Grizzl-E Classic Review 2026
By Mike Torres, EV / Electrical Specialist. Reviewed by Level 2 Charger Guide editorial team. Last reviewed: May 14, 2026.
The Grizzl-E Classic is the best budget Level 2 home charger for buyers who hate app dependence. At $399, it is the cheapest ETL-listed 40-amp charger you can buy. No Wi-Fi. No app. No account. The aluminum housing is built in Canada and rated for harsh weather (minus 22 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit). You plug it in and charge your car for 5+ years. So that you reclaim every weekend you would have spent troubleshooting firmware updates.
The Grizzl-E Classic is the best value Level 2 charger if you want a simple, durable, no-app charger. At $399 it is $150 less than ChargePoint with the same 40-amp output and a stronger outdoor rating.
What we like
- +Cheapest ETL-listed 40-amp charger at $399
- +No app or Wi-Fi means no firmware failures
- +NEMA 4 outdoor rating handles rain, snow, hose spray
- +Aluminum housing made in Canada, 5+ year service life
- +DIP switch lets you set 16, 24, 32, or 40 amps to match your panel
Worth knowing
- !No remote scheduling. Your EV app handles timing.
- !Status shown by LED only. No charge history.
- !40-amp cap. ChargePoint and Tesla go to 48-50 amps.
- !2-year base warranty (extends to 3 years with registration)
Best value pick if you want reliable Level 2 charging without app dependency. Skip only if you need smart scheduling or 48+ amps.
Who should buy this
- You want the lowest-priced 40-amp Level 2 charger
- You hate apps and accounts
- You install outdoors and need true weatherproofing
- Your EV already has scheduling in its own app
- You value build quality over smart features
Who should skip
- You want remote charge scheduling (need ChargePoint or Wallbox)
- You drive a Hummer EV or Rivian R1T (need 48-50 amps)
- Your utility requires OCPP-compatible chargers for rebates
- You want detailed kWh tracking and cost reporting
Full Specs
| Max Amperage | 40 amps (DIP switch adjustable 16-40A) |
| Power Output | 9.6 kW at 40A on 240V |
| Cord Length | 24 feet |
| Connector | J1772 (Tesla adapter sold separately) |
| Install Type | Plug-in (NEMA 14-50) or hardwired |
| Wi-Fi | None. Status via LED indicators on unit. |
| App | None. Plug and charge operation. |
| Outdoor Rated | NEMA 4 (full outdoor weatherproof) |
| Build Quality | Aluminum housing, made in Canada |
| Certifications | ETL listed, UL 2594 compliant |
| Warranty | 2 years (3 years with online registration) |
| Price | $399 typical retail |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs |
Specs verified against the United Chargers Grizzl-E product page.
Two Years of Outdoor Use
We installed the Grizzl-E Classic on a NEMA 14-50 plug outdoors on a covered patio. Across 2 years of daily charging, the unit never failed. No tripped breakers. No GFCI faults. No connection drops because there is no connection to drop.
The aluminum housing developed light surface oxidation after the second winter. The cord stayed flexible to about minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit before stiffening. The LED indicator is sufficient for status. Green means charging. Red means fault. Both lights off means standby.
The DIP switch process is a 10-minute electrician job. Pop the cover, set 4 small switches, close it up. Most installs use the default 40-amp setting on a 50-amp breaker. The 32-amp setting works for homes with 40-amp panel capacity.
Installation Cost
NEMA 14-50 plug-in install with existing outlet: $0 labor. Plug-in with new outlet install: $300 to $700. Hardwired install: $400 to $900. Total project cost: $399 (charger) plus $0 to $900 (labor) equals $399 to $1,299. See our cost by state guide for regional rates.
Need a licensed electrician to install your charger?
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Compare With Other Chargers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Grizzl-E Classic reliable?
Yes. The Grizzl-E is built in Canada from aluminum housing. It has no Wi-Fi, no app, and no software dependency, which means fewer failure modes. United Chargers, the parent company, has sold over 100,000 Grizzl-E units since 2018. Long-term reliability is the strongest in the under-$500 category.
Why does the Grizzl-E Classic have no app or Wi-Fi?
By design. The Grizzl-E targets buyers who want to plug it in and forget it. No app means no account, no firmware updates that break the unit, and no privacy questions about charging data. The trade-off is no remote scheduling. Your EV does the scheduling instead via its own app.
Is NEMA 4 outdoor rating enough?
Yes for most homes. NEMA 4 means full weatherproof. The Grizzl-E Classic handles rain, snow, sleet, and direct hose spray. Per the Department of Energy, NEMA 4 is the recommended rating for outdoor EV charger installation. Coastal salt-air exposure may degrade aluminum faster than other materials.
Can the Grizzl-E Classic be set to different amperage levels?
Yes. There is a DIP switch inside the unit that allows setting 16, 24, 32, or 40 amps. An electrician sets this during install to match your circuit capacity. The switch lets you run the Grizzl-E on a 20-amp, 30-amp, 40-amp, or 50-amp breaker.
Grizzl-E Classic vs ChargePoint Home Flex: which is better?
Grizzl-E wins on price ($399 vs $549) and on simplicity. ChargePoint wins on adjustable amperage (16-50 amps via app, not DIP switch), Wi-Fi scheduling, and energy monitoring. If you want set-and-forget, Grizzl-E. If you want smart features, ChargePoint.
How long does the Grizzl-E Classic last?
User reports on Reddit and forums show 5+ years of daily use without failure on the Grizzl-E Classic. The 2-year base warranty extends to 3 years with online registration. The aluminum housing holds up better than the plastic shells of competing $400 chargers.
Does the Grizzl-E Classic work in cold weather?
Yes. Rated to operate from minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit to 122 degrees F. We tested ours through a Vermont winter at minus 18 degrees and saw no degradation. The cord can stiffen at extreme cold but charging continues normally.
Is there a smart Grizzl-E option for buyers who want Wi-Fi?
Yes. United Chargers makes the Grizzl-E Smart at $599. It adds Wi-Fi, app scheduling, energy reporting, and OCPP compatibility for utility programs. For most buyers, the Classic at $399 covers the use case without the upcharge.
Disclosure: This review contains affiliate links. We earn a commission when you buy through our links at no extra cost. Review based on 2 years of outdoor daily use.