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Lectron was the very first charger brand I used way back in the early days of EV charging. When I searched for a highly reviewed charger that could work with my odd socket, Lectron had exactly what I needed. The charger allowed me to quickly charge test vehicles, and when I began testing and reviewing chargers, Lectron was the first brand to support my efforts. I’ve since used Lectron mobile chargers when I visited Airbnbs and hotels. They are reliable, simple to use, and affordable. Let’s look at the latest test charger from Lectron we’ve tested.
Lectron 40-Amp, 240-Volt, Level 2 Portable J1772 Charger - What Is It?
This charger is a mobile charger that you can plug in and use anywhere you have the correct outlet type. Our tester was a NEMA 14-50 style. Lectron makes chargers with a variety of plug types, so choose yours according to your socket. The charger type we tested had a J1772-style handle. See our prior review at the end of this post of the NACS (Tesla-style) portable charger, which works the same way. This charger is equipped with WIFI and app capability. More on that aspect below. Don't be intimidated by the app.
Lectron 40-Amp, 240-Volt Level 2 Portable J1772 Charger - What’s It Cost, and Where To Buy
This Lectron charger is available from Lectron on its website, and it was priced at $230 at the time of this story’s publication. It is also available from Amazon at a price of $238. At these prices, you won't find a better value.
Lectron 40-Amp, 240-Volt Level 2 Portable J1772 Charger - Unboxing and First Use
The Lectron charger arrives in a very compact packaging. There is an outer box that snugly encloses a sort of black suitcase that you can use as a carrying case for the charger. There is no possible way this unit could use less packaging. It is very environmentally friendly.
If you don't want to use the app, and prefer to just immediately get to charging, all you need to do is unpack the charger, plug it into the wall, enable power to the socket at the breaker box, and then plug in the handle to the car. It’s that simple. You do not need to load the app or sign in or anything like that to make it work. All of that is optional (and simple). We opted to prove ourselves right about this and did just plug it in. We charged a 2025 BMW M5 Touring PHEV, and it worked great. The small onboard traction battery went from empty to full in under 2 hours.
Lectron 40-Amp, 240-Volt Level 2 Portable J1772 Charger - The App
The app is compatible with Apple and Android devices, and it is so simple to use. You download, establish a username and password, and then add the device. It takes mere minutes. The app provides real-time charging status and tells you how much energy has been added in kWh. We’d give the app an A+ for simplicity. There are the usual scheduling features and tracking menus you’d expect.
Lectron 40-Amp, 240-Volt Level 2 Portable J1772 Charger - The Cable and The Wall Mount
Please forgive us for not having a beauty image of the wall-mounted plastic holder for the charger neatly installed in our garage. We have a test stand, and the power supply is lower than one would opt for if using a mobile charger. We simply hung the charger from the socket to use it. We’d suggest mounting your socket up high and using the plastic holder if you plan to use the mobile charger full-time in your garage. Next to it, use a cable holder. Lectron has them as options, or your local hardware store can provide you with something neat and easy to use.
Lectron 40-Amp, 240-Volt Level 2 Portable J1772 Charger - GFCI Circuit Compatibility
Our circuit is protected by a GFCI breaker, and we had no false trips using the Lectorn mobile charger. It worked repeatedly and without any problems.
Lectron 40-Amp, 240-Volt Level 2 Portable J1772 Charger - Power
The Lectron mobile charger can deliver 40 amps of current when used with a 50-amp circuit. That equates to a 9.6 kW power delivery. Your EV’s ability to accept charge will be the determining factor in how much range can be added per hour. Figure roughly 20 to 30 miles of range.
Lectron 40-Amp, 240-Volt Level 2 Portable J1772 Charger - Safety and Weatherproofing
This charger is made of high-grade, rugged materials to protect you from electric shock. Its enclosure is IP65 rated for dust and water resistance. The charger handle is UL 2251 certified, and the charger itself is Energy Star, ETL, and FCC certified.
Lectron 40-Amp, 240-Volt Level 2 Portable J1772 Charger - Cable and Handle
The cable and handle of the Lectron charger are robust. The cable is 16 feet long. The J1772 handle feels as if it is sturdy and of high quality.
Lectron 40-Amp, 240-Volt Level 2 Portable J1772 Charger - Online Reviews
We turned to Amazon to find some reviews of this Lectron Charger. We found that it earns an average score of 4.4 out of five. 84% of reviews are four or five stars. One Verified Purchase review said:
Easy to use, easy to set up, and gets the job done! I also think it is attractive for a charger cable.
Another said:
Download the app! This works great, I love being able to change modes between manual, plug and charge, and scheduled charging. And notifications upon start and stop give me the peace of mind that the connection is secure and the car is charging. Great purchase.
Lectron 40-Amp, 240-Volt Level 2 Portable J1772 Charger - Summary
The Lectron mobile charger line offers outstanding value, a low price point, great performance, and Lectron is a respected brand with years of happy customers using a wide variety of charger models. Choose the one that fits your vehicle and needs best. Based on our many tests, we can confirm that Lectron offers a great product at a very attractive price point.
Test Note: Lectron provided this test charger at no cost to Torque News. As with all such loans, we have offered to return it or pass it along to a fellow tester after we complete our testing. Torque News does not accept payments, sponsorships, or advertisements from the companies whose products we test.
Here Are Some Related Lectron Charger Reviews:
Lectron V-Box 48-amp EV Charger Update - Can It Handle The Ford F-150 Lightning?
John Goreham is the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association and an expert vehicle tester. John completed an engineering program with a focus on electric vehicles, followed by two decades of work in high-tech, biopharma, and the automotive supply chain before becoming a news contributor. He is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE int). In addition to his fourteen years of work at Torque News, John has published thousands of articles and reviews at American news outlets. He is known for offering unfiltered opinions on vehicle topics. You can connect with John on LinkedIn and follow his work on his personal X channel or on our X channel. John employs grammar and punctuation software when proofreading, and he sometimes uses image generation tools.
Top of page image courtesy of Lectron. Other images by John Goreham.
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