Indra Smart PRO vs NexBlue Point 2: Future-Proofing or Proven Pedigree?

Two Newcomers Battling for the Smart Charger Middle Ground

This is an unusual comparison. Neither the Indra Smart PRO nor the NexBlue Point 2 is a household name in UK EV charging — not yet, anyway. Both sit in similar price territory, both deliver 7.4kW single-phase charging, and both make bold claims about future-proofing. But they take very different approaches to earning your trust and your money.

In a nutshell:

• Indra Smart PRO: British-made, includes SPD and CT clamp in the box, reducing real-world installation costs. Solid if unspectacular smart features.
• NexBlue Point 2: Packed with forward-looking tech — ISO 15118, OCPP 2.0.1, lifetime 4G, 5-year warranty — at a lower sticker price. The trade-off is brand maturity.

Does the Indra's Included SPD Actually Save You Money?

On paper, the Indra Smart PRO costs £599 versus roughly £530 for the NexBlue. That's a £69 gap. But the Indra bundles a surge protection device, which most installers charge £100–150 to add separately. Factor that in, and the Indra's effective cost drops to around £449–499 — potentially cheaper than the NexBlue once your electrician finishes the job.

This is a real, tangible saving, not a marketing gimmick. Every UK home charger installation requires an SPD under current regulations. The NexBlue doesn't include one, so you'll pay for it on your installation invoice. If you're comparing total cost of ownership from day one, the Indra narrows the gap significantly — and may even win.

Is the NexBlue Point 2's Tech Lead Worth the Risk?

Here's where things get interesting. The NexBlue Point 2's spec sheet reads like it belongs on a charger costing £200 more. ISO 15118 Plug & Charge support, OCPP 2.0.1 compliance, a built-in 4G eSIM with lifetime free connectivity, and genuine V2G hardware readiness. The Indra Smart PRO has none of these.

That 4G eSIM matters more than you might think. If your Wi-Fi signal is weak at the driveway — a common problem — the NexBlue stays connected regardless. The Indra relies on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth only, which means potential dead spots could leave you without app control or smart tariff scheduling.

The OCPP 2.0.1 support also gives the NexBlue flexibility. If you ever want to switch energy management platforms or integrate with a third-party system, OCPP keeps your options open. The Indra locks you into Indra's own ecosystem.

But — and this is the big but — NexBlue is a young brand. There's limited long-term reliability data, fewer UK installations to learn from, and a smaller installer network. If something goes wrong in year four, will NexBlue's support infrastructure match what Indra offers? Nobody knows yet. The 5-year warranty provides some reassurance, and it's two years longer than Indra's 3-year cover, which counts for something.

Solar Charging: Indra Keeps It Simple, NexBlue Adds Complexity

Both chargers support solar surplus charging, but they handle it differently. The Indra Smart PRO includes a CT clamp in the box and offers a built-in solar diversion mode — plug it in, configure it in the app, done. It's not as sophisticated as a Zappi's approach, but it works without buying anything extra.

The NexBlue Point 2 requires its separate Zen accessory for solar surplus charging. That's an additional cost and an additional piece of hardware. If solar diversion is a priority for you, the Indra's all-in-one-box approach is simpler and cheaper to set up. Neither charger matches the depth of dedicated solar-first chargers, but for occasional solar top-ups, the Indra has the edge here.

Tethered vs Untethered: A Practical Difference

The Indra Smart PRO comes tethered with a 6-metre Type 2 cable — grab it, plug in, done. The NexBlue Point 2 is untethered only, meaning you'll need to carry your own cable or buy one separately. For a home charger you use daily, tethered is almost always more convenient. If you charge multiple vehicles with different connectors (unlikely with modern EVs, but possible), untethered offers flexibility. For most Tesla owners, the Indra's tethered cable wins on daily convenience.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy the Indra Smart PRO if:

• You want the lowest total installed cost once the included SPD is factored in
• You have solar panels and want solar diversion without buying extra accessories
• You prefer a tethered cable for daily convenience
• You'd rather buy from a more established British manufacturer

Buy the NexBlue Point 2 if:

• You want genuine V2G and ISO 15118 hardware readiness for the future
• Your Wi-Fi doesn't reach your charger location (the built-in 4G solves this)
• A 5-year warranty matters more to you than a 3-year one
• You value OCPP compliance and platform flexibility

For most buyers right now, I'd lean toward the Indra Smart PRO. It costs less once installed, it's simpler to live with daily, and Indra has a longer track record in the UK market. But if you're the type who buys technology for where it's going rather than where it is today, the NexBlue Point 2's feature set is remarkable for the price. Just understand you're betting on a younger company delivering on its promises. For a broader look at how both stack up against the market leaders, check our best smart EV charger guide.