UGREEN has launched a new series of Nexode charging products with retractable USB-C cables, including the new UGREEN 165W 20,000mAh Power Bank, which we have been testing for over a week now. Available for all of your favorite device charging needs.
Tapping into one of the many specialties the company is known for, this new charger is capable of charging most of your portable devices, including several laptop models that require 100W or less to charge. Knowing this, we paired it with a number of devices, including a small MacBook Pro, as well as a Dell Inspiron laptop (just not at the same time, as we didn’t want to deplete it too quickly in an unrealistic use case).
While charging a laptop with this, you can also plug in your phone or other devices, as it is capable of multitasking, with up to 165W of total charging power. Giving you everything you’d need while on the go. At least, as long as you don’t have one of those excessively hungry gaming laptops that still need to be plugged into the wall for a charge.
It has a total of three charging options, including one USB-C port (capable of up to 100W), a USB-A port (capable of up to 33W), and a retractable USB-C cable (also capable of up to 100W). Balancing between them all, it is capable of a max of 165W.
This means a single connection won’t be able to provide 165W, but you can plug in a 65W Dell laptop into one USB-C, and technically another into the other USB-C, or choose to charge your phone on the second USB-C or the USB-A. All together it will balance out to a max of 165W.
The retractable cable has plenty of length to it (2.1ft), allowing you to use it easily while on the go, just like you would with a typical cable plugged into a non-retracting power bank. So you can have it slid into one pocket, while the cable reaches over to charge a phone in your other pocket (something I have done with power banks while on the run all the time).
The USB-C port is also used to charge the power bank (it processes power in both directions). So, one moment you can be using that port to charge the power bank, and another to charge your phone using the power bank. Also common with most modern models, but worth pointing out nonetheless.
There is a convenient screen on the front that tells you exactly what your device is pulling from it. So if your device is making use of the full 100W of a single USB-C option, it will say so. Regardless, you can easily use this to quickly determine what your spread is or how much of the 165W you have free for any additional ports you may have open.
The screen is easy to read and simple enough to figure everything out. It even shows the total charge of the power bank while it is in use.
It comes with a USB-C cable for charging it, as well as a felt drawstring bag for storing it in while not in use. Weight-wise, it isn’t any heavier than your typical 20,000mAh power bank, outside of the retractable mechanism that adds a small bit of additional weight, but it isn’t bad.
When it comes to overall size, it may not fit in all types of pockets. If you wear skinny jeans, you will likely find it uncomfortable forcing it into your pocket since it is (clearly) square in shape instead of your normal candybar-style designs. But it will fit fine into looser pockets, and will travel perfectly fine in any type of bag (suitcase, backpack, purse, etc).
It features all of the safeguards when it comes to things like overcharge or overvoltage protection.
Finally, this is just one of four products, as the company also launched a new car charger, wall charger, and USB-C cable, all featuring retractable designs for easy travel. All of which will be on sale for Amazon’s Prime Day event starting July 8th, and you’ll find that many of UGREEN’s products are already on sale. For example, this power bank is currently on sale for $74.99 via Amazon at the time of writing this.
Our Conclusion
We have been testing it against a number of laptop models that require 100W or less, while also charging a phone or another device at the same time. The battery bank keeps up with the heavy demand of fast-charging devices and delivers what it promises each time. We like the general look of the power bank and the screen is a fantastic touch as it always helps to know what your device is actually pulling.
The retractable cable is a nice touch as you don’t have to worry about dragging a loose cable around with you unless you want to charge more than one device at the same time or need to charge the power bank itself. Sadly, the retractable cable is not bi-directional.
Currently, it is traveling with me as I move on to an event a few states over. So if I can think of anything else to mention, I’ll come back to update. But so far, it has been absolutely great.
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