Reviewing chargers is something I would never have thought I’d do because, well, what’s there to review? Turns out, a lot, since technology never stands still. It appears that Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology is gaining popularity, and new chargers and batteries are taking advantage of this. Compared to silicon semiconductors, GaN semiconductors offer greater charging efficiency and power density, resulting in more powerful chargers in smaller sizes. Today we’ll take a look at the Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN charger, which has enough power to bring to life any setup.
This charger supports multiple charging protocols, including PD3.1, PD3.0, PPS, QC5.0, QC3+, QC3.0, SC P(10V2.25A), FCP, AFC, APPLE 5V2.4A, Sumsung 5V2A, and BC1.2. It comes with a 240w charging cable that is 1.5m long. The charger has a USB C port that supports PD3.0 (PD2.0), QC4+(QC4.0/QC3.0/QC2.0), PPS, AFC, APPLE 5V2.4A, and BC1.2. The USB A port supports SCP, QC3.0, AFC, FCP, APPLE 5V2.4A, and BC1.2.
In the box, you’ll also find a (240W!) Type-C to Type-C cable (braided, as usual for Ugreen) that is 2.012 meters long.
One might say “what does it matter,” but when you’re as obsessed with how your setup looks, the is where you pay attention. I am already accustomed to the Ugreen products, and I find their design agreeable if a little utilitarian. But it’s a charging device, what else might I want from it?
The device is mostly grey, it’s surface is matte and nice to the touch. It’s not big at all, although I wouldn’t call it portable: it was created to stay in one place.
The Ugreen Nexode 300W USB C GaN Charger features five ports located on the front. This single charging hub has four USB-C ports, namely USB-C1, USB-C2, USB-C3, USB-C4, and one USB-A port. Each of these ports offers rapid charging capabilities, with the topmost port (USB-C1) boasting an impressive maximum output of 140 watts. This means you can fast-charge pretty much anything.
Read also: UGREEN 145W Power Bank review: the one power bank to rule them all
This charger is capable of simultaneously recharging three laptops, each at varying power levels – 140W, 100W, and 60W.
I’ve used a lot of Ugreen chargers in my time, and they all look pretty much the same. The Ugreen 300W GaN model is the beefiest, weighting about 0.91 kilograms (two pounds). With its five ports and the insane amount of power, it can easily replace any power source you have — that’s what it did to me, making my setup much cleaner. Due to its weight and rubber feet it stays firmly in place.
On the back, there’s a universal three-pin power connector allowing for the use of third-party cables, and the included cable is long enough to comfortably reach a power outlet from the table. Again, a nice feature for us freaks who can’t stand the look of a black cable in their primarily white-grey setup.
We have observed that the wattage output of the Ugreen GaN charger differs for different combinations of devices connected to it. However, by using all 300W, it is possible to simultaneously charge three laptops (what kind of a mad lab would one need for that?) or tablets using the top three ports while still maintaining fast charging speeds. During our testing over several weeks, we found that this charger was particularly efficient at quickly recharging devices. My iPad Air 4 charges so fast it’s scary. That tells us two things: 1. Ugreen doesn’t lie about their speeds and 2. don’t leave your devices charging overnight. With speeds like that, you’re bound to shorten your batteries’ lifespan.
But power and speed are not the only things the company wants us to mention. Ugreen stresses a lot about just how cool their charger is, even under immense stress. Although it may become slightly warm near the front, it will not become too hot to the touch. Moreover, the manufacturer has implemented the “Thermal Guard system,” which constantly checks the inner temperature at a rate of 6000 readings per minute. This enables the system to identify and quickly prevent any potential issues. As a result, the 300W GaN charger never got hot for me.
Read also: Journey ALTI Wireless Charging Desk Mat Review: Smarter than it has every right to be
Yes, Roger Wan, Ugreen’s PR manager, told me that the charger has obtained the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certifications, which are crucial safety standards for electronic products. In fact, chargers cannot be sold in the US market without obtaining these certifications, and I am glad that Ugreen didn’t skimp on them. I wouldn’t feel safe using these devices otherwise.
The Ugreen Nexode 300W USB C GaN Charger-5 Ports Desktop Charger (yes, that’s its full official name — it just rolls off the tongue) is a powerful yet compact beast capable of fast charging up to three laptops. It can power pretty much every device, and with the number of ports it has (five, just a reminder), it can replace your old power strip with no issues. The only real problem here is the price because it costs a lot more than a power strip: at $269.99, it’s not cheap. Think about just how fast you need your charging to be before splurging.
Leave a Reply