Andersen Quartz vs Wallbox Quasar 2

> V2G boundary: A “V2G-ready” label or ISO 15118 support does not by itself provide bidirectional power conversion, export approval or a live energy service. Confirm the compatible car, genuinely bidirectional hardware, certified complete system, installer, service and network approval before assigning value to the claim. Read the UK V2G explainer.

A £5,428 gap — and the reason it exists

The Andersen Quartz costs £672. The Wallbox Quasar 2 costs £6,100. The difference — £5,428 — is not a premium for a nicer finish or a smarter app. It is the price of a fundamentally different machine. The Quartz pushes AC into your car at 7.2 kW. The Quasar 2 pushes DC in both directions at up to 12.8 kW, turning a compatible EV into a home battery and, eventually, a grid asset.

That distinction matters. These two products are not in the same category, and comparing their specs side by side is a bit like comparing a boiler with a micro-CHP unit. One heats water. The other heats water and generates electricity. The question is whether the second capability is worth nine times the price — and whether you can use it at all.

Who the Quasar 2 is actually for

A short list. You need a CCS2-equipped car whose manufacturer has enabled bidirectional DC — today that means the Kia EV9, with more expected but none confirmed for the UK market. You need a DNO G99 application approved, which takes 30–60 working days and may come back with a G100 export cap. You need a specialist installer comfortable with DC hardware; budget £1,500–£3,000 on top of the £6,100 unit, putting the installed total north of £7,600. And you need a tariff that rewards export — something like a future V2G rate, or at least Octopus Agile where selling back at peak prices can offset the enormous upfront cost.

If all of those line up, the Quasar 2 is the reference product. It is the first mainstream bidirectional home unit to reach a UK product page. But that product page still says "pre-registration" rather than "add to basket". The UK sterling RRP is unconfirmed. The warranty is 3 years — shorter than what you get on AC chargers costing a tenth as much.

For readers who want V2G readiness without the bidirectional price tag, the Zaptec Go 2 (£638) and NexBlue Point 2 (£534) are AC chargers with V2G-ready credentials. They cannot discharge your car today, but they are positioned for the protocol when it matures — at a fraction of the outlay.

The Andersen Quartz on its own merits

Strip the Quasar 2 from the conversation and the Quartz stands as a solid mid-range AC wallbox. Seven-year warranty. IP65 rating — better suited to an exposed wall than many rivals. Eleven standard finishes, with Accoya and carbon inserts if you care about kerb appeal. PEN fault detection built in, so no earth rod. An optional 8.5-metre cable for awkward driveways.

Smart features are competent rather than leading. The Andersen app handles scheduling, locking, and session tracking. Intelligent Octopus Go integration arrived in September 2025, and OVO Charge Anytime is supported. A bundled CT clamp enables solar diversion. For half-hourly tariff optimisation on Octopus Agile, an Ohme Home Pro at £539 is the stronger choice — and £133 cheaper.

The Quartz's main tension is not with the Quasar 2 but with its own sibling, the Andersen A3 at £900, and with the Tesla Wall Connector at £475. The A3 adds the concealed cable drum that defines Andersen's reputation; the Tesla does the same electrical job for £197 less. If the finish and the warranty matter to you, the Quartz earns its place. If they do not, cheaper options abound — the VCHRGD Seven Pro at £430 or the Sync Energy Wall Charger 2 at £400 both deliver 7.4 kW with OZEV approval, which the Quartz currently lacks.

One note on the grant: neither charger is confirmed on the OZEV-approved list. The £500 grant does not apply to bidirectional DC units like the Quasar 2, and it is not guaranteed for the Quartz either. Factor that into the installed cost.

The verdict

Buy the Andersen Quartz if:

• You want a well-built, good-looking AC charger with a seven-year warranty and IP65 resilience
• You value Andersen's finish options but do not need the A3's hidden cable
• You are on a fixed-window tariff like Octopus Go or Intelligent Go and want reliable overnight scheduling

Buy the Wallbox Quasar 2 if:

• You own (or are about to own) a Kia EV9 or another confirmed bidirectional-capable car
• You have a V2G tariff or export arrangement that can repay £7,600+ over a realistic timeframe
• You understand that UK availability is pre-registration only, the warranty is 3 years, and installer choice is limited

For the vast majority of UK Tesla and EV owners reading this page, the Quasar 2 is a product to watch, not a product to buy. The Quartz — or frankly, something less expensive — is the sensible wall fitting today. If bidirectional charging is the goal, keep an eye on the Quasar 2's UK launch date and, in the meantime, consider a V2G-ready AC charger that keeps your options open without the five-figure commitment.