Review: Nomad's New High-End $150 MagSafe 'Base One Max' Charger Works With iPhone and Apple Watch

[MacRumors]

Nomad in March launched its first official MagSafe wireless charger, the Base One, which was limited to charging just an iPhone. Today, Nomad is launching its second MagSafe wireless charger, the dual Base One Max, which is able to charge a MagSafe iPhone and an Apple Watch at the same time.

The Base One Max is similar in design to the Base One, featuring a platform with a flat MagSafe charger on the right and a matching upright Apple Watch charging puck next to it on the left. Like the Base One, it comes in silver and white, or carbide, a black color.

Design wise, it looks like Nomad attached a Base One charger to an Apple Watch charging base. The MagSafe charging spot is glossy like the Base One, and there is a seam separating the MagSafe charger from the Apple Watch charger, which is not made from the same glossy material and is instead a matte, soft touch material.

I'm not sure why Nomad chose this design, but I think I'd prefer it if had a more uniform look, because as is, it appears to be two mismatched pieces stuck together. It's not a bad aesthetic though, and it still looks quite attractive on a desk. I have the silver version, and it has an Apple-like appeal to it.

The Base One Max is heavy at two pounds and the magnetic attachment is strong, so removing your iPhone from the base still takes a bit of a twist motion and you can't just pull it up directly even with the weight of the stand. The MagSafe charger is the same as Apple's own MagSafe charger and it works identically.

It charges a MagSafe-compatible iPhone at 15W (12W for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini), and I experienced the same general charging speeds that I got with Apple's MagSafe charger in my testing. You can use the Base One Max with non-MagSafe iPhones, but you won't get the benefit of the magnetic attachment and the charging will be limited to 7.5W.

Though the Series 7 Apple Watches support fast charging, the Nomad Base One Max is a standard Apple Watch charging puck that does not support the faster charging speeds.

Nomad includes a USB-C cable with the Base One Max, which does charge over USB-C unlike some other chargers that have a proprietary connector, but the power adapter is not included. You will need to supply your own 30W+ power adapter, which is an extra expense.

Bottom Line

At $150 for a dual charging device, the Base One Max is a better deal than the Base One, but it still has a premium price tag that I find to be too high for what it's providing.

It's attractive, high-quality, and looks nice on a desk, but it's missing the third charging spot that some other multi-device chargers at that price point have, and it also does not come with a charging brick, so you need to spend additional money to provide your own.

The Base One Max will appeal to those who don't mind shelling out for the design and the quality, but it may not have the broad appeal of more affordable MagSafe charging solutions.

How to Buy

The Base One Max can be ordered from the Nomad website for $149.95.

Article Link: Review: Nomad's New High-End $150 MagSafe 'Base One Max' Charger Works With iPhone and Apple Watch

 

[roar08]

To me, overpriced and ugly. Even if it were less expensive I wouldn't put this on my desk.

 

[4jasontv]

Will it charge MagSafe AirPods?

Their website says "any Qi wireless charging device" but given the Apple targeting it's strange that they don't mention AirPods at all.

MR: Given you have one, can you comment on MagSafe/Qi AirPod support?

 

[doboy]

Meh, waste of money. Better options out there.

 

[4jasontv]

To me, overpriced and ugly. Even if it were less expensive I wouldn't put this on my desk.

The "Carbide" color looks better. I wish our civilization could advance to point where the chargining point doesn't have to be white, but maybe it's just physics.

 

[UnseenLlama]

Not supporting faster Apple Watch Series 7 charging speed is a crime...

 

[willzyx]

For $150, you can get Belkin's wireless chargers that will charge your phone, watch AND your airpods.

 

[gaximus]

More expensive than the MagSafe Duo Charger and isn't portable.

 

[UnseenLlama]

For $150, you can get Belkin's wireless chargers that will charge your phone, watch AND your airpods.

AND...you get a charger! There are so many things wrong with this product.

 

[jav6454]

At $150, the minimum I'd expect is a power brick that can deliver the speeds advertised, not having to hunt one down myself to bring this total expenditure into the $200 range.

 

[k2director]

I think this story should mention Apple's MagSafe Duo charger, which charges the same two devices for less money and it's more portable.

 

[Benjamin Nabulsi]

This is simply what I was looking for, Belkin and others made bulky three-spots charing, and Apple made the duo (which I use) but it's not solid.

 

[Smoovejayy]

Not supporting faster Apple Watch Series 7 charging speed is a crime...

Exactly. I have a series 4 but would not buy any dual wireless charging device if it doesn’t support fast charging an Apple Watch. We know future watches will support it so why bother buying something that is already “outdated”? When I get my next Apple Watch I will obviously want my charger to support FC…

 

[alexandr]

So it's a 2 in 1(while most of us need a 3 in 1)... you can't charge your phone vertically... and it's $150?..

 

[Black.Infinity]

So it's a 2 in 1(while most of us need a 3 in 1)... you can't charge your phone vertically... and it's $150?..

And it comes without a charger.

 

[alexandr]

And it comes without a charger.

Another thing to add to the list
I mean, it has its problems, but I ended up sticking with this:

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HPG02ZM/A/belkin-boost↑charge-pro-3-in-1-wireless-charger-with-magsafe-black?fnode=a3ac0012098c1a98a109a228ae125d56ef11bb798075b452586e675b192f3dea9edda182acd6546447362471a3bb2c5c0a4d60371ed25f25cef73e630ca0cabcd0d356b45ca7aca7b03818263581341b312ed3311d2ca1bb4b34e3b84c30955b

 

[fwmireault]

For $150, you can get Belkin's wireless chargers that will charge your phone, watch AND your airpods.

And fast charge the AW

 

[CopyChief]

I'm generally a fan of Nomad products... but this misses the mark for me in terms of design, price and functionality. And it doesn't include a charging brick for that price? They're trying to out-Apple Apple here... and they just might be winning.

 

[RamGuy]

I got rather annoyed when my expensive Apple MagSafe Duo did not support Apple Watch Series 7 fast charging. But it's still one of my favourites because of its portability.

This is more expensive, bulkier, doesn't come with a power adapter and doesn't support the fast charging of the Apple Watch Series 7? Sounds like a miss on pretty much every point.

Considering it doesn't come with a power adapter you could grab the Nomad Basestation Pro instead, when you count in the price for a power adapter it shouldn't be any more expensive and then you get yourself a much more fancy and capable charger that also looks much better.

 

[RamGuy]

Another thing to add to the list
I mean, it has its problems, but I ended up sticking with this:

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HPG02ZM/A/belkin-boost↑charge-pro-3-in-1-wireless-charger-with-magsafe-black?fnode=a3ac0012098c1a98a109a228ae125d56ef11bb798075b452586e675b192f3dea9edda182acd6546447362471a3bb2c5c0a4d60371ed25f25cef73e630ca0cabcd0d356b45ca7aca7b03818263581341b312ed3311d2ca1bb4b34e3b84c30955bView attachment 1990515

I would recommend getting the new version instead:

Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE™ PRO 3 in 1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

Then you get the benefit of Apple Watch Series 7 fast charging. Especially considering they cost more or less the same. Unless you really want your phone and Apple Watch to be elevated.

 

[jaytv111]

Will it charge MagSafe AirPods?

Their website says "any Qi wireless charging device" but given the Apple targeting it's strange that they don't mention AirPods at all.

MR: Given you have one, can you comment on MagSafe/Qi AirPod support?

Airpods with wireless charging are Qi. The new Magsafe version just adds magnets for alignment to Magsafe chargers, a nice benefit due to the high chance of misalignment with chargers (which causes excess heat which is bad for the device).

 

[alexandr]

I would recommend getting the new version instead:

Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE™ PRO 3 in 1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

Then you get the benefit of Apple Watch Series 7 fast charging. Especially considering they cost more or less the same. Unless you really want your phone and Apple Watch to be elevated.

I really like the vertical position of the phone when it's charging. Just a personal preference, I suppose. Besides I've got s6, so I'm ok for now.

 

[GoldenPRGuy]

Holy ****, that is one of the ugliest products I've ever seen! I use the new Belkin 3-in-1 and it's not only great for phone, watch and AirPods, but it's sleek and attractive on my nightstand.

 

[Marie.D]

I don’t understand the point of this product.
If you’re into spending that much, for less you can get the official MagSafe Duo and it’s better portability. And for just a little bit more you land in a range of products that are miles ahead of this, like the Belking 3 in 1.
Who’s the target audience for this?

 

[You’re not me]

Wow. That is ugly.