Ugreen Nexode 200 charger review: A great addition to your desk setup that comes at a cost
Reviewing a charger was once a simple case of plugging it in, and checking it worked. Things got a little more complex with the arrival of fast chargers, but Gallium Nitrate (GaN) has elevated the world of power delivery across the board.
GaN chargers offer a vastly improved charging experience in a small footprint, and the UGreen Nexode 200 is near the top of the pile for anyone with a busy desk - with a price tag to match.
GGRecon Verdict
The Ugreen Nexode 200 is a great GaN charger for anyone with a wealth of devices to charge.
Minor charging inconsistencies aside, it’s worth a look - but all that power comes at a cost.
Premium feel, right down to the box
Click to enlargeUgreen has been consistently making a name for itself in recent years, and the Nexode 200 is a great example of how far it’s come.
The black packaging with gold detail is fancy - arguably too fancy for a device that’s for charging your other, likely more flashy devices. It’s a nice touch, though.
Inside the box, the charger comes with an AC adapter which this reviewer found to be long enough to put it on a sit/stand desk.
Click to enlargeThe Nexode 200 has a rounded square design, but it’s fairly weighty, making it feel like a premium product in a way that’s hard to quantify.
There are rubber feet on the underside to keep it steady on a worktop, but the real focus is the ports.
On the front, you’ll find four USB-C ports and two USB-A ones. Two of the USB-C ports can reach 100W, two hit 65W, and the USB-A ports cap out at 22.5W. However, these aren't labelled on the unit itself.
There's a braided USB-C cable included, too.
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Charging powerhouse, with caveats
Click to enlargeAs the name suggests, there’s 200W here to play with. And play with it, I did.
I used the Nexode to charge my 16-inch MacBook Pro, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and power a separate wireless iPhone/Apple Watch/AirPods charger.
The biggest boon, though, was the speed at which I was able to charge my Ring doorbell - that sucker usually takes an age, but with the Nexode it was done in a couple of hours.
That’s all coming from a 4x4 inch unit that can tuck under a monitor or even be thrown into a backpack when travelling (although it’s pretty dense, weight-wise).
Click to enlargeIn fact, using a couple of command strips, I found the Nexode 200 ideal for attaching to the underside of my desk.
There are some inconsistencies with charge output, but unless you’re really looking for them, it’s tough to notice. The key thing is that only one port will hit 100W at a time, and adding any additional devices will see it drop.
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That may disappoint anyone looking to power a couple of Steam Decks without experiencing battery drain from the hungry handhelds, but it does keep the Nexode from getting too warm.
It’s much cooler to the touch than Apple’s own MacBook fast charger, in fact.
At £199.99, though, it’s an expensive purchase that’s likely to be ideal for a busy desk or a business with plenty of devices in rotation at once, but it won’t be for everyone.
The Verdict
The Ugreen Nexode 200 is a great GaN charger for anyone with a wealth of devices to charge.
Minor charging inconsistencies aside, it’s worth a look - but all that power comes at a cost.
4/5
Review sample provided by the manufacturer. Buy the Ugreen Nexode 200W here.