Zero

A solid, no-nonsense charger with one quiet trick the competition mostly skips: it ships with Wi-Fi and 4G both built in, and the charger switches between them automatically. If the router goes down, the built-in multi-network SIM picks up; if cellular is weak, it stays on Wi-Fi. Every other charger here either uses Wi-Fi only, or 4G only, or charges extra for the cellular add-on. The Ohme Home Pro is cellular-only; the Indra Smart LUX wants £250 for 4G. The Cord Zero includes both as standard.

The other standout is safety: built-in RCD, PEN fault detection, SPD, and overvoltage protection — the fullest in-box protection package of any charger in this selection. On most jobs that takes £150–£250 off install labour, since the electrician skips several components they'd otherwise fit at the consumer unit. £555 for the 5-metre tethered version is mid-range on the sticker and competitive once install extras are counted. Cord currently ships with a promotional free five-year warranty upgrade (standard is three); worth confirming the offer's still on before you order.

Best for: Patchy-broadband areas, and pragmatic buyers who want a properly safety-equipped charger with the minimum possible install fuss.

Installation

Mid-sized at around 5 kg with the 8-metre tethered cable, 320 × 210 × 132 mm. The built-in safety suite is the install advantage. RCD, PEN fault detection, SPD, and overvoltage protection all live inside the charger, which means the electrician often doesn't need to fit separate devices at the consumer unit — subject to their reading of the supply and the rest of the installation. On a typical job that saves £150–£250 of labour and materials. IP54 weather rating with IK08 impact — fine for sheltered positions, a step below the Hypervolt's IP66 + IK10 for fully exposed walls. Dual Wi-Fi + 4G removes the usual "will the signal reach?" question from the install conversation. Standard 5-metre cable; 8-metre option at extra cost. Full walkthrough in our install guide.

Tariff compatibility

Schedule-based integration through the Cord AI app. Compatible with Octopus Go, Intelligent Go, OVO Charge Anytime, British Gas, EDF. Set the off-peak window; the charger draws during it. No direct supplier API, so no automatic chase of Octopus Agile half-hours or dynamically expanded Intelligent Go slots — the Ohme Home Pro still owns that. Solar support is basic: the Cord Zero can work alongside panels, but doesn't offer the Zappi GLO's surplus-only Eco+ mode. For two-rate tariffs and modest solar, it's fine; for serious optimisation, the Ohme or Zappi are the upgrades. Full pattern in our EV tariff guide.

Price

Similar sticker to the Ohme Home Pro (£535) and Indra Smart LUX. The value lives in the built-in safety suite and dual connectivity: both usually cost extra elsewhere. Cord's current free 5-year warranty extension (from the standard 3) matches the longest warranties here — if it's still on offer when you buy. Eligible for the £500 OZEV grant for renters and flat owners.

Against the field

Against the Ohme Home Pro: £20 more for Wi-Fi + 4G dual connectivity and the full safety suite; the Ohme wins decisively on Intelligent Go API integration. Against the Tesla Wall Connector: £77 more for 4G, RCD, and SPD in the box; the Tesla wins on cable length, app polish, and price. Against the Indra Smart LUX: £10 cheaper with 4G already included (versus £250 extra); the Indra wins on slim profile (78 mm vs 132 mm) and IP67. The Cord Zero's weakness is brand reach: smaller installer network, fewer reviews, a functional-but-basic app.