Tethered vs. Untethered EV Chargers: Which One is the Best?

Some say untethered EV chargers are the only smart choice because they offer flexibility. Others argue that tethered chargers are the most convenient option and can’t be beaten for simplicity. The truth is, there’s only one right answer to “which one is best”: the one that suits your situation.

In this guide, you’ll discover the key differences between tethered and untethered EV chargers, learn which one is cheaper in the long run, and pinpoint the setup that’s perfect for your needs.

A tethered EV charger is one with a built-in cable. Most DC chargers you see in public come this way. In private spaces, you’ll see both tethered and untethered chargers equally often. Apparently, there is no clear favourite.

An untethered EV charger does not have a built-in charging cable. Instead, it has a socket. To charge, you bring your own cable and connect it to your car. Untethered chargers give you choices. Different cable lengths, different connector types — it’s adaptability at its finest.

The main differences between tethered and untethered EV chargers involve the aesthetic factor, flexibility, compatibility with various cars, the necessity of having a separate cable, and small differences in how simple the charging process feels.

When you walk into a garage, you don’t want the charger to scream, “look at me.” Untethered chargers do a good job of blending in — you unplug the cable and it’s just a wallbox. Tethered chargers can feel a little more dominant, especially when the cable sticks out. Our go-e Charger PRO is rather an exception, since its type 2 cable is neatly fixed from below, so that it keeps the design clean. In addition, the dark housing combined with the illuminated LED ring that moves around the display, showing the kWh charged, makes the device truly elegant.

And it’s not just us admiring it. The go-e Charger PRO CABLE model won this year's iF Design Award for its modern design. Its twin, the go-e Charger PRO CABLE ME, which has an identical design and additional German measurement and calibration law compliance, recently won the German Design Award 2026 in the ‘Excellent Product Design’ category. You want a wallbox with the same award-winning design, but have no use for MID or calibration law compliance? Then our go-e Charger CORE is the perfect match. It looks just like the award winners but comes at a lower price. 

When it comes to flexibility, untethered EV chargers are the clear winners. Let’s imagine that you need to charge a second car at home — something you didn’t plan for when you first installed your wallbox. With a fixed cable, it’s not always guaranteed that the cable will reach the second car unless you move the first one out of the way. 

With an untethered wallbox, like the go-e Charger Gemini flex 2.0, it’s a different story. You can simply get a longer cable (for example, we offer 7.5 m options, among others) and avoid interrupting your movie midway to repark your car in order to let your wife or neighbour charge.

Untethered chargers are also more flexible when it comes to compatibility. You can use them to charge cars with both type 2 and type 1 sockets. Type 1 connectors are becoming rare, but they’re still found on some older or second-hand EVs — like the Nissan Leaf. So if someone in your family decides to buy a used EV, they can use your wallbox without any problems.

Reddit user:

• The main advantage of untethered is if you’ve got an old EV like a Nissan Leaf, which uses a type 1 charger. 

There’s one small catch with untethered chargers: no cable means no charging. If you accidentally leave your cable in another car or forget it somewhere, you won’t be able to charge at home until you get it back. With a tethered charger, the cable is always there and ready to charge your car.

When it comes to the charging process itself, having to plug in and unplug the cable from the charger might feel like an extra step. With a tethered charger, you only need to plug the cable once — into your car. Spoiler: It is not necessarily the case. We explain how to get the benefits of the tether charger with an untethered model later in this blog post. 

Let us quickly summarise who performs better in each category. Score out of 5 (higher = better)

The complexity of a charger installation depends on whether you choose a mobile or a stationary model. Whether it is tethered or untethered plays a very small role.

Mobile wallboxes like the go-e Charger Gemini flex 2.0 are almost always untethered. This is very practical as you can take the charger with you to another location, and having a separate cable makes it easier to store and transport. Stationary wallboxes like the go-e Charger Gemini 2.0 can be tethered or untethered, with no set trend. 

Place the charger within reach of your parking spot, choose the right cable length, ensure the unit is rated for outdoor use if needed, and have a certified electrician check whether your home electrical system can handle the load.

• Make sure the charger is easy to reach from your parking spot. This is crucial for stationary tethered chargers, since moving them later can be tricky or impossible.

• Buying an untethered charger? Choose a cable long enough to reach all your EVs without awkward parking or needing a second cable.If you go for a tethered version, double-check the cable length before clicking “Buy now” or before you swipe your credit card at the checkout. 

• If you want to install the charger outside, make sure it’s rated for it. For example, the go-e Charger Gemini series is IP65-rated, while the go-e Charger PRO is IP66-rated for even tougher conditions.

• Even with a mobile wallbox, it’s a good idea to have a certified electrician check your home’s electrical system and recommend any upgrades.

Use an untethered charger if you have multiple electric cars, host guests with different EV models, and/or already own a charging cable. A tethered charger, on the other hand, is convenient if you usually charge the same car in one spot and/or charge with AC exclusively at home.

If you have two or more EVs in your family, an untethered charger makes life easier. For example, maybe your Tesla Model S is in the garage and your partner’s Hyundai IONIQ 6 is in the driveway. With an untethered charger, you can use a longer cable or swap cables for each car without having to move the vehicles around.

If you often host friends who drive different EVs, an untethered charger keeps things simple. You don’t care whether they drive the BMW i3 with a type 2 charging port or the Kia Soul EV with a type 1. They can just plug in their own cable (or use yours) and charge.

It’s easy to assume that a tethered charger gives you more value because the cable is included, while untethered chargers cost extra since you have to buy one separately. Many new EV owners think this way. The reality is, if you plan to charge with AC not just at home but also at public stations, you’ll need a type 2 cable anyway. Moreover, if you already have a charging cable, it’s often cheaper to buy a charger that comes without one. 

If you only use DC chargers in public, you probably don’t need to carry a cable with you all the time. In that case, a tethered EV charger at home can be an optimal solution. That said, experience shows it’s handy to have a cable available just in case you travel to new areas or need a quick charge where only AC chargers are available.

If you usually charge the same car in the same spot, a tethered charger is perfect. The cable is always there, ready to go, so you don’t have to bother plugging it in every time. It’s even more convenient if your charger is outdoors — when it’s pouring, you’ll spend a few seconds less standing in the rain.

Technically speaking, yes. You can’t fully convert an untethered charger into a tethered one, but what you can do is set it up to behave very similarly. Attention: It is only possible with a smart charger.

For example, the go-e app lets you keep the cable locked even once the charging is complete. This means there is no way for someone to just unplug it without your permission. For a more permanent “tethered” feel, you can even use two separate cables: one for home and one for public charging.

Reddit user:

• Untethered, but leave the cable in. Best of both worlds.
   

Tethered and untethered chargers are generally similar in price, with costs mainly driven by smart features. Some manufacturers, like Zappi, offer both options, with the tethered version about £20 more. Hive shows a bigger gap, with a £60 difference.

Here’s a quick look at some popular models available in both variants:

Zappi Multiphase EV Charger

• Tethered: £799

• Untethered: £779

Hive EO Mini Pro 3

• Tethered: from £799

• Untethered: from £739

Pod Point Charger

• Tethered: £1,049

• Untethered: £999

go-e Charger Gemini series

• Untethered: from £655

• go-e charging cable that you can lock in and use the wallbox as tethered: from £155

There is no difference in safety between tethered and untethered chargers. Some people assume tethered are better because the cable is always attached and, therefore, can’t be stolen. However, most smart chargers let you lock the cable so it only unlocks through the app with your permission.

When it comes to electrical safety, it’s the charger itself that makes the difference, not whether the cable is built-in or removable. As long as you use it correctly, there will be no issues. 

Myths about EV chargers claim that untethered chargers are normally less safe but cheaper than tethered ones, all public chargers are tethered, and most tethered chargers lack an aesthetic look. So… apparently, there’s a LOT of misinformation floating around. 

Let’s see what’s true, what’s half-baked, and what’s just… pure myth.

Reality: Safety depends on electrical protection features, build quality, and whether the cable locks properly, not whether it’s built-in or removable.

Verdict: Busted

Reality: Tethered chargers usually do cost a bit more because they come with the cable built in. But the difference isn’t huge. In addition, sometimes buying a separate cable for an untethered charger can make the total cost almost the same.

Verdict: Partially true

Reality: While many DC fast chargers are tethered, a lot of AC chargers aren’t, which means you often need to use your own cable. 

Verdict: Busted

Reality: A well-designed tethered charger can be sleek, minimalistic, and even chic. The cable placement, how it bends, how it wraps — that’s what counts. For instance, the go-e Charger PRO looks clean even with the cable neatly coiled around it. That said, there are also models with not-so-well-thought-out designs where the cable does spoil the look.

Verdict: Half-true