Andersen A3 vs Pod Point Solo 3S: Designer Style or Hassle-Free Install?

Designer Showpiece vs Hassle-Free Package: Two Very Different Approaches at the Same Price

Here's an interesting coincidence: the Andersen A3 and the Pod Point Solo 3S land at almost exactly the same price point — £995 and £999 respectively. But that's where the similarities end, because these two chargers represent fundamentally different philosophies about what a home EV charger should be.

The Andersen A3 is a design object first and a charger second. It's British-made, available in a staggering 247 colour and finish combinations, and features a unique hidden cable system that tucks your charging lead away inside the unit. The Pod Point Solo 3S, meanwhile, is the "just sort it out for me" option — a reliable charger from one of the UK's most established brands, with professional installation included in that £999 price. No shopping around for electricians, no second invoice for fitting.

So if you're standing in front of your driveway wondering which to choose, the real question isn't about charging speed or power output — they're identical on paper. It's about what you value more: kerb appeal or convenience.

In a nutshell:

• Andersen A3 (£995): The best-looking charger on the UK market, with 247 finish options, a hidden cable system, and a 7-year warranty — but installation is extra.
• Pod Point Solo 3S (£999): A fuss-free all-in package with charger and professional installation included, backed by one of the UK's biggest charging networks.

Spec Comparison

Smart Tariff Integration: A Genuine Differentiator

This is where the Andersen A3 pulls ahead in a way that actually affects your wallet. The A3 supports smart tariff integration with Octopus Intelligent Go and OVO Charge Anytime, meaning your charger can automatically schedule sessions to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates.

On Octopus Intelligent Go, you're looking at roughly 7p/kWh during off-peak hours compared to around 24p/kWh on a standard variable tariff. For a typical Tesla Model 3 owner covering the UK average of 7,400 miles per year, that difference translates to annual savings of roughly £200–£250 on charging costs alone. Over the A3's generous 7-year warranty period, that's potentially £1,400–£1,750 back in your pocket.

The Pod Point Solo 3S, by contrast, has no smart tariff integration. You can still use its scheduled charging feature to manually set charging windows during off-peak hours if you're on a simple time-of-use tariff like Octopus Go (where off-peak runs 00:30–04:30), but you won't get the intelligent automation that tariffs like Intelligent Go offer, where your energy supplier can flex your charging across a wider off-peak window. As heatable.co.uk notes in their coverage of Andersen's range, smart tariff support varies by setup, but it's a genuine advantage the A3 holds over simpler competitors.

Design and Build Quality: Chalk and Cheese

Let's be honest — this is why most people consider the Andersen A3 in the first place. With 247 colour and finish combinations spanning anodised aluminium, Accoya wood panels, and carbon-style trims, the A3 is in a league of its own aesthetically. As carmagazine.co.uk observed in their review of the Andersen range, the hidden cable system is a standout feature — the 5.5m lead tucks away inside the unit, and brushes around the housing sweep debris off the cable as you wind it in. A magnetic lid and integrated LED light complete the experience.

The Pod Point Solo 3S is a perfectly presentable charger — compact at 330 × 290mm, and lighter than the Andersen — but it's a simple white box. There are no colour options, no premium materials, and no cable management beyond the standard holster. If your charger sits on a side wall out of sight, that's absolutely fine. If it's front and centre on your home's façade, the Andersen makes a considerably better impression.

It's worth noting that the A3 is tethered only, whereas the Pod Point Solo 3S offers both tethered and untethered versions. If you charge multiple EVs with different connector preferences, or simply prefer the flexibility of using your own cable, the Pod Point's untethered option is a practical advantage the Andersen can't match.

Installation Considerations: The Hidden Cost Question

This is the section that fundamentally changes the value equation. The Andersen A3's £995 price tag is for the unit alone — you'll need to source and pay for your own OZEV-approved installer on top. A standard installation in the UK typically runs £400–600, though longer cable runs or consumer unit upgrades can push this higher.

The Pod Point Solo 3S at £999 includes professional installation. Pod Point assigns a third-party contractor from their network, handles the scheduling, and takes responsibility for the job. That's genuinely convenient — but it comes with a trade-off. You cannot choose your installer, you can't vet their reviews, and you can't shop around for a better installation quote. As wepoweryourcar.com highlights in their charger comparison coverage, this captive-audience approach means you're locked into Pod Point's process from start to finish.

For someone who wants zero hassle, the Pod Point model is appealing. For someone who prefers to use a trusted local electrician — or who has a complex installation that benefits from a site visit before committing — the Andersen's unit-only approach offers more control.

Price and Value

The numbers are stark. Even after the OZEV grant (available to eligible renters and flat owners), the Andersen A3 costs £400–£600 more than the Pod Point all-in. That premium buys you significantly better design, a longer warranty, smart tariff support, and the hidden cable system — but it's a meaningful chunk of money.

However, if you factor in the annual savings from smart tariff integration (£200–£250/year on Octopus Intelligent Go), the Andersen could recoup that price difference within two to three years. Whether that calculation applies to you depends entirely on whether you're willing to switch to a compatible smart tariff.

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Andersen A3 if:

• Your charger will be prominently visible on the front of your house and aesthetics genuinely matter to you
• You want smart tariff integration with Octopus Intelligent Go or OVO Charge Anytime to maximise off-peak savings
• You value the security of a 7-year warranty — the longest on the UK market
• You have a trusted local installer you'd prefer to use
• You appreciate the hidden cable system and premium build quality

Buy the Pod Point Solo 3S if:

• You want a single price with no surprises — charger and installation for £999
• You'd rather not spend time sourcing and vetting electricians
• You want the option of an untethered version for multi-vehicle flexibility
• You're not on a smart tariff and don't plan to switch to one
• You want the lowest possible total cost, especially if you qualify for the OZEV grant (£649 all-in)

Our recommendation: For most UK homeowners, the Pod Point Solo 3S offers significantly better value. At potentially £649 after the OZEV grant — with installation included — it's hard to argue against. But if your charger is on full display and you're already on (or planning to switch to) a smart tariff like Octopus Intelligent Go, the Andersen A3 earns its premium through genuine design excellence and smart charging savings that compound over its impressive 7-year warranty. The A3 is the better charger on paper; the Pod Point is the better deal.

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Read our full Andersen A3 review or Pod Point Solo 3S review.

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