Ugreen Nexode 100W retractable USB-C cable
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Compact, palm-size design that extends out to 1 meter/3.3 feet
- The cable is E-marker chipped to handle up to 100W
- The retractor reel is strong and can withstand 28kg/56lb.
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Cables are a source of never-ending frustration. Despite taking the time to carefully and methodically wrap them after each and every use using the over-under method, they always come out of my laptop bag looking like a deranged bird’s nest. This leads to unwanted frustration, wasted time, and far too much tearing of hair.
I’ve tried keeping the cables in little stuff sacks, but I’m just not tidy enough for that. I’ve also tried using small keychain cables. They work, sort of, but I always run into situations that require a longer cable. What I need is a longish table that resists tangling.
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Ugreen has the answer with this retractable USB-C cable. Part of the company’s Nexode brand, it’s the latest product to adopt a retractable cable.
This cable has everything I need.
First, it’s good for 100W of power transfer, which isn’t the full 140W that things like my MacBook Pro can handle, but it’s more than good enough for my on-the-go needs. It has a built-in E-marker chip, so it’s detected by any device that can use high-speed charging, allowing the correct, safest power to be negotiated for every device.
The flat, ribbon-style cable resists tangles and abrasion, extends out to 3.3 feet/1 meter, can lock out at four convenient preset lengths, and retracts neatly into a package that sits comfortably in the palm of your hand or your pocket — and we all know how tangled cables can get in a pocket.
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Most people’s first concern about retractable reels is that they’ll stop retracting. I’ve been using my test cable for a few weeks now, and the retractor used in this reel is smooth and precise, and after many hundreds of uses, it is still as good as new.
This is a 56 pound/28 kg weight being dangled by the cable.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Ugreen claims that the reel and cable can handle up to 28kg/56lb of force, and that certainly seems to be the case — I dangled a 56-pound steel weight from mine, being careful to keep my feet out of the way in case the worst happened. Fortunately, the worst didn’t happen, and nothing gave way.
ZDNET’s buying advice
I’m impressed by Nexode’s recent product releases — there’s real innovation backed by excellent design and engineering. Every product I’ve tested has been a hit, and this 100W retractable cable is no exception.
The setup works great for me. It’s quick to deploy and even quicker to pack away, and it works reliably every time. I can attest to it being one strong bit of kit.
For $14, this Ugreen Nexode retractable USB-C cable is a must-buy. It’s practical, reliable, and tough, and it solves all my cable woes in one fell swoop.
