MSI EZgo Smart EV Portable Charger Review: Power On the Go

The MSI EZgo Smart EV portable charger is unlike most portable chargers - it is ‘smart’. Portable EV chargers, which come complimentary with most new electric car purchases, allow you to plug your electric car into a standard wall socket.

It is a Level 1 trickle charger, which means it is slower than a dedicated home wall charger. But it works anywhere there is a power point, and that flexibility is its biggest strength.

This is a comprehensive review of what might be one of the smartest portable EV chargers available. It offers several benefits that are not typically found in portable chargers, albeit at a premium price compared to cheaper alternatives.

Understanding EV Charging Levels

Before looking at the EZgo, it helps to understand the three levels of EV charging. Level 1 and 2 charging is typically done in homes or workplaces where power points or dedicated chargers are used for charging.

Level 2 chargers need to be installed by an electrician. Expect to pay anywhere between $700 to $1,500 for the unit and around $500 to $2,000 for installation.

Level 3 public fast chargers are much faster, are found at public charging stations, but cost more per kWh than charging at home.

What Is the MSI EZgo?

The MSI EZgo is a portable Level 1 EV charger priced at $449 in Australia. It comes with a carry case, a 5-metre Type 2 EV cable, two AC power cables (10A and 15A), a wall-mounted holder, and a cable hook. Everything you need is in the box.

The charger is 289mm long and weighs 4 kg with all cables and the bag. It is built from UL94-V0 fire-safe materials and rated IP66, meaning it handles rain, dust, and outdoor use without issue. It has also been tested to survive up to 2 tonnes of pressure.

The EZgo is a premium take on otherwise ‘dumb’ portable charger. It offers a plethora of unique features that are often not found in portable chargers that come complimentary with EVs.

it’s key point of differentiation is the ‘smarts’ that it comes with, which provide more functionality than nearly all portable chargers, including the popular Tesla mobile connector. These include

• Smart scheduling - allows you to charge times to align with cheap energy rates
• App control - allows you to adjust settings via your phone
• Swappable tail - allows you to take advantage of increased power, up to 15A

Key Specifications and Features

The EZgo has a 1.8-inch LCD screen on the front. It shows the current voltage, amps, kilowatt-hours delivered, and charger temperature in real time. Most budget Level 1 chargers do not have a screen at all, so this is a clear step up.

A pulsating light strip on the unit shows charging status at a glance: ready, charging, or complete.

The large A button lets you set the current draw. The charger is smart enough to cap the amps based on which cable is connected. With a 10A cable plugged in, it will not let you set it above 10A.

The Timer button lets you delay the start of charging. This is useful if your electricity provider offers cheaper rates overnight or during off-peak windows.

The MSI aConnect app (iOS and Android) connects via Bluetooth. It lets you monitor charging progress, adjust current draw, and set charging schedules. The app is more useful than expected, particularly for scheduling around cheap off-peak pricing for EV charging. The one limitation is that it only works within Bluetooth range, so you cannot check on your car from inside the house if the charger is in the driveway.

The EZgo includes a full set of built-in protections that are not always found in portable chargers.

It is also backed by a 2-year warranty and US$5 million in global product liability insurance.

Real-World Performance

We tested the EZgo on a BYD Atto 3 using a standard 10A wall socket in a single-phase home. The EZgo delivered a steady 2.4 kW. The BYD onboard display confirmed it was receiving around 2.1 kW at the battery. The small difference is normal as the car uses some power for its own electronics while charging; typical losses are around 10%.

Our overnight charge which lasted 9 hours delivered 20kWh of energy, about 33% of the BYD Atto 3’s total battery capacity. This translates to about 140km of range based on typical mileage we get on the Atto 3.

On a 15A outlet, the EZgo will deliver up to 3.45 kW, 50% more than a 10A outlet. An overnight 8-hour charge at that rate adds roughly 180 km of range for an average EV. That is enough to cover daily driving for nearly everyone without needing a wall-mounted unit. The average driver in Australia drives about 37km a day.

10A vs 15A: What Is the Difference?

The EZgo comes with two AC cables. The 10A cable works in any standard Australian wall socket. The 15A cable is faster but requires a 15A socket, which some homes have in the garage or laundry.

The 15A plug has a larger earth pin so it physically cannot be inserted into a 10A socket.

If you have a single 10A socket in your garage or driveway (meaning it is connected to a single circuit) you should be able to pay an electrician to upgrade to a 15A socket for a few hundred dollars. The upgrade from 10A to 15A is the single biggest upgrade in terms of the home charging experience.

Who Is It For?

The EZgo suits a few different types of EV owners: renters who cannot install a wall charger, anyone who regularly drives through regional or remote areas where fast chargers are scarce, EV owners who want a backup option in the boot, and people who want a home charging solution without the cost of a Level 2 installation.

If you already have a Level 2 wall charger at home and rarely travel far from fast charger networks, the EZgo is less essential. But as a backup or travel charger, it earns its place.

Increasingly apartment dwellers are installing smart power sockets which enable residents to charge in common area car parks. MSI advised us that some of these residents have purchased an MSI EZgo portable charger to take advantage of the faster charging available from 15A smart.

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Should You Buy the MSI EZgo?

The MSI EZgo is a well-built Level 1 portable EV charger with useful features that go beyond a basic cable. The display, dual cable options, app scheduling, and solid safety credentials make it a more capable option for everyday use.

At $449, it’s on the expensive side but still cheaper than the popular Tesla Mobile Connector ($550) while offering more functionality. It is a strong choice if you want a high quality portable charger that works at home, on trips, or at a holiday rental.

Verdict: Good.
If you want a step up from a basic charger which is faster, with added control and flexibility. If you are however looking for the lowest price, this might not be the charger for you.

You can purchase MSI EZgo Smart EV portable charger here.

Portable EV Charger Comparison