Ever since Apple dropped iOS 17, I’ve been interested in trying the new StandBy feature. One problem: I didn’t have a MagSafe charger, which, while not necessary, is recommended for it for work. I tried a few, but I never was fully happy with my experience. Thankfully, I think I finally found what I was looking for. Yes, it’s yet another extra powerful charger from Ugreen.
Design
The design is memorable — that’s for sure. The Nexode 100W GaN Charging Station looks a bit like a trash bin in images, but in real life, it’s quite nice — and surprisingly hefty. It has the same grey color as all Ugreen devices. It’s not massive (3.6 inches high and 2.36 inches wide) but it feels sturdy. The added weight helps it to stay in place even when connected to all kinds of devices, which I appreciate. That also means it’s not as portable as one would hope: while it’s easy enough to take it in your bag, that weight is no joke. I’d treat it as a bedside table accessory. Another reason you might want to park it in one place is the cable: it’s not a wall charger like the Ugreen Nexode 140W and comes with a 2-meter power cable.
On the front of the device, you’ll find three charging ports, including 2x 100W USB-C ports for fast charging a laptop or a tablet. It won’t output 100W if you’re using more than one port, though.
Read also: Ugreen Nexode 140W USB C GaN review: powerful and portable charger for any occasion
While I appreciate the amount of ports and their speed, there’s one nitpick I have to mention — their location. To me, placing the ports on the front is a bit strange, as the device would look a lot neater if they were located on the back. Personally, I want to see my phone and not two or three cables. But that, of course, is not an objective drawback.
The most interesting feature is, of course, the MagSafe wireless charger. It’s adjustable, almost rotating to a 90-degree angle. That makes it a perfect MagSafe accessory since it’s not only adjustable (perfect for the StandBy feature) but also 15W. Most MagSafe accessories are much weaker.
Read also: UGREEN 145W Power Bank review: the one power bank to rule them all
Performance
I’ve been an admirer of Ugreen’s chargers for quite some time: while usually expensive, they made charging hassle-free and fast, improving my productivity. The company always bets on power most of all: these Nexode chargers pack some punch and can charge a laptop in a matter of minutes. The Nexode 100W GaN Charging Station is no exception.
This device can power multiple devices, including an iPhone at 15W, a MacBook Pro at 45W through one of the USB-C ports, another device at 25W via the other USB-C port, and a final device at 10W via USB-A. More than enough options; I am pretty sure most will be charging two devices at the most, and options are always good.
The Nexode 100W does everything that all other chargers do — it charges. But for me, it’s one of the most convenient bedside chargers I’ve ever used. It’s powerful, and the adjustable MagSafe charger is just a cool feature.
Read also: Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN charger review: More power than you need
Verdict
Neat and powerful, the Ugreen Nexode 100W GaN Charging Station does the job spectacularly. Once again, I have nothing bad to say, and once again, I am forced to mention the price: at $179.99, it’s not something you can buy without thinking twice. But if you really want one (can’t blame you), now is the time to act due to Ugreen’s Black Friday Deal. At $119.99, it’s a no-brainer for someone looking for a powerful MagSafe charger.