Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) vs Wallbox Pulsar Max
The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) wins on more affordable, higher rated, while the Wallbox Pulsar Max excels at longer warranty, solar compatibility.
Quick Stats
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) | Wallbox Pulsar Max |
|---|---|---|
| Max Power Output | 7.4kW (single-phase) / 22kW (three-phase) | 7.4kW (single-phase) / 22kW (three-phase) |
| Cable Length | 7.3 metres | 5 metres |
| Connector | Type 2 (tethered) | Type 2 (tethered or untethered) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Dimensions | 353mm × 152mm × 124mm | 198mm × 201mm × 99mm |
| Weight | 5.3 kg | ~4.2 kg |
| IP Rating | IP44 (indoor/outdoor) | IP54 + IK10 (weatherproof + impact-resistant) |
| Certification | OLEV/OZEV approved | OLEV/OZEV approved |
Price & Value
The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) is £224 cheaper at £475 compared to the Wallbox Pulsar Max at £699.
When you factor in professional installation (typically £400–£600), the total installed cost for the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) is approximately £875–£1075, while the Wallbox Pulsar Max comes in at around £1099–£1299. Fully installed, the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) remains the more affordable option.
If you're eligible for the OZEV grant (available to renters and flat owners), you can claim £350 off the installation cost. That would bring the effective unit-plus-install price down to roughly £525–£725 for the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) and £749–£949 for the Wallbox Pulsar Max. Both chargers are OZEV-approved, so eligibility depends on your living situation rather than the charger itself.
While the Wallbox Pulsar Max costs more up front, it comes with 6 smart features compared to the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3)'s 5. The extra £224 buys you additional functionality that could save money long-term — particularly if features like smart tariff integration or solar diverting apply to your setup. Whether the premium is justified depends on how many of those extra features you'll actually use.
Power & Charging Speed
Both the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) (7.4kW / 22kW) and Wallbox Pulsar Max (7.4kW / 22kW) support three-phase charging, offering up to 22kW on a three-phase supply. On a standard UK single-phase supply, both deliver around 7kW — more than enough for overnight charging.
On a standard UK single-phase supply, both will charge a Tesla Model 3 Long Range (75kWh battery) from 20% to 80% in approximately 5–6 hours overnight. Even a Tesla Model Y with its larger battery completes a typical daily top-up well within an overnight window. For the vast majority of UK Tesla owners, single-phase 7kW charging is more than sufficient — you'll wake up to a full battery every morning.
Cable length is an often-overlooked consideration. The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) comes with a 7.3 metres cable, while the Wallbox Pulsar Max has a 5 metres cable. A longer cable gives you more flexibility for driveway positioning — particularly useful if your charger is mounted on a side wall but your Tesla's charge port is on the rear left. Measure your likely cable run before buying to ensure the cable reaches comfortably without being fully stretched.
For most Tesla owners who plug in when they get home, both chargers provide more than enough power for a full overnight charge. The real-world difference between 7kW and 7.4kW is negligible — roughly 20 minutes over a full charge cycle. Unless you have a three-phase supply and regularly need rapid top-ups during the day, charging speed should not be the deciding factor between these two chargers.
Smart Features
The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) offers: Tesla app integration, Scheduled charging, Power sharing (up to 6 units), Wi-Fi connected, OTA updates. The Wallbox Pulsar Max offers: myWallbox app, Scheduled charging, Power Boost (dynamic load balancing), Bluetooth & Wi-Fi, Eco-Smart (solar integration), Voice control (Alexa/Google).
Breaking these down by category: for connectivity, the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) uses Wi-Fi connected, while the Wallbox Pulsar Max uses Bluetooth & Wi-Fi. For energy management, the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) provides Power sharing (up to 6 units), compared to the Wallbox Pulsar Max's Power Boost (dynamic load balancing). Solar and scheduling features are covered in the dedicated sections below.
The most meaningful differentiators: the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) uniquely offers Tesla app integration, Power sharing (up to 6 units), Wi-Fi connected, OTA updates, while the Wallbox Pulsar Max exclusively provides myWallbox app, Power Boost (dynamic load balancing), Bluetooth & Wi-Fi, Eco-Smart (solar integration), Voice control (Alexa/Google). These unique features often determine which charger is the better fit — if a feature on one charger's exclusive list is a must-have for you, that should heavily influence your decision.
The app experience matters as much as the feature list — you'll use it daily. Tesla's app is polished and familiar to Tesla owners, providing a seamless experience alongside vehicle controls. The Wallbox app is feature-rich with a global user base, though UK-specific features like smart tariffs are more limited. Both apps are available on iOS and Android, but user reviews suggest the day-to-day experience can vary significantly between brands.
Solar Compatibility
The Wallbox Pulsar Max supports solar integration, allowing you to divert surplus solar energy to charge your Tesla. The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) does not have built-in solar diverting. If you have solar panels (or plan to install them), this is a significant advantage for the Wallbox Pulsar Max.
The Wallbox Pulsar Max uses its Eco-Smart feature with a power meter sensor to detect surplus solar and adjust charging power in real time. This means it can dynamically adjust the charge rate to match your available solar surplus, minimising grid import. Without built-in solar support, the other charger would need a separate solar diverter or manual scheduling to take advantage of solar generation.
The Wallbox Pulsar Max can work alongside a home battery system to store surplus solar during the day and use it for overnight EV charging, though integration complexity varies. A home battery effectively removes the limitation of only being able to solar-charge while the sun is shining — you generate during the day, store it, and charge your Tesla overnight for free.
A typical 4kW solar array in the UK can provide approximately 1,400–1,700 kWh of free EV charging per year, worth £390–£475 at standard electricity rates (around 28p/kWh). For context, the average UK Tesla owner drives around 8,000 miles per year, requiring roughly 2,400 kWh — so solar could cover 60–70% of your annual charging needs. Over the charger's lifetime, solar diversion can save thousands of pounds and significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
Warranty & Build Quality
The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) comes with a 4 years warranty, while the Wallbox Pulsar Max offers 5 years. The Wallbox Pulsar Max offers 1 year more coverage, giving you added peace of mind. Both are OZEV-approved and suitable for outdoor installation — a longer warranty provides more peace of mind for a product that lives outside year-round and is exposed to British weather.
For weatherproofing, the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) is rated IP44 (indoor/outdoor) (protected against solid objects over 1mm and water splashes from all directions), while the Wallbox Pulsar Max is rated IP54 + IK10 (weatherproof + impact-resistant) (splash-proof — protected against splashing water from any direction). A higher IP rating means better protection against rain, hose water, and dust. In practical terms, any rating of IP54 or above is suitable for a UK outdoor installation, but a higher rating provides extra confidence in extreme weather — particularly relevant if your charger is exposed rather than sheltered under a car port.
Build quality is reflected in the materials and construction. The Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) weighs 5.3 kg with dimensions of 353mm × 152mm × 124mm, while the Wallbox Pulsar Max weighs ~4.2 kg with dimensions of 198mm × 201mm × 99mm. A heavier charger typically indicates more robust construction, though modern chargers use high-quality polycarbonate housings that are both lightweight and impact-resistant. If your charger is in a location where it might get bumped by car doors or footballs, look for IK10 impact resistance in the specs — this is the highest rating and means it can withstand 20 joules of impact (equivalent to a 5kg weight dropped from 40cm).
For extended protection: the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) has one of the longest standard warranties at 4 years, and Tesla's track record for honouring warranty claims is generally well-regarded. The Wallbox Pulsar Max comes with a standard 5 years warranty from Wallbox. When comparing warranties, also check what's covered — most warranties cover manufacturing defects and component failure, but may not cover damage from incorrect installation or extreme weather events. Having your charger installed by an OZEV-approved installer typically ensures the warranty remains valid.
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3) if you want the best value for money, or overall quality and user satisfaction matter most, or official tesla charger.
Buy the Wallbox Pulsar Max if long-term peace of mind is a priority, or you have solar panels or plan to install them, or most compact.
Our Verdicts
The Tesla Wall Connector is the no-brainer choice if you want the cleanest integration with your Tesla. It's competitively priced, has the longest warranty, and the Tesla app experience is unmatched. The only reason to look elsewhere is if you specifically want smart tariff integration (look at the Ohme) or solar diverting (Wallbox Eco-Smart).
The Wallbox Pulsar Max makes sense if space is tight or you need three-phase charging. It's compact, well-built, and the 5-year warranty shows confidence from Wallbox. However, at £699 the Tesla Wall Connector (£475) offers better value for most Tesla owners, and the Ohme beats it on smart tariff features. Choose the Pulsar Max for its size, three-phase capability, or if you want voice control.
