The Ohme Home Pro and Pod Point Solo 3S both cost from £999 with standard installation in 2026, deliver 7.4kW single-phase charging, and include solar diversion modes. But they take fundamentally different approaches to connectivity, smart tariff integration, and after-sales cover. This guide breaks down every difference so you can pick the right charger for your home, energy tariff, and priorities.
- Both chargers cost £999 installed - identical pricing for 7.4kW single-phase smart home charging with standard installation included
- Ohme wins on smart tariffs - direct API integration with Octopus Intelligent Go, British Gas, and E.ON Next Drive at rates as low as 6.9p/kWh
- Pod Point wins on warranty - 5-year cover as standard versus Ohme’s 3 years, plus a lifetime warranty option via Pod Drive subscription
- Connectivity differs significantly - Ohme uses a 4G SIM (free for 3 years, then approximately £2/month), while Pod Point relies on Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only)
- Your energy supplier decides it - Octopus customers should choose Ohme; EDF customers get better value from Pod Point’s Plug and Power bundle at £549
Head-to-Head Comparison Table
Both chargers share a 7.4kW power output, single-phase operation, and Type 2 connectors. The differences lie in connectivity, warranty length, smart tariff depth, and physical design. Here is a full spec-by-spec breakdown using verified 2026 data from both manufacturers.
| Feature | Ohme Home Pro | Pod Point Solo 3S |
|---|---|---|
| Price (installed) | From £999 | From £999 (untethered) / £1,049 (tethered) |
| Power Output | 7.4kW / 32A single-phase | 7.4kW single-phase |
| Connector | Type 2 tethered (5m or 8m) | Type 2 socket (untethered) or tethered (5m) |
| Connectivity | 4G SIM (free 3 years) | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only) |
| Display | Built-in colour LCD screen | No display (app only) |
| Warranty | 3 years | 5 years (lifetime with Pod Drive) |
| Solar Mode | Solar Boost (surplus PV diversion) | Solar-only or solar + grid hybrid |
| Load Balancing | Yes (CT clamp) | Yes (dynamic) |
| Smart Tariff Depth | Octopus Intelligent Go, Agile, Go, Cosy, British Gas, E.ON Next Drive | Octopus EV tariffs, EDF Plug & Power |
| Weight | 4kg | 6kg |
| IP Rating | Not confirmed | IP54 / IK10 |
| Trustpilot | 4.7/5 (14,049 reviews) | 4.5/5 (27,524 reviews) |
| OZEV Grant | Eligible (renters/flat owners) | Eligible (renters/flat owners) |
Smart Tariff Integration: Ohme’s Biggest Advantage
Ohme’s standout feature is its direct API integration with energy suppliers. Rather than relying on simple scheduling, the Ohme Home Pro communicates directly with your tariff provider to charge during the cheapest half-hour slots automatically. This is particularly powerful on Octopus Intelligent Go, where Ohme is an official partner.
The Ohme Home Pro supports Octopus Intelligent Go, Octopus Go, Octopus Agile, Octopus Cosy, British Gas EV Power Plus, and E.ON Next Drive (with rates as low as 6.9p/kWh). It also works with any generic time-of-use tariff through its scheduling app. The OVO Charge Anytime integration ended in July 2025, so OVO customers no longer benefit from direct Ohme integration.
Pod Point takes a simpler approach. It supports Octopus Energy EV tariffs and pairs with EDF’s Plug and Power bundle, but without the same depth of API-level tariff control. You can schedule charging to off-peak windows through the Pod Point app, but the charger does not dynamically respond to half-hourly pricing changes the way Ohme does.
If you are on Octopus Intelligent Go or plan to switch, the Ohme Home Pro is the clear choice. Its API integration means fully automated off-peak charging without manual scheduling. If you are on an EDF tariff, Pod Point’s Plug and Power bundle offers better value.
Warranty and After-Sales Support
Pod Point offers significantly better warranty cover. Its standard 5-year warranty covers both the charger and installation, compared to Ohme’s 3-year warranty. For buyers who want maximum peace of mind, Pod Point’s Pod Drive subscription includes a lifetime warranty alongside 7,500 annual mile cashback.
The Pod Drive subscription costs £40 per month over 36 months (total £1,440 plus the initial fee). While this exceeds the outright purchase price, it removes the upfront cost barrier entirely and adds lifetime hardware cover. Ohme does not offer any equivalent extended warranty or subscription option.
On customer satisfaction, both brands score well. Ohme holds a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot rating from 14,049 reviews, with 85% five-star ratings. Pod Point scores 4.5 out of 5 from a much larger pool of 27,524 reviews, with 75% five-star ratings. Both brands show a 8-9% one-star rate, suggesting similar levels of occasional service issues.
Connectivity: 4G vs Wi-Fi
The Ohme Home Pro uses a built-in 4G SIM rather than Wi-Fi. This means it works independently of your home broadband, which is useful if your garage or driveway has a weak Wi-Fi signal. The SIM is free for the first three years. After that, Ohme may charge approximately £2 per month for continued connectivity.
The downside is that 4G coverage varies by location. In areas with poor mobile signal, the Ohme Home Pro may struggle to maintain a reliable connection. There is no Wi-Fi fallback option. Pod Point uses 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only (no 5GHz support), which means you need a reasonably strong Wi-Fi signal at the charger’s installation point.
If your charger will be installed far from your router (detached garage, end of driveway), the Ohme’s 4G SIM may be more reliable than Wi-Fi. Check your mobile signal strength at the installation point before deciding.
Solar Compatibility
Both chargers support solar PV diversion, but they handle it differently. The Ohme Home Pro’s Solar Boost mode diverts surplus solar generation to your EV. It requires a solar installation completed after January 2023 and dynamic load balancing via the optional CT clamp to prevent overloading your home circuit.
Pod Point offers two solar modes: solar-only (charges exclusively from surplus PV) and solar plus grid hybrid (tops up from the grid when solar output drops). This dual-mode approach gives Pod Point a slight edge for solar users who want more granular control over their energy mix. Both chargers include dynamic load balancing as standard.
Design and Physical Differences
The Ohme Home Pro is the more compact unit at 170 x 200 x 100mm and just 4kg. It features a built-in colour LCD screen for local control without needing the app. Cable options are 5m (standard) or 8m (upgrade available at extra cost). The tethered design means no fumbling with separate cables.
The Pod Point Solo 3S is larger at 330 x 290 x 112mm and 6kg. It has no display, relying entirely on the Pod Point app for control and scheduling. It is available in both untethered (Type 2 socket) and tethered (5m cable) versions. The untethered option is £50 cheaper and offers flexibility if you own multiple EVs with different connector types. Pod Point carries an IP54 and IK10 rating for weather and impact resistance.
Installation and Pricing Breakdown
Both chargers include standard installation in the headline price. Ohme charges from £999 for the Home Pro with standard installation and a 3-year warranty. Third-party installers quote supply and installation from approximately £924 to £1,035. The unit alone costs from £450 including VAT (5m cable version).
Pod Point charges £999 for the untethered Solo 3S with standard installation, or £1,049 for the tethered version. Standard installation covers approximately 90% of customers. Non-standard work (long cable runs, consumer unit upgrades) is charged at cost. A surge protection device adds £100 and is not included as standard. The unit alone costs approximately £535 to £630 including VAT depending on the variant.
Both chargers are OZEV grant eligible for renters and flat owners (not homeowner-occupiers with driveways). The Ohme grant covers up to £500 (75% of cost), while Pod Point lists the grant at up to £350. Both are approved under the current Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant scheme funded until 31 March 2027.
EDF customers should look at Pod Point’s Plug and Power bundle, which pairs the tethered charger with a 2-year fixed EDF energy tariff at a discounted rate. This can significantly reduce the effective cost compared to buying the charger separately.
Our Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
At the same £999 installed price point, the choice between Ohme Home Pro and Pod Point Solo 3S comes down to two questions: how important is smart tariff automation, and how much do you value warranty length?
Choose the Ohme Home Pro if you are on Octopus Energy (especially Intelligent Go), British Gas EV Power Plus, or E.ON Next Drive. The direct API integration automates off-peak charging without manual scheduling, and rates as low as 6.9p/kWh deliver meaningful savings over a standard tariff. The built-in LCD screen and compact 4kg design are practical bonuses. Just be aware of the 3-year warranty and potential £2 per month connectivity fee after year three.
Choose the Pod Point Solo 3S if warranty is your top priority. The 5-year standard warranty (or lifetime cover via Pod Drive) beats every comparable charger in this price range. It is also the better pick for EDF customers via the Plug and Power bundle, and for homes with solar PV that need dual solar modes. The untethered option at £999 adds flexibility for multi-vehicle households.
Neither charger is a bad choice. Both are OZEV-approved, UK Smart Charging Regulations compliant, and backed by strong Trustpilot scores. For a broader comparison including other 7.4kW chargers, see our best home EV chargers guide.
