UGREEN Nexode Power Banks Review

UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 12000mAh 100W & UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 130W

design

Even without reading the name on the front, it’s pretty clear at just a quick glance that these new power banks are part of the Ugreen Nexode range. The same gunmetal colour carries over from the Nexode Pro 160W charger with the familiar rounded edges has simply been stretched out to make these larger pillars. A power bank is unlikely to ever be a thing of true beauty, they’re very much a form over function kind of device, but the Ugreen Nexode Power Banks do a decent job of blurring the line and look impressively premium. There’s a certain Apple-esque styling to them, the colour and finish is a neat match for my Macbook Air and the clean lines wouldn’t look out of place in Cupertino. 

Again matching the Nexode Pro chargers, the Ugreen Nexode Power Banks run with an all plastic exterior shell but with a smooth matte finish leaves them feeling surprisingly close to metal. As you’d expect with nearly double the capacity there’s a reasonable size difference between the two models but both are also reasonably compact in the grand scheme of things. The smaller 12,000mAh Nexode Power Bank sits 115mm high and 45mm across with the 20,000mAh Nexode scaling up to 131mm by 54mm. On paper it doesn’t seem a huge difference but in the hand it’s quite a contrast so don’t instantly jump for the larger model without considering how you’ll use it day to day.

Both sizes of the Ugreen Nexode Power Bank are solid and meaty with no flex, creaking or feeling of emptiness to either of them and in your hand they almost feel like a single dense pillar. It gives the Nexode Power Banks a seriously high quality impression and expensive vibe as a result, something that’s only reinforced by the weight. The 100W Nexode Power Bank weighs in at 309g while the 130W tips the scales at 480g though I’d suggest the larger in particular feels heavier than that to pick up. They’re nicely balanced though and in a backpack I think you’d quickly forget about them. 

You’ll find the I/O ports in the same spot on the top of both the Ugreen Nexode Power Banks with the 100W version offering a single USB A and USB-C port and the 130W throwing in an extra USB-C port for a two and one combo. In both cases they’re nicely spaced out with plenty of breathing room around each port. Slightly strangely though, despite all of Ugreen’s marketing showing the Nexode Power Banks standing proudly in an upright position, there’s only non-slip rubber strips on the back of the devices, not the bottom. Surely an extra couple of strips of rubber would have made more sense on the base too, but it’s hardly a dealbreaker.

performance

Much like the Nexode Pro chargers I’ve reviewed in the past, the Ugreen Nexode Power Banks offer more punch than you’re ever likely to need in reality. Using both devices for different charging needs over the course of a couple of weeks, I can safely say at no point did I feel like I was lacking juice – in both speed and capacity. These are a seriously impressive pair of power-pillars.

Even though the 20,000mAh Nexode Power Bank offers an additional 30W of max output – in reality I can’t see too many people needing this extra headroom. Given an iPhone 15 Pro will only draw 20W at full speed, a Macbook Air will ask for 60W and a pair of AirPods just 5W – charging all 3 at the same time you’re still only pulling just over half of what the Ugreen Nexode Power Bank is capable of. Even the smaller 12,000mAh could theoretically handle that drain, though with only two outputs one of those devices will have to wait its turn.

You’re actually more likely to max out the 100W port on either when pumping power in to the bank, rather than taking it out and when combined with the Nexode Pro 160W charger I was impressed at how quickly both units refilled. In practice it’s quite simple, don’t stress over the numbers because no matter what I plugged into either of the Ugreen Nexode Power Banks I was able to get the most out of that device’s power potential. Impressively too, across both devices the outer casing barely warmed up while under stress and I wouldn’t have any concerns leaving the Nexode Power Bank at the bottom of a bag while charging.

While both Ugreen Nexode Power Banks feature a screen, there’s a fundamental difference between the two and how much information they offer. The 12,000mAh Nexode includes a black and white 55mm digital LCD with the 20,000mAh offering a far more impressive 71mm full colour TFT display. The 100W Nexode’s matte LCD display offers the kind of basic information a series of LED dots likely has for you on previous power banks.

You’ll find a large percentage number in the middle, a bar underneath showing exactly the same information but with less accuracy and an outer ring that subtly indicates if the Nexode is charging. Meanwhile the 130W Nexode’s full colour TFT screen offers a lot more information, adding a remaining charge countdown and real-time current information for each of the three ports. I’m not sure ultimately how much additional value this extra information delivers, but the information is sharp and easy to read and it’s not doing anyone any harm

Each Ugreen Nexode Power Bank features a subtle button on the side to light up the display, though it’ll also wake up as soon as you plug something in before returning to black after 30 seconds or so. There’s also one more use for the screen on both Nexode Power Banks and it’s a hallmark that’s becoming a staple for Ugreen. Inspired by the Nexode RG charger range, both Nexode Power Banks come with a personality and a face. Turning the screen on you’re greeted by a friendly robot face on either device who’ll sweetly smile at you before cracking on with its job, when the Nexode Power Bank turns off the little face returns to close its eyes and go to sleep. It’s pointless, it’s charming and I love it.

summed up

While it’s hard to get overly excited about a power bank, the Ugreen Nexode Power Banks are impressively excellent. Across both models there’s not only plenty of capacity but an excess of punch that’ll see you able to charge multiple devices simultaneously on the go. They’re reasonably priced too, even at their respective full RRPs, and while certainly not the cheapest power banks you’ll find – they are premium offerings that meet that label handsomely.

Which of the model of the Ugreen Nexode Power Bank you opt for is going to come down to how you intend to use them. For most people the 20,000mAh variant is likely overkill – there are few situations where you’ll need to fast charge three devices at the same time without access to a wall socket. Though for freelancers and those working in the field it’ll do a great job of offering a full day of working for your setup. Most general users looking for a backpack companion to take on days out or abroad on holiday however will likely find more than enough value from the cheaper 12,000mAh model.