Why I use this 160W charger for my MacBook instead of the one Apple gave me

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Ugreen Nexode Pro is a 160W 4-port quick charger, accessible from Amazon for $120.
• It is highly effective and caters to USB-C and USB-A ports.
• The gadget is heavy, and ponderous (however nonetheless smaller than the Apple charger that comes with the MacBook Professional).

For a very long time, my Apple MacBook Professional 140W USB-C charger was my favourite charger. Having a charger that would push out 140W of energy was helpful, even when my MacBook was the one factor I had on the time that would reap the benefits of that. 

Regardless of the majority, the burden, and the truth that it solely had a single USB-C port, I took that charger with me in every single place. Nicely, not the identical one; I by chance left the unique at a resort in Scotland, prompting me to search for a alternative.

Additionally: The best iPhone power banks you can buy: Expert tested

In my search, I shortly realized that the ability adapters available on the market at the moment have considerably developed, making a 140W unit with a single USB-C port considerably old style. Now you can get multi-port energy adapters which might be smaller, run cooler, and might nonetheless output the complete 140W {that a} MacBook Professional must cost on the quickest price. 

One such adapter being the Ugreen Nexode Pro 160W 4-port fast charger.

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Ugreen Nexode Professional 160W 4-port quick charger options

• 3 x USB-C ports, 1 x USB-A port
• 160W most complete output
• Max 140W output in single-port configuration
• Clever present distribution
• GaN (gallium nitride) know-how gives quicker, extra highly effective charging with much less warmth era, and a smaller, light-weight design
• Port energy outputs:
  USB-C1 Output: 5V 3A | 9V 3A | 12V 3A | 15V 3A | 20V 5A | 28V 5A – 140.0W max
  USB-C2 Output: 5V 3A | 9V 3A | 12V 3.0A | 15V 3A | 20V 5.0A – 100W max
  USB-C3 Output: 5V 3A | 9V 3A | 12V 2.5A – 30W max
  USB-A Output: 5V 3A | 9V 2A | 12V 1.5A | 10V 2.25A – 22.5W max

The Nexode Professional 160W 4-port quick charger handed all my typical assessments for energy output for prolonged intervals of time below a heavy load. I additionally carried out thermal checks below the heaviest hundreds potential, and whereas I did file spot temperatures of fifty.4°C/122.7°F, that is acceptable and within the safe “no injury” temperature range. This temperature signifies the charger’s effectivity in managing warmth, even below most stress.

Observe: ASTM C1055 — the Normal Information for Heated System Floor Situations that Produce Contact Burn Accidents — states that the common individual can contact objects as much as 60°C/140°F for as much as 5 seconds with out sustaining irreversible burn accidents.

This charger does precisely what it says it can do on the spec sheet, and it does it safely. Positive, the temperatures are such that you just should not throw a blanket or quilt over this charger when it is in use, however consider me, you should not be doing that with any charger.

This charger can be small – 21 % smaller than Apple’s 140W charger to be precise – so it is handy for throwing right into a bag for journey, and the three USB-C ports and one USB-A provides quite a lot of charging flexibility. Its compact measurement enhances portability, making it a really perfect journey companion.

Observe that I’ve examined the UK model of this charger, however aside from the plug on the top, the specs are equivalent to these of the US model.

Additionally: The best GaN chargers you can buy

I’ve seen a couple of complaints about this charger not outputting the 140W wanted to cost a MacBook Professional at full pace – 0 to 50% in 27 minutes – however those that are experiencing this aren’t utilizing the required USB-C to MagSafe lead, and as an alternative cost their MacBook Professionals utilizing USB-C-to-USB-C cables. Right here there is a 100W restrict, and this can be decrease when you do not use a cable that is rated for 100W. 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The Ugreen Nexode Pro 160W 4-port fast charger is an excellent charger for many who have laptops just like the MacBook Professional that want a strong charger, however need the pliability and comfort of a 4-port charger, together with a legacy port for peace of thoughts.