NOMAD Base One MagSafe Charger review: Classy and pricey

There is no denying that this is a professional-looking charger. This MFi-certified charger juices up your iPhone even faster than Apple's own MagSafe charger, but the price tag is going to give some people pause, especially since it doesn't come with the 30W wall charger you'll need for it to work. Is it worth it? Let's get into it.

NOMAD Base One MagSafe Charger: Price and availability

The NOMAD Base One MagSafe Charger is available only on NOMAD's website. It comes in two colors: Carbide (black glass, dark gray metal around the edges with a white charging puck) and Silver (totally white from the top view, silver around the edges, black on the bottom.) The price is $129.95 and NOMAD's 30W USB-C wall charger (not included) is currently on sale for $14.95.

NOMAD Base One MagSafe Charger: What's good

This attractive MFi-certified MagSafe charger looks great with any decor. The layered design includes a MagSafe charging puck on top of a glass layer (in either white or black). Under the glass is a thick layer of metal and on the very bottom is a rubbery layer with feet. The NOMAD Base One MagSafe Charger is quite heavy, weighing in at over a pound. You do not need to worry about it moving around at all on your desk or nightstand whether there is an iPhone on it or not, as none of the parts move or come apart. The included USB-C to USB-C braided charging cable is about six feet long.

I did some informal charging tests and found that it charged my iPhone 13 Pro even faster than Apple's own MagSafe Charger. In fact, it was faster than any of the best MagSafe chargers I've tried. The only way to charge your iPhone faster is to use a fast-charging charger and a Lightning cable plugged into the iPhone. According to NOMAD, it charges at up to 15W.

I like the look of this MagSafe charger a lot. It's classy and elegant. Anyone who has knocked their MagSafe charger off their nightstand while trying to find it at night will appreciate how this one stays put. Since it is a MagSafe charger, not merely a wireless one, your iPhone will snap into place perfectly every time and won't move until you move it intentionally.

Not only can you charge up your iPhone, but you can also charge up other wireless charging devices as well. The NOMAD Base One MagSafe Charger will work with any Qi-enabled device.

NOMAD Base One MagSafe Charger: What's not good

I tried different wall chargers, including the 20W Apple charger and the charging hub I use to charge my MacBook Pro and iPad Pro. Neither of them worked at all! I don't mean they were slower, I mean they did not work, period. I had to dig up a 30W wall charger and that worked perfectly.

I spoke to a NOMAD rep to inquire about the necessity of using a 30W charger. He explained that it is due to a strict technical requirement from Apple to offer stable enough power for MFi certification. The decision not to include the 30W wall charger in the box was in order to eliminate unnecessary waste.

This is a pricey charger. While NOMAD has discounted its 30W USB-C wall charger to just $15 (quite a deal, actually), it still stings a bit given that the NOMAD Base One MagSafe Charger already costs $130.

NOMAD Base One MagSafe Charger: Competition

The obvious competitor would be Apple's own MagSafe Charger. It does not include a wall charger either, but it works with a 20W charger and it costs quite a bit less. However, it won't necessarily stay put on a table without the iPhone in place to weigh it down. I've had mine fall off my nightstand several times.

You also might consider a pedestal system like the Sonix Magnetic Link Wireless Charger and Pedestal. You can purchase the MagSafe charging puck alone or purchase the pedestal too, for stability and placing your iPhone at any desired angle. Both pieces together are still cheaper than NOMAD's Base One. The Sonix Magnetic Link definitely charges more slowly than Apple or NOMAD's MagSafe charger, but it does the job. Like the other two, you'll have to purchase a wall charger separately, but in this case, you only need 18W or 20W.

NOMAD Base One MagSafe Charger: Should you buy it?

• You want a MagSafe charger that stays put
• You want an elegant look
• You want a high-power MagSafe charger that charges quickly

• You're on a tight budget
• You don't have or don't wish to purchase a 30W charger
• You don't like the look or heavy feel

This is a great charger for someone who wants a fast MagSafe charger that stays in place and looks gorgeous. It's not ideal if you're looking for something light or inexpensive or you're bothered by having to purchase the required 30W wall charger separately.

I really like the beautiful, elegant NOMAD Base One MagSafe Charger. It looks incredible on both my desk and nightstand. I don't worry about it moving around or accidentally getting knocked off since it weighs over a pound and has rubber feet to ensure it stays in place. I was impressed by the quick charging. However, the requirement for a 30W wall charger, though understandable, is kind of annoying. I would expect it to work (more slowly) with other chargers, but it does not work at all without the 30W. The price is quite high for a phone charger, but as you might expect for such an attractive and functional piece of tech.

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