It’s exhausting for any producer to stand out within the sea of MagSafe equipment, however California-based Nomad Items (opens in new tab) pokes its head above these frothy waves with premium Apple equipment that undercut Apple’s personal usually overpriced choices. Nomad doesn’t restrict itself to MagSafe equipment, it affords a variety of merchandise overlaying chargers, instances, mounts and extra for Apple’s complete lineup, so we needed to take a more in-depth look.
Take Apple’s newest 35W Twin USB-C Port energy adapter for instance. It prices $59 and but, it could’t fast-charge your laptop computer and telephone on the identical time. Nomad, then again, affords a 65W dual-port charger for $70. It not solely tops up two units at max capability but additionally, due to the GaN know-how, it’s about the identical measurement as Apple’s 35W accent. The dimensions distinction is immense when you think about Apple’s 67W adapter.
Equally, Nomad sells quite a lot of different equipment which might be largely supposed for Apple customers, corresponding to twin MagSafe hubs, MagSafe stands on your desk, wi-fi chargers for concurrently charging as much as three units, and extra. We’ve been testing a number of the best-sellers from Nomad’s ecosystem for the previous few weeks and we’re able to weigh in on whether or not you should purchase them over Apple’s alternate options in that high-end worth section.
Base One Max
The Base One Max is Nomad’s flagship accent. It’s a twin MagSafe charger that may wirelessly prime up your iPhone and Apple Watch aspect by aspect. What units this other than related different efforts, together with Apple’s personal, is the design and construct high quality.
You’ll be able to inform the Base One Max is a high-end accent as quickly as you unpack it. Its thick metallic base weighs a hefty 2 kilos, guaranteeing the platform doesn’t budge while you take your iPhone or Apple Watch off. It turns out to be useful particularly given the accent’s MagSafe magnets are fairly robust and you must perform a little twist and pull movement to take away your gadget.
The weather on prime of the metallic chassis are well-built, too. On one half, you’ll discover a signature white round MagSafe disk for charging your iPhone or another Qi-compatible gadget. It sits on a raised glass platform in order that it’s simpler to seize and verify for notifications. On the opposite aspect is an upright charging puck that allows you to put your Apple Watch in Nightstand Mode. The puck itself is encased in steel for a sturdier mount.
Although I used to be initially involved in regards to the Base One Max’s weight, after just a few weeks of use, it now looks like a no brainer. Because the accent all the time sits in the identical spot at my bedside, the additional heft retains it there once I’m consistently inserting and eradicating my units. For residence use, that is vastly preferable to Apple’s Duo Charger, which is extra moveable, however the flimsy, foldable design is hard to wash and hold in place in your desk or nightstand. As well as, the Base One Max additionally appears to be like nicer to suit the remainder of the decor and is available in three colours: white, black, and gold.
It could possibly wirelessly fast-charge a MagSafe-supported iPhone at 15W and an Apple Watch at 5W. Because it’s largely aimed toward Apple units, common Qi-charging of different units is restricted to 7.5W.
Just like the Apple Duo Charger, the Base One Max wants a minimal 30W adapter to operate, which you’ll have to purchase individually, however Nomad does bundle a braided USB Sort-C cable. The Nomad Base One Max prices $150 (though often it’s on sale for much less) — $20 greater than the Apple MagSafe Duo Charger and for individuals who usually cost their iPhone and Apple Watch at their bedside, it’s essential accent.
MagSafe Mount Stand
By far, my favourite Nomad accent is the MagSafe Mount Stand. One of many pitfalls of switching to Face ID is that when the iPhone is mendacity on a flat floor like your desk, you’ll be able to’t unlock it with out choosing it up. It’s worse when the telephone is linked to a MagSafe charger as a result of then, the added cable and magnetic pull make it a fair larger problem to face the entrance sensor.
Enter the Nomad MagSafe Mount. It’s a single block of zinc alloy, whose solely job is to carry your telephone upright when it’s linked to a MagSafe puck. By itself, it seems like a refined 3D-printed merchandise, however while you affix a MagSafe charger to it, it turns right into a stand each iPhone proprietor sorely wants.
The MagSafe Mount Stand sits at an angle that’s superb for whether or not you’re on FaceTime calls or watching a video in panorama. The MagSafe disk matches within the round housing on the prime and a micro-suction tape on the again holds the cable. You’ll be able to then merely place your iPhone on the tilted stand and the MagSafe magnet will immediately follow it.
The spotlight of Nomad’s MagSafe Mount Stand is, after all, its weight. At 21 ounces, it might sound too heavy, however in actuality, it prevents the setup from falling or shifting in any respect while you’re poking at your telephone’s display or altering its place. The elongated rubber base affords an extra grip and retains the stand fixed in its place.
It’s a bit costly for $60, which does even not embody a MagSafe cable, however to be trustworthy, I’d nonetheless suggest it. The MagSafe Mount Stand has been a lifesaver as I had grown more and more annoyed with Face ID. Now not do I want to choose up my iPhone to unlock it for studying a textual content. It might appear trivial, however for somebody who sits at a desk for hours on finish, it’s the very best accent I’ve invested in and solves my single biggest pet peeve with the iPhone.
65W Energy Adapter
Nomad’s vary of GaN-capable energy adapters is available in three variants: 20W, 30W, and 65W. The presence of the GaN know-how (Gallium nitride) has allowed Nomad to shrink these adapters right down to a measurement that matches within the palm of your hand.
The 65W adapter, notably, is without doubt one of the lightest I’ve used and the collapsible prongs make for a slim and moveable design. For comparability, it’s practically half the scale of Apple’s 67W adapter.
It’s geared up with two USB-C PD ports and each are able to delivering 65W energy on their very own. Nonetheless, when you will have two units plugged in, the highest port delivers 45W and the underside, 20W. It really works as anticipated and may fast-charge an M1 MacBook and an iPhone concurrently.
I do want, although, that Nomad supplied a 65W adapter that provides equal energy from each ports. Should you plug Nomad’s Base One Max into the highest port, you’ll find yourself losing 15W of energy, and the 20W backside one can’t help all of it. Then again, two 30W ports can be sufficient to energy the Base One Max (an iPhone and an Apple Watch) in addition to a MacBook Air.
The Nomad 65W adapter can be pricier ($70) than the similarly-featured Anker Nano II 65W Charger ($50). The one benefit Nomad has is its adapter is barely lighter and the graceful aluminum end is better-looking.
Horween leather-based and sports activities instances
I’ve additionally had an opportunity to check out Nomad’s leather-based and sports activities instances. Although the previous is offered for iPhones as previous because the XS, iPads, AirPods, and extra, the latter is restricted to the newest iPhone 13 collection.
In contrast to what you’d suppose, the Sport Case is the spotlight right here. Its minimalist exterior is made out of exhausting plastic however don’t let the shiny look idiot you. It encompasses a assured and cozy grip and extra importantly, the anodized aluminum buttons are clicky and high-quality. Nomad says it could survive drops from as much as 6 ft and I imagine them: I’ve dropped my iPhone 13 mini twice and it has survived with none scuffs. It additionally has a built-in NFC chip you’ll be able to configure your small business card and different particulars to after which beam it to anybody with a faucet. It prices $40 — $10 lower than Apple’s Silicon instances.
The leather-based instances are spectacular too and as you’d anticipate, the Horween materials feels genuine as a substitute of factory-processed and is a pleasure to carry. You may get it in a Folio or an ordinary case kind issue. Nonetheless, it’s a bit costly at $70, which is $10 greater than Apple’s.
