The Nexode 165W power bank from UGREEN is a new addition to the Nexode family. The power bank has an output of 165 watts and a capacity of 20,000 mAh. This should make it particularly interesting for laptop users, vacationers or frequent chargers. The annoying problem of forgetting the cable for the power bank as soon as you need it is also a thing of the past. After all, the Nexode 165W power bank comes with an integrated USB-C cable. It is also designed for travel so that it can be taken on a plane without any problems despite the 100 Wh limit. A TFT display is also used, which clearly shows the battery status and the input and output power of the individual ports.
The following test should clarify what else the UGREEN Nexode 165W power bank has to offer and whether it is worth buying.
Technical data
| Model | PB726 |
| Color | gray |
| Dimensions (L x W x D) | 146 × 54 × 50 mm |
| Battery capacity | 20,000 mAh / 72 Wh |
| Nominal capacity | 11,600 mAh (5V⎓7A) |
| Connections | 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x USB-C (wired) |
| Input power |
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| Output power |
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| Max. Output |
165 W (USB-C + USB-C wired) |
| Charging time | approx. 1.5 hours (PD 100W charger) |
| Price: | € 89.99 * |
Scope of delivery
- Limited to the essentials
- Includes power bank, USB-C cable and instructions
- Fabric bag protects against scratches on the go
As is usual with power banks, the scope of delivery of the UGREEN Nexode 165W power bank is limited to the essentials. In addition to the charger itself, a USB-C cable and other documents such as the operating instructions are included. The included fabric bag not only makes the powerbank suitable for traveling, but also protects it from scratches during transport.
Appearance & workmanship
- Robust, angular design – looks high-quality and functional
- High build quality without visible defects
- Large display is reflective, difficult to read in the sun
With its angular design, the Nexode UGREEN 165W power bank looks more like a brick that is as long as an iPhone 16 from the outside. This shape makes it appear both robust and functional. The material used is a combination of matt black and gray plastic with rounded edges. When you hold it in your hand, you can already feel its weight. The design also makes it clear that it differs from classic flat power banks. Depending on your perspective, this may be seen as an advantage or disadvantage. A typical weakness would be that it is difficult to fit into a trouser pocket in this format. Not to mention the noticeable bulge in it, which is why it is better to keep it in your pocket. Nevertheless, the Nexode 165W Powerbank makes a good impression in terms of feel.
The UGREEN Nexode 165W Powerbank also scores well in terms of workmanship. There are no visible gaps and no other processing defects were found in the test. In fact, it looks as if the entire casing is made from a single cast part. A look at the underside shows that rubberized stand strips are also used. In addition to stability, these also prevent slipping on smooth surfaces. The large, reflective TFT display on the front also leaves a positive impression. It is clearly set off in a black frame and thus stands out stylishly from the rest of the look. However, higher brightness values would be desirable, as some of the readability is lost in direct sunlight – especially as the display of the UGREEN Nexode 165W Powerbank is already reflective anyway.
Features
- All connections are located on the front
- Retractable USB-C cable delivers up to 100 W charging power
- TFT display shows real-time data including power curve
All connections of the power bank are located on the front. There is a dedicated USB-C port here, which can be used either as an input or output. Next to this is another USB-A port, which is used exclusively as an output. About a finger’s width below this is the USB-C cable, which is flush-mounted in the housing and stays firmly in place magnetically. The cable can be extended up to 65 centimetres and allows for five predefined clamping lengths. This enables charging currents of up to 100 watts in both input and output mode. If both USB-C ports are used for fast charging, the maximum 165 watts of the power bank are fully available. Simultaneous charging of three devices is also possible with the UGREEN Nexode 165W power bank – all ports would be occupied and the charging current would be limited to 120 watts.
The highlight of the power bank is the TFT display, which shows a variety of data on the individual charge levels in real time. The general battery status is shown, symbolized by a coloured circle in the middle, as well as the three available connection options below it. During a charging process, the respective port is illuminated and the charging current is shown in watts. The whole thing is thus divided into the USB-C ports C1 and C2 and the USB-A port as A. Meanwhile, a prediction appears in the upper display bar, indicating when the power bank will be empty or how long it will take to charge the Nexode.
A small symbol also appears in this area as soon as the power bank is in trickle charging mode. This is specially designed for smaller devices with very low power consumption, such as smartwatches or in-ear headphones. The low power mode can be activated by pressing and holding the button on the side for around three seconds. A short press of the button, on the other hand, switches to a second interface. Here, the power curve, current and voltage of each individual connection are displayed in detail.
Practical test: How good is the power bank?
- Smartphones and laptops are reliably charged with up to 100 watts
- … if the end devices do not have a proprietary charging protocol
- Clear display with smiley animations in standby mode
Test scenarios
For the practical test, we rely on everyday use and do not want to convey this using artificial examples. The UGREEN Nexode 165W power bank went into the work bag and daypack several times. There was no need to charge the smartphone from the socket in the meantime, as the power bank was to take over this task continuously from then on. For the power test, we also used other devices to utilize the remaining ports. As we shall see, the UGREEN Nexode 165W power bank with a capacity of 20,000 mAh can meet the requirements.
The issue with proprietary charging protocols
We were able to fully charge our Xiaomi 13T Pro several times until the power bank stopped working. This showed that a full charge from 0 to 100 percent takes around 57 minutes. However, at around 27 watts, the average output current is significantly lower than the possible charging power of the smartphone. And this is where the different proprietary charging protocols of the smartphone manufacturers come into play. In concrete terms, this means that 120-watt charging via a socket only works with the in-house power supply unit and external chargers that do not support this technology charge the device more slowly. Of course, this applies to all chargers and power banks in the same way.
Before buying, however, you should be aware of this and compare the compatible charging protocols. Regardless of this, the UGREEN Nexode 165W Powerbank supports the widely used PowerDelivery (PD) and QuickCharge (QC) protocols, which are used by most manufacturers. This means that the full output current of up to 100 watts can be fully utilized at the USB-C ports.
Simultaneous charging
The power tests then teased a significantly higher performance level out of the UGREEN Nexode 165W power bank. When charging a laptop (Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Pro X) via the wired USB-C port, alternating values of up to 95 watts were achieved, while the other two ports simultaneously supplied the smartphone and ANC headphones (Bose QuietComfort 35 II) with stable power. The same applies to various other devices, such as the Apple iPhone 15 and wearables like the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini or HUAWEI Watch Fit 4 Pro. In the latter case in particular, the trickle charging mode came into play, whereby the power bank remains on in the low current range and does not switch itself off due to low voltage values.
The Nexode therefore performed well in the test and was able to charge all desired devices as usual. With the exception of the Xiaomi 13T Pro, no noticeable charging differences were observed when testing individual devices compared to the manufacturers’ power banks. A slight hum can only be heard with power-intensive devices such as laptops with a high output power. Otherwise, the power bank remains inconspicuous or silent.
The power bank can be charged in two ways – either directly via the integrated USB-C cable or alternatively with a separate cable via the USB-C port. A full charge can take around 1.5 hours, provided you have a power adapter with at least 100 watts and PD support. When a device is plugged in, the UGREEN Nexode 165W power bank is activated automatically. Conversely, it switches off again after a certain delay if all devices are disconnected. Of course, this can also be done manually using the on/off button on the side. As a little extra, smiley animations can be seen in standby mode, which change depending on the battery status. This nice gimmick draws attention to the power bank.
UGREEN Nexode 165W power bank test: Conclusion
The UGREEN Nexode 165W powerbank fully fulfills its purpose and is one of the powerbanks suitable for everyday use. However, it does not offer any particularly spectacular features, although this is not necessary for the Nexode anyway. Rather, it should be seen as another member of UGREEN’s own power bank series with slightly modified features. For example, the capacity and output power differ from the in-house reference models. Thanks to a total output of 165 watts and an integrated USB-C cable, the power bank is suitable for mobile use and can be used to charge all devices, from laptops and cell phones to tablets, while on the go. With 20,000 mAh, it enables multiple charging depending on the device, making it a handy companion for travel, work and everyday life.
One point of criticism is of course the somewhat dark display, which is likely to be more noticeable on sunny vacations. And its own form factor also has the disadvantage that you can’t easily put it in your trouser pocket – better put it in your jacket pocket. With a current retail price of around 90 euros, it also operates in a highly competitive market – even within its own brand family. Over time, the price is likely to come down a little, as is usually the case with technical accessories.
If you take advantage of the current market launch discount of around €20, for example in the form of a coupon like the one currently available on Amazon, you will get a tried-and-tested power bank at a convincing price-performance ratio. As far as its core competence is concerned, it remains powerful: fast, powerful and yet quite inconspicuous.
- High output power
- Integrated USB-C cable
- Clear display with real-time data
- Low power mode
- Display difficult to read in direct sunlight
- Only fits in your pocket to a limited extent
UGREEN Nexode 165W Powerbank
Processing
Hardware
Performance
Price-performance ratio
90/100
The UGREEN Nexode 165W power bank impresses with its powerful performance and well thought-out features such as trickle charging and a clear TFT display. All this makes it a loyal companion for on the go - even though it lacks any real unique selling points.
