Home GadgetsApple Review: Shutenworks’ Ripple is the perfect Apple Watch dock for nightstand mode

Review: Shutenworks’ Ripple is the perfect Apple Watch dock for nightstand mode

by red


With watchOS 2, Apple introduced a new feature called Nightstand Mode, which allows the Apple Watch to be used as a night watch and morning alarm while connected to a charger. Nightstand mode only works when the Apple Watch is placed on its side in landscape mode, which renders many early Apple Watch docks less useful.

Going forward, accessory makers will likely focus on making products that work with the new Nightstand feature, but small Apple Watch dock maker Shutenworks has already created a simple, high-quality WatchOS 2-compatible Apple Watch charging stand known as the Ripple.

ripple assembled
I’ve been using the Ripple on my nightstand for several weeks now, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. It’s an attractive, low-profile stand that works with all Apple Watch models and all bands, both closed- and open-loop, and at $54, it’s not a bad value.

ripplewithapplewatchsportbandripplewithapplewatchsportband
Like its predecessor the Wave, which we reviewed earlier this year, the Ripple Apple Watch uses a clever split design and magnet system to lock the charger in place and keep the cord out of sight.

The Ripple comes in two pieces, which snap together using two wooden poles and two sets of magnets. Setup involves pulling the two pieces apart, fitting the charger into the top cutout, routing the cable through the cable cutout, and snapping the two pieces back together.

ripplepiecesripplepieces
The two halves of the Ripple are perfectly machined and flush together with nearly invisible seams, so it looks like a single piece of wood designed around the Apple Watch charging cable. The Apple Watch charger also stays firmly in place, thanks to the micro suction tape that rests on the Ripple’s wooden cutout.

ripplepieceswithchargerripplepieceswithcharger
Many Apple Watch stands on the market have a large base for durability, but the Ripple does not. Instead, it uses the same micro suction tape that keeps the charger firmly gripped to a desk or other flat surface. I have a painted desk that I kept, and during the testing process, the micro tape didn’t damage my desk, and with the micro tape, the ripple didn’t move around at all. It’s a very sturdy setup and I appreciate the amount of space this stand takes up on my night table.

Underneath the corrugated padUnderneath the corrugated pad
The Ripple comes in two variants, one for the Apple Watch Sport and one for the stainless steel Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition. This is because different watches ship with different sized chargers. An Apple Watch Sport stand can also work with a stainless steel Apple Watch with the addition of micro suction tape, and the version I used allows my stainless steel Apple Watch charger to sit at just the right height to work with my Apple Watch.

Watchfront with wavesWatchfront with waves
When assembled, the Apple Watch sits lengthwise on the short end of the Ripple and is held in place by magnets on the Apple Watch charger. The Ripple looks best with a closed band, but it also works with an open band, such as an open Apple Watch Sport Band. Because the Apple Watch sits on the edge of the stand, Ripple is compatible with all Apple Watch bands, from the heavy closed-loop link bracelet to the open-loop Apple Watch Sport Band.

Since the Apple Watch sits in landscape mode on Ripple, watchOS 2’s Nightstand mode is fully functional. Ripple draws little attention to the Apple Watch, allowing the device’s alarm clock function to shine. It looks great on a night table and is easy to read, but the Ripple is a small stand. Some people might prefer something a little taller, but for me, it was right at eye level and easy to see and access at night.

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All Schuttenworks stands are made in small batches in Portland, Oregon, and the polishing and sanding is done by hand. I’ve spent hands-on time with two Schuttenwerk stands, and both appear to be well-built with no flaws.

last row

The Ripple’s small footprint, simple design, and compatibility with all watchOS 2 features make it one of the best Apple Watch stands I’ve used. Its wooden design may not appeal to users who prefer stands made of aluminum or other materials, but for users looking for a classic, unobtrusive-looking dock, the Ripple is a great choice.

I found the Ripple to be an ideal Apple Watch stand for travel. It’s compact and light enough that it doesn’t take up much space in a bag or suitcase, and it’s a nicer solution than using the Apple Watch charger alone when out and about.

Ripple with clockRipple with clock
At $54, it’s more expensive than some of the cheaper Apple Watches on the market, but it’s comparable in price to high-end stands from companies like Twelve South and Mophie, and its build quality makes it well worth the premium cost.

I had few complaints about the Ripple and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who finds the aesthetic appealing.

Benefits:

  • Simple yet attractive design
  • Compatible with Nightstand mode
  • small steps
  • Clever wire-hiding construction

Disadvantages:

  • On the expensive side
  • Wood may not appeal to all tastes

how to buy

Ripple can be purchased from the Shutenworks website for $54. It is compatible with both the stainless steel Apple Watch and Apple Watch Sport and comes in cherry, mahogany and walnut wood.

Note: MacRumors was not compensated for this review.

Tags: review, SchuttenWorks, Ripple

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