Masterplug EV Charger Review: The Master of All Chargers?

Does the Masterplug EV charger make our best home EV charger list? Discover everything you need to know about the Masterplug as we discuss the pros, cons and more in our expert Masterplug EV charger review.

Quick summary:

• The Masterplug EV charger is a strong, weatherproof, erring on utilitarian home EV charger that focuses its attention on affordability, with it being one of the cheapest options on the market to date. But while lower in price, the Masterplug doesn’t skimp out on smart EV charging software, coming pre-packed with the most sought-after features, including: dynamic load balancing, solar EV charging, cable lock, and tariff compatibility.

What is the Masterplug EV charger?

In short, the Masterplug EV charger, full name: the Model 3 Smart charger, is an affordable 7.4kW (32a) Type 2 wall-mounted home EV charger, available in tethered (5-meter cable) and untethered (no cable) forms.

Here’s a brief specification overview:

• 3-year manufacturer warranty
• Smartphone app managed
• Fully compatible with smart charging regulations
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Universally compatible with all electric cars and plug-in hybrids

What are the pros of the Masterplug EV charger?

1. Affordable price

One of the biggest benefits of the Masterplug EV charger: the price. At £799 for the Masterplug EV charger and its installation, it’s at a disgustingly affordable price point. In fact, we’d go as far as to say it’s one of the cheapest electric car chargers on the market. Tied only with the likes of evec.

Not only that, but the Masterplug comes bursting with the latest and greatest smart charging features – at no additional cost. More on this later.

2. Built to last

Weatherproof. Lifeproof. Timeproof: the Masterplug EV charger comes with an impressive IP55 rating for weatherproof EV charging and IK08 impact rating for its rugged, durable body.

Overall, the Masterplug EV charger can handle temperatures from -20°C all the way to + 50°C. Sunshine or thunder, your Masterplug is protected.

Specifically, the Masterplug EV charger comes with the following safety and security features:

• UV protection
• Overheating protection
• Overload protection
• Under-voltage protection
• Grounding protection
• Water protection

3. Solar EV charging compatibility

Do you have solar panels at home? If yes, you can charge your EV with FREE surplus solar energy with the Masterplug EV charger and your solar PV system. That’s cheaper, greener energy – all generated at home.

Double-duty benefits: considerably lower your EV charging costs and reliance on the grid with the Mastercharger’s solar charging capabilities.

Drive on sunshine.

Explore solar EV charging in detail.

4. User-friendly, advanced app

Remote EV charging access, all at your fingertips with the Masterplug’s intuitive app: the Sync Energy app.

Clean, clear and easy to use, our customers can’t fault the interface.

But what can you do with the Sync Energy App?

• Control who can use your EV charger
• Browse EV charging history
• Allow solar EV charging
• Set and control charging schedules
• Start and stop your EV charger

5. Smart LED indicator

For complete ease, the Masterplug comes with an LED indicator to keep you up to date with your EV charging sessions, at just a glance.

Green light? EV charging is all a go. Red flashing light? Check your charger.

Plus, in a small, thin strip, the LED won’t disrupt your home aesthetics or irritate your neighbours with flashy, garish multi-coloured lights.

6. EV tariff compatibility

EV tariff integration is one of the most sought-after smart charging features at the moment. And for good reason. With the right home EV charging set-up, including an EV tariff, you can charge for as little as 8p per kWh (Intelligent Octopus Go rate). Or sometimes, even less!

So you’ll be pleased to know that the partnership between the Masterplug charger and the Sync Energy EV tariff Sense means you get access to EV tariff integration. That’s cheaper, greener EV charging waiting for you at home.

Tariff Sense goes the extra mile, too, by automatically charging your EV at the lowest price available to you.

You may be asking: which EV tariffs are compatible with the Masterplug?

The answer: some of the most popular EV tariffs on the market. In fact, the Sync Energy tariff sense is compatible with the following EV tariffs:

• British Gas EV Tariff: 9p per kWh during off-peak hours
• EDF’s GoElectric EV tariff: 6.99p per kWh during off-peak hours
• Intelligent Octopus Go EV tariff: 8p per kWh during off-peak hours

7. Dynamic load balancing as standard

A CT clamp is included and installed at the point of installation, unlocking the power of dynamic load balancing. A key safety feature protects your fuse by lowering the rate of your EV charger if too much energy is being used in the property.

Other EV chargers on the market, such as the Easee One, offer this feature, but at an extra cost.

Get more bang for your buck.

8. Lock feature

Prevent cable theft with the Masterplug’s Autolock feature, and stop thieves in their tracks, saving you money and sanity.

What are the cons of the Masterplug EV charger?

1. Limited colour choices

Black or white: those are your options. Unfortunately, the Masterplug EV charger doesn’t come with a variety of colours in its palette, unlike other home EV chargers on the market. The Sync Energy EV charger, for example, comes in a tapestry of different colours, including signal red, racing green, and sandstone yellow.

But with a focus on cost-effectiveness, you wouldn’t expect a slew of colour options. In fact, some EV chargers on the market don’t come with any colour choice at all.

2. Basic design

Visually, the Masterplug EV charger leans more towards the traditional look of EV chargers, with a clean and simple design over a luxury, unique style.

If a minimalist style isn’t for you, perhaps your head could be turned. Perhaps the thinnest on the market: Indra Smart LUX. Or, the square, extraterritorial-looking NexBlue Point 2.

That said, the Masterplug is focused on providing intelligent charging at an affordable price point; design isn’t the main focus.

3. No mobile connection

Do you live in the quiet countryside among rolling hills and vast fields? Or perhaps your electric car is parked in a basement garage? How’s your Wi-Fi? Spotty?

This might be an issue.

Frequently disconnecting and connecting to Wi-Fi means you’ll lose access to smart charging features. That means your EV charging could stop when you’re trying to take advantage of the discounted rates from your EV tariff or your specific charging schedules.

Usually, we’d suggest a mobile connection instead. Sadly, the Masterplug EV charger doesn’t come with a mobile connection.

If you’re sitting there worrying about mobile connectivity, we’d recommend looking at the Ohme Home Pro.

Is it worth investing in the Masterplug EV charger?

Absolutely. We feel the Masterplug EV charger is ideal for those who want an EV charger teeming with the most popular smart charging features, all while sticking to a budget. At £799 for the charger and installation, you’re looking at a tech-heavy home EV charger that’s cheaper than the average on the market; pre-packed with dynamic load balancing, solar EV charging, and tariff compatibility, you get everything you need in one safe, secure and reliable package.

Interested in purchasing the Masterplug EV charger? Trust the experts for your supply and installation.

With nationwide engineers and close partnerships with a number of charge point manufactures, we can supply and install a wide range of the UK’s leading EV chargers, including the Masterplug – all with first class customer service, wherever you are in the UK.

Don’t believe us? Browse over 2,500 Trustpilot reviews from our happy customers. Spoiler: We’re rated 4.9 ‘Excellent’. Or, take a closer look at our credentials:

• Safe Isolation Provider
• TrustMark approved
• ISO accredited (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001)
• OZEV-approved
• NIC EIC approved
• Safe Contractor Approved
• HERS accredited

When you’re ready, get your free Masterplug and installation quote, or browse our wide range of electric car chargers.