Andersen A3 Review
Is Andersen's second EV charger worthy of a spot on your wall?
Product overview
Design 5/5
Build Quality 5/5
Reliability 5/5
App Features 4/5
User Experience 4/5
Customer Service 3/5
Looking for a home charger that stands out from the rest? You can’t do much better than the Andersen A3.
It’s Andersen’s second EV charger, and like its sibling, the A2, the A3 is sleek, stylish, and available in a wide range of colour and finish combinations to satisfy even the pickiest of tastes. However, also like its sibling, the Andersen A3 isn’t cheap. With a starting price of £1,374 with installation, it’s our second most expensive charge point (behind the A2).
So, just who is this EV charge point for and is it worth the price?
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
Onlookers familiar with the Andersen A2 will probably look at the Andersen A3 and think they’re seeing double.
Both chargers share the same "tombstone" design that features Andersen's signature hidden cable system that neatly tucks away the cable inside the unit when not in use for a clutter-free look.
They share the same design cues, albeit with some different lines here and there as well as the same Wi Fi connectivity. However, the A3 is smaller in dimension.
This is of course much more noticeable when comparing the two chargers side by side, but the more compact size and design is a welcome change.
However, that does mean the A3 has a max cable length of 5.5 metres, which should be plenty for most driveways but if you need more then you're "stuck" with the A2.
There’s also no 22kW three-phase charging option like the A2 offers, but this shouldn’t be a problem for most households which are equipped with a single-phase power supply.
Finish combinations calore
If there’s one thing Andersen chargers do well, it’s offering a range of colour and finish options.
There are 247 different colour combinations for the body and front panel. The body is only available in metal, with 13 finishes to choose from.
The front panel is available in the same metal finishes as the body, but for an extra £200, you can opt for one of four classy wood finishes.
And if your budget stretches even further, there are three limited-edition front panels, as well as an option to make a bespoke panel for those who aren't satisfied with any of the options available.
Let there be light
The Andersen A2 featured convenience lighting inside the unit that turned on when you opened the cable storage lid; thankfully, this has been retained for the A3.
What’s new, however, is a handy convenience light that illuminates the ground at night as you approach the EV charger. Personally, I liked this feature, as it adds a premium touch that's similar to the ground floor lighting found in high-end cars.
Looking deeper
One thing I mentioned in my Andersen A2 review was that while I found the hidden cable solution to be really nifty, you had to wrap the charging cable just so in order for the charging plug to fit snugly into the storage space at the top.
Fortunately, the Andersen A3 improves on this slightly by including a groove that guides the cable into its correct position. In most cases, this fixes the problem, though I did still experience a few instances where the cable still didn't sit right and I had to start again.
That said, I’m sure this won’t be an issue once you get used to it.
The EV charger that comes with a concierge service
Unfortunately, I didn't get to test this service but Andersen offers a free concierge service that can help you with any queries you might have about your charge point and EV, such as setting up your EV charger, helping you find the perfect energy tariff or building charge schedules.
While an experienced EV enthusiast might not see the need for this service, it could prove to be very helpful for those who are new to electric vehicles or home charging.
The Andersen App
Following the release of the Andersen A3, Andersen retired the outdated-looking Konnect app and replaced it with the new Andersen App.
At first glance, the new app looks and feels miles better than the old one, with the black and yellow colour theme swapped for a much more inviting green and white scheme.
Setting charging schedules
One of the biggest benefits of home charge points is the ability to sign up for an EV energy tariff that offers off-peak electricity rates. With this in mind, it’s essential that a home EV charger comes with a scheduling feature. So how well does the Andersen A3 handle this?
Well, you’ll be pleased to know that setting charge schedules on the Andersen A3 is dead easy. All you need to do is enter a start and stop time and select the days of the week you want it to apply to.
For extra organisation, you can even name these schedules.
Smart energy tariff integration
In my Andersen A2 review, I mentioned that the Konnect app allowed users to build charging sessions by selecting their EV tariff. However, I felt it was let down by outdated information.
Fortunately, Andersen has fixed this with their new app. You won’t have to worry about mismatched prices or incorrect off-peak charging times anymore.
Additionally, the app and Andersen range now supports OVO Charge Anytime, which allows you to charge your electric vehicle at a super cheap rate when you let OVO optimise your charging sessions.
Compare EV energy tariffs (including OVO Charge Anytime)
Save £100’s on your home charging costs by switching to the right EV energy tariff
Let's talk solar compatibility
Got solar panels? You’ll be pleased to know that the Andersen A3 offers some pretty nifty solar compatibility options.
You can adjust how much grid energy you want to use in your charging sessions using a simple slider. There’s even an option to schedule charging sessions that will utilise off-peak electricity while also diverting any excess solar energy into your car.
After your car has finished charging, the app records your energy usage, showing you how much energy was drawn from each power source and how much it cost.
Charging your EV with solar
Wanting to charge your EV with your PV? Our guide can help you find out all there is to know about solar EV charging
Should you buy the Andersen A3?
While its price tag may put some people off, if you’re after a premium home charger that stands out and can be customised to match your exact tastes, the Andersen A3 is hard to beat.
It also comes with a class-leading seven-year warranty, more than double what you get with most other charge points.
If you're after an untethered alternative, it might be worth looking at the Simpson and Partners Home 7 as it offers a similar number of colour options.
Andersen A2 or Andersen A3?
So, should you go for the Andersen A2 or the A3? Well, if you just need a single-phase charger and a 5.5-metre cable is sufficient for your needs, then choosing the A3 over the A2 is a no-brainer.
The only time when we would recommend the A2 over the A3 would be if you need a longer cable or if you have a three-phase power supply that can take full advantage of the A2’s 22kW power output.
Ready to buy the Andersen A3
Find out more and customise your very own Andersen A3 for as little as £18.77 a month.