The Grizzl-E Mini Connect is the standout portable Level 2 charger, earning the highest score State of Charge had ever awarded (5.0 stars) and a perfect 5/5 from EVChargingStations. It pairs a crush-tested NEMA 4X aluminum body with Wi-Fi scheduling, adjustable 7-40A output and a carry case full of plug adapters. The lack of a display and its higher price are the only real knocks.
Full review
A Record-Setting Review Score
The Grizzl-E Mini Connect arrived with the strongest review pedigree of any charger in this group. On State of Charge, the YouTube channel run by longtime EV-charging reviewer Tom Moloughney, it earned 104 ChargerRater points, the highest score the channel had ever given, translating to a perfect 5.0 stars. Moloughney's verdict was unequivocal: "This is a fantastic unit at a great price. I expect United Chargers to sell a ton." EVChargingStations echoed the result with a clean 5 out of 5, concluding that "if you're in the market for a smart 40-amp charger, you really can't go wrong with this one."
That kind of consensus is rare in a category where most units are competent but unremarkable. The Mini Connect stands out because United Chargers took the rugged formula from its larger Grizzl-E units and shrank it into a portable, plug-in package without cutting the things that matter.
Build Quality and Durability
The Mini Connect is built around a heavy-duty cast-aluminum enclosure with a NEMA 4X rating, meaning it's sealed against blowing rain, snow and dust and rated for outdoor use. State of Charge ran it through the channel's full torture-test routine, and it passed cold-weather, extreme-heat, water-intrusion and even crush testing, the last performed by driving a Ford F-150 Lightning over it. For a charger you'll plug and unplug repeatedly and toss in a trunk for road trips, that durability is the single biggest differentiator from the lighter plastic-bodied Splitvolt and Lectron units.
It's made in Canada and UL Certified, which addresses the certification concerns that dog cheaper imports like the MUSTART, where reviewers and some electrical inspectors have flagged questionable safety marks. The one durability nitpick from reviewers is that the J1772 connector lacks the rubberized grip found on pricier handles, a cosmetic concern more than a functional one.
Charging Performance and Adjustable Output
The Mini Connect delivers a full 40 amps at 240 volts for 9.6 kW of power, enough to add roughly 30 miles of range per hour and charge even a large-battery EV overnight. Output is adjustable from 7 to 40 amps, so it can safely run on smaller circuits using the included adapters for NEMA 5-15, TT-30, 14-30 and 6-50 outlets in addition to the default 14-50 plug. That flexibility makes it genuinely useful at campgrounds, rentals and friends' houses where the available outlet is unknown.
The 25-foot cable is among the longest in this group, beating the 16-to-18-foot cords on the Splitvolt and Lectron and matching the MUSTART. Reviewers found the cable performed well even in freezing temperatures, an area where some competitors stiffen up.
Smart Features and App
Unlike the bare-bones Splitvolt, the Mini Connect is a Wi-Fi connected smart charger running United Chargers' Grizzl-E Connect software. The app provides real-time charging monitoring, schedulable charging to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates, detailed energy-consumption statistics, firmware updates and diagnostics. For owners who want to track cost-per-charge or only charge when rates are lowest, that's a meaningful capability the MUSTART and Splitvolt simply don't offer.
It's worth noting the smart features are the reason this unit costs more than its plug-only rivals. If you never plan to schedule charging or monitor usage, you're paying for capability you may not use, which is the calculus that pushes some buyers toward the cheaper picks below.
Where It Falls Short
The two consistent complaints from reviewers are the lack of a display screen and the higher price. Without an onboard display you rely entirely on the app or the vehicle to see charging data, where the Splitvolt and Lectron both have at least LED or LCD indicators on the unit itself. EVChargingStations and State of Charge also noted the Mini Connect is not yet Energy Star certified, though that's expected to change and doesn't affect performance.
At its price point it is the most expensive charger in this roundup by a wide margin. That premium buys rugged build and smart features, but a buyer who only needs a simple plug-in charger for a known home outlet can spend far less on the MUSTART or Splitvolt and still charge at the same 40 amps.
Who It's Best For
The Grizzl-E Mini Connect is the right choice for the driver who wants one charger to serve double duty as a permanent home station and a travel unit, and who values a crush-proof enclosure and Wi-Fi scheduling enough to pay for them. Its adjustable output and adapter kit make it the most versatile pick for anyone who charges in varied locations. If you only ever plug into a single known 14-50 outlet at home and don't care about app features, the MUSTART or Splitvolt deliver the same charging speed for much less; the Lectron sits in between with an LCD and a competitive price.
Strengths
- +Earned the highest score State of Charge had ever given a charger (5.0 stars / 104 points)
- +Rugged NEMA 4X cast-aluminum enclosure that survived cold, heat, water-intrusion and a crush test
- +Wi-Fi connected with the Grizzl-E Connect app for scheduling and energy monitoring
- +Adjustable 7-40A output with a 25-foot cable and four NEMA adapters in a carry case
- +UL Certified and made in Canada
Watch-outs
- −No display screen for at-a-glance charging data
- −J1772 connector lacks the rubberized grip of pricier units
- −Not yet Energy Star certified
- −More expensive than the plug-only MUSTART, Lectron and Splitvolt units
How it compares
The most rugged and feature-complete pick, with Wi-Fi and adjustable output the bare-bones Splitvolt lacks; it costs more than the MUSTART, Lectron and Splitvolt units but it is the only one here that is both crush-tested and app-connected.
Who this is for
At a glance: Drivers who want one charger that works as a permanent home unit and a travel charger, and who value rugged build and smart scheduling over a low price.
Why you’d buy the Grizzl-E Mini Connect (40A)
- Earned the highest score State of Charge had ever given a charger (5.0 stars / 104 points).
- Rugged NEMA 4X cast-aluminum enclosure that survived cold, heat, water-intrusion and a crush test.
- Wi-Fi connected with the Grizzl-E Connect app for scheduling and energy monitoring.
Why you’d skip it
- No display screen for at-a-glance charging data.
- J1772 connector lacks the rubberized grip of pricier units.
- Not yet Energy Star certified.
Rating sources
“If you're in the market for a smart 40-amp charger, you really can't go wrong with this one.”
“The Grizzl-E MINI Connect has a specific audience, and this review helps decide whether you're actually in it.”
“State of Charge gave the Grizzl-E Mini Connect its highest-ever score, 104 ChargerRater points, after it passed cold, heat, water and crush testing.”
Our 4.8 score is the average of these published ratings. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
