A few weeks ago, I shared the news that our friends at Nomad had released a new wireless charging stand. The Nomad Base Station Stand is a premium wireless charger whose thoughtful design and premium features make it stand out in an ever-more crowded market. Now that I have one in and I can share some of my personal impressions.
As I noted in my news post announcing the new wireless charger, I’ve reviewed a number of Nomad’s wireless chargers. The Nomad Base Station Apple Watch Edition is a convenient bedside charger for both my iPhone and my Apple Watch. I have a few Nomad Base Station Hubs, one of which lives in my travel kit. Thanks to its ability to not only wirelessly charge my phone but to also charge two additional devices via the USB-A and USB-C ports on the back, it is an ideal travel companion. I’m a huge fan of Nomad’s charging solutions which is why I was excited to get my hands on the Nomad Base Station Stand.
Nomad describes their new offering this way:?
Nomad Base Station Stand integrates powerful wireless charging with a refined, compact design suited for any home or workspace. Two high power coils provide wireless power to your iPhone, AirPods Pro, wireless-enabled AirPods, or any other Qi-compatible device. The angled charging surface holds your device at a convenient angle to view the screen, whether horizontally or vertically.
The charger looks like a simple desktop wireless charger, the likes of which can be found on Amazon for just a few dollars. But while those chargers are often under $25, the Nomad Base Station Stand is $99.99. As I alluded in my new post, that strikes me as a bit pricey. After using the charger, though, I am comfortable recommending it. But while the new Nomad offering is on the expensive side compared to other devices that perform the same task, its materials and build make it a premium charger that will safely and efficiently charge your mobile devices.
The Base Station Stand is constructed from aluminum. That gives the stand a rigidity and heft that immediately scream quality.
The charging surface is covered by padded leather. This not only adds to the aesthetics of the device, but it also keeps your phone safe, even when it is not protected in a case. (Seriously though, with high-end phones now costing over a thousand dollars, why wouldn’t you use a case??)
No-slip rubber feet on the bottom keep the stand from sliding around if you use a glass top desk.
On the front of the charger, there’s a small LED indicator light. It illuminates whenever a device is put in place and lets you know the devices are receiving a charge. Nomad thoughtfully included an ambient light sensor, so the LED is dimmed at night. That’s especially important since this charger is ideal for use on a night table.
Nomad’s previous wireless chargers came with a specific wall charger and adapter. They worked across the entire line of Nomad wireless chargers but were by no means universal. With the Nomad Base Station, Stand Nomad has moved toward a universal solution.
The charger ships with a USB-A to USB-C cable and has a USB-C port on the back.
The company also includes an 18W wall adapter and notes that other wall adapters will work, but only an adapter with an output of 18W will deliver the fastest, most efficient charge.
One of the things I love about the other Nomad Base Stations is the inclusion of a variety of adapter plugs. There is one for US 110, but there are also adapters for other nations. That’s one of the reasons I keep a Nomad Base Station Hub in my travel kit.
The wall adapter included with the Base Station Stand also offers this universal approach but takes a different approach. The wall adapter itself has US 110 pins permanently affixed. They fold into the wall adapter, so there’s no need to worry about bending the pins when you pack the Base Station Stand in your travel bag.
Two other plugs are included for international use.
With the US plug retracted, the international plugs slip over the adapter. It’s a refined approach that makes this it’s flexible a wireless charging stand, as you will find. As I said in my previous post, “this is a complete kit right out of the box, and all you need to do is add the device you’re looking to charge wirelessly.”
The refinement of the Nomad Base Station Stand is more than skin deep. Not only is it built with quality materials but, inside, there are two separate charging coils that each deliver 10W of power.
By including two different coils, Nomad designed a charger that allows you to position your phone on the charger in either portrait or landscape confident that it will receive a charge regardless of orientation. (If you have ever placed a phone on a wireless charger only to find that it wasn’t positioned properly and is near-dead as you start your day, you will appreciate the fact that this is no small matter.)
The Base Station Stand is? Qi-certified, which means you can use it with any number of devices that are Qi-enabled. That means the Base Station Stand is also able to charge small accessories like AirPods so long as they have a wireless charging case. Sadly, you won’t be able to charge your Apple Watch, thanks to Apple’s continued insistence on employing a proprietary charging system for their watch. Thankfully, if this is important, you can always pick up Nomad’s Base Station Apple Watch Edition.
Feature include:
- Functional Style: Base Station Stand is a dedicated one-device charger. Its design eliminates the hot spots and dead zones commonly found in multi-device chargers.
- Versatile Charging: Two high-output 10W wireless charging coils provide fast wireless charging to your iPhone, AirPods Pro, AirPods, or any other Qi-compatible device. Phones are held upright while charging to easily view the screen in either portrait or landscape orientation.
- Premium Materials: Precision molded aircraft-grade aluminum body and padded leather charging surface. LED charging indicator with an ambient light sensor that automatically dims at night.
- Powered By USB-C: Base Station Stand is powered by USB-C for maximum convenience. An included 18W power adapter and 2-meter braided USB-C cable complete the charging package. Other adapters and cables will power Base Station Stand, but a minimum of 18W is required to maintain the fastest charging speeds.
I was, and am, a bit bummed that the Base Station Stand lacks any additional inputs. That means it will charge your phone or other Qi-enabled device but can’t charge a second device simultaneously. While this decision helps keep the stand and the power adapter small enough to pack when heading out on a trip, it does limit its usefulness a bit. I do understand the decision, but I hope the company will release a stand with additional charging options in the future.
Specifications:
- 10W wireless charging
- 18W USB-A power adapter
- 2-meter braided USB-A to USB-C cable
- Padded leather charging surface
- LED charging indicator
- Ambient light sensor dims LED at night
- Black padded leather surface
- Aluminum chassis
- No-slip grip rubber feet
- Two coils with 10 watts per coil
- Qi-certified
- LED wireless charging indicator
- Ambient light sensor dims LED at night
- International EU & UK adapters included
- AU adapters will be included with orders to Australia and New Zealand
- Power adapter cord length: 2m
- Power adapter output: 18W
- Works with all Qi-enabled devices
- Works with AirPods Pro and AirPods with Wireless Charging Case
- Does not charge Apple Watch
The new Nomad Base Station Stand is a terrific addition to Nomad’s growing list of wireless chargers. It is a bit limited in what it can do compared to other Nomad offerings, but the quality materials and workmanship, the ability to charge your phone in any orientation, and the universal adapter make it a product worth considering. I’ll be using it on my desk at home and feel confident it will get the job done in the fastest, but also safest, way possible. You can learn more here.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample of the Nomad Base Station Stand
What I Like: Premium materials and refined construction; Two coils each deliver 10W of power; Charges phones in either portrait or landscape; Wall adapter comes with US, EU, and UK plugs
What Needs Improvement: Lacks additional charging inputs so this is for charging one device at a time
