5 days ago
Ugreen 500W GaN review: Future-proof charging for laptops, phones, and more
Ugreen's new 500W 6-Port GaN charger is a one-stop solution for all your charging needs, including power-hungry laptops, tablets, phones, and, according to Ugreen, some e-bikes. I've spent a few weeks with this on my desk and for travel, and if you're the kind of person who travels with a laptop, a tablet, two phones and a drone, this charger is calling your name.
Design
The charger is a rectangular space grey block that wouldn't look out of place next to a Mac Studio. It's compact for what it offers (146 x 114.6 x 60.6mm), and while it's not pocketable, it sits discreetly on a desk. The matte finish resists fingerprints, and the rubber feet keep it anchored during use.
This 500W charger is six chargers in one, combining impressive power with practical convenience. What makes it especially appealing is how much it helps reduce desk clutter. Instead of needing multiple chargers and tangled cables that take up space and power sockets, this all-in-one solution streamlines everything into a compact unit. It's ideal for a minimalist desk setup, keeping things tidy, efficient, and visually clean while freeing up additional power points for other gear.
Ports galore
The layout is straightforward, featuring five USB-C ports and one USB-A port. But the real headline? USB-C1 supports the PD3.1 standard, pushing a jaw-dropping 240W through a single port. Yes, that means it can charge a high-performance gaming laptop, or even certain e-bikes, from a USB port. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with any charging cable, and while I have a drawer full of them, not all cables are made equal. You shouldn't assume you'll get 100W of power if the cable doesn't support that level of power. I bought a Ugreen 240W cable to see if I could push close to the rated output, but unfortunately, I don't have any devices that require that much power. I also found the 240W port to be quite picky — some cables wouldn't charge from it at all, even though they worked fine with the other ports.
The other USB-C ports each deliver up to 100W, which is ideal for charging everything from tablets to smaller laptops. The USB-A port caps out at 22.5W — still enough for fast-charging your headphones or legacy tech.
I tested it with a MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Steam Deck, Asus Ally X, and a Sony camera battery charger, all running simultaneously. The MacBook had the biggest draw, with up to 140W from the 240W port, but other devices, such as the Ally X and several power banks, were able to achieve the rated 100W from the other ports. No hiccups or throttling as long as you use the correct cables.
Smarter than your average brick
The 500W charger features six embedded GaN chips, enabling 95% energy conversion and resulting in less heat and increased efficiency. The NTC temperature monitoring system checks thermal conditions 100 times a second, and it worked well in my real-world test. The charger stays cool under load, and the built-in orientation sensor, which reduces output when tipped over, is a clever safeguard against accidental mishaps.
Ugreen clearly prioritised safety, too. With 11 protection protocols, from over-current to flame-retardant casing. It feels like using a product engineered for serious pros.
All the smarts are on the inside, which is great, but I'd love it if the charger had a display showing real-time charging rates. I realise this would add to the cost and not everyone finds it necessary, but I really appreciate having that extra information.
Verdict:
Ugreen's 500W GaN charger is a compact, intelligent power hub for multi-device users. For anyone managing multiple high-demand devices, the Ugreen 500W GaN charger is a no-brainer. It's overkill for casual users, but a dream for power users, creators, and road warriors. While the 240W port isn't widely supported just yet, it's reassuring to know that you're future-proofed as more high-powered devices begin to adopt the standard.
€200 Ugreen
