3 reasons the UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W is now my go-to GaN charger
I've been using UGREEN's Nexode Pro chargers while traveling for well over two years now. These charges don't take up much room thanks to GaN tech, and they have all the ports I need. The latest iteration of the product - the UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W Charger with Retractable Cable - adds a retractable cable, built-in panel, and foldable pins, and while it is a little bigger than its predecessor, it the new features provide much better convenience in daily use.
The Nexode Pro 160W charger is now available for $99 on Amazon, and I think that's a reasonable price when you look at everything on offer. I the Nexode Pro 160W for the better part of three months, and I'm outlining three reasons why it is now my go-to GaN charger.
The built-in LCD panel takes guesswork out of charging
While the Nexode Pro 160W isn't the only charger to come with a built-in LCD screen, it makes a big difference in my usage. I connected a lot of accessories and phones to the charger in the last three months, and knowing just how long it takes to fully charge these devices takes all the guesswork out of charging.
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central
Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android CentralThe screen also shows real-time charging speeds, including wattage, voltage, and which charging protocol is being used. This is particularly useful for me, as I tend to use phones like the Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra that use their own charging standards. Thankfully, these phones rely on USB PD at up to 50W, and that's what I ended up using. The screen rotates based on the orientation of the charger, which is a nice addition.
The retractable cable is an added bonus
Retractable cables in charging products became a thing around two years ago, and since then, I didn't use a power bank that didn't have it. They're just so useful, and I'm excited to see brands adding these cables to chargers. The retractable cable on the Nexode Pro 160W goes up to 140W, and is ideal for charging phones, notebooks, and power banks.
The cable has four preset lengths, and goes up to 70cm with a full extension. The USB-C connector has a built-in magnet that ensures the cable is attached to the GaN charger when not in use, and after three months of extensive use, I didn't see any issues with the retractable motor.
It has all the ports I need
With three USB-C ports (including the retractable cable) and a USB-A connector, the Nexode Pro 160W has all the ports I need in daily use. The USB-C1 and retractable ports go up to 140W over the USB PD 3.1 protocol, the USB-C2 port hits 100W, and the USB-A port goes up to 22.5W, which is ideal to use with accessories.
It has a total power budget of 160W when using all three USB-C ports - 65W + 65W + 30W - and it's a decent choice if you're like me and need to charge several devices at once. I also like that the plug is foldable; that's the case with U.S.-style blade plugs anyway, but I'm using the EU model, and it's just easier to have a plug that folds - it makes the Nexode Pro 160W just that little bit better as a travel charger.
Overall, the Nexode Pro 160W has all the features I need in a GaN charger, and the build quality combined with the extras make it a good choice if you need a new charger to use at home or on the road.
The Nexode Pro 160W GaN charger has all the ports you need, goes up to 140W via USB PD 3.1, and the built-in cable adds a lot of convenience. The LCD panel makes it easier to know just how long it takes to charge a connected device, and the overall build quality is among the best. If you need a new 160W GaN charger, this is the one to get.