UGreen Nexode Mini 30W review: an ultra-compact, speedy phone charger

A nifty little single-port plug perfect for on-the-go charging

UGreen Nexode Mini 30W against pink background
(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

If you're looking for a small-sized, stylish charging plug, the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W is a strong option. With a maximum power output of 30W, you'll be able to swiftly recharge your phone, tablet, wireless earbuds and more, though not simultaneously. With a foldable design and modest list price, you can be confident that this plug is well worth the money.

Pros

  • +

    Compact design

  • +

    Super-fast charging

  • +

    Reasonable price

Cons

  • -

    Only one charging port

  • -

    Charging cable sold separately

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UGreen Nexode Mini 30W review

The UGreen Nexode Mini 30W is a brilliantly compact USB-C charging plug ideal for those looking for a fast phone charger.

The plug comes in two different color variants: Silver Grey (more of a dark gray color) and Blue (which has a white tint to it). Both look and feel decent quality-wise, but perhaps the best aspect of their design is their size and shape.

That’s because the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W is only 2 x 1.8 x 1.5 inches / 50 x 46 x 39 mm, making it considerably smaller than the plug you used to get with a new Samsung phone, for example. For those looking for a charger that’s super easy to carry around in a pocket, this is an excellent option – it’s also pretty lightweight, meaning it scores very well on overall portability.

The only real limitation of the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W’s design is that you’re only getting a single USB-C port. So, if you’re hoping to charge multiple devices from a single port, this won’t serve you too well. There are a number of UGreen chargers, such as the UGreen USB-C 40W, that counteract this, so check your options.

How fast is the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W at charging? Pretty fast! Thanks to its 30W power output, Android phones with Super-Fast Charging – including my personal phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – can fill up very quickly. It took my phone just under 80 minutes to fully recharge when using the Nexode Mini 30W – the sort of speed I'd expect from the best Android phone chargers. If your device can handle faster charging, you’re guaranteed a very swift charge with this plug.

Although the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W is limited to one port, it’s able to charge your devices very quickly and it’s super compact, making it an excellent option if all you need is a new phone charger – especially given its very reasonable price of just $16.99 / £17.99.

UGreen Nexode Mini 30W prongs half folded into the charger

(Image credit: Future)

UGreen Nexode Mini 30W review: Price & specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Price $16.99 / £17.99 (about AU$25)
Total power output30W
Number of ports1
Port type(s)1x USB-C
Dimensions 2 x 1.8 x 1.5 inches / 50 x 46 x 39mm

UGreen Nexode Mini 30W balanced on prongs showing USB-C port

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W?

Buy it if…

You’re looking for a compact charger
The UGreen Nexode Mini 30W is considerably smaller than the charging plugs you used to get with a Samsung or Apple phone. If want a charger that will fit in your pocket, the Nexode Mini 30W is a strong option.

You only want to charge your phone
If you’re only really looking to charge your phone, you can’t go wrong with the Nexode Mini 30W. It only has one port – a USB-C variant – so make sure you have a USB-C to USB-C cable if you want to charge your iPhone, Android, or other devices.

Don't buy it if…

You need to charge multiple devices (or one big device)
So yeah, if you want to charge a tablet or laptop as well as your phone, look elsewhere. UGreen offers a number of chargers primed for juicing up multiple devices, such as the UGreen USB-C 40W, which has two USB-C ports.

You don’t want to buy a new USB-C cable
If you have an older iPhone and a USB-A cable, this won’t be the cheapest option available to you. If you’re looking to save the most money possible and don’t fancy buying a new cable, look for an alternative.

UGreen Nexode Mini 30W: Also consider

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W)
If you want a stylish, small, equally speedy alternative, the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) is the perfect candidate. This charger has an attractive, textured exterior, beautiful color options and foldable prongs. It's only slightly more expensive than the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W, at $18.99 / £19.99 (about AU$30).

Harry Padoan
Staff Writer

Harry is a Reviews Staff Writer for TechRadar. He reviews everything from party speakers to portable battery packs, but has a particular interest in the worlds of gaming and smartphones. Harry has a background in business tech journalism, particularly around the telecoms industry.