Nomad charging pad: Wireless Charging Stations & Hubs

Miscellaneous

Base Station Apple Watch Edition | Wireless Charging Station

Proudly Carbon Neutral since 2020.

Base Station Apple Watch Edition allows you to charge up to 5 devices simultaneously. With its wireless charging pad, USB-A and USB-C rear ports, and integrated Apple Watch Charger, you can choose whatever charging configuration suits your needs.

Base Station Apple Watch Edition allows you to charge up to 5 devices simultaneously. With its wireless charging pad, USB-A and USB-C rear ports, and integrated Apple Watch Charger, you can choose whatever charging configuration suits your needs.

Rest easy with Base Station Apple Watch Edition. Ambient light sensors automatically dim LED charging indicators at night. Plus, engage Nightstand Mode with a tap to preview the time and any urgent notifications.

Rest easy with Base Station Apple Watch Edition. Ambient light sensors automatically dim LED charging indicators at night. Plus, engage Nightstand Mode with a tap to preview the time and any urgent notifications.

We increased the size of all three internal coils to create a larger charging zone, allowing for easier placement of your devices. Use the laser-etched marks in the leather pad to easily locate each coil.

We increased the size of all three internal coils to create a larger charging zone, allowing for easier placement of your devices. Use the laser-etched marks in the leather pad to easily locate each coil.

We meticulously designed Base Station Apple Watch Edition with aesthetics and performance in mind. With a frame height of just one centimeter and a sleek body, Base Station Apple Watch Edition looks great in any space.

We meticulously designed Base Station Apple Watch Edition with aesthetics and performance in mind. With a frame height of just one centimeter and a sleek body, Base Station Apple Watch Edition looks great in any space.

Info

  • Materials

    • Padded leather surface with coil indicators
    • Aluminum chassis and base
    • Grippy rubber feet

  • Technical

    • Integrated MFi-certified Apple Watch Magnetic Charger
    • Qi certified
    • 3 coils with 10W output per coil
    • 7. 5W wireless charging for dual devices
    • USB-A 7.5W port
    • USB-C PD 18W port
    • LED wireless charging indicators
    • Ambient light sensor dims LED’s at night
    • International EU & UK adapters included
    • Braided 2.0m nylon power adapter cord
    • Supports 100-240V input

  • Compatibility

    • Wireless Pad:
      • Works with all Qi enabled devices
      • Works with AirPods Pro and AirPods with Wireless Charging Case
      • Does not charge iPad Pro through the Magic Keyboard

    • Apple Watch Charger:
      • Compatible with Apple Watch Series 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, SE, and Ultra
      • Does not work with most protective Apple Watch cases

FAQ

  • Can this charger wirelessly charge my AirPods?

    Yes, Base Station Apple Watch Edition can charge AirPods and AirPods Pro. If your AirPods have a case installed, ensure that it’s wireless charging compatible.

  • Does it come with an Apple Watch Charger?

    Yes, Base Station Apple Watch Edition comes with an integrated MFi-approved Apple Watch Charger.

  • How many devices can it charge?

    Base Station can charge up to 5 devices at once.

  • Can it charge a MacBook or MacBook Pro?

    Yes, the USB-C PD port can charge your MacBook or MacBook Pro at a maximum rate of 18W. Note, this will not be as fast as the included MacBook charger.

Nomad Base Station Hub Edition review: Wireless charging with hidden functionality

Reviews

By Jason Cipriani

Contributor, PCWorld Apr 8, 2022 9:00 am PDT

Image: Nomad Goods

At a glance

Expert’s Rating

Pros

  • Can charge up to four devices at once
  • Magnetic coils help ensure proper alignment
  • Well designed

Cons

  • It’s not an official MagSafe device, so charging speed is slower

Our Verdict

Nomad’s latest Base Station wireless charging pad can charge up to four devices at once—two wired, two wirelessly—and looks fantastic on a desk or night stand.

Best Prices Today: Nomad Base Station Hub Edition with Magnetic Alignment

Nomad Goods produces a wide range of accessories for various smartphones and devices, but the company’s portfolio is primarily made up of Apple-specific accessories. That said, not everything Nomad sells is an Apple-only product. For example, the $119 Nomad Base Station Hub Edition with Magnetic Alignment, in addition to having a stupidly long name, is a Qi-equipped wireless charging pad that will charge any compatible device, be it your Samsung Galaxy Buds, a Pixel 6, or the latest iPhone. 

Of course, the magnetic aspect of the name and design does mean the Base Station has an iPhone-specific feature built into it. Namely, it has a series of magnetic rings that work in tandem with the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13’s MagSafe feature to ensure the phone is properly lined up with one of three different wireless charging coils underneath the leather pad on the Base Station’s top. 

Note: This review is part of our roundup of wireless charging pads. Go there for details on competing products and our testing methods for both Android phones and iPhones.

The housing below and around the leather pad is made of aluminum and is available in either a carbide or walnut finish. On the front of the charging pad are three LED indicator lights. The lights correspond with the three charging pads, so you can see which ones are currently being used. You can wirelessly charge two devices at the same time. I’ve routinely charged two smartphones, or an iPhone and a pair of AirPods, on the pad without any issues over the last few weeks. 

In total, the Base Station can output up to 10W of wireless charging power at a given time. 

On the back of the Base Station is where the power adapter connects to it, but there are also two additional ports. There’s a USB-C PD port capable of 18W of output, and a standard USB-A port with 7.5W of output. As you may have guessed, you can use either or both ports to charge more devices, bringing the total number of devices you can charge at the same time to four—two wirelessly, two wired.  

A USB-C and USB-A port for wired charging, in addition to the wireless pad, give Nomad’s Base Station Hub an edge if you have multiple devices that need charging at once.

Nomad

To test the speed of Nomad’s latest Base Station, I took turns charging a Samsung Galaxy S21 and a standard iPhone 13 then measuring the progress after an hour of charging. Both phones started with a completely drained battery, which was drained after each charging run by playing a YouTube video. 

I ran each test three times, averaging the results. For the iPhone 13, which has a battery size of 3,227mAh, the Base Station charged it to an average of 37 percent. As for the Galaxy S21 and its battery size of 4,000mAh, the Base Station averaged a charge of 42 percent after an hour. 

The difference in percentages comes down to the iPhone 13 supporting a wireless charging speed of 7.5W for Qi-enabled chargers, while the S21 charged at the Base Station’s max speed of 10W. 

Even though the Base Station has magnetic rings to ensure proper alignment, it’s not an official MagSafe accessory. That means two things. First, the magnetic connection between the iPhone and the charging pad isn’t as strong as it would be if it was a MagSafe device. The magnets do a good job of gently ensuring proper alignment but don’t grip the phone. Another aspect is that you don’t get the full 15W wireless charging speed that you’d get from a MagSafe charger. 

The amount of charge either device received is right in line with the average charging speed of the wireless charging pads I’ve reviewed when you take into account differences in battery size. Then you add in the extra, wired, charging options, and the Base Station name starts to make sense. 

If you’re looking for a wireless charging pad that can charge up to four devices at a given time, the Nomad Base Station Hub Edition with Magnetic Alignment is worth looking at. Its premium design and added functionality of magnetic alignment and charging ports help justify the $119 asking price.

Author: Jason Cipriani, Contributor

Based in beautiful Colorado, Jason Cipriani is a freelance writer who contributes to, Greenbot, IGN, TechRadar, ZDNet and CNET.

deluxe MagSafe charging stand

Nomad Stand One

The newly released Nomad Stand One is an elegant charging solution for your iPhone that takes full advantage of Apple’s MagSafe magnetic technology.

Essentially an upgraded version of the latest Nomad MagSafe stand, but instead of using its own MagSafe washer, the washer is built in.

Nomad Stand One charging

Nomad uses aluminum to build the Base One, which is available in Carbide Gray or Light Silver. The white charging puck goes better with the silver version as it contrasts with the almost black carbide surface.

Apple technically allows manufacturers to use alternative surfaces and colors for MagSafe, but adoption has been slow. There are likely behind-the-scenes obstacles to getting Apple approval for such chargers.

Charging iPhone with Nomad Stand One

Behind the washer, but on top of the aluminum body, is a polished glass surface. It has a glossy front with rounded edges. The glass on the Carbide model is black and white, on the silver version.

Nomad seems to have added extra weight to Stand One. The weight of the device exceeds 600 grams, which is equivalent to 1.3 pounds with minor changes.
nomad stand one The rubber foot also keeps it from moving.

As long as the cable is included, the power supply is not included. You will need to provide your own 20W USB-C box. Nomad will of course be happy to sell you one of their own.

We recommend a dual output USB-C charger so you can charge your wired device while powering Stand One.

Stop with integrated cables

Our only gripe with this charger is the lack of a detachable cable. Nomad has created a thin, braided USB-C cable that plugs directly into the back of the charger.

If something happens to the cable, your expensive charger will end up in the trash.

Nomad Stand One has a built-in cable

It’s a fair compromise with a cheap charger, but you shouldn’t have that frustrating limitation when paying for such a luxurious charger. This device should last for years, not a normal USB cable.

Place and charge

Besides the cable, there’s a lot to love about Stand One. The back panel is tilted at a 21-degree angle, which is good enough for a comfortable viewing angle.

We tried to make a FaceTime call using the Stand One on our desk, and we were perfectly in the camera frame. Stand One was tilted back enough that our chest wasn’t in the center of the stage.

MagSafe can deliver up to 15W of wireless power, double that of a standard Qi charger. It’s only slightly slower than a USB-C fast charger on Lightning, but more convenient.

Watching Ted Lasso on Nomad Stand One

Your phone can be easily placed vertically, or you can rotate it to landscape orientation. In the horizontal position, it is a great choice for watching TV or a movie.

Should I buy Nomad Stand One?

There’s no denying the incredible craftsmanship and quality that went into Nomad’s Stand One. It’s thoughtfully crafted with premium materials and official Apple components.

We love the glossy glass top that pairs perfectly with the weighted aluminum body. It has elegant curves that make it modern yet warm.

MagSafe also provides the fastest possible wireless charging for your iPhone. By all means, this is an almost perfect charging stand for your iPhone.

Nomad Stand One in a box

At the same time, we are tired of expensive chargers that integrate a cable into the device without the possibility of replacing, repairing or replacing it. It’s not the worst in the world, but it detracts from an otherwise excellent device.

Nomad Stand One – Pros

Unrivaled build quality Unique look Official Magsafe components Up to 15W charging speed

Nomad Stand One – Cons

No power adapter included. Fully integrated cable.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Where to buy

Purchase the new Nomad Stand One on the company’s website for $109. 95 in carbide and silver.

Tags:

iPhone

magnets align for fastest charging

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The updated Nomad Mini Base Station now features a built-in magnetic array that allows iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 models to automatically align for optimal charging.

In April we got acquainted with the new base station Nomad Mini. Nomad has since updated it with new MagSafe compatible magnets below the surface to ensure proper alignment for the most efficient charging.

Another change is the upgrade of wireless charging from 10W to 15W.

Style and quality

The Nomad Mini base station is very similar in appearance to other wireless chargers from the company. It has a metal body that only comes in black and has a soft leather surface in the center that is gentle on your phone when charging.

AirPods on Mini Base Station

It’s very compact – hence the name “mini” – and takes up minimal space on your desk or nightstand. Most other Nomad chargers can handle multiple devices at the same time, but the Base Station Mini is a standalone charger with a single coil inside.

There are two silicone protrusions on the bottom that prevent it from moving. This is surprisingly important with the updated Mini base station because when you move to move the phone away, those magnets can hold on.

The silicone feet are not a problem.

iPhone 12 Pro Max Charging

A tiny status LED is on the front to let you know when your device is charging and that the coil is active. It’s pretty bright, so it’s a good thing the Nomad included an ambient light sensor.

The ambient light sensor is located on the back next to the USB-C port and automatically dims the LED at night so it doesn’t interrupt your sleep. This is such a great feature and we can attest to how well it works.

We’re tired of bedroom chargers that put ultra-bright LEDs right on the front. Thank you Nomad for not doing this.

MagSafe Flat Charger

The leather surface hides a magnetic ring similar to the MagSafe charger. To be clear, this is not MagSafe. It’s still just a magnetically aligned Qi charger.

However, this magnet is not as strong as we expected. We’ve seen a ton of magnetic wireless chargers these days, and they’ve almost always been stronger than what we found in the Nomad charging pad.

However, it doesn’t really matter because the magnet is supposed to keep the phone in the air with the charging stand. Here, it just needs to be strong enough to perfectly align the phone for the most optimal charging experience. In this regard, he is doing his job.

An iPhone 12 Pro Max on a Nomad Mini Base Station

MagSafe can charge up to 15W, and technically the Nomad Charging Pad too – just not with an iPhone. Because it’s not a true MagSafe, the iPhone is still limited to just 7.5W, but if you have a fast-charging Android device, those 15W can come in handy.

This sounds like a simple addition, but it makes a big difference. We’ve said from the beginning that one of the benefits of MagSafe is that your phone is perfectly centered on the coil.

Qi is great, but if you deviate even a little from the center, your charging speed can be significantly degraded. By simply adding this magnet, you will always get the maximum speed for your device.

Heat still plays a big role, but at least you don’t have to worry about whether your phone is centered.

Nomad Mini Magnetic Base Station

If you use it by the bed, it’s even more useful because you don’t have to look. You can feel the location, so even in the dark, you can put your phone on the Nomad Mini base station and know it’s exactly where it’s supposed to be.

It does have an edge over conventional chargers, but Nomad isn’t looking to compete with these cheap brands.