Flo X3 and X6 EV charger review (2024)

Choice is good. It can be a little overwhelming at times, but with the EV market going through a bit of a tumultuous moment, it's good to have options, and Flo definitely has them. The 15-year-old company has just rebooted its selection of at-home EV chargers, simplifying its lineup into that classic way of deciding: good, better, best. 

On the "good" side is the X3. To get "better," you'll step up to the X6, and the X8 fills out the all-important "best" category for those who feel like splurging. Covering a variety of permutations of plugs, specs, and constructions, Flo's new chargers should offer something for everyone. 

But does that include you? We think so. We sampled the affordable X3 and the mid-grade X6, and while we were impressed with the features and design of both, we're not sure the extra functionality of the X6 will be worth it for most.

Coming out of the box, both the X3 and X6 have an immediate, solid feel to them, with good quality plastics in the case of the less expensive of the two. The X3, with its simple black microtexture exterior, doesn't exactly dress to impress, but it does feel durable.

The X6 steps up to a recyclable aluminum exterior, with a black cable holster and your choice of silver or black facia on the charger itself. It does look and feel a bit more premium.

Both offer the same basic design concept: a blocky shape with the cable holster protruding from the bottom. The X6's holster is slightly wider than that of the X3, matching the extra width of its charger. But both are wide enough to ensure good support for the coiled cable. Only the holster on the X6 is removable. 

Both offer the same, easy-to-see wide LED indicator light across the top, which blinks in a Technicolor range of hues to indicate charge status and notify you about any issues.

Interestingly, both use the same cable and charger plug design, with an included temperature sensor. Even on the lower-end X3, you're getting a hefty feeling plug with a simple, spring-loaded pushbutton release. The plugs connect to a thick, 25-foot-long cable that stays pliable even after being subjected to days of sub-zero temperatures. 

Both chargers also include the same five-year warranty, and both rely on the same app, which not only lets you start, stop, and schedule charging sessions to capitalize on variable-rate utility plans, but can also help you find other nearby chargers to use.

Looking down at the feature set of the two chargers, there's not a lot to justify the additional cost for the X6.

For $150 more, you're getting a machine that looks and feels a little nicer, but offers the exact same connectivity options and charges at the same Level 2 speeds. And, of course, both satisfy the same electrical safety certifications.

Why the extra cash? The aluminum exterior may indeed prove more durable over time, and it certainly looks a bit nicer. The removable holster might be useful for anyone who prefers to coil and hang the cable somewhere other than the charger itself, too. 

However, the real advantage of the X6 is actually a bit niche: You can daisy-chain a second X6 (or a Flo X8) EV charger on the same circuit, simplifying installation. If you're looking for multiple chargers in one garage, for example, this could result in substantial savings from your installer, enough to make up for the additional up-front purchase cost.

But, short of that, we'd definitely recommend sticking with the more value-oriented X3. It offers the same functionality and much the same premium look and feel of the X6 at a more affordable cost.