Simpson & Partners vs Zappi

The Simpson & Partners Home Series and the myenergi Zappi are two of the most popular premium EV chargers available in the UK, both offering smart charging, solar compatibility, and reliable home installation.

However, they are designed with different priorities. Simpson & Partners focuses on premium design, advanced connectivity (including OCPP and Ethernet on many models), and long‑term flexibility for future energy systems, while Zappi delivers a solar‑led, app‑driven charging experience built around surplus‑solar modes (ECO / ECO+) and straightforward integration with home energy tariffs.

This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide which charger is best suited to your home, your solar setup, your wiring configuration, and your future charging needs.

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  • Simpson & Partners

  • Zappi

Feature Simpson & Partners myenergi Zappi v2
Primary Focus ✔ Future-proof smart charging & flexibility ⚠ Solar-first EV charging optimisation
Solar Integration ✔ Dynamic solar integration + load balancing ✔ Industry-leading ECO / ECO+ solar diversion
Connectivity (WiFi / Ethernet) ✔ WiFi + Ethernet (model dependent) ⚠ WiFi only (hub optional)
OCPP Support ✔ Yes (open platform flexibility) ✖ No
Smart Features ✔ Advanced control, load management, V2G-ready path ⚠ Strong solar logic, limited extensibility
Load Management ✔ Advanced wired load balancing ✔ Built-in dynamic load balancing
Installation Flexibility ✔ Wall or pedestal, multi-unit capable ⚠ Mainly domestic wall-mounted installs
Design & Build ✔ Premium architectural design ✔ Compact functional design
Repairability ✔ Modular & serviceable design ✖ Limited repair modularity
Future-Proofing ✔ Designed for upgradeability (incl. V2G path) ✖ No clear upgrade roadmap
Warranty ✔ Up to 5–10 years (hardware/enclosure dependent) ⚠ Typically 3–5 years
Best For ✔ Future-ready homes, flexible installs, multi-site setups ⚠ Solar-heavy households wanting simple energy diversion

Choose Simpson & Partners if you want:

  • Greater Choice in Colour Options

  • Future-proof charging with OCPP and V2G capability

  • Ethernet connectivity for reliable performance

  • Greater flexibility with three-phase charging

  • Flexible installation including freestanding and wall-mounted options

  • Long-term reliability with a 10-year enclosure warranty

Choose Zappi if you want:

  • Strong integration with rooftop solar and time‑of‑use tariffs.

  • A simpler, solar‑focused setup that “just works” for most homes with PV.

  • A well‑established, value‑driven home‑charger brand with strong app‑based control.

KEY DIFFERENCES

Simpson & Partners

Core advantages

OCPP 1.6J+ support
Ethernet connectivity
V2G upgradeable
Three-phase charging (Quartz only matches partially)
Freestanding installation option
IK10 impact resistance
10-year enclosure warranty


Greater flexibility across home, holiday, and commercial use

KEY DIFFERENCES

Zappi

Core advantages

Very tight integration with MyEnergi’s ecosystem (eddi, libbi, Hive, Hive‑compatible meters).

Faster‑to‑grasp residential‑focused UX for homeowners who care about solar but not “smart‑grid jargon”.

FEATURE BREAKDOWN

Simpson & Partners

Smart Features

Simpson & Partners offers a more advanced smart ecosystem, including:

  • OCPP 1.6J+ support for third-party platform integration
  • Solar integration for renewable charging
  • Dynamic load management
  • Smart app control and energy tracking
  • V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) upgrade capability

👉 Designed for long-term flexibility and energy system integration.

Installation & Electrical

  • Supports single-phase and three-phase (up to 22kW)
  • Built-in PEN fault protection
  • RCD and PME compliance
  • Ethernet + Wi-Fi + Bluetooth connectivity

👉 Better suited for complex or future-proof installs.

Access & Billing

  • Home‑focused ranges are still residential, but higher‑tier ranges support:
  • Multi‑lease billing, guest‑RFID, and payment‑style integrations.
  • Scalable multi‑site and fleet deployments.
  • Better positioned if you ever want to move into managed‑parking, landlord, or business‑park charging.

Hardware & Format

  • Wall‑mounted and freestanding pedestal options on select models.
  • IK10‑rated impact resistance for higher durability in driveways, car‑parks, and publicish areas.
  • Longer‑life enclosure with 10‑year warranty potential on some enclosures.

Design & User Experience

  • Architectural, high‑end aesthetic with strong configurability (finishes, colours).
  • More “disappears into the property”‑style appearance on certain models.
  • Control and smart features are deeper but can feel more technical and configuration‑heavy.

Commercial Features

  • Higher‑tier ranges are explicitly built for:
  • Multi‑tenant housing.Office car‑parks.
  • Fleet and depot environments.
  • Supports multi‑site, multi‑charger, and multi‑operator setups with proper billing workflows.

FEATURE BREAKDOWN

Zappi

Smart Features

  • Solar‑first modes: ECO (top‑up with solar) and ECO+ (maximise 100% solar charging where possible).
  • Smart tariff support (e.g. Octopus Go / similar) for off‑peak and green‑power charging.
  • App‑controlled charging, energy monitoring, and RFID access.
  • OCPP 1.6J compatibility via firmware, enabling third‑party platform integration (with some setup).

Installation & Electrical

  • 7kW single‑phase and up to 22kW three‑phase variants.
  • Tethered and socketed options, typically wall‑mounted.
  • Built‑in safety protections and straightforward install for most domestic solar setups.
  • Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth standard; Ethernet on some newer‑revision models.

Access & Billing

  • Primarily designed for private home use.
  • App‑based control with RFID access on some setups.
  • Focused on household charging rather than split‑bill or guest‑billing workflows.

Hardware & Format

  • Compact, wall‑mounted unit with neat cable‑wrapping.
  • Clean, modern look but not as design‑obsessed as some purely aesthetic brands.
  • IP65‑rated to keep it weather‑resistant outdoors.

Design & User Experience

  • Functional, tech‑friendly design rather than luxury‑lifestyle.
  • App‑centric UX: easy to see solar‑use stats, charging sessions, and tariff schedules.
  • Feels like part of a wider MyEnergi ecosystem rather than a standalone art‑piece

Commercial Features

  • Fundamentally residential, even in multi‑charger setups.
  • Can be used for small fleets or shared driveways, but no native commercial billing or multi‑tenant split‑billing.

BEST FOR

  • Best for Homeowners

    👉 Simpson & Partners — more flexible, more future-proof, better connectivity

  • Best for Simple Maximising solar charging

    👉Zappi — Dedicated ECO / ECO+ modes and proven solar‑first logic

  • Best for Long‑term energy‑system platform

    👉 Simpson & Partners — Stronger durability, multi‑site readiness, and commercial options.

💡 Installation Note


Most EV chargers in the UK require a dedicated circuit with appropriate protection. While many modern chargers include built-in safety features, installers will typically still specify an RCBO and, in many cases, surge protection (SPD) to ensure compliance and long-term reliability.


EXPERT INSIGHT

Zappi is widely known for solar-first charging, making it a strong choice for households focused purely on maximising PV usage.

However, in real-world UK installations, solar is only one part of the system. Homes are increasingly adding batteries, smart tariffs, and future grid flexibility requirements.

Simpson & Partners is better suited to this wider energy ecosystem.

It offers a more complete installation approach — including stronger connectivity options, future-ready protocols (such as OCPP), and greater flexibility for installers working across mixed energy setups.

In practice, Zappi is optimised for solar usage.

Simpson & Partners is optimised for the entire home energy system — now and in the future.


FINAL VERDICT

Zappi is the stronger choice for solar‑led, value‑driven homesand remains one of the smartest “solar‑EV” packages in the UK.

Simpson & Partners is the better long‑term, future‑ready platform if you prioritise Ethernet‑based control, V2G‑upgradeability, and more robust commercial‑grade capabilities.

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FAQ's

Is Zappi better than Simpson & Partners for solar charging?

Zappi is one of the best options for solar integration, allowing direct use of surplus solar energy. However, Simpson & Partners offers similar features as well as offering broader flexibility for premium installs and commercial setups where solar is not the only priority.

Which charger is better for future expansion?

Simpson & Partners is better suited for scaling, especially with three-phase support, dual chargers, and load balancing. Zappi is more focused on single domestic installations.

Can Zappi be used in commercial environments?


Zappi is primarily designed for domestic use and limited commercial setups. For larger or multi-user environments, Simpson & Partners is generally the more suitable option.

Do I need load balancing with either charger?


Yes, if your electrical supply is limited or you plan to install multiple chargers. Simpson & Partners supports advanced load balancing, making it more suitable for larger installations.

Do both chargers require PME protection?

Zappi and Simpson & Partners chargers typically include built-in PEN fault protection, reducing the need for additional equipment.

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