Review: Nomad Launches 'Base One' Official MagSafe Charger for $130

[MacRumors]

Nomad today announced the launch of the Base One, its first official MagSafe wireless charger. For a long time, Belkin has had the only official MagSafe charging options, but that's starting to change now that third-party accessory companies are able to get Apple's Made for iPhone-certified hardware.

The Base One is using MagSafe components sourced directly from Apple, so it is able to charge a MagSafe-compatible iPhone at up to 15W (except for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini, which max out at 12W). Non-MagSafe magnetic charging options are limited to 7.5W, much like any other Qi charger.

At 15W, the Base One can charge at the same speed as Apple's official MagSafe Charger, so what Nomad is bringing to the table is it own spin on design. The Base One is priced at $130, so it's $90 more expensive than the MagSafe Charger, making it a premium option. It's worth noting that some of that cost comes from Apple's own hardware fees, as this is using MagSafe technology sourced from Apple.

The Base One has a shiny glass surface and a heavy aluminum body that you can get in either silver or gray. It undoubtedly feels like a high-quality product, weighing in at 515 grams, which is more than a pound. On top of the glass surface, there's the soft-coated MagSafe charger, and a set of feet on the bottom lift it up slightly and add protection for whatever surface it's placed on.

You might think that at the heavier weight it would able to remain on the desk without lifting when you want to pull your iPhone off the charger, but magnets are strong and that's not the case. You need to do the same tilt lift or lift with a finger under the iPhone that you need to do with other MagSafe charging options. The glass surface does collect some fingerprints and dust, but it's easy to clean off.

According to Nomad, the Base One is designed to look great on a desk, which it does, but at this price point it's as expensive as multi-device chargers from Belkin, Mophie, and others, so it may not be worth the high cost for some users. The Base One is a single-device charger, so it only works with one iPhone at a time.

It can be used to charge any MagSafe-compatible iPhone at the supported wireless charging speed, plus it can also charge AirPods or an older non-MagSafe iPhone, though the magnets won't work. It connects over USB-C and comes with a braided USB-C cable, but there is no power adapter included so you'll need to supply your own 30W+ charger.

Bottom Line

The Base One for Nomad will likely appeal to those who want a high quality charging accessory for their iPhone, but at $90 more than a $40 MagSafe Charger, I find it hard to justify the price.

Yes, it looks nice on a desk, it's more attractive than a plain MagSafe Charger, and the USB-C connectivity is great, but for that kind of money, I'd rather shell out for a more versatile multi-device charger.

How to Buy

The Base One can be purchased from the Nomad website for $130.

Article Link: Review: Nomad Launches 'Base One' Official MagSafe Charger for $130

 

[SDJim]

Yeah, your bottom line pretty much sums it up. This makes Belkin pricing look sane.

 

[topgunn]

I get the desire for a premium product. I spent $50 more for Apple's premium watch charging "dock" over the standard issue Apple Watch charging cable. But this? This is ridiculously priced and doesn't even have a premium vibe. I would go so far as to see it looks cheap.

 

[jz0309]

$130??? Wait til they adopt the oppo charger LOL

 

[fwmireault]

130$ only for the MagSafe puck? What am I missing? You can get 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 MFi chargers for similar or better pricing...

 

[HiVolt]

LOL, ridiculous price, AND without a charger at that price.

"Official Magsafe" is such trash. If Apple ever wants to remove the charging port, these chargers at these prices are not gonna be good arguments.

 

[dannyyankou]

Holy crap that's expensive. It makes MagSafe Duo look like a bargain.

I really hope we get an official car MagSafe charging mount.

 

[contacos]

Literally why?

 

[iStorm]

Um, yeah... I think I would rather pop in my own official MagSafe charger into this for $13:

MS Charging Pad for MagSafe [Black] — elago

ELAGO IS PAVING THE WAY FOR new MagSafe accessories! One of the first designs to be CREATED FROM SCRATCH is the MS Pad - the PERFECTLY MINIMAL charging accessory for any situation! Great for personal use or a gift for any iPhone 13 and 12 user! AFTER AN EASY INSTALLATION PROCESS, THE PAD HOLDS

www.elago.com

Elago's even has a reusable adhesive bottom, so it stays on your desk rather than sticking to your phone when you pick it up.

 

[BrownyQ]

An extra $90 and they couldn't even be bothered to make the actual puck in the middle black to make it entirely uniform?

 

[charlesdayton]

For a whole lot less you can get an Apple Magsafe charger along with a custom wood base of it. It will look way better and save money

 

[jclo]

An extra $90 and they couldn't even be bothered to make the actual puck in the middle black to make it entirely uniform?

Since that's hardware from Apple, they don't have control over it. Similar to the official Apple Watch charging pucks, which are typically always white.

 

[Spock]

Ouch... Thats a pricey charger.

 

[Cheruman]

Picking up a few of these. And then putting them down again because I’m poor

 

[BrownyQ]

Since that's hardware from Apple, they don't have control over it. Similar to the official Apple Watch charging pucks, which are typically always white.

So then it's just a black square around a pre-existing MagSafe charger?

Terrible, terrible value.

 

[7thson]

Nomad was a company that I was hoping would make a competing/alternative to the MagSafe duo. This has informed me that they could absolutely nail it, but it would cost $500.

 

[techfreak23]

Besides the price, that glossy finish is going to be a giant fingerprint magnet. You'll likely have to press off the base with your fingertips to get the magnet to detach.

 

[4jasontv]

Am I the only one who doesn't have issues with normal Qi charger pucks? I like MagSafe when I want to charge while using the phone, but if it's just sitting on my desk Qi seems to work great.

 

[alexandr]

I'll try to make one for $350. Seems like a great market opportunity!

 

[justiny]

MagSafe charger for $40 (sometimes on sale for $30) and a really nice, high quality custom made MagSafe puck holder on Etsy and you’re still saving $50 bucks.

I know MFi certification isn’t cheap, and this looks damn good and premium, but damn Nomad. I hope this ends up on one of your biannual clearance sales a year from now, then I’ll consider picking one up.

 

[nutmac]

Even if I am willing to overlook the price, I cannot accept that:

• The rubber charging surface is not color matched
• Lacks charging status indicator
• Cheap connector on the USB-C cable
• Kinda thick looking at 3/4 inch

 

[Macintosh TV]

It's worth noting that some of that cost comes from Apple's own hardware fees, as this is using ‌MagSafe‌ technology sourced from Apple.

That's not true. The MFi Program only gives you specs required to communicate with Apple devices and get properly certified. It does not mean you use their technology or have to source anything more than a spec from Apple.

It's no different than an aftermarket car parts maker getting the required specs from the vehicle manufacturer and then making OEM spec'd parts, which aren't actually sourced from the auto maker.

 

[Xavier]

I like the Nomad products, especially the Nomad base station. This one though does seem pricey for what it is

 

[lazyrighteye]

Am I the only one who doesn't have issues with normal Qi charger pucks? I like MagSafe when I want to charge while using the phone, but if it's just sitting on my desk Qi seems to work great.

Prior to my 13 Pro, I was using a fairly cheap Qi off Amazon. Maybe $12 for two. Worked perfectly fine. My 13 Pro camera bump doesn't play nice with that Qi puck, so I picked up a MagSafe. While I like it, bulletproof charging, I do think I would be more interested in a MagSafe for overnight charging and a cheap Qi for any mid-day desktop charging needs - which, admittedly, I am not needing to charge my 13 Pro during the day. So scrap everything I just said. ?

 

[GermanSuplex]

Insane price for the functionality. I'd like to think that even if I was wealthy I'd pass on items like this, but who knows.