It’s hard for any manufacturer to stand out in the sea of MagSafe accessories, but they are based in California Bedouin goods (Opens in a new tab) He lays his head over those foamy waves with premium Apple accessories that undermine Apple’s often expensive proprietary options. Nomad is not limited to MagSafe accessories, it offers a wide range of products covering chargers, cases, holders and more for the entire Apple range, so we wanted to take a closer look.
Take Apple’s latest 35W Dual USB-C Power Adapter, for example. It costs $59 however, it can’t quickly charge your laptop and phone at the same time. On the other hand, Nomad offers a 65W dual-port charger for $70. Not only does it power two devices at maximum capacity but also, thanks to GaN technology, it’s the same size as the Apple 35W accessory. The difference in size is huge when you consider the Apple 67W Adapter.
Likewise, Nomad sells a variety of other accessories largely dedicated to Apple users, such as dual MagSafe hubs, MagSafe stands on your desk, wireless chargers for charging up to three devices simultaneously, and more. We’ve been testing some of the best sellers from Nomad’s ecosystem over the past few weeks, and we’re ready to reflect on whether you should buy them instead of Apple alternatives in this higher-end price segment.
one base max
Base One Max is one of the main accessories of Nomad. It is a dual MagSafe charger that can wirelessly charge iPhone and Apple Watch side by side. What sets this apart from other similar efforts, including those of Apple, is the design and build quality.
You can tell that the Base One Max is a high-end accessory just by taking it apart. Its thick metal base weighs 2 pounds, ensuring that the platform doesn’t budge when you remove your iPhone or Apple Watch. It is easy to use especially considering that the MagSafe magnet of the accessory is very strong and you have to do a small swiping and pulling motion to remove your device.
The elements on top of the chassis are also well built. In the first half, you’ll find a round, white MagSafe disk for charging your iPhone or other Qi-compatible device. It is mounted on a raised glass platform so that it is easy for you to catch and check notifications. On the other side is a vertical charging dial that lets you put your Apple Watch into Nightstand Mode. The disc itself is metal-coated for a sturdier installation.
Although I was initially concerned about the weight of the Base One Max, after a few weeks of use it now seems like a no brainer. Since the accessory always sits in the same spot next to my bed, the added heft keeps it there when I constantly put on and remove my devices. For home use, this is largely preferred over the Apple Duo Charger, which is more portable, but the thin, foldable design is difficult to clean and hold in place on your desk or nightstand. In addition, the Base One Max also looks nicer to match the rest of the décor and comes in three colors: white, black and gold.
It can wirelessly charge an iPhone that supports MagSafe at 15W and Apple Watch at 5W. Since it’s largely targeted at Apple devices, normal Qi charging for other devices is limited to 7.5W.
Like the Apple Duo charger, the Base One Max needs a minimum 30W adapter to work, which you’ll have to buy separately, but Nomad bundles a braided USB Type-C cable. The Nomad Base One Max costs $150 (although it’s usually on sale for less) — $20 more than the Apple MagSafe Duo charger, and for people who regularly charge their iPhone and Apple Watch at their bedside, it’s a must-have accessory.
MagSafe Mount Stand
By far my favorite Nomad accessory is the MagSafe Mount Stand. one pitfalls Switch to Face ID is that when the iPhone is lying on a flat surface like your desk, you cannot open it without picking it up. It’s even worse when the phone is connected to a MagSafe charger because the extra cable and magnetic pull make countering the front sensor even more challenging.
Enter the Nomad MagSafe Mount. It is a single block of zinc alloy, its only function is to hold your phone upright when it is attached to the MagSafe disk. On its own, it looks like a 3D printed item, but when you install a MagSafe charger on it, it turns into a holder that every iPhone owner desperately needs.
The MagSafe Mount Stand sits at the perfect angle whether you’re taking FaceTime calls or watching a video in landscape mode. The MagSafe disc fits into the circular casing on top and a small suction bar at the back grips the cable. You can then simply place your iPhone on the tilted stand and the MagSafe magnets will immediately stick to it.
The highlight of Nomad’s MagSafe Mount Stand is, of course, its weight. At 21 ounces, it may seem quite heavy, but it actually prevents the setup from falling off or moving at all when you tap or shift your phone’s screen. The elongated rubber base provides extra grip and keeps the stand firmly in position.
It’s a little expensive for $60, which doesn’t even include a MagSafe cable, but honestly, I’d still recommend it. The MagSafe Mount Stand has been a lifesaver as I have been growing frustrated with Face ID. I no longer need to pick up my iPhone to unlock it to read a text. It may sound trivial, but for someone who sits at a desk for hours on end, it’s the best accessory I’ve invested in and solves my biggest pet peeve with an iPhone.
65 watt power adapter
Nomad’s range of GaN capable transducers come in three types: 20W, 30W, and 65W. The presence of GaN (gallium nitride) technology has allowed Nomad to scale these transducers to a size that fits in the palm of your hand.
The 65-watt adapter, in particular, is one of the lightest I’ve used, and the foldable prongs make for a slim, portable design. For comparison, it’s about half the size of the Apple 67W adapter.
It has two USB-C PD ports, both of which are capable of delivering 65W of power on their own. However, when you have two devices connected, the upper port provides 45W and the lower one provides 20W. It works as expected and can charge your M1 MacBook and iPhone simultaneously.
Although, I wish Nomad had introduced a 65W adapter that delivers equal power from both ports. If you plug Nomad’s Base One Max into the top port, you’ll end up wasting 15 watts of power, and the bottom 20 watt port won’t support all of that. On the other hand, two 30W outlets will be enough to power the Base One Max (iPhone and Apple Watch) as well as MacBook Air.
The Nomad 65W adapter is also more expensive ($70) than the Anker Nano II 65W charger ($50). The only advantage the Nomad has is that the adapter is a bit lighter, and the sleek aluminum profile is better.
Horween leather and sports bags
I also had the opportunity to try Nomad leather and sports bags. Although the former is available for older iPhones like XS, iPads, AirPods and more, the latter is limited to the latest iPhone 13 series.
Contrary to what you might think, the sports bag is the highlight here. Its simple exterior is made of hard plastic but don’t let the shiny look fool you. It has a confident, comfortable grip and most importantly, the anodized aluminum buttons are easy to click and of high quality. Nomad says it can survive drops of up to 6 feet and I believe them: I fell iPhone 13 mini Twice it has survived without any scuffs. It also has a built-in NFC chip that you can configure your business card and other details and then send them to anyone with a single click. It costs $40 – $10 less than Apple’s silicone cases.
The leather bags are also impressive and as you would expect, the Horween material looks authentic rather than factory treated and is a joy to keep. You can get it in Folio or Standard case form factor. However, it’s a bit expensive at $70, which is $10 more than Apple’s.
