Chargers are a pain. I have too many, and yet I am never 100% happy with them. This is why I started playing with more expensive and advanced models, like the Ugreen Nexode 140W one I am reviewing today. Is this the charger for remote work?
Features
The Ugreen Nexode 140W USB C GaN charger (I wish Ugreen had better names for them) is a powerful three-port GaN charger that can charge a single USB-C device at a speed of up to 140 watts. This is possible thanks to the charger’s support for the Power Delivery 3.1 protocol (PD 3.1). The Nexode has two USB-C ports that can support charging up to 140 watts and 100 watts individually or 65 watts each simultaneously. It also features one USB-A port that can deliver up to 22.5 watts. In total, the ports can output 65W/45W/22.5W.
Inside the box, you will find a 1.5-meter braided USB-C cable (a staple of Ugreen; I have quite a lot of those by now), which can support future 240W devices. The Nexode charger is compatible with most USB-C protocols, including Samsung’s PPS, Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 4.0 Plus (as well as 3.0/2.0), and Huawei’s SuperCharge (SCP and FCP).
Read also: UGREEN 145W Power Bank review: the one power bank to rule them all
What it means is that there’s a very high probability that every device you own is supported. Not just supported — it will get charged fast. After all, it’s all about the speed here; there’s no need to pay that amount of money for a standard charger. The list of fully supported devices includes the latest MacBooks, too. By default, those support Apple’s 140W brick, which is quite a lot bigger than Ugreen’s offering. Important stuff for those who prefer to work on the go (if you’re more or less stuck to one workplace, we suggest taking a look at the Ugreen 300W GaN charger).
It’s not the sleekest of chargers, but it looks very nice. More importantly, the plastic-clad charger is nice to hold and is fairly portable, too.
Performance
I tested the charger with every device I own, from Onyx Boox readers to the MacBook Pro, and had no issues. There’s no doubt about it: it’s fast. It’s also very hot when working under stress. While smaller devices hardly warmed it, my laptop plus a phone and a console pretty much converted it into a compact space heater. That might come in handy come winter, eh?
The charger can work with multiple devices with up to five plug-in options. The manual that comes with the charger provides a map of the resulting power outputs. However, it’s important to note that when using two or three cables simultaneously, the power outputs might vary. For example, 140W single-device charging is only possible when plugging in just one PD 3.1 device. Why? To avoid overheating. This charger is supposed to be smart enough to regulate that sort of stuff. So, if you’re charging a MacBook and an iPhone, the output will change dynamically, and you’ll lose the 140W output. If you’re a power user, that might be a problem. But for the majority of people, myself included, this is more than enough, especially for a portable charger.
Read also: Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN charger review: More power than you need
Verdict
The Ugreen Nexode 140W USB C GaN charger is very good, although its price might scare you off — $149 for a charger is steep, even for an Apple user. And whether it’s worth that price depends on you and your needs. It’s a great compact charger that packs a lot of power, but do you need that power?