Which is better for a home with a large solar array?

Zappi's ECO+ mode is excellent for pure solar diversion. But for solar paired with battery storage, smart tariffs and future devices, Simpson & Partners offers broader energy management integration.

Simpson & Partners vs Zappi v2: Which EV Charger Is Best?

Q: Is the Zappi v2 still worth buying in 2026?

Yes, especially for solar-focused households and those wanting broad smart tariff support. Zappi v2 now supports OCPP 1.6J, Ethernet and 22kW three-phase charging. Simpson & Partners still offers a longer warranty and wider range of finishes.

Q: Does Simpson & Partners work with solar panels?

Yes. Simpson & Partners supports solar via CT clamp and dynamic load balancing, prioritising surplus solar generation for charging.

Q: What is OCPP and why does it matter?

OCPP is an open standard allowing EV chargers to connect to any compatible backend. Zappi v2 now supports OCPP 1.6J, and Simpson & Partners also supports OCPP, giving both platforms flexibility for commercial and future use.

Simpson & Partners vs Zappi v2 | EV Charger Comparison UK 2026

EV Charger Comparison · UK 2026

Simpson & Partners vs Zappi v2: Which EV Charger Is Best?

The Zappi is the UK's most popular solar-optimising charger. Simpson & Partners is the most complete all-round platform. If you're choosing between the two, the right answer depends on whether you're optimising for solar and smart tariffs today — or building a future-ready home energy system.

✓ Best all-rounder: Simpson & Partners — Best for solar/smart tariffs: myenergi Zappi v2

Expert EV Charging Knowledge Competitive Prices via Volume Buying Large Project Buying Power Fast UK Dispatch

Quick verdict: Zappi v2 now matches Simpson & Partners on three-phase capability (22kW), OCPP (1.6J) and Ethernet connectivity, and remains the stronger choice for solar diversion and smart tariff support, with a broad range of smart tariffs supported. Simpson & Partners still leads on warranty length, finish options and commercial/multi-site flexibility. For most UK homes, Simpson & Partners via EcoHarmony offers better total value.

7.4kW / 22kW 3-Phase OCPP Open Platform Solar Compatible Ethernet + WiFi 5–10yr Warranty UK-Supported

Simpson & Partners Home Series EV Charger

Simpson & Partners Home Series From EcoHarmony — competitive pricing via volume buying

myenergi Zappi v2 Solar-optimising charger

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Simpson & Partners	Zappi v2
Max Charge Rate	7.4kW single / 22kW 3-phase	7.4kW single / 22kW 3-phase
Solar Integration	Dynamic solar + load balancing	Industry-leading ECO / ECO+ diversion
OCPP Support	Yes — open platform	Yes — OCPP 1.6J
Connectivity	WiFi + Ethernet (model dependent)	WiFi + Ethernet
Three-Phase Ready	Yes	Yes
Smart Tariff Support	Compatible via app scheduling	Broad range of smart tariffs supported
Load Management	Advanced wired load balancing	Built-in DLM
Design / Finish	Premium — 200+ colour options	Available in white, black and grey
Warranty	Up to 5–10 years	3 years standard
Repairability	Modular & serviceable	Limited repair modularity
Commercial / Fleet	Yes — multi-site & OCPP billing	No
V2G Path	Roadmapped	In development
Price via EcoHarmony	Competitive — volume buying advantage	Standard retail pricing

📖 Plain English

Zappi is brilliant if your main goal is using surplus solar power to charge your car for free, and it now also supports a broad range of smart tariffs, OCPP 1.6J, Ethernet and 22kW three-phase charging. But if you want the widest choice of finishes, the longest warranty, and a platform built for commercial and multi-site deployments — Simpson & Partners is the stronger all-round platform.

Solar Integration: Where Zappi Still Leads

The Zappi's ECO and ECO+ modes remain the gold standard for solar diversion. If you have a PV system and your primary use case is maximising free charging from surplus solar, Zappi has years of refinement in this specific area. Zappi also supports a broad range of smart tariffs, giving flexible time-of-use charging options beyond a single provider.

Simpson & Partners supports solar integration via CT clamp and dynamic load balancing — it works well and handles most home solar setups — but Zappi's solar logic is more granular and has a larger community of experienced installers.

Why this mattersIf solar optimisation and smart tariff flexibility are your priority, Zappi is a genuinely strong choice — and now with OCPP, Ethernet and three-phase support, it's less of a trade-off than it used to be.

Where Simpson & Partners Wins Clearly

🔌

Open Protocol & Commercial Backends

Both platforms now support OCPP (Simpson & Partners, and Zappi v2 with OCPP 1.6J), but Simpson & Partners offers broader backend integration for larger commercial and multi-site deployments.

🌐

Wired Connectivity

Zappi v2 now also offers Ethernet alongside WiFi. Simpson & Partners' wired option remains a reliable choice for demanding commercial and domestic installs.

⚡

Three-Phase Ready

Both platforms now support 22kW three-phase charging — future-proofing homes being upgraded or properties with three-phase supply.

🛡️

Up to 10-Year Warranty

Industry-leading enclosure warranty. Zappi offers 3 years standard — a meaningful difference in long-term confidence.

🎨

200+ Colour Options

Designed to be seen. Zappi v2 now offers white, black and grey; Simpson & Partners still leads with 200+ finish options to match your home's aesthetic.

🏢

Commercial Capable

OCPP + billing integration makes it suitable for workplaces, fleets, and multi-unit sites — Zappi remains domestic only.

EcoHarmony Price Advantage

EcoHarmony works on large residential and commercial projects, meaning we purchase Simpson & Partners chargers in significant volume. That buying power is passed directly to you — our pricing on Simpson & Partners is consistently competitive versus standard retail channels.

When you factor in the longer warranty, reduced need for external add-ons (like separate OCPP gateways or PME devices on many setups), and the all-round capability of the platform, the total cost of ownership for Simpson & Partners frequently undercuts alternatives once everything is accounted for.

Why this mattersDon't compare sticker prices alone. Compare what you actually need to install and maintain a complete, compliant, future-ready system over 5–10 years.

Which Should You Choose?

Verdict

Choose Simpson & Partners if…

You want the broadest OCPP/commercial backend integration
You want a 5–10yr warranty
You have commercial or multi-charger needs
You want 200+ colour and finish options
You want modular, serviceable hardware

Choose Zappi v2 if…

Solar diversion is your top priority
You have a large PV system and want ECO+ mode
You want broad smart tariff support
You want OCPP 1.6J and Ethernet as standard
You need three-phase (22kW) capability

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Zappi v2 still worth buying in 2026?

Yes — Zappi v2 remains a strong, proven charger, especially for solar-focused households and those wanting broad smart tariff support. It now also supports OCPP 1.6J, Ethernet and 22kW three-phase charging. Simpson & Partners still offers a longer warranty (up to 5–10 years) and a wider range of finishes.

Does Simpson & Partners work with solar panels?

Yes. Simpson & Partners supports solar integration via CT clamp and dynamic load balancing, allowing the charger to prioritise surplus solar generation. While Zappi's solar modes are more granular, Simpson & Partners handles most UK home solar setups effectively.

Can I get Simpson & Partners cheaper than Zappi from EcoHarmony?

EcoHarmony's volume purchasing means Simpson & Partners is priced very competitively. When comparing total installed cost — including any required external components — Simpson & Partners frequently offers better value than the comparable Zappi setup.

What is OCPP and why does it matter?

OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) is an open standard that allows EV chargers to communicate with any compatible backend system — billing platforms, fleet management, energy management tools. Zappi v2 now supports OCPP 1.6J, and Simpson & Partners also supports OCPP, both offering flexibility for commercial and future-proof domestic use.

Is Zappi or Simpson & Partners better for a home with a big solar array?

Both work well. For pure solar diversion, Zappi's ECO+ mode is excellent. But if your solar system is paired with a battery, a smart tariff, and future plans for more devices, Simpson & Partners' broader energy management integration is a better long-term fit.