Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN 5-Port Desktop Charging Station. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Power banks come in all varieties: from tiny ones for your smartphone to larger ones for your laptop to larger desktop units designed to charge multiple devices.
The problem with the “single charger” is that as soon as you start plugging multiple devices into it, the power output drops.
But I met a charger who is a real competition beast. It’s brick-shaped, has five ports, can replace a whole host of standalone chargers, and can deliver a total of 300W, more than double what Apple’s standard MacBook Pro charger can deliver, which doesn’t have only one port and which delivers a power of 140 W.
This charger is the Ugreen Nexode 300W with GaN technology and five ports.
Ugreen Nexode 300W Charger Specifications
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Total number of USB ports : 4x USB-C and 1x USB-A -
Entrance : 100-240V～50/60Hz 4.2A Max -
USB-C1 output : 5.0V⎓3.0A/9.0V-3.0A/12.0V⎓3.0A/15.0V.3.0A/20.0V⎓5.0A/28.0V⎓5.0A 140.0W Max -
USB-C2/C3 output : 5.0V⎓3.0A/9.0V⎓3.0A/12.0V⎓3.0A/15.0V⎓3.0A/20.0V⎓5.0A 100.0W Max -
USB-C4 output : 5.0V⎓3.0A/9.0V⎓3.0A/12.0V⎓3.0A/15.OV⎓3.0A/20.0V⎓2.25A 45.0W Max -
USB-A output : 5.0V⎓3.0A/9.0V⎓2.0A/12.0V⎓1.5A/10.0V⎓2.25A 22.5W Max. -
Total output power : 300W -
Dimensions : 116 x 95 x 53 mm - Weight : 0.839 kg
The maximum port power depends on which ones are used. Ugreen/ZDNET
Let’s get straight to the things I like about this charger.
First of all, it’s huge and heavy. And it’s a good thing. Because if a desktop charger is not heavy enough, it is dragged by the cables attached to it. Of course, at almost 840g, it’s not a travel charger, but I find lightweight desktop chargers to be awkward in this configuration.
Then this charger actually produces what is advertised, and it can do so indefinitely. It’s amazing how many chargers produce their maximum power for a few minutes or an hour, but start having problems when heat starts to build up.
Ugreen Nexode 300W charger review. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
This is not the case with the Nexode 300W. This charger can provide the full 300W indefinitely. It is a very stable and high quality charger.
What I also like about this charger is that the most powerful USB-C port can still deliver 140W, regardless of how many other ports are used.
I also like that when using all three ports, you can get 140W on the top port, 100W on the next, and 60W on the third.
A range of high-power ports. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
This means you can use this charger to power three laptops, which is quite a feat and makes it a great choice for those juggling multiple laptops!
Heat is another problem with chargers, especially high-power chargers. GaN (gallium nitride) chargers are more efficient and heat up less than silicon ones, although they can also heat up.
I ran the Nexode 300W at full blast, and it remained completely cool to the touch.
Thermal image of the Ugreen Nexode 300W under heavy load. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The charger also comes with a 1.5m 240W USB-C charging cable, and a 2m power cord. Both of these items are high quality and are what you would expect from this type of charger.
240W USB-C cable and power cord included. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
ZDNET’s buying advice from the Ugreen Nexode 300W
This charger is not cheap. At €270, this is a premium product with a premium price. But compared to just the $105 Apple 140W USB-C charger, that puts things into perspective. Plus, this is a charger that delivers exactly what it says on the box, and the box promises a lot!
This is one of the best and most powerful USB-C chargers you can buy. If you need a charger that can handle three laptops, this is the charger for you. Point.
Source: “ZDNet.com”