UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W Review
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Design and Build Quality
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Charging Performance
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Smart Display Utility
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Portability
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Value for Money
Powerful Multi-Device Charger with Premium Features
The UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W is a high-performance 5-port GaN charger ideal for users with multiple devices. Its robust build, impressive power delivery, and smart display are highlights, though its size and price may not suit everyone. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking an uncompromising charging hub.
Advantages
- High 160W total power output with up to 140W from a single USB-C port
- Capable of charging five devices simultaneously with intelligent power distribution
- Impressive build quality; feels solid and durable
- Real-time display provides useful charging metrics for tech enthusiasts
- Incorporates comprehensive safety protections
Disadvantages
- Premium price point (around $75-80 USD)
- Relatively large and heavy for a charger, impacting portability
- No charging cables included in the package
- Display may be considered a novelty for average users
Contents
UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W: Is a charger with a screen for 300 PLN worth it?
In today’s interconnected world, where most of us carry multiple battery-powered devices, a reliable multi-port charger isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. From smartphones and tablets to laptops and smartwatches, keeping everything powered up can be a constant challenge. This is where multi-functional adapters come into play, promising the ability to charge numerous devices regardless of your location. But how well do these advanced charging solutions truly perform, and do their features justify the investment?
This review delves into the UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W, a 5-port GaN charger equipped with an additional display. Priced around 300 PLN (approximately $75-80 USD), this compact yet powerful device aims to be the ultimate charging hub. Let’s explore whether this ‘cube’ lives up to its promise and if its innovative features translate into real-world benefits.
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
Packaging and Included Accessories
Given the price point of a premium charger, expectations for the unboxing experience are often high. The UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W arrives in a well-designed, sturdy box that offers excellent protection for its contents. However, the compact size of the packaging hints at what’s inside—or rather, what’s not. Beyond the charger itself and a few pages of documentation and instructions, there are no additional accessories. It’s notable that even a short charging cable is omitted. This is an important consideration for potential buyers, as you’ll need to supply your own cables.
Design and Build Quality
The UGREEN Nexode Pro is a charger of considerable size, which is understandable given the need to accommodate five ports, a display, and the internal electronics. Despite its plastic casing, the unit feels substantial, weighing in at nearly 340 grams (approximately 0.75 lbs). This weight is comparable to a standard 20,000 mAh power bank. While it might add a bit of heft to your bag, unlike a power bank, this charger can be comfortably packed into checked luggage without battery restrictions, making it a reliable travel companion.
The sides of the charger are minimalist, featuring only the manufacturer’s name and a prominent “160 W” label. The top edge is unadorned. The front panel, however, stands out with its clear LCD screen and a touch-sensitive button for cycling through displayed information. While the interface doesn’t auto-rotate, you can easily adjust its orientation by long-pressing the touch button.
At the bottom of the device, you’ll find four USB-C ports and one USB-A port, all clearly labeled for easy identification. The remaining edge displays model designations and printed technical specifications. Conveniently, a foldable AC plug is integrated above the information plate.
Overall, the build quality is impressive. The charger feels solid and durable. After several weeks of testing, it showed no significant scratches or signs of wear. Initially, I had some reservations about the foldable plug mechanism, but the locking clasps have maintained their integrity and continue to function perfectly.
Functionality and Smart Display
For any charger, the most critical aspects are its charging power and operational stability. The UGREEN Nexode Pro delivers a total output of 160 watts. For a single port, the maximum output is 140 watts (via USB-C1 and USB-C2), making it capable of powering most modern office laptops, including powerful machines like the ASUS ProArt P14 with an NVIDIA RTX Spark, which can draw around 120 watts under load.
The third USB-C port provides up to 100 watts, the fourth offers 30 watts, and the USB-A port supports up to 22.5 watts. This distribution ensures versatile charging options for a wide array of devices.
It’s important to note that the maximum power output from individual ports dynamically adjusts when multiple devices are connected. Detailed power distribution charts are typically available on the manufacturer’s website. When all five ports are in use, the power distribution might look something like this: 65W, 45W, 30W, 15W, and 15W. In such a configuration, you can still simultaneously power a laptop, rapidly charge a smartphone, and have 50 watts distributed across the remaining USB ports. In practical use, I never experienced a shortage of power, and most tested smartphones charged at their maximum declared speeds.
The built-in display, while a neat feature, serves primarily as an interesting addition. Upon connection to power, it greets the user with a manufacturer logo animation. The main screen displays the power (in watts) at which each connected device is charging. This view is segmented for all active ports, with the total power consumption shown in the top corner. This insight can be particularly useful for tech enthusiasts or those who wish to monitor their device’s charging behavior closely. Discover how other smart gadgets simplify life, much like this display offers valuable data at a glance.
A secondary display mode offers the same power readings but also includes voltage and amperage values for each charging device, providing a more granular view of the charging process. Another screen displays the charger’s internal temperature. If the temperature becomes excessively high, the UGREEN Nexode Pro intelligently limits its maximum power output to ensure safety. During my testing, I never encountered this threshold, consistently having access to the maximum charging speeds.
The final screen is the simplest, showing only the total power output of the charger. While reviewing smartphones, this charger’s display allowed me to conveniently monitor charging parameters. Beyond this, its practical utility for the average user might be limited, though there is something inherently captivating about watching the values fluctuate in real-time. For more unconventional tech, you might enjoy our ranking of gadgets that sound like a joke but are real.
UGREEN has also prioritized user safety, incorporating numerous protections against overheating, overvoltage, short circuits, and overcurrent.
Is the UGREEN Nexode Pro Worth the Investment?
Ultimately, the decision to purchase the UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W depends on individual needs and priorities. The ability to charge five devices simultaneously is a significant convenience, and the integrated display, beyond providing information, adds a touch of modern sophistication.
However, it’s essential to consider some aspects. The primary drawback of the UGREEN Nexode Pro is its price. At around $75-80 USD, it represents a substantial investment for a charger. This cost is primarily attributed to its numerous ports, high power output, and the innovative display. For a typical user with just one smartphone, a laptop, and perhaps a smartwatch, a simpler, more affordable charging solution might suffice.
The charger is also relatively large and heavy. For shorter business trips where I didn’t check luggage, the UGREEN Nexode Pro was noticeable in my backpack. In many instances, I opted to bring it instead of a power bank, which, despite the charger being less universally portable than a basic power bank, helped save a few ounces.
While I personally find the multi-device charging capability invaluable, an integrated display might be a feature I’d forgo in a future purchase, opting instead for a slightly more compact or cost-effective model. For most users, three ports with up to 100 watts of power should be perfectly adequate. However, if you’re seeking an uncompromising, high-performance charging hub for multiple devices, the UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W is a highly recommended choice. This 5-port charger has become an indispensable accessory in my backpack, whether for travel or daily use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
GaN (Gallium Nitride) is a semiconductor material that is replacing silicon in chargers. GaN chargers are more efficient, smaller, and capable of handling higher power outputs than traditional silicon-based chargers. This allows manufacturers to create powerful chargers like the UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W in a more compact form factor without compromising performance or safety.
The charger intelligently distributes its total 160W output across the five ports. While some ports (USB-C1, USB-C2) can deliver up to 140W individually, the power dynamically adjusts when multiple devices are connected. For instance, with all five ports active, the power might distribute as 65W, 45W, 30W, 15W, and 15W across the ports, ensuring each connected device receives optimal charging power based on its requirements and the overall load. This intelligent management prevents overcharging and ensures efficient power delivery.
The built-in LCD display on the UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W provides real-time information on individual port power output, voltage, amperage, and the charger’s internal temperature. While not strictly essential for basic charging, it offers valuable diagnostic data for tech enthusiasts or users who want to monitor charging parameters closely. For the average user, it might be more of a sophisticated novelty that enhances the user experience rather than a critical feature for daily use.
Source: Original review & Opening photo: Krzysztof Wilamowski
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