The best portable EV charger for most UK drivers is the [[AMAZON_LINK:B0FPDH9XGP|Cord Lite Type 2 Portable Charger]], a well-regarded 3-pin unit that balances build quality, cable length and ease of use. A portable charger, often called a granny charger, plugs into a normal 3-pin socket and adds around 8 to 10 miles of range per hour, making it a dependable backup or a slow daily charger for low-mileage drivers. Below are six strong options for different needs and budgets. If you would rather see cables and chargers we stock directly, browse our portable EV chargers. The picks here are live Amazon buying options, since we do not sell these particular units ourselves.
At a glance: the best portable EV chargers
| Charger | Best for | Cable | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cord Lite Type 2 Portable Charger | Recognised brand | 5m | [[AMAZON_PRICE:B0FPDH9XGP]] |
| LCLCTEK 3kW Portable EV Charger | Value 3kW | 10m | [[AMAZON_PRICE:B0H14VL2CZ]] |
| de EV Charger with App | App control | 10m | [[AMAZON_PRICE:B0G3WSDP34]] |
| EzGoGo 3kW Portable Charger | Adjustable current | 10m | [[AMAZON_PRICE:B0DLNR61P1]] |
| Ampwerk 2.3kW Portable Charger | Gentle 2.3kW draw | 10m | [[AMAZON_PRICE:B0FW25XNVF]] |
| Masterplug EV Charging Cable | Trusted accessory brand | 10m | [[AMAZON_PRICE:B0DMFMGC89]] |
Prices are shown live and change often. Check each listing for the current figure.
What makes a good portable EV charger?
A good portable charger comes down to a safe, steady output and a cable that reaches your car. Look at the current it draws, since 3kW units charge a touch quicker than 2.3kW ones but pull more from the socket, and adjustable current is handy on older wiring. Cable length matters too, with 5m fine for most driveways and 10m useful for awkward parking. All of these plug into a standard 3-pin socket and must go straight into the wall, never through an extension lead or adapter.
Our top portable EV charger picks
Each pick below suits a different priority, from brand reassurance to app control. All are Type 2 at the car end and use a UK 3-pin plug at the wall.
Best recognised brand: Cord Lite Type 2 Portable Charger
A dependable all-rounder from a trusted UK EV brand, with a 5m cable that suits most driveways and home setups. It is a sensible default if you want a known name and a straightforward plug-and-play unit.
[[AMAZON_CARD:B0FPDH9XGP|Best recognised brand|Cord Lite Type 2 Portable Charger|5m cable with UK 3-pin plug; Type 2 car connector; Trusted UK EV brand]]Best value 3kW: LCLCTEK 3kW Portable EV Charger
A strong value choice for drivers who want the slightly quicker 3kW output and a long 10m reach for on-street or awkward parking. It keeps things simple with a UK 3-pin plug.
[[AMAZON_CARD:B0H14VL2CZ|Best value 3kW|LCLCTEK 3kW Portable EV Charger|Up to 3kW charging; Long 10m reach; UK 3-pin plug]]Best with app control: de EV Charger with App
If you like to schedule charging and monitor from your phone, this unit adds app scheduling and adjustable current alongside a 10m cable. Handy for shifting charging into a cheaper overnight window.
[[AMAZON_CARD:B0G3WSDP34|Best with app control|de EV Charger with App|3.12kW with app scheduling; 10m cable; Adjustable current]]Best adjustable current: EzGoGo 3kW Portable Charger
Adjustable from 6 to 13A, this is a flexible pick for varying supplies, letting you dial the draw down on older wiring or up when the socket allows. The 10m cable and Type 2 connector cover most parking situations.
[[AMAZON_CARD:B0DLNR61P1|Best adjustable current|EzGoGo 3kW Portable Charger|6 to 13A adjustable; 10m reach; Type 2 connector]]Best gentle 2.3kW: Ampwerk 2.3kW Portable Charger
The lower 10A draw makes this a gentle choice for homes with older wiring, easing the load on the socket. Simple plug and play with a 10m cable for reach where you need it.
[[AMAZON_CARD:B0FW25XNVF|Best gentle 2.3kW|Ampwerk 2.3kW Portable Charger|Lower 10A draw for older wiring; 10m cable; Simple plug and play]]Best trusted accessory brand: Masterplug EV Charging Cable
From an established UK electrical accessory brand, this 10m Type 2 to 3-pin cable is a reassuring pick if brand familiarity matters to you. A solid, no-fuss backup for the boot.
[[AMAZON_CARD:B0DMFMGC89|Best trusted accessory brand|Masterplug EV Charging Cable|Established UK brand; 10m length; Type 2 to 3-pin]]Which cable length should you choose?
Choose 5m if your car parks close to the socket on a driveway or in a garage, as it is lighter and easier to store. Go for 10m if you park on the street, share a socket, or your charging port sits on the far side of the car from the wall. A longer cable is heavier and pricier, so do not go longer than you need. Whatever the length, plug the 3-pin end directly into the wall socket, never through an extension.
How fast will these actually charge?
Portable chargers are slow by design, adding roughly 8 to 10 miles of range per hour at around 2.3 to 3kW. A 3kW unit is marginally quicker than a 2.3kW one, but the difference is modest, and a large battery can still take a day or more to fill from low. They shine as overnight top-ups and backups rather than rapid solutions. If you need to replace a lot of range each night, a 7.4kW wallbox is the faster everyday tool.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best portable EV charger in the UK?
For most drivers, a recognised-brand 3-pin unit with the right cable length is the best pick, which is why the Cord Lite Type 2 is our lead choice. The right one for you depends on cable length, current draw and whether you want app control. All the units here are solid options for a backup or slow daily charge.
Is a 3kW portable charger better than 2.3kW?
A 3kW unit charges slightly faster and pulls a bit more current, while a 2.3kW unit is gentler on older wiring. The real-world difference in charging time is modest, so choose based on your socket and wiring rather than chasing the higher figure. If in doubt on older wiring, a lower or adjustable draw is the safer pick.
How long is the cable on a portable charger?
Most portable chargers come with a 5m or 10m cable. Five metres suits driveways and garages where the car parks near the socket, while 10m helps with on-street parking or an awkward charging port position. A longer cable is heavier and costs more, so pick the shortest length that comfortably reaches your car.
Can I use a portable charger with an app?
Some models, such as the app-enabled pick above, let you schedule and monitor charging from your phone. This is useful for shifting charging into a cheaper overnight window. Many cars also have built-in scheduling, so you can achieve similar timing without an app if your charger does not include one.
Are these chargers safe to leave overnight?
Yes, when plugged directly into a good wall socket on its own circuit and not through an extension lead or adapter. Overnight is exactly what these units are built for. Check the plug stays cool on the first few charges from a new socket, and stop if you notice heat, smell or buzzing.
Do I still need a wallbox if I buy one of these?
Not necessarily. Low-mileage drivers can rely on a portable charger, while high-mileage drivers usually want a 7.4kW wallbox for speed and keep a portable unit as backup. Think of a portable charger as a flexible safety net you can take anywhere, and a wallbox as the fast daily workhorse at home.
Can I use a portable charger with an extension lead?
No. Portable chargers must plug directly into a wall socket, as extension leads and adapters are not rated for hours of continuous EV charging current and can overheat. If no socket is reachable, have an electrician fit one nearby rather than bridging the gap with an extension lead.
The bottom line: pick the unit whose cable length and current draw suit your parking and wiring, and treat it as a backup or slow daily charger. For more, compare a granny charger versus a wallbox and check whether granny chargers are safe before you buy.