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WolfBox WE50 EV Charging Station Review
It's a pretty good unit, but there's still room for improvement.
Table of Contents:
You may have heard of Wolfbox before, especially if you're into high-tech car gadgets like smart mirror dashcams, jump starters, and air compressors. Founded in 2019, the company aims to provide products to enhance driving safety and convenience. So when I heard that they'd released an EV charging station, I was eager to give it a spin.
The WolfBox WE50 is a smart, Wi-Fi-connected charger that's safety certified and comes with an impressive warranty, but how will it fare during my comprehensive testing process? It's time to find out.
- Charger: AC Level 2
- AC Connector: SAE J1772
- Power Input: Hardwired, NEMA 14-50 plug
- Rated Current: 50 Amps
- Adjustable Current: 16 – 50 Amps
- Maximum Power: 12
- Dimensions (without cable): 19.5" x 13.8" x 10.5"
- Cable length: 25 ft
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Safety Certified: Yes
The WolfBox WE50 arrives with the unit and its integrated connector holster, a 25-foot charging cable with a J1772 connector, a separate NEMA 14-50 inlet cable and plug, a wall mount bracket and installation hardware, a wall mount template, a user manual, a management card, and two RFID charging cards. The connector comes with an attached protective cap, which I always appreciate, although it lacks a rubber grip. The unit is manufactured in China, and its design is decent, though a bit on the big side.
Out of the box, the WolfBox WE50 is intended to be hardwired. For the sake of safety, I always recommend the professional installation of EV charging stations by a licensed and bonded electrician, especially when hardwiring. This can help protect you from experiencing a dangerous electrical failure later on. My professional electrician of choice (and channel sponsor) is Qmerit, and if you follow that link, they'll waive the $150 installation deposit for you. With their skill and expertise, you can count on them to get the job done right the first time, in the safest way possible.
The unit features a three-position dip switch, allowing you to set the WolfBox WE50 to a maximum of 40, 48, or 50 amps, depending on your installation. Some people might ask why you need the options, and that's because while the unit might be able to deliver 50 amps, your circuit may not be able to safely provide that amount.
If you have it on a 60-amp circuit, the most you're allowed to deliver is 48 amps, as it's a continuous load; you're only allowed to have a continuous load electrical device deliver up to 80% of the circuit's maximum. So 60 amps times 0.8 is 48 amps. If you want the WolfBox WE50 to deliver the full 50 amps that it's capable of, you must connect it to either a 70-amp or 80-amp circuit. If you choose to use the included NEMA 14-50 plug, the maximum you can set the dip switch to is 40 amps.
If you opt to install the plug-in version yourself, I suggest checking out the section of my review video where I show you how to open up the unit and install the NEMA 14-50 inlet cable. After that, the unit should be ready for mounting. Simply use the included template to mark the location and pre-drill holes to attach the mounting plate to a wall stud. Then, slide the unit onto the plate and secure it in place using the supplied hardware.
After mounting your new unit, simply plug it into a nearby NEMA 14-50 outlet to begin charging. Be sure the outlet is specifically rated for EV charging use — I can't tell you how often I see issues involving cheap outlets melting or burning out. This is especially important since the WolfBox WE50 does not have a temperature sensor in its NEMA 14-50 plug.
The WolfBox WE50 is designed to be hardwired (giving you a max of 12 kW of charging power and up to 50 amps), but can be used as a plug-in unit if you install the included NEMA 14-50 plug (max 9.6 kW and up to 40 amps). WolfBox says that their EV charging station can provide up to 38 miles of range during an hour of charging, but that depends on how efficient your vehicle is.
If you want to charge your vehicle at a lower power level than what's set by the dip switches (there's data out there that proves charging at a lower rate is better for your battery), that can be done within the WolfBox app. Just make sure not to forget about setting the dip switches first, since a reset or crash could potentially wipe the app data and leave your charging station trying to pull more power than it's intended to.
The WolfBox WE50's enclosure meets IP66 (similar to NEMA 4) protection standards, meaning it's safe from dust and powerful jets of water. The unit comes standard with a 3-year warranty, but registering it through WolfBox extends the warranty by an additional 6 months. Additionally, purchasing installation services through Amazon adds an extra year, resulting in a total warranty period of up to 4.5 years. The WolfBox WE50 is also CSA and FCC certified, and meets UL safety standards.
The WolfBox app is decent, offering basic features like scheduling and charging history, though it's far from the most advanced on the market. I missed options catered to features like power sharing or dynamic load management, and I encountered issues with the app restarting itself when power was lost. You can set up the RFID cards for user access control, however.
Testing
Testing plays a crucial role in my review process, as manufacturer claims don’t always align with real-world performance. Hardware or software glitches, compatibility issues, and unforeseen conditions can all impact the long-term performance of an EV charging station. By thoroughly testing these factors, I aim to give you the insight you need to choose the right charger before making a purchase.
The Cable Deep Freeze Test
For EV owners in regions with harsh winters, a stiff, frozen charging cable can be a real hassle. To test the WolfBox WE50’s cold-weather pliability, I coiled its cable and placed it in an industrial ice cream freezer for over 26 hours, reaching a temperature of -11.5°F (-24.2°C). The goal was to see how well it uncoiled and if I could maneuver it easily to hang it up on the connector holster, since the last thing you want is a cable that becomes like a frozen garden hose if it doesn't bend when it's cold. The WolfBox WE50's cable feels pretty thick (20.9 mm, in fact) and plasticy, which proved to be as detrimental as expected when the cable's outer jacket remained stiff as I tried to uncoil it. It's just not a good cold-weather cable, and that lost it points on my updated ChargerRater. If you are looking for an EV charger whose cable does well in more extreme weather, we’d have to recommend the ChargePoint Home Flex over this one.
The Frozen Connector Drop Test
With the connector still frozen, I performed the Frozen Connector Drop Test—dropping it five times onto a concrete floor to simulate real-world mishaps. After all, dropping your connector occasionally is inevitable during everyday use. The WolfBox WE50 came through without any damage, earning a solid pass.
The Extreme Weather Test
My Extreme Heat Test is designed to replicate the harsh conditions found in areas with intense summer temperatures, checking whether a unit might overheat, shut down, or fail to deliver full power. I placed the WolfBox WE50 under a heat lamp for two hours until it reached 118°F (47.8°C), then used it to charge my Ford Lightning for another two hours. The WolfBox WE50 performed flawlessly, continuing to charge even as its internal temperature climbed to 131°F (55°C). Another test successfully passed.
The Automatic Restart Test
Finally, I conducted the Automatic Restart Test. With my Ford Lightning plugged in and charging, I shut off power to simulate a brief outage, waited about a minute, then restored power. The goal was to determine whether the charger would automatically resume charging, as some units become stuck in fault mode, leaving your vehicle uncharged by morning. Initially, the WolfBox WE50 failed this test due to outdated firmware. However, after updating it, the charger successfully reconnected and resumed charging, earning a pass in the end.
While the WolfBox WE50 could benefit from a better cable and additional smart features, it has good bones, and with a few improvements, I'd consider it a very good unit. As it currently stands, its final score of 4.15 stars is nothing to sneer at.
The WolfBox WE50 is currently on sale for $429.99 on Amazon (as of the posting of this article). You can view my entire review in the video above for more information, and I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
WolfBox WE50EV Charging Station Review
It's a pretty good unit, but there's still room for improvement.
Table of Contents:
You may have heard of Wolfbox before, especially if you're into high-tech car gadgets like smart mirror dashcams, jump starters, and air compressors. Founded in 2019, the company aims to provide products to enhance driving safety and convenience. So when I heard that they'd released an EV charging station, I was eager to give it a spin.
The WolfBox WE50 is a smart, Wi-Fi-connected charger that's safety certified and comes with an impressive warranty, but how will it fare during my comprehensive testing process? It's time to find out.
- Charger: AC Level 2
- AC Connector: SAE J1772
- Power Input: Hardwired, NEMA 14-50 plug
- Rated Current: 50 amps
- Adjustable Current: 16 – 50 amps
- Maximum Power: 12 kW
- Dimensions (without cable): 19.5" x 13.8" x 10.5"
- Cable length: 25 ft
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Safety Certified: Yes
The WolfBox WE50 arrives with the unit and its integrated connector holster, a 25-foot charging cable with a J1772 connector, a separate NEMA 14-50 inlet cable and plug, a wall mount bracket and installation hardware, a wall mount template, a user manual, a management card, and two RFID charging cards. The connector comes with an attached protective cap, which I always appreciate, although it lacks a rubber grip. The unit is manufactured in China, and its design is decent, though a bit on the big side.
Out of the box, the WolfBox WE50 is intended to be hardwired. For the sake of safety, I always recommend the professional installation of EV charging stations by a licensed and bonded electrician, especially when hardwiring. This can help protect you from experiencing a dangerous electrical failure later on. My professional electrician of choice (and channel sponsor) is Qmerit, and if you follow that link, they'll waive the $150 installation deposit for you. With their skill and expertise, you can count on them to get the job done right the first time, in the safest way possible.
The unit features a three-position dip switch, allowing you to set the WolfBox WE50 to a maximum of 40, 48, or 50 amps, depending on your installation. Some people might ask why you need the options, and that's because while the unit might be able to deliver 50 amps, your circuit may not be able to safely provide that amount.
If you have it on a 60-amp circuit, the most you're allowed to deliver is 48 amps, as it's a continuous load; you're only allowed to have a continuous load electrical device deliver up to 80% of the circuit's maximum. So 60 amps times 0.8 is 48 amps. If you want the WolfBox WE50 to deliver the full 50 amps that it's capable of, you must connect it to either a 70-amp or 80-amp circuit. If you choose to use the included NEMA 14-50 plug, the maximum you can set the dip switch to is 40 amps.
If you opt to install the plug-in version yourself, I suggest checking out the section of my review video where I show you how to open up the unit and install the NEMA 14-50 inlet cable. After that, the unit should be ready for mounting. Simply use the included template to mark the location and pre-drill holes to attach the mounting plate to a wall stud. Then, slide the unit onto the plate and secure it in place using the supplied hardware.
After mounting your new unit, simply plug it into a nearby NEMA 14-50 outlet to begin charging. Be sure the outlet is specifically rated for EV charging use — I can't tell you how often I see issues involving cheap outlets melting or burning out. This is especially important since the WolfBox WE50 does not have a temperature sensor in its NEMA 14-50 plug.
Misses
- Poor-performing cable
- No intelligent charging features
- NEMA 14-50 plug lacks a temperature sensor
The WolfBox WE50 is designed to be hardwired (giving you a max of 12 kW of charging power and up to 50 amps), but can be used as a plug-in unit if you install the included NEMA 14-50 plug (max 9.6 kW and up to 40 amps). WolfBox says that their EV charging station can provide up to 38 miles of range during an hour of charging, but that depends on how efficient your vehicle is.
If you want to charge your vehicle at a lower power level than what's set by the dip switches (there's data out there that proves charging at a lower rate is better for your battery), that can be done within the WolfBox app. Just make sure not to forget about setting the dip switches first, since a reset or crash could potentially wipe the app data and leave your charging station trying to pull more power than it's intended to.
The WolfBox WE50's enclosure meets IP66 (similar to NEMA 4) protection standards, meaning it's safe from dust and powerful jets of water. The unit comes standard with a 3-year warranty, but registering it through WolfBox extends the warranty by an additional 6 months. Additionally, purchasing installation services through Amazon adds an extra year, resulting in a total warranty period of up to 4.5 years. The WolfBox WE50 is also CSA and FCC certified, and meets UL safety standards.
The WolfBox app is decent, offering basic features like scheduling and charging history, though it's far from the most advanced on the market. I missed options catered to features like power sharing or dynamic load management, and I encountered issues with the app restarting itself when power was lost. You can set up the RFID cards for user access control, however.
Testing
To provide you, as a consumer, with the best overall picture of how an EV charging station operates during everyday use, I subject each one I review to a series of tests. By simulating real-world conditions, I can demonstrate how well a charging station will perform under various scenarios, including extreme temperatures, rough handling, and power outages. That way, you’re more likely to purchase an EVSE that actually fits your needs.
The Extreme Heat Test
To see how well an EV charging station can handle extreme heat, such as summertime in the American Southwest, I put a heat lamp in front of it for about two hours to get the surface temperature to about 120° F (48.89° C). The point is to make sure that the unit will still deliver full power without derating or shutting off when it overheats. I plugged in a Porsche Macan for the test, and checked back in three hours. The Emporia Pro charged the Macan at full power the entire time, even though the surface temperature of the unit eventually rose to about 166° F (74.4° C). That’s a pass on the Extreme Heat Test.
The Automatic Restart Test
With the Automatic Restart Test, I have the charger actively charging an electric vehicle, and I kill power to the circuit to simulate a power outage before restoring the power. What I want to see is the charger re-engaging the electric vehicle and continuing to charge. We’ve noticed that some chargers get stuck in a fault state and don’t start charging the EV again, which is problematic. I plugged the Porsche Macan in for this test as well, and the Emporia Pro immediately resumed charging after the power interruption. That’s another pass.
The Cable Deep Freeze Test
Those of us who live in a northern state, or even Canada, know that cold-weather cable pliability is incredibly important as well. In order to test that, I put the Emporia Pro in a deep freezer for about 30 hours, where it reached a temperature of -12° F (-24.4° C). The thin cable immediately began to frost up after I pulled it out of the freezer, and I was able to unwind it and re-coil it very easily. This was an excellent-performing cable, and yet another pass for the Emporia Pro.
The Frozen Connector Drop Test
Since the unit was still frozen, it was the perfect time for me to conduct my Frozen Connector Drop Test. I dropped the connector five times onto the concrete floor of my garage to see how it would handle rough handling. I don’t love this particular brand of connector, but it handled the test without picking up a single scratch, so the Emporia Pro passes this test as well.
The Cold Weather Startup Test
To round out the cold-weather-related testing, I decided to plug the frozen charging station into the Porsche Macan to see if it powered up and worked well while it was still cold. I plugged it in, watched the initiation lights turn on, and the Emporia Pro started supplying power. That’s yet another pass for this charging station.
While the WolfBox WE50 could benefit from a better cable and additional smart features, it has good bones, and with a few improvements, I'd consider it a very good unit. As it currently stands, its final score of 4.15 stars is nothing to sneer at.
The WolfBox WE50 is currently on sale for $429.99 on Amazon (as of the posting of this article). You can view my entire review in the video above for more information, and I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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