Nomad today announced the launch of Base One, its first official MagSafe wireless charger. For a long time, Belkin had the only official ‘MagSafe’ charging option, but that’s starting to change now that third-party accessories are able to get Apple-made iPhone-certified hardware.
The Base One uses MagSafe components directly from Apple, so it’s capable of charging 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 other Qi chargers.
At 15W, the Base One can charge at the same speed as Apple’s official MagSafe charger, so what the Nomad brings to the table is its own spin on design. The Base One costs $130, so it’s $90 more expensive than the MagSafe charger, making it a premium option. It’s worth noting that part of that cost comes from Apple’s own hardware fees, as it’s using Apple-sourced ‘MagSafe’ technology.
The base one has a glossy glass surface and a heavy aluminum body that you can get in silver or gray. It certainly feels like a high-quality product, weighing in at 515 grams, which is more than a pound. Above the glass surface, there’s the soft-coated MagSafe′ charger, and a set of feet on the bottom raise it up slightly and add protection to the surface it’s placed on.
You might think that the heavy weight would be able to stay on the desk without lifting your iPhone when you want to pull it from the charger, but the magnets are strong and that’s not the case. You have to do the same tilt lift or lift the bottom of the iPhone with your finger that you have to do with other ‘MagSafe’ charging options. The glass surface collects some fingerprints and dust, but it’s easy to clean.
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 might not be worth the high price for some users. 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 supported wireless charging speeds, and it can also charge AirPods or older non-MagSafe iPhones, although magnets won’t work. It connects via USB-C and comes with a braided USB-C cable, but there’s no power adapter included so you’ll need to supply your own 30W+ charger.
last row
The Base One for Nomad will probably appeal to those who want a high-quality charging accessory for their iPhone, but at $90 more than the $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 connection is great, but for that kind of money, I’d rather shell out for a versatile multi-device charger.
how to buy
The Base One can be purchased from the Nomad website for $130.
