Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN wall USB Charger Review

To the casual eye, the Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN Wall USB Charger might seem like just another nondescript hub lurking on your desk. But don’t be fooled—this wall charger is no ordinary gadget; it’s a powerhouse wrapped in a minimalist matte grey casing. With four USB Type-C ports and one USB Type-A socket, this compact device is engineered to do one thing brilliantly: charge your gear. So, if you’re thinking this is another data transfer hub, think again. The Nexode is laser-focused on juicing up your devices with maximum efficiency, making it an unassuming yet invaluable ally in your tech arsenal.

Now, let’s break down some jargon. What’s GaN, you ask? It stands for Gallium Nitride, a material that’s revolutionising the way chargers are made. It’s more efficient than traditional silicon, which means this little box can deliver a staggering 300W output without breaking a sweat. This isn’t just your typical wall charger; it’s essentially a mini power station that can simultaneously pump life into multiple devices.

In terms of design, the Nexode keeps it refreshingly simple. A single AC power cable connects at the back, while the five charging ports are neatly lined up at the front. It’s small enough to slot into your camera bag or backpack but powerful enough to make you wonder how you ever lived without it.

To sum it up, the Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN Wall USB Charger goes beyond the role of a simple wall plug. It’s a high-performing, intelligent charger that transforms your cluttered desktop into a streamlined, efficient workspace. Whether you’re a pro photographer in need of quick, reliable charging for your camera batteries, or a multi-tasking digital wizard with a myriad of devices, this could very well become your next essential purchase.

So, is it worth paying attention to this unassuming little box? Absolutely, especially if you’re in the business of powering multiple devices and appreciate a decluttered workspace. Trust me, once you experience the convenience and power the Nexode brings to the table, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Simplicity is key here, with the clean lines of the matte grey box featuring just a single AC power cable at the back and the five ports at the front. Aside from a 300W logo on the side, there’s little to indicate what this device actually does.
Setup is a breeze; simply plug it into a wall socket or power station, then connect any devices you want to charge or power, and you’re good to go. Think of it as a glorified wall plug, and you’ll get the gist of its function.

The overall build quality is excellent. However, a light indicating that a port is in use would have been a nice touch. A single light to show the device has power would be useful, and individual lights by each port would be even better. Plus, it would be nice to have the option to switch them off when needed; there’s nothing worse than a gadget glaring bright blue or green at you while you’re working late!

Having previously reviewed the Ugreen 145W and been impressed, something akin to its small display would strike a great balance. A quick tap of a button could indicate the unit is powered on, and perhaps the display could show the power consumption of each connected device.

As it stands, the design is sleek, the build quality is solid, and the function is straightforward.

In the last section, I highlighted that the Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN Wall USB Charger may seem simple at first glance, essentially serving as a multi-port USB hub. However, this apparent simplicity belies its true capabilities. After all, few USB chargers can deliver 300W across multiple devices.

Starting with the features, this charger delivers an impressive 300W through its five ports. The power delivery varies depending on what’s plugged in, with the top port capable of a maximum of 140W and the bottom one 22.5W. This essentially means you can charge three laptops using the top three ports, with 140W for the top port, 100W for the second, and 60W for the third.

For Mac users, the highlight is the top USB-C1 port delivering 140W using the PD3.1 protocol. It can charge a 16″ MacBook Pro to 56% in just 30 minutes. Ugreen recommends using a MagSafe3 cable for optimal performance, though I found that a high-quality, rated USB Type-C cable works well too.

Additionally, the charger can power up to five devices simultaneously. When working in the field, having a single device into which you can plug multiple USB devices is invaluable.

Another nice touch is the 2m power cable, a decent length that’s becoming increasingly rare as manufacturers continue to shorten their cables.

The real talking point around the Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN wall USB Charger is it’s ability to deliver 300W across its five USB ports. For photography and videography, this is especially handy when so many devices all seem to need charging. It can fast charge devices like external monitors, camera batteries via USB-C, and even drone batteries. In essence, this device becomes an absolute lifesaver when you’re juggling multiple pieces of essential kit.

The power output varies, prioritising ports based on what’s plugged in. The top port can go up to 140W, scaling down to 22.5W for the bottom port. For me, this is a well-thought-out feature; I often have my MacBook drawing the most power, with smaller devices requiring less. A quick point to note here is that for MacBooks, the top port using PD3.1 protocol can charge a 16″ MacBook Pro to 56% in just 30 minutes, making it perfect if you need a quick top-up during a break or lunch.

Although it’s recommended that you use Apples own power cable when charging your MacBook, I did try it with a premium USB Type-C cable designed for that level of power delivery and it worked fine, really that’s just as a note. The Nexode adjusts its power output to the device that’s connected, which makes it incredibly versatile. Whether it’s a specialised camera or an accessory, the charger adapts seamlessly.

Despite its power, this charger is small enough to fit in a standard camera bag or even in a side pocket. Perfect for on-the-go shooting sessions, although you will need an AC power source. When it comes to heat management, I’ve been using this charger as my main power supply for my MacBook and various camera batteries. Even at a sustained power draw around the 200W mark, it stayed only warm to the touch.

Finally, I must mention the 2m power cable, a feature that feels increasingly luxurious as manufacturers skimp on cable lengths.

The Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN Wall USB Charger offers an impressive range of features that combine power, adaptability, and convenience, making it an invaluable asset for anyone working with multiple devices in a professional setting.

Throughout this review, I’ve emphasised how effective this device is. Whether it’s tidying up your desk or serving you in the field, it enables quick, simultaneous charging of multiple devices without the usual tangle of extension cables and sockets.

Externally simple, yet internally complex, it performs exactly as you’d hope, demonstrating an exceptional level of competence.

There’s hardly anything to critique regarding its form or function. My only wish is for a brief status light that illuminates when the device is plugged in or a USB port is engaged. Such a light would serve as a quick confirmation that the device is operational before switching off to avoid becoming a distraction.

Building on that, a small screen displaying the power output from each port would be an excellent addition, although it’s not strictly necessary.
One final consideration is its identity as a charging-only device. For example, it won’t facilitate data transfer between a powered card reader and a computer, or between a camera that’s charging and needs to access its memory card. A built-in network connection between two Macs or PCs would be revolutionary but is, of course, beyond its current scope as a charger.

Lastly, let’s talk price. Retailing at £269, it’s not aimed at the casual user. But if you can overlook the hefty price tag, the Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN Wall USB Charger is an outstanding product that streamlines your workflow by decluttering your workspace.