Fast Amps Alpha7 vs Andersen A2: Which EV Charger Is Better?

Fast Amps Alpha7 vs Andersen A2 | EV Charger Comparison UK 2026
EV Charger Comparison · UK 2026

Fast Amps Alpha7 vs Andersen A2: Which EV Charger Is Better?

The Fast Amps Alpha7 and the Andersen A2 are both UK-built home EV chargers with built-in PEN protection. The Alpha7 wins decisively on price; the A2 wins on its iconic hidden cable system, premium materials, and 7-year warranty.

✓ Best value: Fast Amps Alpha7 — Best premium design: Andersen A2
Expert EV Charging Knowledge Competitive Prices via Volume Buying Fast UK Dispatch UK-Based Support Team Championing British Manufacturing
Quick verdict: Both chargers are UK-built and include built-in PEN fault protection. The Fast Amps Alpha7 from £399 offers excellent value with solar as standard. The Andersen A2 from £1,199 is for customers who want the very best in design — its signature hidden cable system, premium materials, and 7-year warranty are genuinely distinctive. The £800 price gap is significant; the A2 justifies it for the right customer.
🇬🇧 Both UK-built7.4kW outputBuilt-in PEN protection (both)Solar integration (both)Hidden cable system (A2)7-year warranty (A2)
Fast Amps Alpha7 EV Charger
Fast Amps Alpha7UK-designed & manufactured in Shrewsbury · From £399
Andersen A2 EV Charger
Andersen A2UK-designed & manufactured · Hidden cable system · From £1,199 · 7-year warranty

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Fast Amps Alpha7 Andersen A2
Max output 7.4kW (32A) 7.4kW single / 22kW three-phase
Solar integration Dynamic solar — standard, CT clamp Solar compatible — CT clamp Solar Basic Pack (~£120 extra)
Built-in PEN fault protection Yes — no earth rod required Yes — no earth rod required
Hidden cable system No Yes — signature hidden cable storage
Connectivity WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet WiFi, Bluetooth (no Ethernet)
Intelligent Octopus Go Scheduled charging via app Native integration — since Sep 2025
Tethered / untethered Both available Tethered only (hidden cable)
Design customisation Standard compact housing 120+ colour & finish options incl. wood fascias
Warranty 3 years 7 years
UK-manufactured Yes — Shrewsbury (100% UK) Yes — made to order in UK
IP rating IP54 IP65
Price (charger only) From £399 From £1,199
📖 Plain English

The Andersen A2 is one of the most beautiful EV chargers ever made. Its hidden cable system — where the cable retracts neatly into the unit — is a genuine engineering achievement that no competitor has matched. But it costs £800 more than the Alpha7, solar requires an additional £120 accessory pack, and it's tethered only. If a customer cares deeply about how their charger looks and has the budget for it, A2. If they want the best value from a British-built charger, Alpha7.

Where Fast Amps Alpha7 Has the Edge

💷
£800 Lower Price
From £399 vs £1,199. Solar also included as standard — no £120 Solar Basic Pack required. A substantial total cost advantage.
☀️
Solar — No Extras Needed
Solar charging is standard on Alpha7 with a CT clamp fitted during installation. The A2 requires the optional Solar Basic Pack (approx. £120) to enable solar integration.
🇬🇧
100% UK-Manufactured
Every component manufactured in Britain. The A2 is also made in the UK but Alpha7 goes further — plastics in Birmingham, PCBs in Halesowen, assembled in Shrewsbury.
🔌
Untethered Available
Alpha7 available tethered or untethered. The Andersen A2 is tethered only — its hidden cable system requires a built-in cable.
🌐
Ethernet Available
Wired network connection available. The A2 is WiFi and Bluetooth only — no Ethernet or 4G option.
🔧
Bluetooth Commissioning
No WiFi required on site during installation. Faster, simpler installs — no customer credentials needed.

Where Andersen A2 Has the Edge

  • Hidden cable system: The A2's signature feature — the charging cable retracts fully into the unit, keeping the driveway completely tidy. No competitor has matched this engineering achievement.
  • 7-year warranty: More than double the Alpha7's 3-year warranty — significant long-term confidence.
  • 120+ colour and finish options: Including premium metallic finishes and Accoya wood fascias — the most extensive customisation available on any home EV charger.
  • Intelligent Octopus Go: Native integration since Sep 2025 for automatic cheapest-rate charging without manual scheduling.
  • Premium materials: Aluminium and stainless steel construction with a perceptible quality advantage over plastic-bodied chargers. Reviewers consistently note the build quality is exceptional.
  • Three-phase option: Available in 22kW three-phase configuration.

PME Safety: Both Comply — No Earth Rod Needed

Both chargers include built-in PEN fault protection, satisfying BS 7671 Section 722 on PME (TN-C-S) supplies without an external device or earth rod. The A2 uses O-PEN technology conforming to BS 7671 clause 722.411.4.1 (iii)(iv) — as does the Alpha7. Both simplify installation on PME supplies significantly compared to chargers that require external PME hardware.

The Solar Question

The Alpha7 includes solar integration as standard — the installer fits a current clamp during installation and activates solar mode in the FastAmps app. No additional cost.

The Andersen A2 supports solar — but enabling it requires the optional Solar Basic Pack (approx. £120), which includes the CT clamp sensor. Once installed, the app supports 100% solar mode or blended solar-plus-grid charging.

One important note: independent reviewers have flagged that the A2's electromechanical relay design can experience wear under frequent solar-driven current adjustments, as the relay switches continuously to match fluctuating generation. If heavy solar cycling is planned, confirm the A2's current electronics approach with Andersen before specifying.

Which Should You Choose?

Our Verdict

Choose Fast Amps Alpha7 if…

  • Value is the primary consideration
  • Solar standard without extras needed
  • Untethered option required
  • 100% UK manufacturing matters
  • 3-year warranty is sufficient

Choose Andersen A2 if…

  • Hidden cable system is the brief
  • Premium materials and design matter
  • 7-year warranty is the priority
  • Budget is not a primary constraint
  • Intelligent Octopus automation wanted

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Fast Amps Alpha7 need an earth rod on a PME supply?
No. The Alpha7 includes built-in PEN fault detection in accordance with BS 7671 Section 722. No external PME device or earth rod is required.
Does the Andersen A2 need an earth rod?
No. The Andersen A2 includes built-in PME (PEN fault) protection using O-PEN technology conforming to BS 7671 clause 722.411.4.1. No earth rod is required — an advantage it shares with the Fast Amps Alpha7.
Does the Andersen A2 include solar as standard?
The A2 is solar compatible, but enabling solar integration requires the optional Solar Basic Pack (approx. £120), which includes the CT clamp sensor. The Fast Amps Alpha7 includes solar integration as standard with no additional purchase required.
What warranty does the Andersen A2 come with?
The Andersen A2 comes with a 7-year warranty as standard — significantly longer than the Fast Amps Alpha7's 3-year warranty.
What is the Andersen A2's hidden cable system?
The A2's signature feature is its integrated hidden cable storage — the tethered charging cable retracts neatly into the unit when not in use, keeping the driveway completely tidy. No other home EV charger has matched this engineering at a comparable feature level.
How much does the Andersen A2 cost?
The Andersen A2 starts from £1,199 for the charger only. Installed prices start from approximately £1,349–£1,594. Solar integration requires the additional Solar Basic Pack (approx. £120). The Fast Amps Alpha7 starts from £399 with solar included as standard.

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