Ohme Home Pro vs Zappi GLO: Smart Tariffs or Solar — Which Matters More?

Two Smart Chargers, Two Very Different Strengths

The Ohme Home Pro and myenergi Zappi GLO are arguably the two most talked-about home EV chargers in the UK. Both go well beyond basic charging, but they solve different problems. The Ohme is built around smart tariff optimisation — automatically charging at the cheapest electricity rates. The Zappi is built around solar diversion — charging your car from surplus solar energy for free.

Which one you should buy depends on a simple question: do you have solar panels, or do you have a smart energy tariff?

In a nutshell:

• Ohme Home Pro (£535): The smart tariff champion — automatically charges at the cheapest rates, saving £400–600/year on electricity
• Zappi GLO (£779): The solar specialist — three charging modes including 100% free solar charging via Eco+ mode

Spec Comparison

Smart Tariff Integration: Ohme Wins Decisively

This is not a close contest. The Ohme Home Pro connects directly to your energy provider via API and automatically schedules charging during the cheapest half-hour slots. If you are on Octopus Intelligent Go, the Ohme is the officially recommended charger — it communicates with Octopus to unlock extended off-peak hours at around 7p/kWh.

The Zappi GLO supports smart tariff scheduling through the myenergi app, but it is not a direct integration. You set your off-peak hours manually, and the charger follows that schedule. It works, but it cannot dynamically respond to changing prices or unlock bonus off-peak slots the way the Ohme can.

Annual savings difference: On Octopus Intelligent Go, the Ohme's dynamic scheduling can save an additional £50–100 per year compared to manual scheduling on the Zappi. Over the charger's lifetime, that adds up.

Solar Diversion: Zappi Wins Convincingly

If smart tariffs are the Ohme's territory, solar is the Zappi's. The Zappi GLO offers three charging modes that no other charger matches:

• Fast mode: Full power from the grid (same as any charger)
• Eco mode: Blends solar surplus with grid power — charges faster on cloudy days
• Eco+ mode: 100% surplus solar only — your car charges entirely for free when the sun is generating enough

The Zappi uses a CT clamp on your meter tails for sub-second response times to changes in solar generation. When a cloud passes over your panels, the Zappi adjusts charging power within milliseconds.

The Ohme Home Pro does offer solar diverting, but it uses smart meter data rather than a dedicated CT clamp. This means there is a 30–60 second lag in adjusting to solar output changes. For most users this is fine, but it is measurably less responsive than the Zappi.

The Zappi also pairs with the myenergi Libbi battery and Eddi hot water diverter for a complete home energy ecosystem. The Ohme has no equivalent ecosystem play.

Price and Value

The Zappi GLO costs £244 more than the Ohme Home Pro. Here is how the total costs break down:

The Ohme is clearly the better value if you do not have solar panels — you are paying £244 less and getting superior smart tariff integration. The Zappi only justifies its premium if you have solar panels and want to maximise free charging from them.

App and Connectivity

The Ohme app is widely regarded as one of the best in the industry. It shows per-session charging costs, integrates tariff data, and provides clear scheduling controls. The built-in 4G SIM (3-year subscription included) means it works even if Wi-Fi does not reach your driveway.

The myenergi app has improved significantly from its early days but is still not quite as polished. It provides good solar generation data and charging history, but the interface can feel cluttered. The Zappi connects via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth only — no 4G backup.

Build Quality

Both chargers are IP65 rated and built for permanent outdoor installation. The Zappi is slightly heavier at 5.4 kg versus the Ohme's 3.5 kg, with a larger footprint. The Zappi has 35% lower embodied carbon than the previous Zappi 2.1, if sustainability in manufacturing matters to you.

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Ohme Home Pro if:

• You are on a smart tariff (or plan to switch to one) and want automated off-peak charging
• You do not have solar panels
• You want the better value option with a more polished app
• Your Wi-Fi does not reach the charger location (built-in 4G)
• You want detailed per-session cost tracking

Buy the Zappi GLO if:

• You have solar panels and want the best solar diversion on the market
• You are planning a myenergi ecosystem (Zappi + Libbi battery + Eddi hot water)
• You have or plan to install a three-phase supply (the Zappi supports 22kW)
• You want RFID access control (supports 126 users — useful for shared driveways)

Our recommendation: If you have solar panels, the Zappi GLO is the clear winner — no other charger matches its solar diversion quality. If you do not have solar panels, save £244 and buy the Ohme Home Pro — its smart tariff integration will save you more money over time than the Zappi's features can offer.

For a full specs-level comparison, see our Ohme Home Pro vs Zappi GLO comparison page.

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