Last Updated on December 1, 2023 by Rose Morah
Between the Tesla wall connector and mobile connector, which one should you buy?
Personally, I have used both the mobile connector and a Tesla wall connector to charge my Tesla. But to help you decide which one you should get, here is what we are going to cover:
- What type of buyer should get the Tesla wall connector?
- What type of buyer should get the mobile connector?
- Tesla mobile connector vs wall connector: Advantages
Note: The mobile connector will not come as a standard accessory with new Tesla purchases. See the below tweet by Elon.
Based on feedback received, we will drop mobile connector price to $200 & make it easy to order with car.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 17, 2022
Note, mobile connector is not needed if you have a Tesla wall connector or to use Superchargers.
Recommend installing Tesla wall connector well before car arrives.
Related: Tesla Home Charging Options.
What type of buyers should get the Tesla wall connector?
1. Buyers who want to get higher charging speeds
The wall connector gives you fast charging speeds compared to the mobile connector. But is the charging difference that noticeable?
Yes. For instance, I get about 25% faster charge rates when using the wall connector compared to the mobile connector.
The 25% difference is because the mobile connector charges at 32A max while my wall connector charges at 40A max.
See the charging speeds on the table below:
2. Buyers who want to take advantage of the off-peak charging rates
If your utility company has off-peak charging rates, the wall connector will be worth it since you can use it to fast charge your Tesla within the period when the electricity cost is much cheaper.
3. Buyers who charge their Tesla outside when home charging
If you will be charging your Tesla outdoors (outside your house), a wall connector is worth it as opposed to the mobile connector because it’s a hardwire installation that is designed for in and outdooor use.
That means it can handle extreme temperatures like extreme heat and cold when charging your Tesla outdoors.
4. Buyers who plan to have more than one Tesla in the future
The Tesla wall connector will be the best choice, as opposed to the mobile connector, if you plan on getting more than one Tesla in the future because of its power-sharing feature.
Power sharing allows you to charge more than one vehicle at once and the power is intelligently distributed between the EVs.
Related:
Is Tesla Wall Connector Worth It? (Pros & Cons).
Tesla Home Charging Guide (Tesla Charging Tips).
What type of buyer should get the mobile connector?
1 Model 3 RWD buyers
If you have a Model 3 RWD (rear-wheel drive) that means that you cannot charge faster than 32amp.
That’s because the Model 3 RWD onboard charger capability is 7.7kW (32 amp), which means that getting a wall connector for more charging speeds may not be worth it.
| I used the Mobile Connector for 3 years with a 14-50 plug. During this period I never needed the extra watts that come with the wall connector. |
See also: Reasons Why Your Tesla Is Not Charging At Home (With Solutions).
2. People who like charging overnight
When using the mobile connector, you will still get a full charge after charging your Tesla overnight.
3. Buyers who prefer versatility over everything else
According to most Tesla owners, the versatility of the mobile connector outweighs the benefits that the wall connector comes with.
That’s because, with the mobile connector, you have a variety of plugs to choose from.
Additionally, you can buy a kit that comes with different adapters, or just buy adapters that you only need (changeable adapters) for use with the mobile connector.
4. People who love going on road trips
The mobile connector gives you many charging options when going on a road trip, especially a camping trip.
That’s because you can use it as backup when charging at campgrounds, at an Airbnb, or at cottages/remote houses.
This is wrong. You’ll need it like always when on holidays, airbnb, remotes houses etc. Especially in Europe. What you write is just not true Elon. Want free speech? Ppl have spoken, change the plan plz @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/0icJSrPWRt
— tom janas 🇪🇺 🇺🇦🌱🚵 (@tom_janas) April 17, 2022
Additionally, you can use it when road-tripping in places with fewer Superchargers, and in case of emergencies.
Rem: You will need to buy the J1772 adapter to use at non-tesla chargers.
See also:
Tesla Camping Sites: Where to Find Tesla Camping Locations.
How Long Does a Tesla Battery Last? (Tesla Battery Degradation).
Best EV Home Chargers(EVSE) According to EV Owners & Experts.
5. Buyers who are looking for a cheaper option
Currently (Dec 2023), the mobile connector goes for $550, and the Gen 3 wall connector is $750. That’s means its $200 cheaper than the wall connector.
Summary of the advantages of Tesla wall connector vs mobile connector
| Tesla Wall Connector | Tesla Mobile Connector | |
| 1. | You get high charging speeds. | Can charge a Tesla to a full charge when charging overnight. |
| 2. | Cannot be used in case of emergencies. | Great for emergencies. |
| 3. | Great for both in and outdoor charging. | Great for indoor charging. |
| 4. | It is expensive compared to the mobile connector. | It is cheaper than the wall connector. |
| 5. | A great option for people with more than one EV (or who plan to add more EVs in the future). | Great for people who have one Tesla. |
| 6. | You get firmware updates. | You can use it with different adapters. |
Final word
I highly recommend ordering your preferred Tesla charger together with your Tesla.
This is because when ordered separately, it may take longer to receive them because they are constantly out of stock and might take longer before they get back in stock.
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