7kW vs 22kW EV Chargers

The headline difference is simple: a 7kW charger is the normal choice for UK homes, while a 22kW charger usually needs a three-phase supply that most domestic properties do not have.

That means the bigger number can be misleading. Paying more for a 22kW unit will not make home charging faster unless your property and your vehicle can actually take advantage of it. For most households, that never becomes the limiting factor in day-to-day charging.

What this comparison really means

The useful question is not “which number is bigger?” It is whether the property, the car, and the charging pattern can make meaningful use of the extra AC charging rate in the first place.

• Home supply matters first: most UK homes are single-phase, which points naturally toward 7kW charging
• Vehicle capability matters too: a charger cannot deliver faster AC charging than the car can accept
• Charging routine matters: if the car is parked overnight, 7kW is often already enough for normal use
• Higher power does not automatically mean better value: it can simply mean paying for a spec your setup cannot fully use

When 7kW makes sense

• You have a standard single-phase domestic supply
• You mainly charge overnight or while the car is parked for a few hours
• You want the broadest installer choice and the simplest setup

Why 7kW is the normal answer for UK homes

For most domestic buyers, 7kW is not a compromise. It is the practical match for the home. It supports normal overnight charging well, keeps installer options broad, and lets you focus on the things that usually matter more in ownership, such as cable setup, app quality, tariff support, and installation scope.

When 22kW makes sense

• You already have three-phase power on site
• Your vehicle can benefit from higher AC charging rates
• You are installing for a mixed-use property, fleet setting, or more demanding charging pattern

What buyers often get wrong

• Assuming a 22kW charger will automatically deliver faster charging at home
• Comparing chargers by headline power before checking supply type and vehicle limits
• Paying too much attention to maximum output and not enough to installation practicality or total value
• Treating power as the main decision when cable type, smart features, or installation scope may matter more

How to use this when shortlisting chargers

If your home is a typical single-phase domestic setup, treat 7kW as the default path and move on to the next real decisions: tethered versus untethered, tariff-led charging, solar support, and retailer installation terms.

A practical next step is to compare Ohme Home Pro, Hypervolt Home 3 Pro, and myenergi zappi on the compare page. Then read EV charger installation cost UK if total installed value is still unclear.

Buyer takeaway

For most visitors comparing chargers on this site, 7kW is the practical answer. It is usually better to focus on cable setup, app quality, solar support, and installation value than to chase a headline power figure your home cannot use.