Base One MagSafe Charger
Base One is a unique MagSafe charger that combines power with modern design. The charger has a layer of glass on its surface to ensure that it is more than a "plastic widget." In order to get the most efficient charge, a 30W power adapter needs to be added on. Base One has a strong charging rate and is priced competitively with other premium MagSafe chargers.
- DESIGN
- EASE OF USE
- PRICE
MagSafe charger provides powerful charge with a unique design.
I love wireless charging. But, I hate waking up in the morning only to find that my phone was not aligned just right on the wireless charger. That leaves me with a nearly dead phone and a lousy way to start the day. This is where MagSafe charging comes in with the assist. MagSafe chargers connect with the built-in magnets of your phone to hold it securely on the charging node. I was very excited to learn that Nomad was releasing their own MagSafe charger because they always have quality products.
DETAILS
The Base One is an official MFi MagSafe charger that provides up to 15W power delivery to connected devices. It features a weighted metal body and an elevated glass panel that can complement any decor. The charger also has an anti-slip rubber base for ease of use. Even though it is compatible with MagSafe, the Base One works with any Qi-enabled device.
Specs
- Dimensions: 97mm x 97mm x 18.75mm
- Weight: 515 grams
- Comes with a 2-meter USB-C to USB-C cable
The charger requires a 30W USB-C adapter that is sold separately through Nomad. The 30W Power Adapter from Nomad features GaN technology and is compact – the same size as the 20W Nomad Power Adapter but with 10W more power to offer. It’s small enough to bring along when you are on the move and it makes the perfect charging companion for the Base One MagSafe Charger.
Specs
- Dimensions: 31.0mm x 33mm x 33mm (excluding prongs)
- 30W USB-C output (20V 1.5A)
- 100-240V 50/60 Hz input (0.6A)
USER EXPERIENCE
Base One comes in a classy retail box. The “Made for MagSafe” logo is stamped on the bottom right-hand corner across from the name of the product and below the image of the Base One. The back of the box features an image of the Base One in use with a phone charging on it. Some of the details are included as well as a QR Code that directs people to learn more about the product.
The first thing I thought when I removed the Base One from its box was, “Wow, this thing has some weight to it.” The charging base is heavy. The Base One weighs 515 grams, which is equivalent to 1.13 pounds. That’s more than 13 times heavier than the iPhone 12 Pro, which is my phone of choice. I appreciate the weight of the charger because that means it’s not going to slide around or be tipped over by the weight of the phone.
Base One is really a pretty accessory. Nomad definitely intended this exclusive design to be part of the user experience of the MagSafe charger. This quote was pulled from their press release:
…it should come as no surprise that we wanted to create something truly beautiful with this charger, and not just another plastic widget…
Nomad designs really beautiful products that are functional and minimalist in size. That’s one of the things I really appreciate about their brand. Over the years, they have stayed true to their calling to produce devices that help people live resourceful, adventurous lifestyles. Base One is designed for table-top charging, but it can be packed away for travel easily enough, too.
In order to test the charging capabilities of the Base One, I placed my iPhone 12 Pro onto the MagSafe charger and recorded the battery’s progress every 10 minutes for a total of 30 minutes. At the end of the 30-minute charging session, I totaled up the amount of battery power that was collected by the iPhone and divided that by 30. That gave me the charging rate (percentage per minute) figure. When I started charging my phone it had 47% battery and it gained 21% during the 30 minutes it was charging. That ended up being a 0.7% per minute charging rate.
CONCLUSION
I’ve had the opportunity to use several different MagSafe chargers over the past year and the charging rate I experienced with the Base One is comparable to other devices. I was actually surprised to find that it matched some MagSafe chargers that provided a lower power output to connected devices.
The only issue I have with this charging device is that it requires a specific power adapter wattage and does not include it with the package. It must be purchased separately. I feel that if a specific power adapter is required for a charger to realize its full potential, then it should be included with the main device. The 30W Power Adapter from Nomad is currently $30 (at the time of publishing). That means in order to have the full power of the Base One, you need to spend $130 (at the time of publishing).
That said, I love the sleek design of the Base One. The magnet is very strong and you never have to worry about missing the charging coil with this MagSafe Charger.
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