Tethered or Untethered Charger: Which Should You Choose?

When you choose a home charger, one of the first questions is whether to get a tethered unit, with the charging cable permanently attached, or an untethered one, where you plug in your own cable each time. Both charge your car at the same speed. The difference is about convenience, looks and how many different cars you need to charge.

Tethered chargers

A tethered charger has its cable fixed to the unit, usually coiled around a holder on the side.

• Quickest to use: pull the cable off and plug it in.
• No need to keep a cable in the boot.
• Only fits cars with the matching connector, which is Type 2 for almost all new cars in the UK.
• The coiled cable is always on show on the wall or post.

Untethered chargers

An untethered charger has a socket on the front, and you use the cable that came with your car or one you buy separately.

• Neater on the front of the house, with no cable hanging when not in use.
• Works with any car if you have the right cable, handy for households with two different cars or visitors.
• You need to get the cable out of the boot each time, which can be a chore in the rain.
• The socket usually locks the cable in place while charging.

Cable length

Most tethered chargers come with a 5 to 8 metre cable. Think about where the charging port is on your car and how you park. If the charger is on a wall at the front of the drive and your port is at the back of the car, a longer cable or a post mounted charger closer to the bay may be better. Our earlier guide to a post or wall mounted charger covers placement in more detail.

Which is right for you

• One car and a simple drive: tethered is usually the easiest daily choice.
• Two cars, visitors or a listed or period frontage where looks matter: untethered often suits better.
• Shared driveways or small business car parks: untethered units are common, as each driver brings their own cable.

The electrics are the same either way

Both types need a dedicated circuit, the right protection and a suitable earthing arrangement, and must meet the smart charging rules. We check the supply and consumer unit first, and an EICR can pick up anything that needs fixing before installation.

Energy North Ltd installs tethered and untethered chargers across North, East and West London with City & Guilds certified electricians. See our EV charger installation page to book a survey.