Masterplug EV Charger Review: Any Good?
Masterplug’s popular EV charger is a portable Mode 2 (3-pin) cable — not a wallbox. We tested what it does well, the honest catch, and exactly who it’s right for.
The short verdict
The Masterplug EV charger is a good, safe, well-made portable charging cable — but it’s a backup, not a home wallbox. Masterplug’s popular product is a Mode 2 “granny charger”: a 13A UK 3-pin plug to Type 2 cable (5m or 10m), not a wall-mounted charge point like a Zappi or Andersen. For what it is, it’s genuinely good — 2.4kW output, a clear LCD display, delay charging for off-peak rates, IP66 weatherproofing, strong safety protection, ~£60–£90, and consistently positive reviews.
The catch is speed and role: at 2.4kW it adds only ~8 miles of range per hour — nearly four times slower than a proper 7kW wallbox (~30 mi/hr). So it’s an excellent backup, occasional or emergency charger, and a sensible pick for plug-in hybrids or renters without a driveway — but not a replacement for a dedicated home charger if you drive a full EV daily. One safety note: only use it with a socket in good condition, ideally approved for EV charging. Full review, specs and who-it’s-for below. Our score: 3.9/5 (as a portable charger).
What this review covers
What the Masterplug EV charger actually is
First, the crucial clarification, because it changes everything: the Masterplug EV charger is a portable Mode 2 charging cable — a “granny charger” — not a wall-mounted home charge point. It has a 13A UK 3-pin plug on one end and a Type 2 connector for your car on the other, with a control box in between, and comes in 5m or 10m lengths. You plug it into a mains socket and into your car — no installation, no app, no wallbox on the wall. This makes it a fundamentally different product from the home wallboxes we review elsewhere (Zappi, Andersen, Rolec and the like), which are fixed 7kW units wired to a dedicated circuit. Masterplug — part of British electrical group Luceco PLC — does also make a Mode 3 tethered wall charger and a smart wall charger, but it’s the portable cable that most people mean by “Masterplug EV charger,” so that’s what this review focuses on. Understanding it’s a portable cable, not a wallbox, is the key to knowing whether it’s right for you.
Specs & features
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Portable Mode 2 cable (3-pin to Type 2) |
| Max output | 2.4kW (10A) — 6A default, selectable 8/10A |
| Charge speed | ~8 miles of range per hour |
| Cable length | 5m or 10m |
| Display | LCD (rate, total charge, faults) + LED bar |
| Delay charging | Yes — schedule for off-peak rates |
| Weatherproofing | IP66 (charging) / IP55 (idle) / IP65 (capped) |
| Safety | PEN fault, over/under-voltage, thermal, RCD |
| Price | ~£60–£90 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
For a portable charger, the feature set is genuinely good. The LCD display clearly shows charge rate, total delivered and any faults; the delay-charging function lets you schedule around cheap off-peak tariffs (a nice touch for a budget cable); and the safety protection is comprehensive (PEN fault, over/under-voltage, thermal overload, and 30mA AC / 6mA DC RCD). The IP66 weatherproof control box makes it suitable for outdoor use, and at 2–2.4kg it’s easy to store in the boot. All at £60–£90 — this is a well-specified, safe, no-nonsense product. The one thing to remember: it defaults to a slow 6A setting — you have to manually turn it up to reach the full 2.4kW.
The speed reality
2.4kW vs a 7kW wallbox — nearly four times slower
This is the defining limitation, and it’s honest to be upfront about it. The Masterplug’s 2.4kW output adds around 8 miles of range per hour. Over a 12-hour overnight charge, that’s roughly 90–100 miles — perfectly fine for topping up a plug-in hybrid (which often has under 40 miles of electric range) or adding modest range to an EV, but slow for fully recharging a large EV battery. By comparison, a dedicated 7kW home wallbox delivers ~30 miles per hour — around 210 miles in the same 12 hours, comfortably filling most EVs overnight. This gap isn’t a flaw in the Masterplug specifically; every 3-pin portable charger is capped by the 13A domestic plug it uses. It’s simply the trade-off of portability and no installation. If you charge a full EV daily, that speed will frustrate you; if you need occasional top-ups, it’s absolutely fine.
Is it safe? The 3-pin charging question
Charging an EV from a 3-pin plug is safe with the right precautions — and this applies to all portable Mode 2 chargers, not just Masterplug. The charger itself is well-protected (PEN fault, over/under-voltage, thermal overload, RCD, IP66 box). But the key safety issue is the socket you plug into, not the charger. EV charging draws a high, constant load for hours — far more demanding than a normal appliance — and a standard, older or worn socket (especially outdoors) may not handle that safely long-term, risking overheating. Masterplug and every reputable source advise using a socket in good condition, ideally approved and marked for EV charging (to BS1363/EV) — never a tired old outdoor socket or an extension lead. Used sensibly (a good dedicated socket, correct current setting, occasional use), it’s a safe way to charge. But for regular home charging, a professionally-installed wallbox on its own circuit is both safer and far faster.
Who the Masterplug EV charger is right for
✓ Great for
- A backup / spare charger in the boot
- Plug-in hybrids (small battery, charges overnight)
- Renters / homes without a driveway
- A stopgap while waiting for a wallbox
- Occasional or emergency top-ups
✗ Not for
- Daily charging of a large EV battery
- Fast overnight full charges
- Homes with a driveway (get a wallbox)
- Relying on an old outdoor socket
- Maximising big smart-tariff savings
The decision is simple once you know which camp you’re in. As a backup, occasional or hybrid charger, the Masterplug is excellent value — cheap, portable, safe and easy. As a daily home-charging solution for a full EV, it’s the wrong tool — you want a proper 7kW wallbox that charges four times faster and integrates with smart tariffs and solar.
Our verdict
Frequently asked questions
Is the Masterplug EV charger any good?
For what it is — a portable Mode 2 (3-pin) charging cable — yes: well-built, safe (PEN fault, RCD, thermal protection), clear LCD, delay charging, IP66 weatherproof, £60–£90, well-reviewed. But it’s not a wallbox. At 2.4kW (~8 mi/hr) it’s an excellent backup or hybrid charger, not a daily solution for a full EV. Solid score for its purpose.
How fast does it charge?
2.4kW (10A) max — about 8 miles of range per hour, or ~90–100 miles over a 12-hour overnight charge. It defaults to a slow 6A setting, so turn it up to reach full 2.4kW. A 7kW wallbox is ~4× faster (~30 mi/hr). Fine for topping up a hybrid; slow for a large EV battery.
Is it safe to charge from a 3-pin plug?
Yes, with precautions. The charger is well-protected, but the risk is the socket — EV charging draws a high constant load for hours, so only use a socket in good condition, ideally approved for EV charging (BS1363/EV), never a worn outdoor socket or extension lead. For regular charging, a wallbox on its own circuit is safer and faster.
Who should buy it?
Great for: a backup/spare in the boot, plug-in hybrids, renters/no-driveway homes, a stopgap before a wallbox, occasional top-ups. Not for: daily charging of a large EV, fast overnight full charges, or homes with a driveway (get a 7kW wallbox). Think of it as the sensible spare, not the main charger.
Does the Masterplug need an app or installation?
No — it’s plug-and-charge, no app or installation required. You plug the 3-pin end into a suitable mains socket and the Type 2 end into your car. Controls (current setting, delay charging) are on the control box itself. That simplicity is part of its appeal as a portable backup charger.
Is Masterplug a wallbox brand?
Mostly no — Masterplug (part of British group Luceco PLC) is best known for its portable Mode 2 charging cables. It does make a Mode 3 tethered wall charger and a smart wall charger too, but the “Masterplug EV charger” most people search for is the portable 3-pin cable this review covers. For fixed home charging, see our best home EV chargers guide.
A great backup charger — just don’t mistake it for a wallbox
The bottom line: The Masterplug is a well-made, safe, keenly-priced portable Mode 2 charging cable that does exactly what it’s meant to — provide flexible, no-installation charging as a backup, for hybrids, or for homes without a driveway. It loses points only for the thing it was never meant to be: a fast daily charger. At 2.4kW (~8 mi/hr) it’s no wallbox replacement. Buy it as a sensible spare or occasional charger and you’ll be very happy; expect it to charge a big EV overnight and you won’t be.
Get a proper wallbox + solar quote →The verdict
Judged for what it actually is — a portable Mode 2 charging cable — the Masterplug EV charger is a genuinely good buy: safe, well-built, weatherproof, easy to use, and cheap at £60–£90, with a handy delay-charging feature and strong customer reviews. As a backup charger, a hybrid charger, or a solution for renters without a driveway, it’s hard to fault and excellent value. It earns a solid 3.9/5 for the job it’s designed to do.
Just go in with clear eyes: it’s a spare, not the main event. At 2.4kW it charges nearly four times slower than a proper wallbox, so if you drive a full EV and have somewhere to install a charge point, a dedicated 7kW home wallbox is the better long-term choice — faster, smarter, and able to charge from your solar. If you’d like to explore a proper home charger (ideally paired with solar so you charge from your own sunshine), a couple of free, no-obligation quotes from MCS-certified installers will show you the options and costs. But for a keep-in-the-boot backup, the Masterplug does its job well.
Important
Going Solar UK is an independent introduction service, not a retailer or installer of EV chargers. This review reflects our honest editorial opinion based on publicly available specifications, pricing and customer feedback for the Masterplug Mode 2 portable EV charger as of September 2026: specs, prices and product ranges change, so always confirm current details before buying. When charging from a 3-pin socket, follow the manufacturer’s safety guidance and only use a socket in good condition suitable for EV charging. We have no commercial relationship with Masterplug or Luceco.
We may receive a commission when we introduce you to an installer, at no cost to you. Any contract for work is directly between you and the installer.