Expert Rating
Benefits
- Fast charging speed
- Information display
- Compact and lightweight
- Rubberized base
- Carrying bag and charging cable included
Disadvantages
- Fixed charging power port assignment
- No display of charge cycles or battery status
Our verdict
The Nexode Power Bank is a well-designed power bank with great performance and a great price. The brick design is convenient for laptop backpacks and the large display is informative.
Best prices today: Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 130W
$99.99
It’s impossible to imagine a mobile life without a power bank. Different models are available depending on the required use. Ugreen’s new Nexode laptop power banks come in three sizes: 12,000mAh ($49), 20,000mAh ($99), and 25,000mAh ($129). All three have the same striking brick design and large display. I took a closer look at the medium size because it’s perfect for MacBook users and photographers.
All aboard
The Nexode power bank has three charging ports. Two USB-C ports, one of which also serves as an input to charge the power bank, and one USB-A port. The maximum charging power with two devices connected is 130W, USB-C1 alone can deliver a maximum of 100W and USB-C2 30W. With three devices connected, USB-C2 and USB-A are limited to 15W shared, which gives a maximum output power of 115W. Otherwise, USB-C2 can deliver a maximum of 30W individually and USB-A a maximum of 22.5W when only one is used with the 100W USB-C port, which allows for the total power of 130W promised in the product name.
I measured excellent charging speed values in 30 minutes on USB-C1. A MacBook Air M3 was charged to 56%, an iPad Pro 11-inch to 36% and an iPhone 15 to 55%.
To charge the power bank, you need a USB-C Power Delivery charger with at least 65 W. The power bank can be charged with up to 100 W, in which case the charging process took less than two hours in my test. The information display shows the incoming power. The promised 100 W was not reached in my case, and it was no more than 70 W.
In addition to the power when charging the power bank and the charging power of the connected devices, the display also optionally shows the current and voltage. The most important indication of the capacity is displayed as a large percentage and the remaining charging time is indicated in the corner.
The only thing that bothers us about the charging connections is the fixed power distribution. Some power banks allow the user to customize the power outputs and prioritize the ports.
As you would expect, the electronics monitor the charging process and the temperature. The housing is made of flame retardant material. The installed 21700 lithium-ion cells should still have 80% of their charge capacity after 1,000 full charge cycles. Unfortunately, the display does not provide any information about the charge cycles.
Design
The brick design has advantages and disadvantages for a power bank. One advantage is the better thermal control of the batteries, another is the generous arrangement of charging ports and the large display.
The developers have also thought of the rubber coating on the underside. Thus, neither the power bank nor your precious table will be scratched. The power bank also comes with a carrying bag and a short charging cable.
Weighing 16.9 oz (480 g) and measuring 2.1 x 2 x 5.2 inches (5.4 x 5.1 x 13.1 cm), the Nexode power bank is absolutely travel-friendly.
Price
The Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh costs $99.99 / £89.99, which is a reasonable price for a well-built battery you can trust.
Verdict
As the charging speed is impressive and the price is attractive, the Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh is a great tool for the mobile worker.
This article was originally published in our sister publication Macwelt and has been translated and localized from German.
This article was originally published in our sister publication Macwelt and has been translated and localized from German.
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