The Truth About the Best Portable EV Charger

Can you believe some EV drivers still think portable EV chargers are weaker than stationary ones? We were surprised too.

33% of homeowners using go-e Chargers chose our mobile version, and it makes sense. You get all the smart features of a stationary device - PV surplus, flexible energy tariffs, and much more - in a portable, plug-and-play design. And yes, the maximum charging power is just as strong.

So, the real question is: have you been ignoring the EV charger that can give you more for the same price?

• Compared to emergency chargers, mobile chargers provide faster, safer, and more sustainable charging suitable for regular use.

• With a smart portable EV charger, you can reduce your charging costs by using schedulers, flexible energy tariffs and solar surplus.

• No electrician is required to assemble a mobile charger, but it is recommended to have a specialist check once that the electrical system of the building can handle high loads.

A portable EV charger is a mobile device (often also called a wallbox) that lets you charge your electric vehicle anywhere there’s a compatible power outlet. Unlike stationary wallboxes, you can easily carry it and plug it into different sockets. That makes it perfect for charging at home and in addition at your holiday home, rental property, or whenever you’re on the go.

Portable EV chargers can be used for regular home charging while additionally providing the flexibility to charge at friends’ homes, campsites, or rentals. Typically, they work with a CEE red socket but can also be connected to other types of power outlets using adapters.

Smart charging means cheaper and more sustainable energy use. It’s easy to see why a lot of EV owners want this at home. But imagine being able to simply unplug such a charger, take it on a trip, and charge wherever you go. That is a whole different story, a story about freedom. And then comes the big question: can a solution that does both also be affordable? We were determined to find out. That’s how our first portable wallbox was born!

Did you know that go‑e was the first company in the world to create a smart, mobile wallbox back in 2017? And just like that, new standards for intuitively usable, intelligent charging solutions with an excellent price-performance ratio were set. Today, with the go-e Charger Gemini flex and Gemini flex 2.0, the successors of our first portable wallbox generation, smart charging is no longer limited to one location.

Many rentals, especially older cottages, don’t come with a dedicated wallbox. But don’t worry, as long as they have a 230 V outlet in the garage or driveway, you’re safe. 

It might not deliver lightning-fast charging, but if you plug in overnight, you’ll usually wake up with enough range to cover sightseeing. If you’re lucky enough to stay in a place with a red CEE socket, you can top up the battery of a large SUV like the BMW iX overnight.

“One time I stayed in a motel that advertised outdoor outlets… got an overnight Level 1 charge… very useful.” Reddit

In 2024, we set up five mobile charging columns, each with four go-e Chargers, to provide free charging for visitors of the St. Veiter Wiesenmarkt, an Austrian folk festival attracting thousands of visitors daily. The chargers featured dynamic load balancing and were supplied via a shared line connected to a red CEE socket.

In 2025, go-e organised the famous #LadenbeimBaden (#ChargeWhileBathing) project together with Kelag, the local electricity provider. Several charging points were installed right next to the beach, allowing visitors to charge their cars for free while enjoying a day at the lake.

Mobile chargers can be used for festivals, conferences, sports events, or corporate gatherings. Businesses can also install them temporarily to show appreciation to customers, support sustainability goals, or create a unique, customer-friendly experience.

Few things beat the joy of loading up your EV, heading into the wild, and setting up camp under the stars. But adventures like this need power. This is where a mobile wallbox makes all the difference. Nowadays, many campgrounds are already well equipped with 16 A CEE blue outlets. These work perfectly with portable wallboxes and an appropriate adapter. So, instead of hoping for a lucky 230 V socket, you can be sure you can charge your battery much faster.

If you rely on an emergency charger, you will manage in rare situations, but charging will be slow and not always safe. On the other hand, a mobile wallbox gives you more freedom, with faster charging, safer connections, and the flexibility to plug in almost anywhere your journey takes you.

If you’ve bought an electric car, chances are you already have that “emergency charger” lying somewhere. We are talking about the one that plugs into a normal household socket. And yes, it works. Using it to charge in Mode 2 with a plug for domestic sockets can save the day when you’re staying at your parents’ house or visiting a cottage with nothing more than a 230 V outlet. But these chargers are designed for occasional use, not for everyday life. They charge slowly, can stress regular sockets with permanently high currents if used too long, and sometimes feel more like a lifeline than a solution.

When buying a portable EV charger, consider what adapters you need to be able to charge anywhere, check whether it has all the necessary safety features, ensure the installation could be done on your own, depending on the individual situation, and look for lightweight, compact options with smart features.

At go-e, we make sure you’re covered for every charging situation by offering the three most important adapter types: CEE red 32 A/16 A, CEE blue 16 A, and the household socket adapter. With these in your trunk, you’re ready for almost anything, whether it’s a camping trip, a holiday rental, visiting family, or travelling across Europe.

With the right adapter, you can plug an 11 kW charger into a 32 A socket or connect a 22 kW charger to a 16 A socket. Reliable, fast, and commonly found in workshops, farms, or at event locations

Widely used on campsites. It’s a dependable option when you’re away from home.

The slowest way to charge with a wallbox, but also the most accessible. After all, who doesn’t have a regular socket somewhere in the garage or driveway? Use it for overnight top-ups at home, at friends’ places, or when no other socket is available.

If you’re looking for the best portable EV charger, consider models with built-in protections that will keep both you, your car and itself safe. We made sure our go-e Chargers have all the must-have features and also added extra ones.

Must-haves: 

• DC & AC fault protection means integrated modules detect DC (6 mA) and AC (20 mA) leakage, shutting off power immediately if any fault occurs.*

• Voltage monitoring makes the charger adjust automatically to fluctuations, protecting your car and charger from over- or under-voltage situations. Especially useful if you connect it in a new location and don’t know about the voltage situation there.

• Ground check means charging stops if the connection lacks proper grounding. Adjustable via the app for different grid types.

• Temperature sensors regulate charging power if the wallbox gets too hot to prevent overheating.

• Current sensors ensure the car never draws more current than safe to avoid power outages.

Extras:

• An IP65 rating indicates that the wallbox is fully protected against dirt and water, safe for outdoor use in rain or snow.

• Cable lock and RFID/app-controlled access ensure only authorised users can charge.

* On the building side, an RCD type A and a miniature circuit breaker must be installed

We bet you don’t want to call a technician for a weekend trip, and that’s the beauty of portable wallboxes: simplicity. Normally, such chargers can be plugged into an appropriate outlet without professional help.

A portable wallbox should be small enough to fit in a shoebox. Nowadays, it’s not really a problem since most mobile chargers out there are pretty compact.

Now, let’s talk weight. Experience of many EV owners shows that a portable charger shouldn’t feel heavier than a laptop or a pair of sneakers. Anything under 2 kg makes it easy to carry.

go-e Charger Gemini flex 2.0 11 / 22 kW:

15.5 x 26 x 11 cm

1.63 kg / 1.82 kg

The most important features to have are remote control via app, smart scheduling, load balancing, and flexible energy tariffs. Add PV surplus charging and open interfaces for smart home integration. With the go-e Charger, you get all these features in a single portable wallbox.

• Remote monitoring & control in the app so that you can check your charging progress from your couch or when walking the dog. Being able to pause, start, or adjust charging anytime with the app gives a great feeling of control.

• Simple scheduling allows you to set your charger to fill your battery when electricity is cheapest. Especially useful for those using night tariffs with fixed hours at lower prices. Wake up every morning to a full battery knowing you paid as little as possible for it.

• Load balancing means you never have to deal with blackouts caused by overloading your home electrical system. Especially helpful when many household appliances are running during charging or multiple EVs are plugged in. The charger never draws more power than is safely possible.

• Flexible energy tariffs enable the charger to monitor electricity prices in advance and schedule the cheapest time to charge. If prices spike, it will pause charging until costs drop. Everything happens automatically.

• PV surplus charging makes use of excess solar energy for your car instead of selling it back to the grid. This way you reduce both your energy bills and your carbon footprint.

• Open interfaces give you the option to integrate with smart home apps, energy management systems, or PV setups.

Your portable EV charger needs to be smart if you want to reduce costs and care about your environmental impact. Charge when electricity is cheapest, control everything with an app, and use the savings for life’s little pleasures, like a weekend at a lakeside rental, where you can charge overnight with your wallbox.

The mobile go-e Charger Gemini flex 2.0 turns EV charging into one less thing to worry about. You set it up once and go about your day. Wait. But… what exactly do you need to set up? Here’s how we suggest doing it. 

• First, set charging power limits so the building circuit doesn’t get overloaded (no unexpected breaker trips while the dishwasher is running).

• Second, schedule charging during off-peak hours to make the most of lower electricity prices. If you have a flexible energy tariff, set a price limit per kWh in ECO mode, and the charger will automatically wait for the hours when energy is cheaper than your limit.

• Third, connect your go-e wallbox to the go-e Controller (or any other EMS) and activate surplus solar charging. If you have solar panels, your wallbox will use excess PV energy to charge your car, saving money while you focus on other things. 

• Fourth, right before leaving the wallbox, activate RFID protection to make sure only you and maybe some people you know can use the wallbox and no one else.

Most European countries operate on a 230 V, 50 Hz system, which is compatible with most mobile chargers. So you can use the same wallbox across Europe. The UK operates on the same system, but the domestic plug type is different (Type G), meaning you’ll need an extra adapter.

In the United States, the standard voltage is 120 V, which is lower than the 230 V that European chargers are designed for. This means you can’t plug a European charger directly into a U.S. outlet. CEE red sockets are basically nonexistent.

Many European countries have certain requirements and limitations you should be aware of to avoid unpleasant surprises on your trip. For example:

• Italy: You’re not able to charge with more than 7,4 kW unless you want to end up with a power cut in the building.

• Switzerland: The go-e Charger Gemini flex may not be used due to legal regulations. The go-e Charger Gemini flex 2.0 is allowed, but only without adapter cables, meaning you can only charge at a standard CEE red socket.

• Germany: Wallboxes installed from January 1, 2024, must be controllable to prevent grid overloads.

Always verify the specific charging rules and power limits of the country you're visiting.

A portable charger goes wherever you go: weekend trips, holiday rentals, visits to family, camping, or even festivals.

It is also future-proof. Life changes: homes, work trips, or new routines. The mobile wallbox adapts to the new setups WITH YOU. 

Yes, insurance can cover damage from portable EV chargers, but coverage depends on what is damaged and the type of policy you have.

Your mobile charging station can be covered by your comprehensive car insurance, according to Allianz. Typical coverage includes theft, vandalism, or damage from animals, but usually only while actively charging your electric car. For example, if a fox chews on a spare cable stored in your garage, car insurance may not cover it.

4 smart tips for EV charging safety:

• Always use chargers with a EU Declaration of Conformity.

• Choose products from reputable manufacturers.

• Keep receipts and documentation in case of a claim.

• Consider discussing with your insurer about adding specific coverage for EV charging equipment.

go-e is the best portable EV charger brand according to electricar readers. In a survey conducted by the German magazine, more than 45,000 readers participated. go-e took the lead in the mobile wallbox category, securing 29.64% of the votes. Second and third place went to EM2GO and NRGkick, respectively.

Each brand has several portable EV chargers to offer.

• go-e Charger Gemini flex – up to 22 kW, app control, and smart features such as flexible energy tariffs, load balancing, time-controlled charging, and more.

• go-e Charger Gemini flex 2.0 – includes all features of the Gemini flex plus cellular connectivity in addition to WiFi, enabling smart charging everywhere.

Best for: EV owners who want full smart functionality at home and on the go with added flexibility of mobile connection.

• EM2GO Take – Portable charger for type 2 with OLED display and IP66 rating, no smart features.

• EM2GO Mobile Wallbox for Camping – AC mobile EV charger for roadside use with CEE blue plug, 5 m type 2 cable, 1.4 kW output, with display, no smart features.

• EM2GO Mobile EV Charger 3.6 kW – Portable type 2 charger with Schuko plug and LCD display, no smart features.

Best for: Drivers who want a compact, entry-level charger for home or occasional use.

• NRGkick LIGHT – up to 11 kW, 5 m charging cable, no app control.

• NRGkick PURE – up to 22 kW, app control, smart features such as time-controlled charging and the ability to generate charging reports.

Best for: EV owners who want a mobile EV charger for roadside use with several smart features

Honestly, we had doubts about whether we should have this section here at all. Of course, we’re biased. Knowing all the ins and outs of our wallboxes, feeling excitement when someone asks, “So what are the smart features?”, and simply believing that go-e products are awesome - it’s hard to stay objective. But then we remembered how 45,000 electricar readers voted us the best portable wallbox and thought that maybe, when we say “Gemini flex 2.0 is amazing”, we are just stating the obvious?

The main reasons to opt for the go-e Charger Gemini flex 2.0 are using the scheduler or flexible tariffs to charge at the cheapest times, charging with excess PV power, staying connected anywhere via the built-in SIM, controlling charging via app, and compatibility with nearly every EV and plug-in hybrid in Europe.

• Use the scheduler or flexible energy tariffs so your car charges at the cheapest times. You will wake up every morning to a full battery and know you paid as little as possible for it.

• Together with the go-e Controller or another Home Energy Management System, the charger makes sure your excess PV power flows straight into your car battery.

• With its built-in SIM card, you stay connected even without WiFi. That means you can check or control charging and benefit from smart features from anywhere, whether you are relaxing on the couch or on holiday abroad.

• Adjust the charging speed at the press of a button or in the app, perfect if you want to protect your battery, be eco-friendly or meet local regulations.

• Works with nearly every EV and plug-in hybrid in Europe.

• The go-e Charger Gemini flex 2.0 was named Price Champion 2025 in the major comparison test by DIE TESTER, published in electricar magazine. So you know you’re getting an intelligent charger without paying more than you need to.

Enjoy all the smart features of the fixed go-e Charger, with the added flexibility to take it on the go and charge wherever you need.