Ohme ePod

The Ohme ePod is the smallest and lightest smart charger you can buy in the UK, and it is not even close. Weighing just 1.48 kg and measuring a mere 230mm x 140mm x 100mm, it is roughly the size of a large smartphone and can be mounted in spaces where no other charger would fit. Despite its diminutive size, it packs in exactly the same industry-leading smart tariff integration that made the Ohme Home Pro famous. It connects directly to your energy provider via API and automatically charges your car during the cheapest half-hour slots on tariffs like Octopus Intelligent Go, Octopus Agile, OVO Charge Anytime, and British Gas EV Power+. The key difference from the Ohme Home Pro is that the ePod is untethered -- it has a Type 2 socket rather than a fixed cable, so you need to supply your own portable charging cable (typically £100--200 extra). For many drivers this is actually an advantage: you can carry the cable with you for destination charging, and when the cable eventually wears out or a better one comes along, you simply replace it without touching the wall unit. The built-in 3G/4G multi-network SIM means the ePod works anywhere regardless of Wi-Fi signal, and OTA updates ensure it keeps getting smarter over time. For Tesla owners who want maximum smart charging capability in the smallest possible package, the ePod is unmatched.

Best for: UK EV owners who want Ohme's best-in-class smart tariff integration in an ultra-compact untethered format, especially where mounting space is limited or cable flexibility is preferred.

Installation

The Ohme ePod is by far the easiest charger to install on this list. At just 1.48 kg and 230mm x 140mm x 100mm, it can be mounted on virtually any wall surface, including thin partition walls, garage interiors, and tight spaces beside doorways where larger chargers simply would not fit. The IP54 rating makes it suitable for sheltered outdoor positions, though for fully exposed locations you may want to consider a small canopy or recess mounting. The charger operates at up to 32A on a single-phase supply, delivering approximately 7kW of real-world power (the theoretical maximum of 7.4kW is rarely achieved due to voltage variation on UK supplies). It includes PEN fault protection as standard, which satisfies the BS 7671 regulatory requirement and saves your installer from needing a separate earth rod in most cases. However, it does not include a built-in RCD or surge protection device, so these will need to be added at the consumer unit. The untethered design means there is no cable permanently attached to the wall, giving a cleaner appearance and reducing the visual footprint even further. Your installer will need to run a dedicated 32A circuit from the consumer unit, which is standard for all home chargers. Given the ePod's tiny size, cable routing and containment are often the most time-consuming part of the installation rather than the charger mounting itself. For a full walkthrough of the installation process, see our complete guide to home EV charger installation.

Tariff Compatibility

The Ohme ePod inherits exactly the same smart tariff platform as the Ohme Home Pro, which means it is the joint-best charger on the market for automated off-peak charging. It has direct API integration with Octopus Energy (Intelligent Go, Go, Agile, Cosy), OVO Energy (Charge Anytime), and British Gas (EV Power+). On Octopus Intelligent Go, the ePod communicates directly with Octopus to request additional off-peak slots beyond the standard window, potentially giving you 10+ hours at around 7p/kWh instead of the standard 6 hours. On Agile Octopus, it reads the next day's half-hourly prices and automatically schedules charging into the cheapest slots to meet your "Ready By" target. The "Price cap" feature lets you set a maximum price per kWh you are willing to pay, and the charger will only charge when electricity drops below that threshold. Solar Boost and Solar Only modes allow the ePod to work with solar panels via a CT clamp, diverting surplus generation to your car. Solar Only mode charges exclusively from surplus solar (similar to the Zappi's Eco+ mode), while Solar Boost tops up from the grid when solar generation is insufficient. No other untethered charger on the market comes close to this level of tariff sophistication. For a full comparison of which tariffs work with which chargers, see our guide to the best EV charging tariffs.

Price Breakdown

At £409 for the unit, the ePod is over £100 cheaper than the tethered Ohme Home Pro (£535), but you need to factor in the cost of a separate Type 2 charging cable (£100--200 for a quality cable). This brings the effective cost to £599--699, which is comparable to mid-range tethered chargers. However, the installation cost is often lower than average because the ePod's tiny size and light weight make it quicker to mount. The real value proposition is in running costs: automated tariff integration on Octopus Intelligent Go can save you over £1,000 per year compared to public charging, meaning the charger pays for itself within months. If you are eligible for the OZEV grant, the installed cost drops further.

How It Compares

The Ohme ePod's closest competitor within Ohme's own range is the Ohme Home Pro -- both share identical smart tariff integration, but the Home Pro is tethered with a built-in cable and colour display, while the ePod is untethered and screenless. If you want the convenience of a permanently attached cable and at-a-glance status on a display, the Home Pro is the better choice. If you value compact size, cable flexibility, or have limited wall space, the ePod wins. Against the broader market, the ePod competes with other untethered chargers like the Zappi GLO untethered version (£599) and the Wallbox Pulsar Max untethered, but neither can match the ePod's tariff integration depth. The ePod's built-in cellular connectivity also gives it an edge over chargers that rely solely on Wi-Fi, particularly for detached garages or driveways far from the router. The trade-off is simple: you get the smartest untethered charger on the market, but you need to buy your own cable and accept a 3-year warranty rather than the 4--5 years offered by Tesla and some competitors.