a smart EV charger?

You need scheduling if you are on a time of use tariff, and it has to come from somewhere: the charger, the car or a timer. Most modern EVs schedule charging themselves, in which case a charger with no app is one less thing to maintain. If your car does not, a smart charger earns its price. Our smart charging guide covers both routes.

What circuit does the Grizzl-E Classic need?

At 40 amps, a 50 amp circuit with a NEMA 14-50 outlet, following the continuous load rule. It also adjusts down to 32, 24 and 16 amps for 40, 30 and 20 amp circuits, which makes it unusually flexible for older houses. Our breaker size calculator matches each setting.

Is 40 amps fast enough?

For nearly everyone, yes. Forty amps is 9.6 kW, which adds around 30 to 35 miles of range per hour in most EVs. Overnight that is a full battery from nearly empty in most cars. The upgrade to 48 amps matters only if your car accepts 11.5 kW and your daily mileage is high.

Is the metal case worth it?

In a garage, it is mostly about longevity. Outdoors, and especially in a cold or salty climate, it is the reason this charger has the reputation it does. IP67 sealing plus a metal enclosure is a heavier specification than most competitors offer at this price.

Grizzl-E Classic or Smart?

The Smart adds WiFi scheduling and energy statistics on the same hardware, and is often priced lower. Take the Classic if you specifically want no software; take the Smart if scheduling from the charger is useful to you. Our comparison of the two goes through the differences.

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.