Anyone invested in the Apple ecosystem must face the need for multiple USB-C ports when at home and away, with iPhones, iPads and Macs waiting to be connected these days. But in many cases, there’s a lingering need for USB-A to charge older devices, and that’s where Ugreen’s 4-in-1 100W GaN X Fast Charger comes in handy.
The charger packs three USB-C ports along with one USB-A port, but despite that throwback it offers state-of-the-art gallium nitride technology, which is popular with modern power adapters because it allows for better power efficiency resulting in more compact product designs. . Suitable for travel.
I got a chance to test Ugreen’s multi-port charger in both its UK and US variants, and the first thing to notice is that the US version is a more portable design. It’s a slim square brick that fits in the palm of your hand – it’s slightly smaller than Apple’s 67W UK charger that comes with the 14-inch MacBook Pro, and benefits from the ability to fold the two-pin A plug inside the body.
In contrast, the UK model has a large chunky shape with rounded corners, and the three-pin D plug isn’t foldable or retractable, making it difficult to slip neatly into a travel bag without snagging on something.
Other than that, both models are functionally identical and feature a built-in “Power-X” power delivery system that can intelligently adjust power output to protect a device’s battery. Basically, the power distribution system allows the charger to adjust the power delivered to each port based on what is plugged in. The top two ports are capable of delivering a maximum of 100W, while the third is capable of up to 22.5W, and the bottom USB-A port offers 22.5W.
Ugreen claims this means it can charge an iPhone 13 to 60% in 30 minutes or fully charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro in 1.5 hours, and thanks to the latest GaN chipset, it’s three times faster than Apple’s standard iPhone charger. These claims stand up to scrutiny in my testing, though the big caveat here is of course that they only apply when a device is plugged into a charger and into the relevant port for its power needs.
Ugreen has a graphic (shown above) that explains the variable wattage of different ports based on what’s plugged in. For example, if you have two devices connected to the first two (100W) ports, the top port outputs 65W and the second port only provides 30W. As you’d expect, the charger’s power output gets divided the more devices you connect. For example, when all four ports are occupied, the first (100W) port tops out at 45W, so if you want to prioritize a particular device for fast charging at maximum wattage, you’ll need to consider what you’re plugging in.
Unfortunately neither the US nor UK models have the maximum wattage marked on the individual ports, so I wasn’t always sure which port was the right one to use to power my MacBook Pro at the full 100W, but it didn’t take me long to memorize them. So I don’t have to refer to the included manual. But remembering all the variable combinations is a bit more complicated – it’s best to just accept that the more devices you charge, the longer they will take to reach full battery capacity.
The chargers have an “over temperature protection” system that takes five temperature readings per second for added protection, which is a feature that isn’t obvious but still exists.
final thought
Ugreen could have designed this 4-in-1 charger as a larger unit with a fixed power output for several USB-C devices, but instead it opted for a more compact unit with variable power distribution. If you want to use it to charge multiple devices overnight, this won’t be a problem, but if you want to quickly charge a single power-hungry device like a MacBook Pro, you might want to consider this one. Opt for a single charger or a heavier option.
The addition of a USB-A port is a welcome nod to the number of older devices still in circulation, and adds flexibility to the charger, even if it means sacrificing a fourth USB-C port. All in all, this makes the Ugreen 100W charger a useful, travel-friendly unit (especially the US variant) that’s definitely worth having on hand when you’re away.
The Ugreen 100W Mulitport Charger is available to order on the Amazon US and Amazon UK websites for $79.99 (or $63.99 with coupon application) and £79.99 respectively.
MacRumors is an authorized partner with Amazon. When you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps keep our site running. Ugreen provided the charger for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
