UGREEN USB-C To USB-C Cable 2022 REVIEW

UGREEN upgrades users to a premium cable without breaking the bank.

As more devices adopt the USB-C standard, I look for third-party brands that I can trust.  I have previously utilized an MFI UGREEN USB-C to Lightning cable and found reliable construction, fast charging, and an inexpensive price tag.  As I looked to fill my USB-C needs, I knew that UGREEN would have an option that satisfied the charging needs. 

The UGREEN Smart Digital Life USB-C to USB-C cable arrived in a 5 1/4 inches wide by 7 1/2 inches zipper-style hanging bag.  The hunter green UGREEN title was displayed along the top section of the bag, just above the “Smart Digital Life” name.  The hunter-green top ridge of the bag contrasted nicely against the white title section and accented the company name. 

The semi-translucent lower segment provided a helpful glimpse at the braided USB-C to USB-C cable, and the UGREEN name was printed onto the cable’s neck/collar.  The back panel provided a UPC barcode, manufacturing address, support@ugreen.com email, www.ugreen.com website, and product manufacturing labels.

To access the cable, I gripped both segments of the top of the bag and opened the zip lock closure. I removed the small user manual (WEEE information, FCC statement, limited 2-year warranty, IC statement), and the 2.1-ounce, 80-inches long USB-C to USB-C cable from the bag.  I removed the dual twist-ties holding the coiled cable and evaluated the cable’s properties, pleased to find that the cable followed a similar pattern to the UGREEN USB-C to Lightning PD cable that was previously reviewed. 

Each of the metallic USB-C prongs measured 1/2 inches long and abutted against a 5/8 inches tall by 7/16 inches wide by 1/4 inches thick grey-metallic collar.  The UGREEN name was printed onto the surface in bold black font. The oval-shaped collar is connected to a tapering 1/2 inches long neck segment before terminating into the rigid braided mid-segment of the cable.  

I picked one of the 1 3/8 inches long USB-C ends and grasped the USB-C prong with one hand and the neck collar with the other.  I then bent the USB-C prong back and forth twenty-five times.  The durable USB-C prong tip remained undamaged and I was pleased with the quality of the design.  Next, I gripped the metallic neck collar and the black rubber neck segment and bent, flexed, and pulled at the junction. 

As found above, the collar segment remained firmly affixed to the surface.  Lastly, I gripped the neck segment and I bent it forward to backward and side to side twenty-five times each, before pulling firmly against the cable. Neither of the cable ends relented to the onslaught of tests above.  Nor, did the braided mid section, when I attempted to bend/flex the cable.  The company provided an adequately strong/rigid cable design.

To test the power output, I plugged a Rapid X USB-C 65WPD adapter into my wall outlet.  I plugged a Klein Tools Multimeter into the adapter and then the UGREEN USB-C cable between the multimeter and my iPad Pro 12.9” (Generation 5).  The multimeter displayed 15.09V/2.45A while my iPad Pro displayed 66% at 7:41 PM and was at 98% by 8:37 PM. 

I plugged the cable into my MacBook Pro 15” and found the multimeter displayed 19.99V/3.08A.  My MacBook Pro started the test at 43% at 8:39 PM and was at 76% by 9:15 PM, 84% by 9:27PM, and 100% by 10:12 PM.  Throughout the testing process, neither the cable nor the power block felt hot to the touch and I enjoyed optimal data and charging rates. 

Like the aforementioned UGREEN PD charging cable, the Smart Digital Life USB-C cable did not provide any type of cable management system like the KickPower cables.  If I had one critique, it would be about the missing velcro retention strap.

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