The debate on which of JuiceBox and the Tesla wall connector is better, may not go away anytime soon. And that’s a good thing. It means that they both offer real benefits and you are spoilt for choice. Some electric vehicle owners even purchase both chargers to enjoy the best of both.
But, if you want a definitive review of the benefits of each of JuiceBox and Tesla charger, especially if you are trying to decide which one is best to buy, then you have come to the right place.
In this article, I am going to provide a comprehensive review of JuiceBox and Tesla wall charger, so that you’re armed with all the information you need to make the best choice for your particular situation.
JuiceBox Overview
JuiceBox electric vehicle charger is a generic charging box, manufactured by Enel X. It is one of 3 series including JuiceBox Plus and JuiceBox Pro, designed to charge a wide range of electric vehicle brands and models, including all Tesla models.
JuiceBox can be connected to WIFI, and is accompanied by the JuicePass mobile app which enables you to enjoy the smart functionalities and controls of JuiceBox, including remote management from anywhere. You can also use the JuiceBox web portal, Alexa and Google Home to monitor and control your JuiceBox.
JuiceBox supplies 22kW power and comes with Type 2 integrated cable.
JuiceBox is also connected to your home meter, so the energy bill is charged directly to your home.
You can choose Free Acess so anyone can charge, or you can use authentication via the JuicePass app or RFID to control who has access to charge on your JuiceBox.
JuiceBox comes with a 25ft cable to allow you enough room and freedom to install and use it anywhere around your space. It also comes with a rack to store the cable neatly.
JuiceBox has Energy Star rating, which means it is energy-efficient and environment-friendly. It also comes with a 3-year warranty.
Tesla Wall Connector Overview
The Tesla Wall Connector is manufactured by Tesla, exclusively for Tesla electric vehicles. It is compatible with all Tesla models: X, S, 3, and Y. It provides 11.5kW power and about 44 miles of range per charge hour. More on this later.
The wall connector is built to adapt to most home electrical systems, and the power levels can be customized on different circuit breakers.
Tesla wall connector comes with 24ft cable, so it provides just about the same level of freedom as the JuiceBox.
Tesla wall connector can also be connected to WIFI which enables it to receive firmware updates as well as diagnostics and usage tracking capabilities for Tesla support.
The wall connector comes with a power sharing feature that allows you to connect up to 6 wall connectors to a single circuit without compromising on charge quality.
Access control to the wall connector is done during setup in the commissioning wizard.
The Tesla wall connector comes with 4 years warranty, but that’s only if you buy it from Tesla directly.
It must also be installed by a Tesla-certified electrician to enjoy this warranty.
Earlier, I mentioned the miles of range per hour that the Tesla wall connector provides. I have provided a comprehensive chart below:
| Circuit Breaker Power Supply (amps) | Corresponding Wall Connector Maximum Output (amps) | Corrsponding Power Output in kW, at 240V | Model S max miles of range per hour of charge (mph) | Model 3 max miles of range per hour of charge (mph) | Model X max miles of range per hour of charge (mph) | Model Y max miles of rangeper hour of charge (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 48 | 11.5 | 41 | 44 | 35 | 44 |
| 50 | 40 | 9.6 | 34 | 37 | 29 | 37 |
| 40 | 32 | 7.7 | 27 | 30 | 23 | 30 |
| 30 | 24 | 5.7 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 22 |
| 20 | 16 | 3.8 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 |
| 15 | 12 | 2.8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 11 |
Juicebox vs Tesla Wall Charger
Please note that, while you can purchase a Tesla Wall Connector on Amazon, it’s best to order it from Tesla in order to enjoy the full warranty as well as guarantee authenticity of the product.
| Feature | JuiceBox by Enel X (view on Amazon) | Tesla Wall Connector (view on Amazon) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexibility and Compatibility | The JuiceBox EV charger is compatible with all current electric vehicles, and it can charge them all safely.
It comes with a J1772 adapter which means that it fits perfectly with Tesla vehicles |
The Tesla Wall Connector is designed solely for Tesla vehicles. This makes it very restrictive.
|
The JuiceBox is a better option when it comes to flexibility and reusability. You don’t need to own more than one charger even if you own different electronic vehicle brands. |
| Power Sharing | You can connect up to 3 JuiceBox chargers safely to a single circuit breaker | You can connect up to 6 Tesla wall connectors safely to a single circuit breaker | Power or load sharing is hardly ever a deciding factor, unless you own a large fleet of electric vehicles or you charge EVs commercially.
Nevertheless, Tesla wall connector takes this one on how many vehicles you can charge at the same time, on a single circuit. |
| Charging Speed | Supplies 240V level 2 charging and 22kW max | Supplies 240V and 11.5 kW | JuiceBox charges several times faster than Tesla Wall connector.
Also, note that for the Tesla wall connector, the charge speed is affected by the circuit breaker output you use. You need to ideally use a circuit breaker that matches the onboard charger capabilities of your Tesla EV. Refer to the table in the Tesla Wall Connector Overview to see the different charge speeds available for each circuit breaker output and Tesla model. |
| Variety | JuiceBox comes in 32, 40, and 48 models. Charging speeds are 6x, 7x, and 9x faster than general chargers, respectively | Only one model. Charging speed is determined mostly by circuit power as explained earlier | The different models of JuiceBox are adapted for different power situations. For example, model 32 is best for limited circuits while 48 is for highest performance.
This JuiceBox feature makes it able to adapt to different user power situations without compromising much on output and charging speed. This makes JuiceBox superior to Tesla wall connectors |
| Price | The JuiceBox cost about $650 (at the time of publishing). The figure will vary depending on location, the period you’re purchasing, and vendor. | The Tesla wall charger costs about $425 (at the time of publishing). The figure will vary depending on location and the time you’re purchasing. | It makes sense that the prices differ so sharply.
With the Tesla charger, you only get to charge Tesla vehicles. But with JuiceBox, you can charge any electric vehicle. The latter’s versatility makes it more valuable, hence the greater cost. I think it’s well worth it. |
| Connectivity and Smart Features | As i mentioned earlier, JuiceBox is accompanied by the JuicePass mobile app which enables you to enjoy the smart functionalities and controls of JuiceBox, including remote management from anywhere. You can also use the JuiceBox web portal, Alexa and Google Home to control and monitor your JuiceBox.
Also, access control to the JuiceBox charger is done via RFID or the JuicePass app You can schedule charging and receive notifications on your mobile device. Other smart features include turning charger off and on, view estimated energy costs, monthly trends, charging automatically when energy is cheapest, and lots more. |
Tesla wall connector does not have comprehensive smart features.
Access control is done through the commissioning wizard process. Tesla recommends charging every evening for the next day. There is no scheduling feature. |
If you want a basic charger for your Tesla where you need to physically monitor and control charging, then the Tesla wall connector will serve.
However, if you want the extra smart features like intuitive access control, remote charge monitoring and management, integration with third-party administrative software, app and web management, then JuiceBox is a much better option |
| Warranty | 3 years | 4 years | Tesla edges this one in terms of warranty period. |
| Storage and physical lock | Comes with a built-in cable rack to neatly store the charger cable.
Also has a physical lock for physical access control |
Does not come with a storage rack. Storage is usually done behind walls.
Does not come with a physical locking device |
When it comes to security, it is obvious that JuiceBox is miles ahead. Not only can you control access using the app and RFID, you can also lock the charger physically.
Also, the rack makes it so much easier to store the cable neatly when not in use. |
| Installation | Very easy to install. Has plug and hardwired options.
However, it does not come with pedestal wall mount. Installation can be done by any skilled professional |
Comes only in hardwired form.
Comes with a pedestal wall mount Installation has to be done by a Tesla-certified installer. Finding and scheduling a certified installer can take up to 2 weeks. |
JuiceBox is a lot easier to install, and you can easily find a professional to get the job done for you.
Tesla does come with a wall mount which makes it easier to mount on just about any surface. If you are going for JuiceBox, and it will be installed outdoors, then I strongly recommend that you use the hardwired option. This is safer and more functional than the plug in option. |
The Bottom Line
The idea behind this article is not to find a winner between the two EV chargers. What I have done is to make an exhaustive side-by-side comparison between JuiceBox and Tesla Connector so that you know what obtains in each case.
In the end, the decision as to which is better for you rests solely on you, and should be taken with due consideration for both present and future plans.