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HUB 02 · Portable & Travel Chargers

MUSTART vs Lectron Portable EV Charger

The cheapest true 40-amp portable against the dual-level traveler that also works on a standard outlet.

By Stephen V.Updated How we research
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The short answer

Quick picks

#ad · Live prices from the Amazon Product API, as of Jul 27, 2026. Where we have no verified live price, we show none — we would rather leave a gap than print a number that has gone stale.

Both are 40-amp J1772 portables; the split is lowest price versus dual-level flexibility. Buy the MUSTARTfor the cheapest true Level 2 portable — 240-volt speed for the least money. Buy the Lectron for a dual-level unit that ships with both a 240-volt and a 120-volt plug, so it also works from a standard outlet on the road.

These two cross-shop for the renter or traveler who wants portable charging without overspending. We compile published specs and owner reports and do the math here rather than bench-testing.

Speed

A tie at the top. Both deliver 40 amps / 9.6 kWon a 240-volt NEMA 14-50 outlet — the same ~25–30 miles of range per hour. The Lectron adjusts down from 40 amps for weaker circuits; the MUSTART runs at its rated output. On 240 volts, speed does not separate them.

Plugs and flexibility

This is the real difference. The Lectron ships with both a 240-volt (14-50) and a 120-volt (5-15) plug, so it doubles as a Level 1 trickle charger at any standard outlet — genuinely useful on a road trip. The MUSTART is 240-volt only. If you want one charger that covers both outlet types, the Lectron; if you only ever use a 240-volt outlet, the MUSTART's simplicity is fine.

Cable and readout

The MUSTART has a shorter 21-foot cableand an LCD readout for status and faults; the Lectron's adjustable current is its handier extra. Measure your run — 21 feet is fine for most single-bay setups but tight if the outlet is far from where you park.

Price and value

The MUSTART is one of the cheapest true 40-amp portables you can buy, and that is its whole pitch. The Lectron costs a bit more for the dual-level flexibility and adjustable current. If the lowest price leads, the MUSTART; if you want the do-both traveler, the Lectron.

The one-line split: the MUSTART is the cheapest 240-volt portable; the Lectron adds a 120-volt plug and adjustable current for a bit more. Same top speed, different flexibility.

The verdict

Choose the MUSTART for the lowest-cost path to 240-volt portable charging. Choose the Lectron if you want a dual-level unit that also works on a standard outlet and dials down for unfamiliar circuits. Both charge at the same 40-amp rate on 240 volts; see them in our portable roundup.

In detail

The picks, in full

01
MUSTART MUSTART 40A Portable

The cheapest capable portable

MUSTART 40A Portable

40A / 9.6kWJ1772NEMA 14-50 plug21ft cable, LCD
8.2/10

A budget 40-amp portable with an LCD readout — the value pick when you just need 240V charging that moves.

Charge speed
8
Portability
9
Build & weather
7
Cable & connector
7
Value
10

Pros

  • One of the least expensive true 40-amp portables on Amazon
  • LCD display shows charging status and faults at a glance
  • Outdoor-rated connector and enclosure

Cons

  • Shorter 21-foot cable than some rivals
  • Value brand — fit and finish are functional rather than premium

Don't buy this if…

you need the longer reach of a 25-foot cable, or you want a 120V plug in the box too. The Lectron portable is more flexible; the MUSTART's whole pitch is the low price.

$159.99View on Amazon

$169.005% off

Price as of Jul 27, 2026. Prices change — Amazon's is the one that counts.

#ad · we may earn a commission from this link to MUSTART 40A Portable

02
Lectron Lectron 40A Portable (Level 1/2)

One charger for home and travel

Lectron 40A Portable (Level 1/2)

8A–40AJ1772NEMA 14-50 + 5-15Level 1/2
8.6/10

A dual-level portable with both a NEMA 14-50 and a 5-15 plug — the take-it-anywhere charger that also covers a wall outlet in a pinch.

Charge speed
8
Portability
10
Build & weather
8
Cable & connector
8
Value
9

Pros

  • Ships with both a 240V (14-50) and a 120V (5-15) plug, so it works at home and at a standard outlet
  • Adjustable current means you can dial it down for a weaker circuit
  • Packs into a trunk — a genuine travel charger, not just a wall unit

Cons

  • A portable brick lives on the floor or a hook, not mounted like a wall unit
  • 40-amp draw needs a properly rated 14-50 outlet — do not run it flat-out on a worn receptacle

Don't buy this if…

you want a permanent, tidy wall installation and never travel with the charger. A hardwired unit like the Wallbox looks cleaner and stays put.

Check price on Amazon →

No buyable offer at the last price check (Jul 27, 2026). We show nothing rather than a stale number.

#ad · we may earn a commission from this link to Lectron 40A Portable (Level 1/2)

How we picked

We do not run a testing lab

We compiled published specifications from manufacturer manuals and spec sheets, verified the safety listings (UL / ETL), computed the real running and installation costs, checked the wiring math against the NEC continuous-load rule, and read aggregated owner reviews — then scored each product against a published rubric. The scores are judgments from documented research — they are not bench measurements, because we do not have a test lab and we are not going to pretend we do. Every spec and cost figure is cited in Sources.

Questions

Frequently asked

Which is faster, the MUSTART or the Lectron portable?

Neither on 240 volts — both deliver 40 amps / 9.6 kW and charge at the same rate. The Lectron can be dialed down for weaker circuits, and it also works at Level 1 speeds on a 120-volt outlet.

Which works on a normal wall outlet?

The Lectron — it ships with both a 240-volt and a 120-volt plug, so it works at a standard household outlet (at slower Level 1 speeds). The MUSTART is 240-volt only.

Which is cheaper?

The MUSTART — it is one of the least expensive true 40-amp portables available. The Lectron costs a bit more for its dual-level plugs and adjustable current.

Which should I buy?

The MUSTART for the cheapest 240-volt portable charging; the Lectron if you want the flexibility of a 120-volt plug and adjustable current for the road.

Keep reading

Receipts

Sources

We do not run a testing lab, and we do not pretend to. Where a measured number came from someone else's lab, we name them and link them. Where we could not verify something, we say so on the page rather than quietly leaving it out. Read our full method.