UGREEN 3-in-1 Wireless Charger 2022 REVIEW - MacSources

2022-08-08 09:13:10 By : Ms. Sophie An

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Charge your MagSafe Compatible iPhone (12/13 series), Apple Watch Series 1-5, SE, 6-7, AirPods Gen 2, AirPods Pro, and Generation 3 through a single USB-C cable. Enjoy plenty of wireless power for each of the three devices in a concise, attractive, convenient, bedside 3-in-1 device. With up to 15W output for your phone and 5W for each of the other two ports, you can reduce your desktop clutter while keeping your devices charged. Even though the device is a bit costly, you definitely get what you pay for and the UGREEN charger did not disappoint.

When I asked my wife to name her biggest tech annoyance, she said it would definitely be the plethora of cords/cables/chargers, etc. She jokingly continued, “I mean, seriously, you have an entire tech bag, organizer, man-purse thing of just dongles.”  As an homage to dad jokes, I retorted that I needed to be the one to supply her with a dongle.

As an Apple fan, I have had to adopt several methods to adapt between USB-A, USB-C, Micro-USB, HDMI, HDMI-mini, Lightning, VGA, and DisplayPort, to name a few. Despite the options, my nightstand would look like a snake den without dedicated cable routing and management. USB Hubs can work but often lead to a jumble of cords. For those who wish to charge their iPhone, AirPods Pro, and Apple Watch, consider the convenient 3-in-1 Wireless Charger from UGREEN.

The 3-in-1 Wireless Charger arrived in an attractive silver-colored retail package measuring at 8 inches long by 4 1/4 inches thick and 4 1/2 inches tall. The cover panel displayed the white company name at the left upper corner, the generic product name just beneath the company name, and a large “Made in China Sticker” rested at the bottom left. The main showcase of the panel was the slightly-raised, glossy image of the iPhone/AirPods/Apple Watch charger.

The sleek white base, silver-chrome stand, MagSafe charging ring, and energy display paired nicely against the silver background. I liked that they included three vertically stacked charging icons to represent the available devices.   The top panel displayed a similarly raised/glossy view of the charger. However, the image showcased the MagSafe stand and charging base without any added devices.

To the side of the image, the company included three product-defining icons: 15W MagSafe Compatibility, Snap and Go (magnet icon), and a picture of a tiltable base for the adjustable viewing angle. Below the icons, you will find a few short sentences detailing the product compatibility with iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods.  

The back panel proved to be a bit busier than the other panels, but proved necessary for the tech specifications and compatibility options. The silver background may not have been the ideal surface for the dark grey font but worked nicely for the white headings. The product promised 5V/3A 9V/3A or 12V/2.75A input, 25W max output: 15W iPhone, 5W Apple Watch, 5W AirPods, compatibility with any wireless charging iPhone (MagSafe or not), and cases.

The “Made for” list included Apple Watch Series 1-5, SE, and Series 6-7, iPhone 12/12 Max/12 Pro/12 Pro Max/13/13 Pro/13 Pro Max, AirPods 2nd Generation, AirPods Pro, AirPods 3rd Generation. Finally, you will find a description of the MFI name/meaning at the top right of the panel and SKU barcode, product manufacturing labels, plus address information along the bottom of the panel.

I removed the outer slipcover, lifted the top off the internal silver box, and removed the internal components. The charger base took up the entirety of the bottom of the box, while a 3 3/8 inches tall by 3 3/4 inches wide by 1 3/8 inches thick accessory box was nestled next to the MagSafe post. Before throwing the outer packaging away, make sure to remove the card-stock instruction card, the A1 User Instruction (WEEE/FCC/IC/Warranty information), a small anti-slip silicone pad (individually wrapped), and the five-page user manual.

I opened the accessory box and removed the coiled 60-inches long USB-C to USB-C cable. Even though I was pleased with the generous length, the clean white color, and the USB-C/USB-C nature of the cable, I did not like the amount of wasted space within the accessory box. Personally, the box could have been 50% of the size and still had room to spare.

I plugged a Kanex GoPower USB wall charger into my wall outlet, a Klein Tools Multimeter into the USB-C port, and then the USB-C cable between the Multimeter and UGREEN charger. Once the charger was plugged into the multimeter, the Klein Tools Multimeter displayed 12.02V/0.06A without anything attached. 

I set my iPhone 13 Pro Max onto the charging stand and noticed the power icon illuminated on the screen. Starting at 8:22 PM at 35% power, the multimeter displayed 11.97V/1.2A. When I removed the phone, the multimeter returned to 12.02V/0.06A.   I added my 44mm Series 6 Apple Watch to the flat watch charging post and found the watch charging display activated. Starting at 8:25 PM at 62% power, the multimeter displayed 12.03V/.12A. I again removed the watch and noted that the multimeter displayed 12.03V/0.05-0.06A.

I placed my AirPods Pro, within a Catalyst Total Protection AirPods Pro Case, upon the central post and the multimeter showed 12.03V/.28A, while the AirPods Pro case was at 94%. I replaced the phone onto the stand, pressed the posterior button to raise the watch post, placed the watch upon the charger, and let the three items charge for 10 minutes. With all three devices attached, the multimeter displayed 11.97V/1.43A. By 8:38 PM, my iPhone 13 Pro Max was at 43%, my Apple Watch was at 57%, and my AirPods Pro case displayed 98%.

By 9:31, my iPhone Pro 13 Max was at 76%, my Apple Watch was at 97%, and the AirPods Pro had long since charged to full. By 9:57 PM, the iPhone was at 90% power, while the multimeter displayed 11.97V/0.82A. I removed the AirPods Pro, removed the Apple Watch, and allowed the iPhone 13 Pro Max to charge to full by 10:28 PM.  

The UGREEN base measured 3 1/2 inches wide by 6 3/4 inches long by 5/8 inches tall and had a rear USB-C port. The bottom panel had a 1/2 inch diameter rubberized foot at each of the four corners and a centralized informational section with the product name, specifications, and product manufacturing labels. The sterile white base had mid-chrome accents, which added a needed touch of flare.

The UGREEN name was printed at the front edge of the base section, just above the LED indicator light. From left to right, you will find a 3 1/8 inches tall by 3/8 inches diameter raised phone mount with a 2 1/4 inches sidearm. Attached to the arm, you will find a 2 5/16 inches diameter by 3/8 inches thick white-colored MagSafe mount with a surrounding chrome accent.

The MagSafe base was attached to the side arm and was capable of rotating parallel with the floor and to approximately 60 degrees, but not to a full ninety degrees. Adjacent to the raised phone arm, you will find a 2 inches wide by 1 3/8 inches tall AirPods depression charger. Lastly, you will find a 1 1/4 inches diameter white-colored watch charger with a surrounding chrome accent, similar to the MagSafe phone charger mentioned above.  

The flat charging port rested within a larger 1 1/2 inches diameter port, which allowed enough clearance for the port to open to nearly 90 degrees. To convert between flat charging and upright charging, simply press the 9/16 inches wide by 1/8 inches tall chrome button along the back of the charger base. The device will provide a refreshing “click” while the Apple Watch charging pad appeared to catapult toward me. I would not recommend pressing the button while your watch remains attached to the base, as it will jettison your watch.

Luckily, the strong magnetic attachment reduced the distance to only a few inches from the base. The included silicone pad will add an extra cushion to the edge of your watch to reduce falls and drops. To install the accessory, place your watch onto the charger, remove the sticky backing from the silicone pad, bend the watch down slightly, align the sticker, and press the sticker down onto the base.

If you are a perfectionist, I can imagine that this step may be a bit frustrating. I think the company could have improved this process by creating a small depression or outline to align the sticker. If you have ever tried to put stickers onto children’s toys, then you may understand the frustration of trying to align a sticker freehand.  

I used the watch charger in both the upright and retracted positions, rotated the phone from vertical to landscape, and charged my AirPods Pro within the Catalyst case and without the case. I loved the rigid footprint of the base and found that it was quite secure even with the phone attached. The rubberized feet provided strong gripping power and the base never moved.

I rotated the MagSafe base from parallel with the lower base to perpendicular and was pleased with the strong-secure attachment between the magnet and phone. I loved that I could rotate the phone away from the base, apply the Watch and AirPods Pro to their respective charging points, and then rotate the phone back into the proper position. I used cable management tabs to orient the cable and found that this device reduced the number of wires on my end table by two. 

My wife loved the reduced clutter and appreciated the clean/sterile appearance of the UGREEN device. She noted that the 3-in-1 Wireless Charger had an Apple-esque feel and proudly displayed the three Apple devices. Although the device was a bit bright against the wooden-themed bedside table, I welcomed the ability to charge all three of my portable electronic devices without having to come up with additional cables.

I appreciated their instruction manual and more specifically, the installation card. The only thing missing from the UGREEN 3-in-1 Wireless device was a slight depression for a wedding ring. Perhaps the second generation device will provide a ring depression at one of the left corners. Throughout the testing phase, I struggled to find concerns or problematic features except for the excess cardboard of the accessory box and perhaps the overall cost. However, the elements, the design, the reductionist cable management, chrome accents, power output, etc., suggested glamour and extravagance.

More than a simple charger, the device will provide a side table phone stand. Watch your favorite program in vertical/landscape mode, play music at your desk, turn on nightstand mode, and enjoy the classy, elegant stand. The charging cable, shape, design, and placement of the charging ports were aligned well on the device. The charging rates proved to be adequate and appeared to meet the suggested rates on the box. The base never became hot to the touch and provided an attractive bedside charging experience. 

For more information, visit ugreen.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

I am a father of 4, a full-time physician, movie-fan, Cub Scout Leader, part-time gamer and I have a touch of the prepper. I absolutely love science and tech. My goal is to ensure I get the best product and price. My kids and I love games on our Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Oculus Quest, Pokemon GO and anything superhero.

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