Choosing between a tethered and untethered charger affects daily usability, cost, flexibility, and long-term value. Both charge your EV effectively. The difference lies in cable attachment and the trade-offs that it creates.
Tethered chargers are the UK’s most popular choice for home charging, but untethered models offer advantages for specific situations.
Design and usability differences
Tethered chargers come with a charging cable permanently attached to the unit, typically with a Type 2 connector (the European standard). The cable remains outside permanently, either wrapped around cable tidy hooks or stored in integrated holders. Cable lengths are typically 5m or 7.5m.
An untethered charger has no attached cable; instead, there’s a socket where you plug your own charging cable. Untethered chargers are smaller and tidier than tethered chargers. They’re essentially just an extra outlet socket for your EV cable. You supply the cable, usually the one that came with your vehicle.
Daily usage differs significantly. With a tethered charger, you grab the cable, plug it into your car, and you’re good to go, no need to locate your cable. Arrive home, cable from holder to car, done in 10 seconds.
Having an untethered charger requires you to unpack, plug in, unplug, and pack away your cable every time you use your home charger, which takes more time. Get cable from the boot or garage, plug one end into wall unit, plug other end into the vehicle, then reverse the process when finished. Takes 1-2 minutes each time.
With a tethered charger, arriving home after a long day means convenient charging regardless of weather conditions. You’re not fumbling with a separate cable in heavy rain or snow. Untethered users handle wet or muddy cables. Storing a wet or muddy cable in your boot can be less than ideal.
Type 1 connectors are typically five-pin plugs mostly used with older vehicles (especially North American models); they’re not common in the UK or Europe as new EV models now mostly use Type 2. Type 2 connectors are the most-used charger in the UK and Europe, it’s a seven-pin plug fitting every new model of electric car.
Most tethered chargers in the UK use a Type 2 connector, the standard for modern EVs. If you have an older Type 1 vehicle, you’ll need an adapter or must choose untethered.
Installation flexibility and maintenance
Both types need dedicated circuits from the consumer unit, appropriate RCD protection, mounting at 750-1200mm height, and Wi-Fi connectivity for smart models. Untethered chargers are neater to install, and you can upgrade your charging cable whenever you like.
Future-proofing differs substantially. Untethered chargers offer more flexibility as they allow you to change your cable to suit your needed length and connector type, which is great if you plan to regularly change your electric car.
Tethered chargers are limited to one connector type (usually Type 2); if you switch to an EV with a different connector, you might need a new charger. With untethered, if you buy an EV in the future without a certain socket type, you’ll only need to replace the charging cable rather than the whole unit.
Untethered chargers are an excellent option for multi-EV households or if you’re planning to upgrade your vehicle down the line.
Cable length customisation works differently. Tethered chargers usually come with a 5-metre charging cable; some allow you to pay extra to upgrade to longer cables. Purchasing an untethered charger allows you to customise the length of your charging cable. Buy 3m for close parking or 10m for awkward spaces.
Maintenance requirements vary by type. Tethered cables exposed to weather year-round need inspection for UV degradation and physical wear. Tethered cables are embedded directly into the unit, ensuring they can’t be stolen, but damage requires professional repair or unit replacement.
Untethered maintenance focuses on socket cover condition, internal socket pin cleanliness, and gasket integrity. Your separate cable needs checking, but replacement charging cables can set you back approximately £100-£200 rather than requiring full charger replacement.
All 85,163 public UK charging points are tethered, as are Tesla charging points. You can’t take the tethered cable with you, so you’ll need a separate one for public charging points. If you have an untethered at home, the same cable works at public AC charging stations.
Related topic: Domestic vs commercial EV charger configurations
Cost comparison and warranty factors
The addition of the cable means tethered chargers cost more than untethered chargers. Untethered charging units are usually cheaper than tethered chargers.
Typical pricing for equipment only: untethered chargers £400-£800, tethered chargers £550-£1,000. However, you will need to factor in costs for a compatible charging cable if you don’t already have one. Replacement charging cables can set you back approximately £100-£200.
Total cost comparison: untethered plus cable £500-£1,000, tethered £550-£1,000. The actual difference is minimal once you include the cable.
Installation typically costs £300-£800 depending on distance from consumer unit, cable routing complexity, consumer unit upgrades needed, and civil works. These factors affect both types equally. Cable management adds 30-60 minutes for tethered installations, possibly increasing labour cost by £50-£100.
Long-term replacement costs differ significantly. For tethered chargers, if the cable gets damaged, the manufacturer’s repair costs £200-£400 or unit replacement £550-£1,000+. You cannot easily replace the cable yourself.
For untethered chargers, if your cable gets damaged, buy a replacement cable for £100-£200 as a DIY replacement. The wall unit continues working.
Tethered EV chargers offer better security because the cable is permanently attached, reducing theft or misplacement risk, but damage might cost more to fix.
Most manufacturers offer a 3-year warranty (standard) or a 5-year warranty (premium brands), with extended warranties available. Tethered warranty typically covers the charger unit, integrated cable, all electronics, and installation defects. Untethered warranty covers charger unit, socket mechanism, electronics, and installation defects only—your separate cable has its own manufacturer warranty (typically 1-2 years).
Nine of the top 10 favourite home chargers are grant-eligible, available as both tethered and untethered options from companies such as Andersen, Easee, and Hypervolt. The £350 OZEV grant applies to both types equally.
Which charger type suits your property
Choose tethered if you value convenience above all—tethered chargers offer unmatched convenience with integrated cables always ready and waiting. You park consistently in one spot, charge frequently (daily charging means daily cable handling), don’t plan to change vehicles soon, and have secure parking.
Tethered chargers lack future-proofing; if the industry moves away from a specific charging plug, you could be left with an obsolete charger. If keeping your current EV for 5+ years, this matters less.
Choose untethered if you want maximum flexibility. Untethered chargers offer more flexibility than tethered; if you have guests with their own EV, they should be able to charge using your untethered charger, given their cable fits.
You change vehicles regularly, untethered chargers allow you to use any compatible cable, particularly advantageous if multiple EVs with different charging ports are used in your household. You prefer minimalist aesthetics, and untethered chargers take up less space, allowing for a sleeker design. Some folks find the dangling cable a bit unsightly on tethered units.
You have secure cable storage (garage or lockable storage keeps your cable dry and secure) and plan for multiple vehicles. Two EVs with different connector types? Untethered with two cable handles both.
Property-specific considerations matter. Flat or apartment installations may prefer untethered for aesthetic reasons in communal areas. Listed buildings or conservation areas might find untethered’s smaller profile gains easier planning approval. Exposed coastal areas, with salt spray and harsh weather, are more prone to affecting tethered cables. Consider untethered with the cable stored indoors. High-traffic areas where tethered cables create trip hazards work better with untethered keeping walkways clear.
UK drivers average 19 miles daily, consuming about 6kWh of electricity. A 7kW charger replaces that energy in under an hour. Even driving 60-80 miles daily, overnight charging (8-10 hours) provides plenty of charging time.
Both tethered and untethered chargers offer identical smart capabilities: app control and monitoring, scheduling and automation, solar integration, load balancing, OZEV approval, and time-of-use tariff optimisation. Both tethered and untethered chargers come with smart features depending on the model. Cable attachment doesn’t limit smart functionality.
Common misconceptions: charging speed depends on the charger’s power rating and your vehicle’s onboard charger, not the cable attachment method. Both 7kW tethered and 7kW untethered charge at identical speeds. Quality Type 2 cables last years with normal use. OZEV grants apply equally to both tethered and untethered approved models.
When selling property, both add value equally. Tethered appears more “complete” to buyers, while untethered might need explanation. Documentation matters more than charger type. Keep all certificates safe as you’ll need them for insurance, property sales, and future electrical work.
No wrong choice exists, both charge your vehicle effectively. Personal priorities determine which suits you better. Daily convenience favours tethered. Future flexibility favours untethered. Your parking setup, vehicle plans, and aesthetic preferences guide the final decision.
Need help choosing between tethered and untethered EV chargers? Diligent Electrical Contractors discusses your specific situation and recommends the optimal solution for your property, vehicle, and usage patterns. We install all major brands of both types across London. Contact us for honest advice and professional installation.