Nomad Base One Max Review: A High-End 3-in-1 MagSafe Charger

The caller Nomad Base One Max adds a 3rd charging spot for AirPods, successful summation to Apple Watch and iPhone.

There is nary cleanable 3-in-1 wireless MagSafe charger for an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. I’m definite of it. But Nomad’s new, revised Base One Max 3-in-1 charger gets really close. It looks refined and meticulously organized. In person, it was sturdy and impeccably crafted.

As Apple releases a caller iPhone 15, this could beryllium nan phone’s caller metallic and solid throne. There are a fewer things to beryllium alert of, however, pinch this Nomad charger.

The Shape of This 3-in-1 Charger Is nan Same arsenic nan 2-in-1

Whether decor integration is important aliases not, nan Base One Max 3-in-1 looks nan part. It's capable to fresh wrong a luxurious mansion aliases suburban townhome. It’s made of metallic and glass, giving it a weight of 1.66lbs (755g).

The dense weight intends it won’t descent astir erstwhile removing a telephone aliases watch. I had nary problem blindly reaching for and grabbing my iPhone successful nan mornings. The charger didn’t displacement astir connected my nightstand’s wood surface.

Not only does this caller Base One Max 3-in-1 lucifer nan erstwhile model, it’s astir identical, including nan aforesaid exterior dimensions. This raises nan question: Did this dock request a third, 5W Qi charging spot for AirPods? The reply is arguable. I ne'er request to complaint my AirPods each nighttime aliases each different night. I usually conscionable instrumentality them connected nan iPhone spot for a fewer minutes to apical them up. Better yet, AirPods Pro 2 tin really usage nan watch charger to boost nan battery.

A fewer tidbits:

• When AirPods were charging, I couldn't get nan watch set closed astir nan case. This will only beryllium a problem for obsessives.
• There's a color-matched 2m USB-C to USB-C cablegram included successful nan box, but nary wall adapter. A 30W adapter is required.

A Flat Design For Some, Not For Others

The level creation connected nan original Base One Max gave nan charger a minimal appearance. It wasn’t obtrusive connected a nightstand. I ideate it wouldn’t person created overmuch clutter connected a desk, either.

Now, erstwhile I spot nan aforesaid level design, my mind instantly goes to StandBy mode successful iOS 17. The always-on displays connected nan iPhone 14 Pro and, presumably, nan iPhone 15 Pro will beryllium capable to show widgets and clocks while they’re mounted horizontally connected a MagSafe charger. This caller Base One Max charger won’t facilitate that characteristic while nan telephone charges level connected its back.

I’ve utilized StandBy mode pinch nan beta iPhone package but haven't employed it full-time yet. I can't opportunity whether missing retired connected it is simply a dealbreaker. I’m surely going to usage nan ambient accusation mode astatine my table and perchance successful nan kitchen, but it’s still up for statement whether I request it connected my nightstand wherever nan Base One Max 3-in-1 has been residing.

Besides its comparatively premium price, missing retired connected this caller iOS 17 characteristic is nan Base One Max’s biggest downside. In fact, nan charger is simply a slam dunk, a must-buy, without those 2 considerations.

Old Base One Max vs. New Base One Max

This caller wireless charger isn’t a extremist departure from nan erstwhile model. That’s a bully thing. The wide footprint didn’t moreover person to turn to accommodate a 3rd charging space. There’s simply a caller ocular divot to bespeak wherever AirPods should sit.

One quality betwixt nan aged exemplary and nan caller 1 is nan weight.

• New weight: 755g
• Old weight: 900g

This doesn't matter. In a unsighted test, I could astir apt show nan difference, but I didn't announcement successful general. It didn’t make immoderate functional difference. The heavier 1 didn’t enactment seated immoderate amended than nan different one. The lighter 1 besides didn’t assistance up immoderate much than nan heavier one.

Price and Availability

The Base One Max 3-in-1 is disposable connected Nomad’s website starting September 5, 2023. It comes successful achromatic aliases achromatic colors and retails for $170. It replaces nan erstwhile Base One Max, which sold for $150. For group who don't person an Apple Watch, there's besides nan Nomad Base aliases nan Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1.

Should You Buy nan Nomad Base One Max 3-in-1 Charger?

The build value and creation layout of nan Nomad Base One Max 3-in-1 are nan main strengths of nan wireless charger. The 2 things that make nan buying determination much difficult are value and iOS 17’s StandBy mode.

Each personification will person to fig retired really overmuch money they’re comfortable spending connected a telephone dock. But if $170 is successful nan budget, I deliberation this finance should past a agelong time. Just beryllium alert that you won’t spot StandBy’s clocks aliases widgets while nan telephone is resting connected its MagSafe pad.