I reviewed this UGreen charger and it’s phenomenally convenient thanks to this one ingenious feature

Convenience is king

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UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable on its side against pink background
(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

The UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable is a highly practical, user-friendly creation. The convenience of a retractable power cable is highly satisfying, it has additional ports for multi-device charging, and it’s compact enough for easy on-the-go use. Its power distribution during multi-port charging won’t suit all users, and the lack of foldable prongs on the UK model is a shame, but all in all, this is a great model available at a more-than reasonable price.

Pros

  • +

    Convenient retractable cable

  • +

    Strong overall performance

  • +

    Compact build

Cons

  • -

    Multi-port power distribution won’t suit all

  • -

    In-built cable doesn’t support Samsung Super Charge 2.0 45W

  • -

    Non-foldable prongs on UK model

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UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable review

Want a convenient all-in-one charger for your phone, laptop, tablet, and more? Then the UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable might be exactly what you’re looking for! Yes, the model names are almost always this long.

This charging block comes with an integrated USB-C cable, meaning you don’t have to purchase one separately or worry about your charging wire falling out. It can be pulled out gradually to a range of lengths up to 2.3ft (0.69m), and snugly tucked away by gently pulling the cable and returning it to its magnetic cradle. On top of that, the integrated cable is nice and flexible, meaning it can flex to your environment without too much trouble.

And, if that wasn’t enough, there are two additional USB slots on the unit, enabling you to charge three devices simultaneously. One is a USB-C slot and must be used on its own to get the full 65W (the retractable cable is only capable of 60W in single-port mode), and the other is USB-A if you want to make use of an old wire.

All of this flexibility and versatility is great, but how about performance? Well, I charged my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE – which has a 4,700mAh battery – using the retractable cable. I also juiced up my Sony WH-1000XM6 via the USB-C port and LG Tone Free T90S with the USB-A alternative. And even with all ports in use, my phone went from 1% to 100% in well under 80 minutes – which is very speedy indeed.

With that said, there are a couple of performance quirks that are worth pointing too. I already mentioned that the retractable cable can’t hit the max 65W power output, but it also omits support for Samsung Super Charge 2.0 45W. That is, however, admittedly only relevant to a small crop of Samsung devices at the moment.

In addition, multi-port power disruption may not suit all users. If you charge three devices simultaneously, you get 45W from the retractable cable, but just 7.5W out of the other two. I was also perplexed by the fact that when dual-charging with the USB-C and USB-A port only, you’re still capped at 7.5W per port, even without using the integrated wire.

But, regardless, if you just need to charge your phone and say, a pair of earbuds and headphones, the triple-port distribution should still be good enough overall.

Elsewhere, the charger is well built. It’s durable, compact given its 65W maximum power output, and has an attractive silvery finish. The UK model doesn't have foldable prongs, which is a shame, but this isn’t the case over in the US.

The charger also harnesses GaN technology to offer a strong suite of protection against issues like overheating, short-circuiting, overvoltage, and more. I never felt this model get too hot during the testing process, and I didn’t experience any performance dips whatsoever.

So it’s safe to say that I’m a fan of this UGreen charger. I love the convenience of the built-in cable, it can charge my phone in a pinch, and it’s pleasingly compact for when I’m on the go. It's also pretty cost efficient with a list price of $49.99 / £39.99 – though I’ve already seen it on sale for less than $35 / £28, so keep your eyes peeled for a sweet deal.

UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable with cable retracted in a spiral shape

(Image credit: Future)

UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable review: price & specs

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Price

$49.99 / £39.99

Total power output

65W

Number of ports

2 (excluding 1x inbuilt retractable USB-C cable)

Port type(s)

1x USB-C; 1x USB-A

Dimensions

2.1 x 2 x 2 inches / 53 x 50.9 x 50.4mm (without prongs)

UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable upside down on table against pink background

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable?

Buy it if…

You want an ultra-convenient phone charger
The inbuilt retractable cable is really useful if you want a secure, hassle-free charging hub. The inclusion of separate USB-C and USB-A ports is also a nice touch if you’re out and about and realize your wireless earbuds or headphones have died, and you need some extra playtime.

You don’t have any USB-C cables lying around
Still stuck with the old USB-A cables? Reluctant to spend your money on… you know, just a wire that juices up your phone? I get it. Thankfully, this model has its own retractable cable built in, so you won’t have to worry about any of that.

Don't buy it if…

You need to charge multiple power-hungry devices at once
If you’re making use of tri-port charging on this model, the separate USB ports can only supply up to 7.5W each. Now, that’s not a lot of power if you want to charge more demanding devices like a second phone or tablet, for example. A model like the UGreen Uno Charger 100W could be better, as it offers 45W in port 1 and 30W in port 2, even when quad charging! Pretty impressive, no?

You need a top-performing laptop charger
Now don’t get me wrong, 65W is a solid amount of power and will be enough to fast-charge a large portion of modern phones. But if you’re looking to charge a newer laptop at peak capacity, this model might be a tad underpowered. Instead, you can check out a model like the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports).

UGreen Nexode 65W Charger with Retractable USB-C Cable review: also consider

UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger
Yep, it's UGreen again, and this model is super unique. The Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim has the same power, and (essentially) number of ports as this retractable cable-equipped alternative. However, it has an unbelievably thin form, meaning it can be placed in tight spaces with ease – very useful if your power plug is close to a desk or bed, for example. It also has interchangeable adapters for US, UK, and EU power sockets. Talk about a handy travel companion! Read our full UGreen Nexode Pro 65W Ultra-Slim 3-Port charger review.

Harry Padoan
Harry Padoan
Staff Writer

Harry is a Reviews Staff Writer for TechRadar. He reviews everything from party speakers to wall chargers and has a particular interest in the worlds of audio and gaming. Harry has a background in business tech journalism, particularly around the telecoms industry.

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