UGREEN 200W GaN USB Charger 2022 REVIEW

USB Charger Brings Practical Power: 6 Port USB A/C Gallium Nitride Charging Station

As more devices utilize USB charging, the need for multi-charging hubs increases to optimize wall outlet space.  Well before USB charging was a concern, many techies understood the saga of electrical plug Tetris.  For those who do not understand the meaning, try plugging in a television, vcr/dvd/blu-ray player, cable box, sound system, gaming system, etc. into one outlet, on one wall, in one room. 

It may seem reasonable/easy to assume that you could simply get a power strip/surge protector and plug all of your devices into it.  However, as many have experienced, the cords were not standard, small, type A or type B wall plugs.  Instead, they were large, bulky, oddly-shaped power adapters that had to be oriented this way and that way to fit. Luckily, many modern devices have migrated to USB charging.  The standardized ports can be stacked/oriented into rows/arrays for easy access and various options allow consumers to charge several USB-C and/or USB-A items at once.  

If you have never utilized a USB multi-hub or do not know what that means, imagine pairing several USB wall charging bricks with an extension cord to create a more convenient hybrid.  Some provide only USB-A ports, some provide only USB-C ports, some provide a mash-up of the two styles, while others provide some combination of the output ports and add type B wall outlet ports.  With newer Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology, companies have found that they can provide adequate power and with smaller footprints thanks to the reduced heat generation.  Thus, we can get smaller tech without sacrificing power or safety.  

The UGREEN GaN 200W Desktop Charger arrived in a 5 3/4 inches square by 3 5/8 inches thick black-colored retail package.  The cover panel provided the UGREEN name in vibrant gold font at the top, “Faster & Safer GaN 200W Desktop Charger” along the lower edge, and a gold rimmed thatched image along the center. 

The rear panel provided a helpful product specifications sticker that detailed the 100-240v 50/60Hz 2.5A Max input, USB-C1/C2 output 5.0V/3.0A 9.0V/3.0A 12.0V/3.0A 15.0V/3.0A 20.0V/5.0A 3.3-21.0V/3.0A 100W Max, USB-C3/C4 output 5.0V/3.0A 9.0V/3.0A 12.0V/3.0A 15.0V/3.0A 20.0V/5.0A 3.3-21.0V/3.0A 65W Max, USB A1/A2 Output 4.5V/5A 5.0V/4.5A 5.0V/3.0A 9.0V/2A 12.0V/1.5A 22.5W Max, with a total of 200.0W max output.  The lower segment of the sticker provided contact information, the CD271 model number, Product manufacturing labels, and an SKU barcode. The remaining panels were left unadorned.

I removed the outer plastic wrap, lifted the cardboard lid, and found the plastic-wrapped 18.2-ounce, 4 inches square by 1 3/16 inches tall GaN charger within a black cardboard tray.  When I removed the charger, I was drawn to the smooth, matte silver-gray cover panel and the centrally penned “UGREEN GaN x200-Faster and Safer” title. 

I liked the contrast of the black font against the metallic background and felt the design provided a subtle elegance.  The smooth black-colored front panel provided 4 labeled USB-C ports (USB-C1-4), and dual USB-A ports (USB-A1-2), while the rear panel provided a three-pronged AC input port. The gritty/rough bottom panel had four slightly-raised, 5/16 inches diameter rubberized feet at each of the corners, and a centrally located specifications section: Model CD271, C1/2 outputs, C3/4 outputs, 200.0W Max output, product manufacturing labels, and a QR code link (did not work when scanned).

The black-colored side, front, and back panels provided a similar contrasting effect to the title on the cover panel.  Combined with the rough-textured base, the heavyweight and the four rubberized feet created an unmoving charging hub. 

I removed the internal cardboard shelf and found a 5 1/4 inches square by 1 7/8 inches thick accessory box with a 79 inches long Type B to “Mickey Mouse” cable with dual Velcro retention straps, a small User Instruction book (FCC Statement, IC Statement, limited 2-year warranty), UGREEN User Manual, and a bonus 41 inches long braided USB-C to USB-C cable hidden within a side compartment.  The Type-B wall plug did not use a standard style footprint base.  Instead, the 1 1/8 inches square b

y 1 3/4 inches tall base tapered into the 1/4 inch diameter 18AWG cable and reminded me of older vintage-style plugs. I removed the dual 7-inches long by 3/4 inches wide Velcro straps, extended the cable to the desired length, and then reattached the straps to keep the cable tidy.  I removed the plastic wall plug cover, plugged the Mickey Mouse cable into the back of the GaN charger, and then plugged the wall plug into my wall outlet.  

I plugged a Klein Tools Multimeter into the USB-C1 port, then a braided UGREEN USB-C to USB-C cable between my iPad Pro 12.9” Gen 5 and the multimeter.  The Multimeter displayed 15.13V/2.36A while my iPad Pro displayed 15% power at 9:38 PM. By 9:43 PM the iPad was at 18%, by 9:53 it was at 28%, and by 10:00 it was at 34%.  By 10:05 PM the iPad was at 40%, by 10:13 at 47%, 10:29 at 63%, 10:40 at 73%, 10:45 at 76% 11:01 at 87%, 11:15 PM 95%, and by 11:30 PM 100%. 

Instead of testing each port one-by-one, I added a second Klein Tools Multimeter into the USB-C2 slot and charged my iPhone 13 Pro Max with a USB-C to lightning cable.  The multimeter displayed 9.09V/1.66A and my phone showed 42% at 9:39 PM.  By 9:43 the phone was charged to 48%, by 9:53 PM 63%, by 10:00 it was at 70%, by 10:05 PM it was at 76%, by 10:13 PM 81%, by 10:29 PM it was at 91%, by 10:45 PM it was at 96%, by 11:01 it was fully charged to 100%. 

I added a third multimeter into the USB-A1 port and charged an iPad Mini Gen 4 via USB-A to Lightning cable, while the iPad Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max charged. The multimeter displayed 5.06V/2.31A while the iPad Mini showed 70% at 9:53 PM, 74% at 10:00 PM, 79% by 10:05 PM, 84% by 10:13 PM, 93% by 10:29 PM, 98% by 10:46 PM, and was fully charged by 11:01 PM.  Throughout the testing process, the GaN charger felt no more than a little warm to the touch. 

I used a Nubee Surface infrared thermometer and found the top/bottom surface ran about 109.7 degrees Fahrenheit, while the side panels, surface of my Magic Keyboard, and random objects ranged from 77-85.2 degrees Fahrenheit (house thermostat set to cool to 75 degrees while home).

For another test, I plugged a Klein Tools Multimeter into USB-C 1 and found the multimeter displayed 20.11V/2.85A. I repeated the test with USB-C2 (20.17V/2.42A), USB-C3 (20.27V/1.22A), USB-C4 (20.02V/1.30A). I plugged my Macbook Pro 15″ back into USB-C1 via UGREEN USB-C to USB-C cable, then plugged a second multimeter into the USB-C2 slot to power my iPad Pro 12.9″. While the MacBook Pro charged, the iPad Pro charged at 15.13V/1.42A.

I charged my iPhone Pro 13 Max in USB-C3 at 9.15V/2.10A. I charged my son’s iPhone 11 in the USB-C4 port with a USB-C to lightning at 5.10V/0.33A. I plugged a Multimeter into the USB-A1 port and charged my AirPods Pro via USB-A to Lightning cable at 5.06V/0.32A. I charged a pair of Tribit Movebuds H1 via USB-A2 at 5.10V/0.48A via USB-A to USB-C cable. I then swapped my son’s iPhone 11 and the Movebuds H1 and found the charging rates were about the same.

When I plugged my MacBook into USB-C1, I navigated to the Apple Icon, selected About this mac, System report, Power, and then found the port Wattage to be 60W. I repeated the steps with each of the USB-C ports and found the same result.

The UGREEN GaN charger can charge a MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and several other devices at once. Interestingly, the GaN charger is not much larger than the large power brick used to power my MacBook Pro.  If you are looking to save weight, this device may not be the best option for you as it is a bit hefty.  However, by the time you remove multiple wall bricks from your carry bag, it may be closer to a wash. 

The included USB-C to USB-C cable was similar to the recently reviewed UGREEN cable and maintained the same degree of cable integrity. I was thankful for the included accessory and felt it was a gracious customer-centered gift.  The wall plug was of adequate length to reach from my desktop to the wall outlet and still allowed the other outlet to be utilized as needed. However, the cable may not work for locations with Type A (ungrounded) wall plugs.

I think my only complaint was the lack of a unique name for the device.  I felt a bit odd calling this the GaN charger, or UGREEN GaN device, and wished that there would have been a trendy name like Nexus, Flux, or for the Transformer friends, what about the “UGREEN Energon”?  After further online evaluation, it appears that the device is known as the “NEXODE” and can be purchased through Amazon.

The UGREEN GaN charger should provide enough power for most users’ devices and should do so for years to come. The device will only provide power input and will not transfer data. I have used the Nexode to power my iPhone, iPad, Quest 2, and MacBook over the past two weeks. . I know there is some concern within the smart-tech world with the latest EU mandate for USB-C only charging by 2024.  The included USB-A ports should still provide for backward compatibility.

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