What Is Tethered vs Untethered EV Charging—and Which Should You Choose
When you're buying an electric vehicle (EV) charger for your home, you’ll have the choice between a tethered or an untethered model. Both of these chargers have their benefits, but once you know the differences between them, you'll probably find that you prefer one or the other.
In this guide, we're comparing tethered and untethered chargers for your electric car, including their advantages and differences. By the end, you should have the knowledge you need to choose the right type of home EV charger for you.
What's the Difference Between Tethered and Untethered EV Chargers?
The main difference between tethered and untethered EV chargers comes down to the cable:
- A tethered charger has its own cable permanently attached.
- An untethered charger comes with just a socket, so you'll need to use your own cable each time you plug in your car.
Tethered chargers look and act a bit like petrol pumps. You just grab the cable and plug it straight in. Comparably, you have more flexibility with untethered chargers because you can use any compatible cable, but having to fetch the cable from your car every time takes more effort.
In terms of the actual home EV charging process, there's very little difference when we compare tethered vs untethered EV chargers.
The Advantages of Tethered EV Chargers
Tethered chargers are generally the most popular home EV charger type in the UK because they make charging faster and easier. Here are some of the key advantages of tethered EV chargers:
Time-Saving Charging
A big benefit of a tethered EV charger is that, because it has a charging cable permanently attached, you don’t have to use your own loose cable. The cable is ready to use without any extra prep work, so you'll save a bit of time—something you'll especially appreciate after a long drive or when you come home after a busy day.
Reduced Wear and Tear
Tethered chargers also reduce wear and tear on your car’s own charging cable because you're not having to use it for daily charges. You can leave that cable stored safely in your boot, only to get it out when you're using a public charger or in an emergency. When you own a tethered charging unit, the tethered cable stays attached and protected at home.
More Affordable
Finally, price is an undeniable benefit of tethered EV chargers. These models usually cost less overall because the cable is included. In comparison, if you're buying an untethered charger, you'll probably need to buy a separate cable, and this will add to the total cost. But the cost to actually use a home charger depends on its power rating and not whether it's tethered or untethered.
With all that said, tethered chargers aren't completely faultless. Their biggest drawback is that they're less flexible because they have a fixed cable length, usually around 5 to 7.5 metres. Plus, if you get a new EV that needs a different type of connector, you might have to change the whole charging unit.
The Pros of Untethered EV Chargers
Before you rule out untethered EV charger models, it's worth knowing their benefits compared to tethered chargers. When you buy an untethered charger, you'll enjoy the following advantages:
The More Flexible Choice
Untethered chargers have a more flexible use case compared to tethered models because they don't have an attached cable built in. That means you can use any cable that fits your car’s socket, so your charger will still work even if you switch cars or have people visiting your home with different EVs. Your charging setup is effectively future-proofed if you plan to get a new EV at any point in the future.
Neater Appearance Between Charges
Another advantage of untethered electric car chargers is that they look neater on the wall between charges because they don't have a permanent cable hanging down. If you like to keep things neat and tidy in your garage or on your drive, you'll probably prefer the cleaner, less cluttered look of untethered charging models.
Good for EVs With Uncommon Connectors
Finally, if your EV uses a rare connector type or if you own more than one EV with different charging ports, an untethered charger will probably be the better option for you. Because you've got your own charging cable (or cables, in this case), you can just swap cables rather than having to swap out the whole charger.
Like tethered chargers, untethered chargers have a couple of drawbacks to be aware of. The key setback is price—they cost more overall because of the extra expense of the detachable cable. You also have to plug in the cable at both ends every time you charge, which is hardly putting your back out, but still requires that extra bit of work.
Security and Safety Differences
Security is obviously important for any home EV charger, so it's worth knowing how this differs between untethered and tethered units.
The good news is that both types of charger meet strict UK safety standards, especially when they're installed by an OZEV-approved installer, like all of our installers at Plugin Stations. But there's a small extra risk of theft or tampering if you buy an untethered home charger and leave the cable plugged in while you’re away. You don't have this with tethered chargers, since the cable stays locked to the unit.
Of course, you can massively reduce this risk with an untethered EV charger by keeping your charging cable locked away when you're not using it.
Price Differences
When you're comparing tethered vs untethered EV home chargers, price is also something to be aware of.
Tethered chargers are generally the cheaper option upfront because they come with an included charging cable permanently attached. An untethered charger might cost slightly less as a unit, but you'll then have to buy a compatible cable, which isn't cheap (we're talking an extra £100 to £200 upfront).
That said, the price difference between the two is small when we're comparing it to the overall cost of an EV charger and installation. It's worth looking into grants like the EV Chargepoint Grant, for renters and flat owners, that can help you reduce your own spend no matter which type you choose.
Final Word: Should You Choose a Tethered or Untethered EV Charger?
When it comes down to it, choosing the right home charger for your EV charging point depends on your own situation and personal preferences:
- Go for a tethered charger if you want plug-and-go ease every day, particularly if you always park the same way and just want to get charging done quickly.
- Choose an untethered EV charger if you want a more flexible option that looks neater between charges and can still be used with another electric car in the future.
There’s no right or wrong answer, so just think about your habits, driveway space, budget, and future car plans when you're deciding between the two.
If you need help choosing between tethered vs untethered charging units for your home, we recommend speaking to one of our installers about your setup. We have years of experience installing EV chargepoints in residential properties, and can help you pick the best option for your home.
More on Untethered vs Tethered EV Chargers: FAQ
Want to know even more about how untethered and tethered charger units for EVs compare? We've answered your questions below.
Are tethered or untethered chargers more convenient?
Most tethered chargers are more convenient because they're always ready to go, with no need to fetch a separate cable or pack it away after each use. But if you only charge your EV once a week or less, you probably won't be bothered by the small extra effort of using an untethered charger, and you may prefer it for its tidy look and flexibility.
Which is the best long-term solution, untethered or tethered EV chargers?
Both tethered and untethered EV charger models are designed to last for years of use. Untethered units will probably wear faster because you're inserting and removing the untethered cable for every charge, but they have better future-proofing benefits. Why? Because if you ever decide to switch to a better charger, you can simply buy a new cable separately without changing the whole unit.
Should I get a tethered or untethered EV charger?
Whether you should get a tethered or untethered EV charger for your home electric vehicle charging setup depends on your personal situation and preferences. Get a tethered charger if you want the quickest and most convenient option, or go for an untethered model if you're happy to buy a separate charging cable and want the most flexible, future-proof choice.
What is the difference between a socket and tethered EV charger?
The main difference between a socket and tethered electric car charger is the cable. Tethered chargers have a fixed charging cable, while socket models are universal and can be used with any charging cable of your choice.
