Quick Verdict
The Wallbox Pulsar Plus is the better buy for most people. It's usually £50–£100 cheaper installed, it's the smallest smart charger you can put on a UK wall, and its Eco-Smart mode gives you genuine solar charging that the Pod Point Solo 3 simply doesn't have. Choose the Solo 3 if you want a household name with a big UK installer network behind it and a tethered cable that feels a touch more robust in daily use.
Specification Comparison
| Feature | Pod Point Solo 3 | Wallbox Pulsar Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price (inc. install) | ~£999 installed Pod Point's own package price | £849–£999 |
| Charging speed | 7.4kW | 7.4kW |
| Cable length | 5m / 7.5m | 5m / 7.5m |
| Solar charging | ❌ No solar mode | ✅ Eco / Full-Solar (Eco-Smart) |
| Size on wall | ~330 × 330 × 152mm | ~166 × 163 × 82mm (tiny) |
| Connectivity | WiFi | WiFi + Bluetooth (works if WiFi drops) |
| Smart scheduling | ✅ Via app | ✅ Via app |
| OZEV grant eligible | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
Key Differences
Price & Value
Fully installed, Pod Point's own package for the Solo 3 is £999, and the Pulsar Plus typically lands at £849–£999 through an independent installer. Bundled deals move these around: EDF, which owns Pod Point, sells the Solo 3S as a £999 installed package with £499 payable upfront and the balance over two years (see our EDF charger review). That is a payment structure, not a cheaper charger — compare it as £999. Like-for-like from an independent installer, the Wallbox usually undercuts the Pod Point by £50–£100. Our full cost breakdown covers what's inside a "standard install" and the extras that inflate quotes.
Smart Features
Both schedule charging into cheap off-peak windows on tariffs like Octopus Go or Intelligent Go. The difference is what happens beyond a basic schedule. The Pulsar Plus adds Power Boost (dynamic load management so it never trips your main fuse) and Eco-Smart solar charging with two modes — top up with a solar/grid blend, or charge from surplus solar only. The Solo 3's app is simple and stable but stops at scheduling and charge logs: there is no solar diversion mode at all. If panels are on your roof (or on your wish list), that single line decides this comparison — unless you step up to a Zappi, which is the solar specialist.
Build Quality & Design
Both are IP54 rated and happily live outdoors (yes, even in British rain). Physically they're very different: the Pulsar Plus is barely bigger than a paperback and disappears against brickwork, while the Solo 3 is a much larger dome that announces itself on the wall. The Solo 3's tethered cable holster feels sturdier for daily unplug-replug; the Pulsar's cable management is more of an afterthought, so budget ~£20 for a separate holster. Reliability reputations are solid for both; Pod Point's 24/7 UK support line is a point in its favour if you want a human on the phone.
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the Wallbox Pulsar Plus if:
- You have (or plan) solar panels — Eco-Smart is genuinely useful
- You want the smallest, most discreet unit on the wall
- Budget is tight — it's usually £50–£100 cheaper installed
- Your WiFi is patchy — Bluetooth keeps the app working
Choose the Pod Point Solo 3 if:
- You want a big UK brand with 24/7 phone support
- A bundled install deal (e.g. via EDF) makes it the cheaper option
- You prefer a simple, stable app over extra features
- You don't have solar and never will
Want one fitted? Pod Point’s installed price
We don’t arrange installer quotes. Pod Point fits its Solo 3S with its own engineers: £999 with standard installation, or £34 a month for 36 months with nothing upfront until 1 November (checked 1 Oct 2026).