Recently, a friend asked me, "What's the difference between a portable charging gun and a charging pile?" Today, let's talk about the differences between these two charging methods, hoping to help everyone choose the most suitable charging device for themselves. 

1. Charging power and speed 

Portable charging guns and charging piles have obvious differences in charging power and speed. Most car chargers have a charging power of 3.5kW, and the charging speed is relatively slow. It takes about 8 to 9 hours to fully charge. The power of a household charging pile is usually 7kW, with a faster charging speed. It takes about 4 hours to fully charge. However, a 7kW charging pile is called fast charging, while a 3.5kW on-board charger is considered slow charging. For instance, if you start using a 7kW charging station with 20% battery power, it will take about 3 hours to fully charge it. However, if a 3.5kW on-board charger is used, the time to fully charge will be much longer. So, if you often need fast charging, a home charging station is definitely a good choice. 

2. Installation method and convenience 

In terms of installation, there are also significant differences between on-board chargers and charging piles. The car charger does not require a fixed power supply position. It can be used as long as there is a 220V power socket. It is very portable and convenient. You can put it in the trunk and charge it at any time when traveling. Charging piles, on the other hand, need to be installed by professionals and fixed in specific locations, such as home garages, private parking Spaces, and public parking Spaces. The convenience of a car charger becomes even more obvious when traveling outdoors or camping. You can charge your device anytime and anywhere without worrying about not finding a suitable power source location. Home charging piles, on the other hand, are more suitable for use in daily fixed places, such as homes or workplaces. 

3. Safety and Cost 

In terms of safety, both on-board chargers and charging piles have their own merits. On-board chargers are usually equipped with high-temperature protection, automatic stop when fully charged, overcurrent protection, water and dust resistance, and other functions to ensure safety during the charging process. The charging piles, on the other hand, are equipped with automatic power-off functions such as lightning protection, water resistance, and leakage prevention. Once an abnormality is detected, they can also automatically cut off the power in a timely manner, making them safer. In terms of cost, the price of the in-car charger is relatively low, offering high cost performance and being very suitable for consumers with limited budgets. The price of charging piles is relatively high. Not only is the purchase cost high, but the installation and maintenance expenses are also very high. However, if you use it regularly for a long time and have a large demand for electricity, the high cost performance of home charging piles is still worth investing in. 

Both of these charging methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. Which one to choose mainly depends on your specific needs and usage scenarios.