Another day, another random work location. This time I am just at a roadside table whilst the kids are doing their extracurricular activities. To keep me juiced up and working today is the UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 25000mAh 200W with Smart Digital Display.
I mentioned in my last powerbank review that this is one of the hottest piece of gear to disappear from my possession. Despite my obvious need for powerbanks, it is something I just hand out when someone asks if I have one handy. And it’s always never to be seen again.
In the past month I have finally got my hands on some, three in fact. At time of writing this, I have given away two in three days and am just down to the Ugreen only because I was still putting it through it’s paces.
First Impressions
The UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 25000mAh 200W with Smart Digital Display (hitherto refer as the Nexode Power Bank going forward) is an absolute beast of an unit.
As the name states it has a 25000 mAh capacity, which is just 2000 mAh shy of the airlines cut off of 27000 mAh. Researching through the literature, Ugreen has also kept it at 90 Wh, again, just below the airline restrictions threshold of 100 Wh.
Ugreen has opt for a rectangular prism design, measuring in at 155 x 54 x 50 millimeters. It is not a lightweight a smidgen over 600 grams. My scales says just under, and Ugreen specifies it at 609g. Bearing in mind this is for a 25000 mAh battery, that is definitely not an offensive number.
The size and shape does not lend itself to slip into a pocket easily, but it is easier to hold in your hand or to slip into a bag.
The Smart Digital Display takes up about one-third of the front fascia, with the Ugreen logo printed towards the bottom.
On the right hand side is a single button to wake the screen up, and can be used as a toggle for technical read out. A little notation there says “More than power” which is apt.
The business end of the Nexode Power Bank sports two USB-C ports and a single USB-A port.
In Use
Getting the Ugreen up and running is simple. It comes in the package with a soft carry pouch and a 60cm USB-C to USB-C 100W cable. All one need to do is to connect all the bits up and you are rocking and rolling.
I like my devices with technical readouts. Not just random highly detailed technical readings but useful information at a glance so I can track what is going on like power draw in this case.
The Nexode Power Bank has a TFT Smart Display that gives plenty of information without overwhelming you.
The main display provides at a glance, remaining battery in percentage, which port is active and whether it is input or output, as the corresponding watt to the port(s).
It also displays the estimate amount of charge left in hours and minutes, based on the current draw.
Lastly is a little symbol to indicate trickle charging mode when it’s active.
Press the button again and you will switch to a second information screen. This one provide more details for each active port, providing real-time readings of voltage, current and power curve.
It is a mighty handy set of information if you want to see just what everything is doing and get a few feel if you need to troubleshoot.
When the screen times out, it gives a cute little animated robot face just for fun. It’s not the same as the newly launched collab with Genshin Impact where they have an amusing pixel art animation showcasing K’uhul Ajaw, Kinich’s dragon companion.
Like all power banks, the Nexode Power Bank’s 200W output is a combined total across all ports.
Breaking it down, Individually each port’s maximum outputs are:
- Port 1 is a USB-C port capable of a maximum of 140W.
- Port 2 is a USB-C port capable of a maximum of 100W.
- Port 3 is a USB-A port capable of a maximum of 22.5W.
There are a number of ways to use multiple ports, with various outcomes.
- Ports 1 + 2 can be combined to provide 200W together, which is rated to charge a MacBook Pro to 56% in just thirty minutes.
- Ports 1 + 3 will provide 140W and 22.5W respectively to a total of 162.5W.
- Ports 2 + 3 will provide a total of 20W only.
- Ports 1 + 2 + 3 will provide 140W from Port 1, and a total of 20W for the remaining 2.
As can be seen from the breakdown, there is a significant limit placed on the output when Ports 2 and 3 are in use together.
There is little in the way of information on why, but my educated guess is that it is for trickle charge to lower powered devices such as Apple Watch and Earpods.
Protection
With so much (deserved) attention on lithium ion batteries, Ugreen has put safety first.
To start with, they have used automotive grade 21700 Lithium-ion power cells within the Nexode Power Bank. Then they implement thirteen layers of safety protection. These are:
- high temperature
- low temperature
- undervoltage
- auto circuit interruption
- input overvoltage
- input overcurrent
- output overvoltage
- output overcurrent
- overcharge
- overdischarge
- short circuit
- overpower
- manual reset
The Thermal Guard system monitors the temperature of the device 200 times a second.
Other features
The devil is in the details, and Ugreen has added a little thoughtful detail of two anti-slip pads on the long underside of the Nexode Power Bank to keep it from slipping.
If you prefer to stand the unit up, it can also do so without issues.
The Nexode Power Bank can handle a maximum of 65W input, which will bring you back to a full charge in about 2.5 hours. I tested it with the Nexode 300W charger that I have reviewed recently and it is about as advertised.
Ugreen includes a soft carry bag to keep everything together.
Gripes
Just one, not dissimilar to other powerbanks with screens, the screen is not particularly bright. It is difficult to read in direct sunlight. At the same time, it is not a display you need to read constantly like a mobile phone, so shade it with your hand and you’re golden.
The other one is less to do with the power bank, but more a general comment. I really would like to se right-angled USB cables to be more common place. It would help reduce incidents of socket and cable damage.
Conclusions
It is not quite walking the line between legal and illegal, light and dark, good and bad. But for those who need to take things almost to the limits, the UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 25000mAh 200W with Smart Digital Display will take you there and still allow you to board your flight.
It is a rock solid product that will keep your devices powered. The RRP is A$169.99 but at time of publish it has a 18% discount on Amazon which brings it down to a bargain price of A$139.99.
DRN would like to thank Ugreen for providing the review unit.
