Ugreen X860 Nexode Air 65W charger review

Back in May, Ugreen announced the Nexode and MagFlow Air compact chargers and small magnetic power banks.

I have already reviewed the excellent Ugreen MagFlow Air 5K Qi2 Power Bank, and this review is for a small 65W charger.

Not much to write home about in this review. It’s a 65W single port charger with retractable pins that’s perfect for traveling. It’s small and works as expected, and that’s the TLDR of this review.

Clarification

Unboxing / Design

There is not much in the box. You get the charger itself as well as a USB-C to USB-C cable, which is a nice touch considering how many single-port chargers go completely bare. The cable is a standard Ugreen item, which works better than premium braided, but saves you having to reach for yours.

The topic here is size. Ugreen quotes 33 x 31 x 54 mm and a weight of around 101g for the UK model, and it’s really small for something rated at 65W. The reason it is this compact is GaN, or gallium nitride. In plain terms, GaN switches much better and runs cooler than the old silicon used in traditional power supplies, so manufacturers can shrink housings without sacrificing wattage. Ugreen claims a power conversion efficiency of up to 93% and a size reduction of up to 70% compared to a typical 65W laptop brick, and while I’d treat any “up” figure with caution, the result is truly tangible.

It’s worth being honest about the UK version, though. The UK three-pin plug makes this bigger and heavier than the US model, coming in at around 72.9g and shorter accordingly. That’s the price we pay in this country for chunkier mains, and there’s nothing Ugreen can do about it. It’s still smaller than anything else I’ve used in this output, but if you’ve seen the US figures floating around, don’t expect the same numbers here.

The pins fold down into the body, which is a feature I really appreciate on the go. A folding plug means no exposed earth pin will break, and nothing sharp can get all over your bag. One small niggle is that the folding mechanism is a little tight to release, requiring a firm shake with a fingernail to get the pins out. The pop-up grip that pulled them out would have been a nice touch, and it’s the kind of thing that can loosen up with use.

You get one USB-C port and a choice of four colors: Space Gray, Orbit Orange, Starlight Blue, and Pure White. The build quality feels solid, the finish is clean and understated, and it fits nicely into the desk setting without drawing attention. Ugreen’s Thermal Guard temperature monitoring is on board to maintain heat for longer periods of time, ensuring just how much power is being pushed into such a small shell.

Working

I tested the X860 with a Dell Pro 16 Plus (my PB16250), a Xiaomi 17T Pro, and a Ugreen Nexode power bank with a smart digital display.

The first thing to understand is what 65W means in practice. It has plenty of power for phones, tablets, and portable laptops, but it’s not a particularly juiced-up workplace charger. The protocols offered are USB Power Delivery, PPS, and Quick Charge, which covers almost everything you might connect.

The Xiaomi 17T Pro is a good example of the trade-off. It houses a large 7,000mAh battery and supports up to 100W HyperCharge, and because the Xiaomi 17 series now plays nice with standard USB PD PPS, it will draw a healthy rate from a third-party charger rather than dropping to a slow rate. On the X860 it charges faster and slower, but the 65W ceiling means it won’t match the speed of Xiaomi’s 100W brick. Night or desk additions are not a problem. If you want the fastest possible charge before heading out the door, a compact charger is still the one to reach for.

The Dell Pro 16 Plus tells a similar story on the laptop side. A 16-inch device like this is happy to supply 100W or more, so 65W will charge it slowly and, under heavy duty, may hold the battery flat rather than filling it. It’s exactly what you’d expect from any 65W charger and not the X860’s fault. For simple office work, browsing, and keeping the battery running every time in a meeting or cafe, get the job done. For heavy continuous load such as rendering or gaming, you will want a full power adapter for the laptop.

The Ugreen Nexode power bank with digital display was a very useful test to verify the actual output, as the display reports incoming water. It’s a handy way to make sure the X860 delivers close to the rated price instead of relying on box claims, and Charger holds its own on this one.

As for the heat, the X860 starts to work, as any 65W charger in the shell is a small favorite. It wasn’t difficult to hold, and the Thermal Guard system seemed to do its job. This is normal behavior and nothing to worry about.

The obvious limitation is one port. With one USB-C output you can charge one device at a time, so if you need to pair a phone with a laptop you’re out of luck. That is the compromise you accept in the smallest possible space.

Pricing and Other Options

The Ugreen X860 Nexode Air 65W charger will be available in four colors: Space Grey, Orbit Orange, Starlight Blue, and Pure White. The UK price is set at £29.99.

Ugreen has many other small chargers, which may be a very attractive alternative.

The one that stood out to me was the Ugreen CD216, a 65W dual port charger that weighs 140g (40% heavier than the X860 Nexode Air) and has no retractable pins. But the CD216 does benefit from two USB-C ports, which I think makes it more versatile. RRP is the same, but was as low as £20, currently £23.

The Ugreen Nexode 65W 4-Port Charger with Foldable Plug (35532) is physically larger, 57 x 50 x 46 mm, giving it a volume of 131.1 cm3 vs 55.24 cm3, making the X860 58% smaller, but this benefits from three ports and one USB-A. RRP is £35, but available for £23.

At £29.99 RRP, the X860 is priced in line with Ugreen’s other 65W chargers, but those alternatives tend to sell for a few pounds less and give you more ports for the money. You pay a small premium for size and rolling pins over raw charging value.

All in all

As I said at the beginning of the review, there is not much to say about this charger. It works as expected, providing up to 65W charging and is the smallest charger I’ve used. The price is decent too, the RRP is the same as other 65W Ugreen chargers and will definitely be reduced after launch.

Personally, I don’t worry too much about having a very small charger, but when I’m on the go, I find the retractable pins handy. I’ve experienced the plastic pin disconnecting the charger before, and the risk of it getting into you or damaging another device if weight is placed on it. I find multi-port chargers more useful, as I definitely need to charge my phone as well.

If you’re looking for the smallest portable charger that can charge most laptops, you can’t go much smaller than the Ugreen X860 Nexode Air 65W Charger. Just walk in and you’ll know what’s compatible: a single port, a ceiling charger that fits the best of the most powerful 16-inch laptops, and a UK plug that adds bulk to the US version. A travel charger that stays forever in a bag, those are the easiest exchanges to live with.

I’m James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. I love all things technology, my expertise ranges from computers and networking to mobile phones, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness enthusiast who loves running and cycling, I am very interested in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, combining lifestyle, fitness, and the latest technology trends.

In my pursuit of education, I obtained a BSc in Information Systems Design at UCLAN, before furthering my studies with a Master’s Degree in Computing.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio consistently ranks Mighty Gadget as one of the top tech blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and passion to share my knowledge, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.

I work directly with companies that review products or their chosen PR agency.

For Communications, you can reach me at:

Twitter/X – Instagram – Facebook – LinkedIn – Strava