Wallbox Pulsar Max vs Indra Smart PRO: Compact Style or Smart Savings?

The Compact All-Rounder vs the Practical Value Pick

These two chargers sit in an interesting middle ground of the UK home EV charger market. Neither is the cheapest option available, and neither is the most feature-packed — but both offer genuinely compelling reasons to choose them over the competition. The Wallbox Pulsar Max is one of the smallest, most aesthetically refined chargers you can bolt to your wall, backed by a generous five-year warranty and the option of three-phase charging. The Indra Smart PRO, meanwhile, takes a more pragmatic approach: it bundles in extras like surge protection and a CT clamp for solar diversion that other manufacturers charge extra for, and it comes from a British company with serious vehicle-to-grid ambitions.

If you're choosing between these two, you're likely someone who values build quality and smart features but doesn't want to overpay for bells and whistles you'll never touch. Perhaps you've already ruled out the budget end of the market and want something that'll last. Let's dig into which one earns its place on your wall.

In a nutshell:

• Wallbox Pulsar Max (£699): The most compact charger on the market with a five-year warranty, three-phase capability, and voice control — ideal if aesthetics and future-proofing for higher power matter to you.
• Indra Smart PRO (£599): A practical, British-made charger that includes surge protection and a solar CT clamp as standard, genuinely reducing your total installed cost.

Spec Comparison

Smart Tariff Integration and Energy Management

This is where the Indra Smart PRO pulls ahead in a meaningful way. It offers built-in smart tariff integration with major UK energy providers, meaning you can automatically charge during the cheapest overnight windows on tariffs like Octopus Intelligent Go (~7p/kWh) or Octopus Go (7.5p/kWh between 00:30 and 04:30). For a typical Tesla Model 3 owner covering 7,400 miles a year, the difference between charging at off-peak rates versus standard rates can easily save £300–£400 annually. Having that baked into the charger rather than relying on your car's own scheduling is a genuine convenience.

The Wallbox Pulsar Max, by contrast, has no built-in smart tariff integration. You can schedule charging through the myWallbox app — setting specific times to start and stop — but you'll need to manually align those windows with your tariff's off-peak hours. It works, but it's not as seamless as a charger that talks directly to your energy provider. If you're on a variable tariff like Octopus Agile with its half-hourly price slots, the Indra's integration becomes even more valuable, as manual scheduling simply can't keep up with constantly shifting prices.

Solar Diversion and Self-Consumption

Both chargers support solar integration, but the approach — and the cost — differ significantly. The Indra Smart PRO includes a CT clamp as standard, which monitors your solar generation and diverts surplus energy to your car. There's no additional hardware to buy. If you've already got solar panels on your roof, this is a plug-and-play solution for maximising self-consumption.

The Wallbox Pulsar Max offers its Eco-Smart solar integration feature, but it requires a separate Wallbox Power Meter, which adds to your overall cost. According to electriccarguide.co.uk, the Power Meter is also required for dynamic load management features, so it's an accessory that unlocks multiple capabilities — but it's still an extra expense that the Indra doesn't ask you to bear. For solar panel owners watching every penny of their return on investment, the Indra's included CT clamp is a tangible advantage.

Build Quality, Design and Durability

This is where the Wallbox Pulsar Max truly shines. At just 198mm × 201mm × 99mm, it's remarkably compact — roughly the size of a small lunchbox. As wallbox.com highlights, it's purpose-built for UK homes where space matters, fitting neatly onto narrow driveways and small walls. It's available in six colours, so you can match it to your brickwork or front door rather than living with the standard black box. The IK10 impact resistance rating means it can handle accidental knocks from car doors or wayward footballs — a practical detail the Indra lacks.

The Indra Smart PRO is noticeably larger at 340mm × 240mm × 115mm and heavier at around 5 kg. It's not ugly by any means, but it doesn't have the same design refinement. Both chargers share an IP54 weatherproofing rating, so they'll handle British rain and frost without complaint. The Pulsar Max edges ahead on durability with that IK10 impact rating, and its five-year warranty versus the Indra's three years suggests Wallbox is confident in its longevity. As noted by bestchargers.co.uk, the Pulsar Max has earned a strong 4.5 rating from reviewers.

The Pulsar Max also offers voice control through Alexa and Google Assistant — a nice touch if your home is already kitted out with smart speakers, though hardly a deal-breaker if it's missing.

Installation Considerations

Both chargers are OZEV-approved and carry similar standard installation costs of £400–£600, but the Indra Smart PRO has a hidden advantage that could save you real money. It includes a surge protection device (SPD) as standard. Since the 18th Edition of the BS 7671 wiring regulations, SPDs are required in most new installations, and electricians typically charge £100–£150 to supply and fit one separately. With the Indra, that cost is already covered.

The Wallbox Pulsar Max doesn't include an SPD, so you'll need to factor that into your installation quote. As which.co.uk notes, installation costs can vary depending on cable run length and consumer unit work — and the SPD is one of those line items that catches people off guard. One practical note: the Indra's 6-metre cable gives you an extra metre of reach over the Pulsar Max's 5-metre cable, which could matter if your parking spot isn't directly adjacent to the charger.

Price and Value

On paper, the Indra is £100 cheaper. But factor in the included SPD (saving £100–£150 on installation) and the included CT clamp for solar users, and the effective price gap widens to £200–£250. That's significant. The Pulsar Max justifies its premium with a longer warranty, superior build quality, the IK10 impact rating, and three-phase capability — but only if you actually value those things. For most UK homes on single-phase power without solar panels, the Indra offers better pound-for-pound value.

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Wallbox Pulsar Max if:

• You want the most compact, discreet charger possible for a small wall or tight driveway
• You have (or plan to install) three-phase power and want 22kW charging capability
• A five-year warranty matters to you for long-term peace of mind
• You want voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant
• Aesthetics are important — you want to choose from six colour options

Buy the Indra Smart PRO if:

• You want to minimise your total installed cost, thanks to the included SPD
• You have solar panels and want solar diversion without buying extra hardware
• Smart tariff integration is important — you're on Octopus Go, Agile, or a similar time-of-use tariff
• You prefer to buy British-designed and manufactured products
• You're interested in Indra's vehicle-to-grid ecosystem for future upgrades

Our recommendation: For the majority of UK homeowners on single-phase power, the Indra Smart PRO offers better overall value. The included surge protection and solar CT clamp genuinely reduce your total cost, and the smart tariff integration is a feature the Pulsar Max simply can't match. However, if you need three-phase charging, prize a compact design, or want the reassurance of a five-year warranty, the Wallbox Pulsar Max is a beautifully engineered charger that earns its premium. Neither is a bad choice — it comes down to whether you value polish and longevity or practical savings and smarter energy management.

Read our full Wallbox Pulsar Max review or Indra Smart PRO review.

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