Wallbox Pulsar Max vs Zaptec Go 2
The Wallbox Pulsar Max wins on more affordable, higher rated, solar compatibility, while the Zaptec Go 2 excels at a strong feature set.
Quick Stats
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Wallbox Pulsar Max | Zaptec Go 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Power Output | 7.4kW (single-phase) / 22kW (three-phase) | 7.4kW (single-phase) / 22kW (three-phase) |
| Cable Length | 5 metres | Untethered (use own cable) |
| Connector | Type 2 (tethered or untethered) | Type 2 socket |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, 4G (subscription-free), Bluetooth |
| Dimensions | 198mm × 201mm × 99mm | 240mm × 180mm × 106mm |
| Weight | ~4.2 kg | ~3.2 kg |
| IP Rating | IP54 + IK10 (weatherproof + impact-resistant) | IP54 (weatherproof) |
| Certification | OLEV/OZEV approved | OLEV/OZEV approved |
Price & Value
The Wallbox Pulsar Max is £8 cheaper at £699 compared to the Zaptec Go 2 at £707.
When you factor in professional installation (typically £400–£600), the total installed cost for the Wallbox Pulsar Max is approximately £1099–£1299, while the Zaptec Go 2 comes in at around £1107–£1307. Fully installed, the Wallbox Pulsar Max 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 £749–£949 for the Wallbox Pulsar Max and £757–£957 for the Zaptec Go 2. Both chargers are OZEV-approved, so eligibility depends on your living situation rather than the charger itself.
Looking at overall value, the Wallbox Pulsar Max offers a compelling combination of price and features at £699. The Zaptec Go 2 at £707 may still be the better buy if its specific feature set — such as zaptec app — is important for your setup. The best value depends on which features you'll actually use day-to-day.
Power & Charging Speed
Both the Wallbox Pulsar Max (7.4kW / 22kW) and Zaptec Go 2 (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 Wallbox Pulsar Max comes with a 5 metres cable, while the Zaptec Go 2 has a Untethered (use own cable) 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 Wallbox Pulsar Max offers: myWallbox app, Scheduled charging, Power Boost (dynamic load balancing), Bluetooth & Wi-Fi, Eco-Smart (solar integration), Voice control (Alexa/Google). The Zaptec Go 2 offers: Zaptec app, Scheduled charging, V2G-ready, MID-approved energy meter, 4G connectivity (subscription-free), OCPP 1.6J compliant.
Breaking these down by category: for connectivity, the Wallbox Pulsar Max uses Bluetooth & Wi-Fi, while the Zaptec Go 2 uses 4G connectivity (subscription-free). For energy management, the Wallbox Pulsar Max provides Power Boost (dynamic load balancing), compared to the Zaptec Go 2's MID-approved energy meter. Solar and scheduling features are covered in the dedicated sections below.
The most meaningful differentiators: the Wallbox Pulsar Max uniquely offers myWallbox app, Power Boost (dynamic load balancing), Bluetooth & Wi-Fi, Eco-Smart (solar integration), Voice control (Alexa/Google), while the Zaptec Go 2 exclusively provides Zaptec app, V2G-ready, MID-approved energy meter, 4G connectivity (subscription-free), OCPP 1.6J compliant. 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. The Wallbox app is feature-rich with a global user base, though UK-specific features like smart tariffs are more limited. The Zaptec app provides standard charging management features. 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 Zaptec Go 2 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 Wallbox Pulsar Max comes with a 5 years warranty, while the Zaptec Go 2 offers 5 years. Both offer the same warranty length, so neither has an advantage here. 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 Wallbox Pulsar Max is rated IP54 + IK10 (weatherproof + impact-resistant) (splash-proof — protected against splashing water from any direction), while the Zaptec Go 2 is rated IP54 (weatherproof) (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 Wallbox Pulsar Max weighs ~4.2 kg with dimensions of 198mm × 201mm × 99mm, while the Zaptec Go 2 weighs ~3.2 kg with dimensions of 240mm × 180mm × 106mm. 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 Wallbox Pulsar Max comes with a standard 5 years warranty from Wallbox. The Zaptec Go 2 comes with a standard 5 years warranty from Zaptec. 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 Wallbox Pulsar Max if you want the best value for money, or overall quality and user satisfaction matter most, or you have solar panels or plan to install them, or most compact.
Buy the Zaptec Go 2 if v2g-ready.
Our Verdicts
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.
The Zaptec Go 2 is for people who think long-term. V2G technology will eventually transform how we use EVs as mobile power stations, and the Go 2 is ready for that future today. The MID-approved meter and free 4G are nice extras. But if V2G isn't on your radar, the Easee One is a better value untethered option, and the Ohme beats it on smart tariff integration.
