Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) vs Andersen A3
The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) wins on more affordable, higher rated, three-phase support, while the Andersen A3 excels at longer warranty, solar compatibility, smart tariff integration.
Quick Stats
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) | Andersen A3 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Power Output | 7.4kW (single-phase) / 22kW (three-phase) | 7.4kW (single-phase only) |
| Cable Length | 7.3 metres | 5.5 metres (hidden cable system) |
| Connector | Type 2 (tethered) | Type 2 (tethered) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
| Dimensions | 353mm × 152mm × 124mm | 388mm × 183mm × 122mm |
| Weight | 5.3 kg | ~7.5 kg |
| IP Rating | IP44 (indoor/outdoor) | IP54 (weatherproof) |
| Certification | OLEV/OZEV approved | OLEV/OZEV approved |
Price & Value
The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) is £520 cheaper at £475 compared to the Andersen A3 at £995.
When you factor in professional installation (typically £400–£600), the total installed cost for the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) is approximately £875–£1075, while the Andersen A3 comes in at around £1395–£1595. Fully installed, the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) remains the more affordable option.
If you're eligible for the OZEV grant (available to renters and flat owners), you can claim £350 off the installation cost. That would bring the effective unit-plus-install price down to roughly £525–£725 for the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) and £1045–£1245 for the Andersen A3. Both chargers are OZEV-approved, so eligibility depends on your living situation rather than the charger itself.
While the Andersen A3 costs more up front, it comes with 6 smart features compared to the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3)'s 5. The extra £520 buys you additional functionality that could save money long-term — particularly if features like smart tariff integration or solar diverting apply to your setup. Whether the premium is justified depends on how many of those extra features you'll actually use.
Power & Charging Speed
The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) (7.4kW / 22kW) supports three-phase charging at up to 22kW, while the Andersen A3 is single-phase only at 7.4kW. On the standard UK single-phase supply (95% of homes), both charge at roughly the same speed. Three-phase is only relevant if your property has a three-phase electrical supply.
On a standard UK single-phase supply, both will charge a Tesla Model 3 Long Range (75kWh battery) from 20% to 80% in approximately 5–6 hours overnight. Even a Tesla Model Y with its larger battery completes a typical daily top-up well within an overnight window. For the vast majority of UK Tesla owners, single-phase 7kW charging is more than sufficient — you'll wake up to a full battery every morning.
Cable length is an often-overlooked consideration. The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) comes with a 7.3 metres cable, while the Andersen A3 has a 5.5 metres (hidden cable system) cable. A longer cable gives you more flexibility for driveway positioning — particularly useful if your charger is mounted on a side wall but your Tesla's charge port is on the rear left. Measure your likely cable run before buying to ensure the cable reaches comfortably without being fully stretched.
For most Tesla owners who plug in when they get home, both chargers provide more than enough power for a full overnight charge. The real-world difference between 7kW and 7.4kW is negligible — roughly 20 minutes over a full charge cycle. Unless you have a three-phase supply and regularly need rapid top-ups during the day, charging speed should not be the deciding factor between these two chargers.
Smart Features
The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) offers: Tesla app integration, Scheduled charging, Power sharing (up to 6 units), Wi-Fi connected, OTA updates. The Andersen A3 offers: Andersen app, Smart tariff support, Solar integration, Scheduled charging, Hidden cable system, Wi-Fi connected.
Breaking these down by category: for connectivity, the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) uses Wi-Fi connected, while the Andersen A3 uses Wi-Fi connected. For energy management, the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) provides Power sharing (up to 6 units), compared to the Andersen A3's basic monitoring. Solar and scheduling features are covered in the dedicated sections below.
The most meaningful differentiators: the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) uniquely offers Tesla app integration, Power sharing (up to 6 units), OTA updates, while the Andersen A3 exclusively provides Andersen app, Smart tariff support, Solar integration, Hidden cable system. These unique features often determine which charger is the better fit — if a feature on one charger's exclusive list is a must-have for you, that should heavily influence your decision.
The app experience matters as much as the feature list — you'll use it daily. Tesla's app is polished and familiar to Tesla owners, providing a seamless experience alongside vehicle controls. The Andersen EV app provides standard charging management features. Both apps are available on iOS and Android, but user reviews suggest the day-to-day experience can vary significantly between brands.
Solar Compatibility
The Andersen A3 supports solar integration, allowing you to divert surplus solar energy to charge your Tesla. The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) does not have built-in solar diverting. If you have solar panels (or plan to install them), this is a significant advantage for the Andersen A3.
The Andersen A3 supports solar diversion through its energy management system. This means it can dynamically adjust the charge rate to match your available solar surplus, minimising grid import. Without built-in solar support, the other charger would need a separate solar diverter or manual scheduling to take advantage of solar generation.
The Andersen A3 can work alongside a home battery system to store surplus solar during the day and use it for overnight EV charging, though integration complexity varies. A home battery effectively removes the limitation of only being able to solar-charge while the sun is shining — you generate during the day, store it, and charge your Tesla overnight for free.
A typical 4kW solar array in the UK can provide approximately 1,400–1,700 kWh of free EV charging per year, worth £390–£475 at standard electricity rates (around 28p/kWh). For context, the average UK Tesla owner drives around 8,000 miles per year, requiring roughly 2,400 kWh — so solar could cover 60–70% of your annual charging needs. Over the charger's lifetime, solar diversion can save thousands of pounds and significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
Smart Tariff Support
The Andersen A3 integrates with smart energy tariffs, automatically charging at the cheapest off-peak rates. The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) doesn't have built-in smart tariff integration — you'd need to set manual charging schedules or rely on your car's built-in timer. If you're on (or considering) a smart tariff, this gives the Andersen A3 a meaningful advantage in running costs.
The Andersen A3 supports smart tariff scheduling with popular EV tariffs including Octopus Go (~8.5p/kWh) and similar time-of-use plans. The most popular UK EV tariffs include Octopus Intelligent Go (~7p/kWh), Octopus Go (~8.5p/kWh), OVO Charge Anytime (~14p/kWh), and British Gas EV Power+ (~7.9p/kWh). Check compatibility with your specific energy provider before making a decision.
The Andersen A3 integrates with smart tariffs to schedule charging during off-peak windows, reducing your per-kWh cost significantly. Without this integration, the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) can still charge off-peak using manual schedules or your Tesla's built-in timer — but you lose the automatic optimisation and any extended off-peak windows that provider integration unlocks.
The financial impact is substantial. Switching from a standard variable tariff (~28p/kWh) to Octopus Intelligent Go (~7p/kWh) saves approximately £400–£600 per year for a typical Tesla owner driving 8,000–10,000 miles annually. Even moving to Octopus Go (~8.5p/kWh) or British Gas EV Power+ (~7.9p/kWh) delivers savings of £350–£500 per year. A charger with smart tariff integration ensures you capture these savings automatically, every single night, without having to remember to set timers.
Warranty & Build Quality
The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) comes with a 4 years warranty, while the Andersen A3 offers 7 years. The Andersen A3 offers 3 years more coverage, giving you added peace of mind. Both are OZEV-approved and suitable for outdoor installation — a longer warranty provides more peace of mind for a product that lives outside year-round and is exposed to British weather.
For weatherproofing, the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) is rated IP44 (indoor/outdoor) (protected against solid objects over 1mm and water splashes from all directions), while the Andersen A3 is rated IP54 (weatherproof) (splash-proof — protected against splashing water from any direction). A higher IP rating means better protection against rain, hose water, and dust. In practical terms, any rating of IP54 or above is suitable for a UK outdoor installation, but a higher rating provides extra confidence in extreme weather — particularly relevant if your charger is exposed rather than sheltered under a car port.
Build quality is reflected in the materials and construction. The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) weighs 5.3 kg with dimensions of 353mm × 152mm × 124mm, while the Andersen A3 weighs ~7.5 kg with dimensions of 388mm × 183mm × 122mm. A heavier charger typically indicates more robust construction, though modern chargers use high-quality polycarbonate housings that are both lightweight and impact-resistant. If your charger is in a location where it might get bumped by car doors or footballs, look for IK10 impact resistance in the specs — this is the highest rating and means it can withstand 20 joules of impact (equivalent to a 5kg weight dropped from 40cm).
For extended protection: the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) has one of the longest standard warranties at 4 years, and Tesla's track record for honouring warranty claims is generally well-regarded. The Andersen A3 comes with a standard 7 years warranty from Andersen EV. When comparing warranties, also check what's covered — most warranties cover manufacturing defects and component failure, but may not cover damage from incorrect installation or extreme weather events. Having your charger installed by an OZEV-approved installer typically ensures the warranty remains valid.
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) if you want the best value for money, or overall quality and user satisfaction matter most, or you have or plan to install a three-phase electrical supply, or official tesla charger.
Buy the Andersen A3 if long-term peace of mind is a priority, or you have solar panels or plan to install them, or you're on a smart energy tariff like Octopus Intelligent Go, or you want the best design.
Our Verdicts
The Tesla Wall Connector is the no-brainer choice if you want the cleanest integration with your Tesla. It's competitively priced, has the longest warranty, and the Tesla app experience is unmatched. The only reason to look elsewhere is if you specifically want smart tariff integration (look at the Ohme) or solar diverting (Wallbox Eco-Smart).
The Andersen A3 is the only charger where design is genuinely the primary selling point. The hidden cable system is unique, the finish options are extraordinary, and the 7-year warranty shows real confidence. But you are paying a hefty premium for aesthetics — the Tesla Wall Connector does the same job electrically for less than half the price. Buy the Andersen if your charger is prominently visible and you want it to look like it belongs there.
