Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Ugreen Nexode Air 65W
4.6
Pros & Cons
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Ultra-thin design. -
Runs cool, even under high load. -
Prongs fold away neatly. -
Perfect Goldilocks charger: not too big, not too small.
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Some people just don’t have a need for USB-A anymore.
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The humble “wall wart” has come a long way in the last three decades. The single-port brick in the wall that used to put out just a few watts of power has transformed into multi-port units that can keep several devices going at once.
Also: These $16 EDC pliers are nearly as good as the $35 set I’ve carried for years
The only problem is that they’re still kinda wall warty… Most chargers are big bricks with several cables poking out the front. They might be ugly, but why change something that works?
Well, because it doesn’t always work. Try getting an Apple charger into an outlet that’s behind the couch or stuck in some awkward, confined spot. And if you’re staying in a hotel room or Airbnb, you might end up having to drag furniture about just to use an outlet.
With all this obsession over smartphones and laptops being thin and light, why can’t this be applied to chargers? Ugreen have taken that on board with the super-slim 65W Nexode Air.
Note that in the photos I’m showing the UK version — the US version is even thinner, thanks to the different outlet prongs.
The specs
Let’s start with the basics. The Nexode Air is a 65W charger that has three ports — two for USB-C with a maximum output of 65W and 30W, and one for USB-A capable of a maximum of 22.5W. These maximum power outputs are when you only have one device connected to the charger, and the output starts getting shared when you connect more devices.
With all three ports in use, the USB-C port outputs drop to a maximum of 45W and 15W, and the USB-A port falls to no more than 15W, but this is still enough to charge your laptop (albeit slowly), smartphone, and earbuds. If you want more power, charge fewer things simultaneously.
The charger is also compatible with worldwide power — 100 – 240V, 50/60Hz — so with the appropriate adapter you can use it anywhere. Again, having a small charger that can fit into tight spaces is super handy when traveling.
But how small is the Nexode Air 65W? Really small! It measures 3.25 x 2.13 x 0.56-inches and weighs just 3.6 oz. It’s a lot more compact than Apple’s 140W MacBook charger, and about the same size as my AirTag-equipped Ridge wallet.
If you really need more power, there’s a 100W version, but this brings with it more bulk, measuring 3.50 x 2.37 x 0.69-inches and boosting the weight up to 6.2 oz. That 0.13-inch of additional thickness might not seem like much, but when you’re having to fold yourself in three to get to a lone outlet hidden behind a sofa that weighs as much as an aircraft carrier, you’ll be glad that it’s small and lightweight.
No overheating worries
A worry — and it’s a realistic one — that people have with compact chargers is that they get hot in use. By using a combination of GaN (gallium nitride) tech, and smart design, Ugreen have built a charger that’s compact, powerful, and runs at acceptable temperatures. I’ve had this running for extended periods, pushing the full 65W through a single USB-C port, and also through all three ports, and it runs just as cool and efficiently.
Based on my testing, I’d have no problems having this charger tucked away behind a couch. I mean, still be sensible — for example, don’t block airflow to it entirely by burying it in a landslide of clothes — but this isn’t one of those units that gets worryingly hot.
As well as thermal tests, I’ve done all my usual power output tests and long-term output tests, and the unit delivers exactly what it promises — a clean, super-stable output from the ports.
The prongs on the charger fold away nicely (yes, the UK charger is a bit more bulky because of the size of the prongs that we have here, but it’s still one of the most compact I’ve come across), and this is a lovely feature for traveling because you can pack the charger away and not come back to find that the prongs have made a couple of holes in your backpack or luggage.
ZDNET’s buying advice
I’m very susceptible to the “bigger is better” philosophy when it comes to chargers, picking the biggest charger I can get my hands on. But at the same time, I know that isn’t always true, and I don’t always need a 500W unit that weighs over five pounds looming on my desk.
The Ugreen Nexode Air 65W is one of those chargers that hits that sweet spot of size versus power. For most people, 65W is enough to handle most tasks. Sure, if you’re pushing something like a MacBook Pro, you might be a candidate for a bigger charger, but for those with more modest workloads — a smartphone, earbuds, and maybe a power bank — this is perfect.
Something else that’s perfect about the Nexode Air 65W is the price — $50. A high-end, highly-portable charger at a very attractive price. And if 65W isn’t enough, for $75 you can pick up the 100W version, and if your needs are smaller, there’s a 45W single USB-C port version on sale for only $30.
Pick the charger that fits your needs.
