UGREEN NEXODE RG 65W GaN charger review: Delightfully dinky pocket rocket

UGREEN has been an absolute godsend for my portable power needs recently, with its 145W 25000mAh Power Bank keeping me juiced up for days while on the go. Having all that power in your pocket is beyond handy, but every mAh used must also be replaced - and that can take a long while if you haven’t got the hardware to back it up.

That’s where the NEXODE RG 65w GaN charger comes in - an absolutely adorable little charger that’s capable of fast charging three devices at once, and also doubles as a desk ornament. After a week of testing with the NEXODE RG, it’s become a dynamic duo with my power bank, almost completely eliminating battery anxiety altogether.

Just a cute little dude

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There are countless Gallium Nitride chargers on the market, but there’s a lot that makes the NEXODE RG special. The first thing you notice is that it’s packed with personality, with the design mimicking that of a tiny earphone-wearing droid.

When plugged into a wall, tiny LEDs light up behind the face panel, and it smiles back at you while your devices charge. This feature isn’t just for show, either - different LED patterns indicate whether something’s currently fast charging, trickle charging, or not charging at all. This is especially useful when you want to diagnose why your phone might be charging more slowly than normal. The light is also the perfect brightness so that it won’t disturb you if it’s plugged in on a hotel nightstand.

The nerd in me would have liked to see more detailed information displayed on this screen, like the total current output - but that’s not the market this device is aimed at. Instead, ease of use and portability are at the top of the list here, with the three-port charger fitting neatly in the pocket of my travel bag.

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The plastic feet of the robot even double as a cover for the UK plug pins, so you don’t have to worry about scratching other devices in your bags. The feet also mean that the device sits perfectly stable when sitting on a desk. As such, I’ve taken to using the NEXODE RG as a small ornament when on the go, adding a bit of personality to whichever hotdesk I decide to use.

Supremely practical

Much like the rest of UGREEN’s charging arsenal, the NEXODE RG is superbly built. Although there are some plastics used in the outer shell of the device, it feels weighty in the hand, and delightfully durable. 

I was concerned about the black plastic on the top of the unit at first, but it doesn’t pick up fingerprints like you’d think. In fact, the little headphone grooves are perfect for gripping the device when you’re trying to plug it into awkward sockets, like under the seats on trains.

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I was also a fan of the pastel purple colourway that the NEXODE RG is available in, although the silicon purple bow on the back might be an acquired taste for some. In fact, I found this could often catch on other items in my bag when packing it away and wished that it was either an optional extra or at least removable.

Despite its size, the NEXODE RG can power several devices at once - up to three with its 65W of charging split into thirds. That’s supplied via two USB C ports and another USB A port. It’s great to see UGREEN support the newer USB classification, although it’s a shame that a USB C cable isn’t supplied in the box to get you started, as I know a lot of my cables still rely on a classic USB A connection at one end.

Even the USB C cables supplied with the new iPhones don’t support 65W fast charging, so it would have been a real boon for UGREEN to get users started with at least one capable cable.

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I’m grateful that I get to do a fair amount of travelling in both my professional and personal life, but if there’s one aspect of the lifestyle that makes me want to weep, it’s keeping track of my charging cables and bricks. Between my Macbook, Steam Deck, AirPods, iPhone 15, and Apple Watch, there are simply too many devices that I need to keep topped up, and while most of the entourage have made the transition to USB C, there are a couple still stuck firmly in yesteryear.

On a recent trip to London to see the Elden Ring Symphonic Adventure, I was able to keep both my iPhone 15, my power bank, and my AirPods topped up while making the commute on the train. After forgetting to charge my phone the night before, the fast charging capabilities really saved my bacon and allowed me to endure a full day of navigating the Big Apple via the battery-intensive Google Maps.

The Verdict

UGREEN continues to fuel a fierce reputation for providing some of the best battery-related products in the field. The NEXODE RG is yet another product that once I’ve used, I can’t see myself living without.

Having the convenience of super-fast charging in your pocket is one thing, but for it to also double up as an adorable desk ornament that you’ll never want to lose is a stroke of genius.

4.5/5

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