Andersen A3 vs Zaptec Go 2: Should You Pay More for Looks or Less for Tomorrow's Tech?
This is one of the more unusual pairings you'll find on this site. The Andersen A3 exists because someone decided EV chargers didn't have to be ugly plastic boxes. The Zaptec Go 2 exists because someone decided home chargers should be ready for a vehicle-to-grid future that hasn't quite arrived yet. Neither is trying to be the cheapest option on the market, and neither is the obvious default pick — but each makes a strong case for a particular type of buyer.
In a nutshell:
- Andersen A3: The best-looking charger money can buy, with a hidden cable system and 247 finish combinations
- Zaptec Go 2: The UK's first V2G-ready AC home charger, with free 4G and a MID-approved meter, at £288 less
Is the Andersen A3's Design Worth a £288 Premium?
At £995, the A3 is one of the most expensive home chargers in the UK. The Zaptec Go 2 at £707 isn't exactly budget either, but that £288 gap buys you a lot of something the Zaptec doesn't even attempt: visual appeal.
The Andersen's anodised aluminium body comes in 247 colour and finish combinations — metals, woods, custom colours. Its hidden cable system tucks the entire 5.5m tethered cable inside the unit when you're done charging, leaving nothing dangling from your wall. If your charger sits beside your front door or on a visible elevation, this matters. No other charger on the market comes close to this level of aesthetic consideration.
But let's be honest: if your charger lives in a garage or on a side wall nobody sees, you're spending nearly £300 extra for craftsmanship that goes unappreciated. The Zaptec's compact Scandinavian design is perfectly presentable — it just won't win any architecture awards.
Does the Zaptec Go 2's V2G Readiness Actually Matter Today?
V2G — using your car's battery to export power back to the grid — is the headline feature of the Go 2. It's genuinely forward-thinking hardware. But here's the reality: V2G over AC is still in its infancy in the UK, and your car needs to support it too. Most Tesla models don't support V2G yet. You're buying a capability that might become transformative in three to five years, or might be overtaken by DC-based V2G solutions entirely.
That said, the Go 2 doesn't ask you to pay a wild premium for this bet. At £707, you're also getting a MID-approved energy meter (useful for accurate cost tracking and potentially claiming back energy costs if you charge a company car) and subscription-free 4G connectivity. That 4G is a practical win right now — no reliance on your home Wi-Fi reaching the driveway, no dropped connections, no ongoing fees. The Andersen A3 is Wi-Fi only, which can be a headache if your router is on the opposite side of the house.
Tethered vs Untethered: A Bigger Deal Than You'd Think
The A3 is tethered with a 5.5m cable. The Go 2 is untethered — socket only, bring your own cable. For most Tesla owners charging at home every night, tethered is more convenient: grab the cable, plug in, done. The Andersen's hidden cable system makes this even tidier.
But 5.5m is on the short side. If you park further from the charger, there's no option for a longer cable. The Zaptec's untethered design means you can use whatever length Type 2 cable suits your setup, and you can share the charger between household vehicles with different connectors down the line. If you're thinking about a second EV or have visitors who charge, untethered offers more flexibility. Check our best Tesla home charger guide for more on the tethered vs untethered debate.
Smart Features: Neither Is Best-in-Class
Both chargers support scheduled charging and solar integration. The Andersen works with Octopus Intelligent Go and OVO Charge Anytime. The Zaptec is OCPP 1.6J compliant, meaning it can talk to third-party energy management systems — handy if you have a home battery or more complex solar setup.
Neither, however, matches the Ohme Home Pro for smart tariff optimisation. If squeezing every penny from an Octopus Agile or Go tariff is your main goal, both the A3 and Go 2 are adequate rather than exceptional. The Andersen's app is competent; the Zaptec's is functional but basic. You won't be wowed by either.
For solar users specifically, the Zaptec's ability to auto-switch between single and three-phase charging for optimal solar integration is a neat trick — though on a single-phase UK home supply, this won't apply. Our best EV charger for solar guide covers this in more detail.
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the Andersen A3 if:
- Your charger is prominently visible and kerb appeal matters to you
- You want the tidiest possible installation with the hidden cable system
- A 7-year warranty gives you peace of mind
- You prefer tethered convenience and don't need a cable longer than 5.5m
Buy the Zaptec Go 2 if:
- You want V2G readiness for when the technology matures
- Your charger is far from your Wi-Fi router and you need 4G
- You prefer untethered flexibility for multiple vehicles or longer cable runs
- You'd rather spend £707 than £995
For most practical purposes, the Zaptec Go 2 offers more technology for less money. The Andersen A3 offers something no spec sheet can capture — a charger you actually want people to see. That's either worth £288 to you or it isn't. There's no wrong answer, only an honest one about what you value.