Is Tesla Wall Connector Worth It? (Pros & Cons)

Last Updated on May 30, 2023 by Rose Morah

If you are undecided about whether or not you should get a Telsa Wall Connector, this article will help you figure it out.

I remember a few years ago when I first got my first Tesla. I was torn between going for a Tesla Wall Connector or using the NEMA 14-50. Unfortunately, this has been the dilemma for most Tesla owners.

To help anyone who is in this dilemma, this article is going to cover the following:

Reasons why Tesla owners prefer installing the Tesla Wall Connector for home charging.
Reasons why other Tesla owners prefer the NEMA 14-50 to a Tesla Wall Charger for home charging.

Pros and Cons Of Owning A Tesla.

Reasons why Tesla owners prefer the Tesla Wall Connector

1. Better charging speed

Most people who have used both the Tesla Wall Connector and NEMA 14-50 will argue that there’s no big difference in the charging speeds when charging your Tesla.

However, if you care about charging speed, probably because of your lifestyle or certain individual needs, then the difference in speed makes the Tesla Wall Connector worth it.

Additionally, some also like to argue that, if you only charge your Tesla at night when you are asleep, the NEMA 14-50 will still manage to get you to 100% by morning.

However, I feel like you also need to have a reliable charger that can add more miles fast enough when you are unable to charge your Tesla during the night.

And this will mainly apply to Tesla owners who actually don’t have the time to wait.

You may also like:

How Long Does a Tesla Battery Last? (Tesla Battery Degradation).

Reasons Why Your Tesla Is Not Charging At Home (With Solutions).

2. It can be mounted outdoors

If you plan on charging your Tesla outside, a Tesla Wall Connector will be more suitable because it is rated for outdoor use.

3. It is worth it if you qualify for Tax Credit

Depending on where you live, the wall connector will still be completely worth it if you can get your money back in form of taxes.

For example, my total cost of installing the Tesla Wall Connector was $1050. This included the cost of the Wall Connector and installation.

However, after the tax credit of $725, I can proudly say that I only spent $325 on buying and installing the home charger. In my case, I would say the wall connector was worth it.

You can also check whether you can qualify for local and utility incentives in your location.

For example, if you live in California, you can qualify for over a $500 rebate for just installing an EV home charger. Additionally, if you are installing a public EV charger for your employees, you can also get over a $1500 rebate.

If are wondering how you can get a tax credit after purchasing the Tesla Wall Connector, tax credits are usually claimed when filing your income taxes.

See the List of Electric Cars That Qualify For Federal Tax Credit.

4. It is convenient

Most of the features that come with the wall connector actually make it more convenient.

For example, the Tesla Wall Charger has the following unique features:

Remote diagnostics access.
Capable of tracking data usage.
You enjoy constant user experience improvements through the over-the-air firmware updates that are sent automatically to your Wall Connector.

You also enjoy new features.

5. Its load-sharing capabilities

If you own more than one Tesla, getting a Tesla Connector will totally be worth it.

You will get to enjoy its load-sharing capabilities. This is because, if for instance, you have two Teslas, you can plug them in at the same time to charge from one circuit.

They communicate perfectly with both cars, depending on how much charge is remaining on the two cars.

6. You don’t always have to plug and unplug your mobile connector

Most Tesla owners hate the idea of always having to plug and unplug the mobile connector when charging on a NEEMA 14-50. Some also worry about forgetting to carry it after charging.

They would love it if the mobile connector stayed in the car for use in case of emergencies or as a backup. This would give them peace of mind.

This explains why most of them have to plug in and unplug it when charging at home.

But when the mobile connector stays in the car, as is the case in the Tesla wall connector, it means less wear and tear.

Additionally, in case the mobile connector stops working, they may have to wait for weeks before they get the replacement from Tesla.

This means that, if you were using it for home charging you would have to think of a plan B.

Alternatively, you can buy one for your home charge and let the other one stay in your car.

But buying a backup mobile connector to stay in your car doesn’t seem like the best idea, in my opinion. Going for the Wall Connector would hence be worth it.

To sum it up, if you can afford a Tesla Wall Connector, then you should go for it because you will get to enjoy such unique benefits that you will not get from NEEMA 14-50.

Reasons why some Tesla owners prefer the NEMA 14-50 to a Tesla Wall Charger

1. It is the cheapest option

NEEMA 14-50 is cost-effective and can be a good option if you don’t want to spend much when installing a home charger.

2. It is compatible with most Electric cars

If you planning to buy another non-Tesla EV in the future, charging it via the NEEMA 14-50 will still work just fine.

Additionally, because the NEEMA 14-50 is a standard outlet, this will help when you are selling your house in the future.

To add to that, if you have people over at your place that have a non-Tesla EV, they are easily able to charge.

However, one may also argue that if you do buy a non-Tesla EV in the future, you can simply buy an adapter to charge it.

3. You don’t have to wait for the wall connector to be back in stock

It is not worth waiting for the Tesla Wall Connector to be back in stock when you can use NEEMA 14-5-0 to charge.

4. Reasonable Charge Speed

If you have used both the NEEMA 14-50 and the Tesla Wall Connector to charge, then you may have noticed that their charging speed is slightly different.

However, you will still be able to ramp up enough charge when charging your Tesla via NEEMA 14-50. You will still also be able to wake up in the morning with a full charge.

5. You may not qualify for lower EV rates, depending on your location

If you live in some towns like Vermont, you may not be eligible for lower EV charge rates if you are installing a Tesla Wall Connector.

I have come across many Tesla owners from Vermont who got disappointed because they were unaware of this before installing the Tesla wall connector.

According to Burlington Electric Department, to qualify for the low charge rates you need to have a BED-approved EV charger.

So far the only qualifying EV charger is the ChargePoint Home Flex. You can check out more info from here.