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Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-Amp EV Charging Station Review

If you're in the market for a smart 40-amp charger, you really can't go wrong with this one.


United Chargers and their Grizzl-E line is no stranger here on State of Charge. You've probably seen the reviews I've done on some of their other products, like the Grizzl-E Classic, the Grizzl-E Smart, the Grizzl-E Duo, and the Grizzl-E Ultimate 48-amp. But did you know that they've branched out to release a portable EV charger?

Since portable chargers are in increasingly important part of the EVSE market, I knew I had to get my hands on one and see how it holds up.

Emporia Pro (source: Emporia)

MINI CONNECT 40-AMP

GRIZZL-E
grizzl-e.com
$479.99
Emporia Pro (source: Emporia)

Hits

  • Powerful 40-amp
  • Cable performance
  • Smart charger

Misses

  • Connector
  • No display screen
  • Not Energy Star rated (yet)

Installation of the Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-Amp

Portable EV chargers are great in that you don't really need to install anything unless you really want to. United Chargers does provide a mounting bracket to install the MINI Connect, as well as a collection of screws, anchors, and a plug holster for this instance. The unit also comes with four electrical adapters, so if you don't want to (or can't) use the NEMA 14-50 plug that it comes with, you can use a NEMA 5-15, NEMA TT-30, NEMA 14-30, or NEMA 6-50 outlet instead.

Once you screw the mounting bracket into your preferred position, the body of the unit slides right into place, ready for you to plug it in. The input cable is nice and long, meaning you can install it with the ground up or down. The unit also comes with internal dip switches for you to adjust the power output to your liking.

Charging the Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-Amp

The Grizzl-E MINI Connect can deliver up to 9.6 kW to your EV, and with its 25-foot charging cable, you should have flexibility to charge in many parking configurations. It is UL safety certified and has a NEMA 4 protection rating, which should protect the unit from most kinds of inclement weather.

Since the MINI Connect does come with United Charger's EasyEVPlug Holster, you'll be able to wind your cable up and slot the connector into place to keep it free of dust and moisture. The connector also has a rubber cap, in case you're not holstering it.

This is a Wi-Fi enabled smart charger, so you can use Grizzl-E's app to access a bunch of additional features. After pairing your unit with the app, you'll have access to a step-by-step instructional video that explains its smart features, like scheduling, power monitoring, and energy use tracking.

Key Specs of the Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-Amp

  • Charger: AC Level 2
  • AC Connector: SAE J1772, NACS
  • Power Input: NEMA 5-15 plug (common household outlet in the USA), NEMA 6-50 plug, NEMA 14-30 plug, NEMA 14-50 plug, NEMA TT-30 plug
  • Rated Current: 40 Amps
  • Adjustable Current: 7 – 40 Amps
  • Maximum Power: 9.6 kW
  • Dimensions (without cable): 6.9" x 3.1" x 2.4"
  • Cable length: 25 ft
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi
  • Safety Certified: Yes

Testing

Even portable EV chargers require some investment, so that's why I test them using a variety of simulated real-world scenarios to check their durability and value. That way you can determine what factors are most important to you, and make the most educated choice you can when purchasing an EVSE.


Deep Freeze Cold Weather Testing

I start out with the Deep Freeze Cold Weather Test, where I check out the unit will handle extreme cold. I had the Grizzl-E MINI in a commercial ice cream freezer for close to 40 hours, and when I took it out, the internal temperature came to -9.5° F (-23° C). The input power cable was pretty stiff, but the charging cable was thin and pretty flexible — easily within the top 5 of the cables I've tested. Despite being frozen, it remained nice and floppy. Next came the Drop Test. I started out by dropping the connector to the concrete floor of my garage from at least waist height. I then dropped the whole unit in the same fashion. The Grizzl-E MINI held up well with no visible damage, and powered up again after being plugged back in. I can comfortably say that the unit passed the test overall.


The Automatic Restart Test

If you suffer a power outage overnight, the last thing you want to discover is that your EV charger failed to continue working after the power returns. Unfortunately, some EV charging stations remain in a fault mode even if they claim to have an automatic restart feature. So I run this test to see if the feature actually works. After plugging the Grizzl-E MINI Connect into a Hyundai Ioniq 5, I shut off the circuit breaker to simulate a power outage. The MINI restarted within seconds, passing yet another test.


The Extreme Heat Test

Some users are faced with extreme heat rather than extreme cold, so my next test checks to see how the unit will handle being baked under the sun. I put the Grizzl-E MINI Connect in front of a heat lamp for about two hours, until it reached a temperature of 122.5° F (59.3° C). Then I plugged it into my Rivian R1S to charge for two more hours to see if it can still deliver the full 40 amps. By the time the test concluded, the Grizzl-E Mini reached a temperature of 139.5° F (59.7° C). The unit did not derate or shut off, so that's another pass.


The Submersion Test

Since the Grizzl-E MINI Connect is a portable device, and portable devices are often used outside where there's a chance of it ending up wet. To test how well the unit would hold up in water, I repeatedly dunked it in a bucket and held it under the surface before opening it up. Once inside, I could see that the MINI's rugged enclosure had kept its innards bone dry. Another pass!


The Crush Test

Portable devices also run the risk of being run over on accident, and most of their plastic casings likely wouldn't survive being run over by a heavy EV. The Grizzl-E MINI, however, is protected by a cast aluminum enclosure, and those things are tough as hell. I took it out to my driveway and ran over it a few times with my Ford F-150 Lighting (so roughly 7,000 pounds in weight). Outside of a little scratched paint, the unit looked great and went right back to work charging a Chevrolet Equinox EV, passing the test with flying colors.

Tom's Rating for the Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-Amp

To make it easier for readers to compare the results of my reviews, I developed the ChargerRater, a point-based system for ranking features and test results. Every EVSE I review starts out with 15 points per category, and then I add them up in the end to give each unit a final score out of 100. The Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-amp blew the Convenience & Portability category out of the water with a total of 24 points, while it found its weakest showing in the Cost & Value and Safety Certified & Warranty categories — though with 18 points each, those were far from shameful. Overall, the Grizzl-E MINI came away with a score of 104 points out of 100 and 5.2 stars out of 5. This is by far the highest score I've ever given.
The ChargerRater chart for the Emporia Pro. (Source: State Of Charge)

Conclusion

Of course, not everything is quantifiable on a chart, so I also like to give charging stations my own personal score. The Grizzl-E MINI earned 4.8 stars out of 5 from me, so after averaging the two scores together, I gave the Grizzl-E MINI a final score of 5 stars out of 5. This is a fantastic unit at a great price, and I expect United Chargers to sell a ton of these. If you're in the market for a smart 40-amp charger, you really can't go wrong with this one.

The Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-amp is currently available for $479.99 on Grizzl-E's website (as of January 21, 2026). My full, comprehensive review is available in the video above, and I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

5 / 5
Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-Amp

Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-Amp EV Charging Station Review

If you're in the market for a smart 40-amp charger, you really can't go wrong with this one.


United Chargers and their Grizzl-E line is no stranger here on State of Charge. You've probably seen the reviews I've done on some of their other products, like the Grizzl-E Classic, the Grizzl-E Smart, the Grizzl-E Duo, and the Grizzl-E Ultimate 48-amp. But did you know that they've branched out to release a portable EV charger?

Since portable chargers are in increasingly important part of the EVSE market, I knew I had to get my hands on one and see how it holds up.

Emporia Pro (source: Emporia)

MINI CONNECT 40-AMP

GRIZZL-E
grizzl-e.com
$479.99
Emporia Pro (source: Emporia)

Hits

  • Powerful 40-amp
  • Cable performance
  • Smart charger

Misses

  • Connector
  • No display screen
  • Not Energy Star rated (yet)

Installation of the Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-Amp

Portable EV chargers are great in that you don't really need to install anything unless you really want to. United Chargers does provide a mounting bracket to install the MINI Connect, as well as a collection of screws, anchors, and a plug holster for this instance. The unit also comes with four electrical adapters, so if you don't want to (or can't) use the NEMA 14-50 plug that it comes with, you can use a NEMA 5-15, NEMA TT-30, NEMA 14-30, or NEMA 6-50 outlet instead.

Once you screw the mounting bracket into your preferred position, the body of the unit slides right into place, ready for you to plug it in. The input cable is nice and long, meaning you can install it with the ground up or down. The unit also comes with internal dip switches for you to adjust the power output to your liking.

Key Specs of the Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-Amp

  • Charger: AC Level 2
  • AC Connector: SAE J1772, NACS
  • Power Input: NEMA 5-15 plug (common household outlet in the USA), NEMA 6-50 plug, NEMA 14-30 plug, NEMA 14-50 plug, NEMA TT-30 plug
  • Rated Current: 40 Amps
  • Adjustable Current: 7 – 40 Amps
  • Maximum Power: 9.6 kW
  • Dimensions (without cable): 6.9" x 3.1" x 2.4"
  • Cable length: 25 ft
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi
  • Safety Certified: Yes

Charging the Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-Amp

The Grizzl-E MINI Connect can deliver up to 9.6 kW to your EV, and with its 25-foot charging cable, you should have flexibility to charge in many parking configurations. It is UL safety certified and has a NEMA 4 protection rating, which should protect the unit from most kinds of inclement weather.

Since the MINI Connect does come with United Charger's EasyEVPlug Holster, you'll be able to wind your cable up and slot the connector into place to keep it free of dust and moisture. The connector also has a rubber cap, in case you're not holstering it.

This is a Wi-Fi enabled smart charger, so you can use Grizzl-E's app to access a bunch of additional features. After pairing your unit with the app, you'll have access to a step-by-step instructional video that explains its smart features, like scheduling, power monitoring, and energy use tracking.

Testing

Even portable EV chargers require some investment, so that's why I test them using a variety of simulated real-world scenarios to check their durability and value. That way you can determine what factors are most important to you, and make the most educated choice you can when purchasing an EVSE.


Deep Freeze Cold Weather Testing

I start out with the Deep Freeze Cold Weather Test, where I check out the unit will handle extreme cold. I had the Grizzl-E MINI in a commercial ice cream freezer for close to 40 hours, and when I took it out, the internal temperature came to -9.5° F (-23° C). The input power cable was pretty stiff, but the charging cable was thin and pretty flexible — easily within the top 5 of the cables I've tested. Despite being frozen, it remained nice and floppy. Next came the Drop Test. I started out by dropping the connector to the concrete floor of my garage from at least waist height. I then dropped the whole unit in the same fashion. The Grizzl-E MINI held up well with no visible damage, and powered up again after being plugged back in. I can comfortably say that the unit passed the test overall.


The Automatic Restart Test

If you suffer a power outage overnight, the last thing you want to discover is that your EV charger failed to continue working after the power returns. Unfortunately, some EV charging stations remain in a fault mode even if they claim to have an automatic restart feature. So I run this test to see if the feature actually works. After plugging the Grizzl-E MINI Connect into a Hyundai Ioniq 5, I shut off the circuit breaker to simulate a power outage. The MINI restarted within seconds, passing yet another test.


The Extreme Heat Test

Some users are faced with extreme heat rather than extreme cold, so my next test checks to see how the unit will handle being baked under the sun. I put the Grizzl-E MINI Connect in front of a heat lamp for about two hours, until it reached a temperature of 122.5° F (59.3° C). Then I plugged it into my Rivian R1S to charge for two more hours to see if it can still deliver the full 40 amps. By the time the test concluded, the Grizzl-E Mini reached a temperature of 139.5° F (59.7° C). The unit did not derate or shut off, so that's another pass.


The Submersion Test

Since the Grizzl-E MINI Connect is a portable device, and portable devices are often used outside where there's a chance of it ending up wet. To test how well the unit would hold up in water, I repeatedly dunked it in a bucket and held it under the surface before opening it up. Once inside, I could see that the MINI's rugged enclosure had kept its innards bone dry. Another pass!


The Crush Test

Portable devices also run the risk of being run over on accident, and most of their plastic casings likely wouldn't survive being run over by a heavy EV. The Grizzl-E MINI, however, is protected by a cast aluminum enclosure, and those things are tough as hell. I took it out to my driveway and ran over it a few times with my Ford F-150 Lighting (so roughly 7,000 pounds in weight). Outside of a little scratched paint, the unit looked great and went right back to work charging a Chevrolet Equinox EV, passing the test with flying colors.

Tom's Rating for the Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-Amp

To make it easier for readers to compare the results of my reviews, I developed the ChargerRater, a point-based system for ranking features and test results. Every EVSE I review starts out with 15 points per category, and then I add them up in the end to give each unit a final score out of 100. The Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-amp blew the Convenience & Portability category out of the water with a total of 24 points, while it found its weakest showing in the Cost & Value and Safety Certified & Warranty categories — though with 18 points each, those were far from shameful. Overall, the Grizzl-E MINI came away with a score of 104 points out of 100 and 5.2 stars out of 5. This is by far the highest score I've ever given.
The ChargerRater chart for the Emporia Pro. (Source: State Of Charge)

Conclusion

Of course, not everything is quantifiable on a chart, so I also like to give charging stations my own personal score. The Grizzl-E MINI earned 4.8 stars out of 5 from me, so after averaging the two scores together, I gave the Grizzl-E MINI a final score of 5 stars out of 5. This is a fantastic unit at a great price, and I expect United Chargers to sell a ton of these. If you're in the market for a smart 40-amp charger, you really can't go wrong with this one.

The Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-amp is currently available for $479.99 on Grizzl-E's website (as of January 21, 2026). My full, comprehensive review is available in the video above, and I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

5 / 5
Grizzl-E MINI Connect 40-Amp

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