REVIEW – Like many people, I have several power banks around the house. These are great for keeping small electronic devices powered up when you’re on the go. But I’ve experienced things like my laptop running low on power at home. Rather than grabbing my power cord and adapter from another room and then heading near an outlet, I tried using my power banks to tide me over until I could charge overnight. For something like my laptop, the portable power banks I had couldn’t provide enough wattage to charge properly. I was interested in the UGREEN Nexnode 20000mAh Power Bank to see if I could have the freedom to move around my house and garden without being tied to an outlet.

What is that?

The UGREEN Nexnode Power Bank is a 20,000Wh 130W portable charger. It has a TFT display that shows the power consumption per port as well as the charging status and percentage. There are 2 USB-C ports (USB-C 1 is also used as an input for charging) and 1 USB-A port. UGREEN also included its 20W magnetic power bank for testing, which supports 15W fast charging and magnetic attachment.

What’s included in the package? UGREEN Nexnode Powerbank

• UGREEN Nexnode Power Bank
• USB-C charging cable
• User manual

What’s included? UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank

• UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank
• USB-C charging cable
• User manual

Technical data UGREEN Nexnode Power Bank

Click here to expand

• Battery capacity: 20,000 mAh
• Maximum power: 130 W
• Input: USB-C1 65W max.
• Output: USB-C1 100W max., USB-C2 30W max., USB-A 33W max.
• Charging time: approx. 2 hours with a PD 65W charger
• Screen: TFT color screen
• Dimensions: L2.1 inch x W2.0 inch x H5.1 inch
• Weight: 1.05 pounds

Technical data UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank

Click here to expand

• Battery capacity: 10,000 mAh
• Maximum power: USB-C 20 W / Qi 15 W
• Input: USB-C 20W max.
• Charging time: approx. 3.5 hours with a PD 20W charger
• Dimensions: 4.2 inches x 2.7 inches x 0.5 inches
• Weight: 4.6 oz

Design and Features – UGREEN Nexnode Power Bank

The UGREEN Nexnode Power Bank is a solidly built device that does a great job of filling a small gap I had. For phones, tablets, cameras, and other small electronics, my portable batteries are a lifesaver, especially when I’m away from home. And I have huge power stations that can power refrigerators, induction cooktops, and kettles. But for my laptop and a few portable lights for my photography, I didn’t have a smaller, less heavy option than the big and heavy power stations. A common scenario for me is that I have a desk in our guest room with a docking station that my laptop is usually plugged into. I have access to my monitor, keyboard, and mouse. But there are times when I need to give up the guest room and plug in my laptop and use it somewhere else in the house, maybe at the kitchen table or even outside on the patio, neither of which are conveniently located next to an electrical outlet.

I was either using extension cords or lugging around my heavy power stations. I know this is a luxury problem, but I’ve often wondered if there was an easier way. That’s where the UGREEN Nexnode Power Bank comes in. It’s about the size of my iPhone 13 mini and as thick as two packs of playing cards, weighing just over a pound. It’s small enough to throw in a bag or set on a table without taking up too much space.

The UGREEN Nexnode power bank has three ports. These are labeled:

• USB-C1: Input/Output 1 (100W)
• USB-C2: Output 2
• USB-A: Output 3

When used individually, each port delivers the following maximum wattage:

• USB-C1: 100W
• USB-C2: 30W
• USB-A: 33W

When using the connectors simultaneously, the maximum wattage is:

• USB-C1 + USB-C2 = 13oW
• USB-C1 + USB-A = 133W
• USB-C2 + USB-A = 30W

I think there are two standout features. One is the color TFT screen and the other is the ability to enable trickle charging for devices that require less power to charge. First, the TFT screen. It is bright and measures about 2 inches square. When in use, the screen displays the following:

• Remaining battery charge
• Remaining time based on current consumption
• Input/output power of each port
• Real-time performance curve
• Trickle charge indicator

The display shows you how much time or power is left and provides statistics on power consumption.

The trickle charge feature is something I haven’t seen on many power banks so far. I think many newer devices can handle excessive power without damage, but it’s a great feature. The user manual recommends putting the UGREEN Nexnode Power Bank into trickle charge mode to charge Bluetooth earbuds, Bluetooth watches, etc. To put the device into trickle charge mode, simply press and hold the side button for 3 seconds after powering on. This mode will automatically deactivate after 3.5 hours, or you can press the side button for 3 seconds again.

The device also turns on automatically after a device is connected. To turn it off, press and hold the side button for 6 seconds.

Here is a summary of the side button functions:

• Turn on (manual): One click
• Power off (manual): press and hold for 6 seconds
• Display off: Double click
• Show On: Click once
• Toggle display: Click once
• Activate/deactivate trickle charge: press and hold for 3 seconds

To charge the UGREEN Nexnode Power Bank, plug a USB-C cable into the port labeled “IN/OUT 1”. According to the documentation, it should charge from 0 to 100% in about 2 hours with a 65W PD charger.

According to UGREEN, this power bank is also “Airline Approved” and should not cause any problems when carried in your hand luggage.

Performance

Below are some charging statistics that can help you figure out if 20,000 Wh is enough for you:

• iPhone 15 = 4 times
• iPad Pro 11″ = 2 times
• Galaxy S24 Ultra = 3 times
• MacBook Air 13″ = 1.3 times
• iPhone 15 Pro = 55% in 30 mins.
• Galaxy S24 Ultra = 55% in 30 min.
• MacBook Pro 16″ = 43% in 30 minutes.
• iPad Pro 11″ M4 = 47% in 30 min.

Design and Features – UGREEN Magnetic Power Bank

UGREEN also included their smaller, magnetic portable power bank for testing. This device can be connected via USB-C or MagSafe. Over USB-C, the maximum charging power (and output) is 20W. Over MagSafe, it’s 15W.

I like the design, it’s champagne colored and made of soft-touch silicone. There are some indicator lights on the bottom that tell me if it’s magnetically charging and the 4 levels of battery life.

• 1 point = 0-25%
• 2 points = 25-50%
• 3 points = 50-75%
• 4 points = 75-100%

Also located at the bottom is the USB-C input/output port and the power button. To turn the charger on, short press the button. This will also display the remaining power. Double click the button to turn the charger off. There is also a low power mode for devices that cannot be charged at 20W (like smartwatches and earbuds). To enable/disable this mode, press and hold the button for 3 seconds.

What I like about the UGREEN Nexnode 20000mAh Power Bank

• This powerful portable power bank can provide enough power for my laptop, camera lights, phones and tablets
• Small considering what it does, the size is convenient and it’s not a big hassle to carry around or put in a bag.

What needs to be improved?

Final thoughts

The UGREEN Nexnode Power Bank has been the perfect solution for me in many different situations. As mentioned above, it was great to set it up on the kitchen table or outside on the patio as a convenient and powerful power source for my laptop. When I went from room to room, I took my laptop, a USB-C cable, and the power bank with me.

Another use case for me was at a recent conference. Having a single, small device that could charge my phone, tablet, and laptop was a lifesaver. I didn’t have to worry about sitting at a table next to an outlet or someone tripping over my power cord.

I even used it on some of my recent photo walks. I didn’t have to worry about dead batteries or my tablet running out of power when I was editing photos in a cafe. This power bank will always be in my backpack or camera bag!

UGREEN’s magnetic power bank was also a handy option. I’m not sure if they’re allowed to use the MagSafe name, but it’s the same thing. One of the weak points of my iPhone 13 mini is battery life. I usually get by because I can charge it on my desk or in the car while driving. But at the conference I attended or while hiking, it’s so easy to just attach the power bank to the back of my phone and charge it!

With these two chargers, I’m pretty well equipped to charge my personal electronic devices on my all-day trips!

Price: $99.99
Where to buy: Amazon (currently $69.99)
source: The sample of this product was provided free of charge by UGREEN. UGREEN had no final say on the review and did not pre-feature the review before its publication.