Masterplug EV Charger Review
Key Features at a Glance
- 7.4kW (32A) single-phase, adding up to 30 miles of range per hour
- 5m tethered Type 2 cable (tethered model) or socketed version for your own cable
- Solar charging mode: surplus PV generation directed to your EV, with no subscription
- Monta app: scheduling, energy monitoring, and push notifications
- IP55 weatherproofing, suitable for sheltered outdoor installation
- OZEV eligible: up to £500 off installation for eligible renters and flat owners
- Available at high-street retailers such as Argos and Amazon
- Backed by Luceco PLC, a UK-listed electrical manufacturer
Is It Worth It?
The Masterplug EV charger earns its place at its price point. You get OZEV approval, solar support, off-peak scheduling, and app monitoring at a unit cost lower than most smart chargers.
The Masterplug EV charger is the right choice if you want a recognised UK brand, OZEV approval, and basic smart features at the lowest possible price. The trade-offs, a 5m cable, a third-party app that some owners found fiddly to set up, and a narrower feature set than pricier rivals, are real, but they may not matter for your charging pattern.
If you can stretch the budget, the Hive Sync Energy Wall Charger 2 (also from Luceco PLC) is a significantly more capable product in every respect.
Charging Performance
Power Output
The Masterplug charger delivers 7.4kW (32A) single-phase output, adding up to 30 miles of range per hour, the standard for UK home EV charging and sufficient for a full overnight charge on any modern EV. The charge current is configurable between 6A and 32A at installation.
Cable Length
The tethered model includes a 5-metre Type 2 cable. This is shorter than many rivals; the Hive Sync Energy Wall Charger 2 includes 7.5m. Before purchasing, measure the distance from your intended wall mounting position to your vehicle’s charge port. If the car sits more than 4m from the wall at the cable entry point, a 5m cable can feel tight.
The socketed version has no fixed cable; you use your own Type 2 lead.
Build Quality
The Masterplug charger has a UV-resistant polycarbonate body rated to IP55 weatherproofing, protected against water jets from any direction, with an IK08 impact rating. It is available in black or white, and the tethered version includes integrated cable storage.
Electrical protection is built in: an integrated 30mA Type A RCD with 6mA DC leakage detection and PEN fault protection. Confirm with your installer what additional protective devices your installation requires.
Smart Features and App
Monta App
Smart charging features run through the Monta platform, a third-party app included at no extra cost, rather than a proprietary Masterplug system. Monta provides charge scheduling, energy monitoring, and push notifications, and also gives access to a large public charging network through the same app. You can set charging windows aligned to your tariff’s off-peak hours and view session history.
Setup pairs the charger over Bluetooth and connects it to your home Wi-Fi. Keep the supplied documentation safe, as you may need the unit’s details if you ever reset the charger.
Some owners report that the initial pairing step took more than one attempt before completing. Allow extra time for setup. Once configured, the app works for day-to-day scheduling and monitoring.
Tariff Compatibility
The Masterplug charger works with most UK energy tariffs through schedule-based charging. There is no direct API connection to Octopus Intelligent Go. For Intelligent Go users, you may find it easier to rely on your car’s own scheduling controls, as Octopus typically wants to control the vehicle directly rather than the charger.
The charger also works without a Wi-Fi connection for basic charging; plug in and the charge runs without the app if the smart features are not needed.
Solar Charging
The Masterplug charger supports solar charging mode, with Masterplug stating it works with any solar panel setup at no additional cost or subscription. Surplus solar generation from your panels can be directed to the car rather than exported to the grid. Confirm the exact setup requirements with Masterplug before purchasing, as the hardware needed for surplus monitoring was not confirmed in research for this review.
Installation
The Masterplug charger is a Mode 3 device and must be installed by a qualified electrician. Installation involves routing a dedicated cable from your consumer unit to the charger mounting position. The charger includes a four-point fixing with horizontal and vertical adjustment to simplify wall mounting.
Installation costs vary by property and installer, so get quotes before committing. For eligible renters and flat owners, the OZEV grant reduces the installation cost by up to £500.
Note: Masterplug states a 3-year warranty for this charger. Some retailer listings have shown different guarantee periods, so confirm the exact warranty for your specific model and retailer before buying.
How It Compares
Masterplug vs Hive Sync Energy Wall Charger 2
Both are Luceco PLC products. The Sync Energy Wall Charger 2 is the significantly more capable option: 7.5m cable vs 5m, Wi-Fi plus 4G vs Wi-Fi only, IP65 and IK10 vs IP55 and IK08, nine interchangeable fascia colours, and the Power+ benefit for British Gas customers. The Masterplug costs less, with the gap depending on channel and configuration. For buyers who can stretch the budget, the Sync Energy is better value overall.
Masterplug vs Ohme ePod
The Ohme ePod is available from approximately £409 and includes native Octopus Intelligent Go integration, solar diversion, and dynamic load balancing. For buyers who are on, or planning to join, Octopus Intelligent Go, the Ohme ePod is worth the premium. The Masterplug wins only on raw unit price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Masterplug EV charger any good? For the price, yes. It is OZEV approved, includes solar support and app scheduling, and is backed by Luceco PLC, a listed UK manufacturer. The honest trade-offs are a 5m cable (shorter than most rivals), a third-party app that some owners found fiddly to set up via Bluetooth, and a feature set narrower than pricier chargers. For budget-focused buyers, it does the job.
Does the Masterplug EV charger work with Octopus Energy? For standard scheduled off-peak charging using Octopus Go and similar fixed-window tariffs, the Monta app can be configured to charge during the right hours. The charger does not have a direct API to Octopus Intelligent Go, so it cannot automatically claim additional off-peak slots.
Is the Masterplug EV charger OZEV approved? Yes. Eligible renters and flat owners can claim up to £500 off the installation cost through the EV chargepoint grant scheme.
What app does the Masterplug EV charger use? Smart features are delivered through the Monta platform, which is included at no extra cost. The charger pairs over Bluetooth and connects to your home Wi-Fi. Some owners report the pairing step can take more than one attempt, so allow extra time.
Is the Masterplug EV charger compatible with solar panels? Yes. The charger supports solar charging mode, routing surplus generation to your EV, and Masterplug states it works with any solar panel setup with no subscription. Confirm the setup requirements with Masterplug before buying.
