Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger Review: The Near Perfect Solution for 3 Apple Devices Charging Simultaneously on your Desk or Nightstand

The Lowdown

I appreciate the Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger’s vertical stand design, making the iPhone more easily viewable on a desktop or nightstand. My only complaint is that the Watch charger is a bit too close to the iPhone MagSafe charger. Depending on the case thickness you are using, when the phone is placed in landscape mode and you are also charging your Apple Watch, the iPhone will be pushed forward a bit, and the MagSafe grip is not quite as strong. That’s a minor complaint, however; otherwise, I am exceptionally impressed by this charger.

Overall
4.8

Pros

  • Beautiful and well built
  • Fast-charging wireless charger for iPhone plus charging for Apple Watch and AirPods with wireless charging
  • Non-slip base
  • Includes a braided USB-C cable
  • Allows the iPhone to be displayed in landscape or portrait mode, making it perfect for desktop or bedside use

Cons

  • When an Apple Watch is also charging, the iPhone is held less securely when in landscape mode
  • StandBy mode does not work on the iPhone when an Apple Watch is also charging

I often wax poetic about Nomad’s wireless chargers. They are elegant, thoughtfully crafted from premium materials, and charge devices rapidly. I recently reviewed the Base One Max. It’s fantastic, but the newly announced Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger will be an even better solution if you are looking for a desktop or nightstand charger, thanks to the verticle design that keeps your phone in view and within reach.

The Base One Max is an extension of the Base One line of wireless chargers that Nomad introduced a few years ago. We’ve reviewed each iteration, and each is impressive. What set the Base One Max apart was the addition of a wireless charger for Apple Watch and a wireless charger for AirPods with a wireless charger case.

This meant that, for someone like me who is deeply entrenched in Apple’s ecosystem, a single charging system can keep all my devices charged. I’ve been using it since completing the review, and while I’m still impressed by it, there’s one aspect I’ve found frustrating: the new Stand One Max addresses.

The Base One Max is a flat charger. That means charging your phone requires you to lay the phone on top.

Nomad Base One Max

Nomad Base One Max

In theory, that shouldn’t be an issue, but when using the charger on a desk or nightstand, it is impossible to see the iPhone’s screen without picking it up. The Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger offers the same features as the Base One Max but holds the phone upright.

Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger

Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger with iPhone in portrait mode.

That not only makes it easy to view the screen at night but also means you can rotate the phone and, potentially, use Apple’s new night mode to turn it into a bedside clock.

Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger

Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger with iPhone in landscape mode.

It’s impressive, although I have one minor complaint that I’ll address shortly.

As Nomad notes,

Stand One Max harnesses the power of MagSafe and wireless charging to simultaneously power your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. Its weighted metal and glass design looks great on any desk or bedside.

Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger Features:

  • 3-in-1 MagSafe charger
  • Official MFi MagSafe charging up to 15W
  • Apple Watch Fast Charger
  • AirPods Qi charging spot
  • Dust and scratch-resistant TPU charging pad
  • Anti-slip rubber base
  • Nylon braided cable
  • Up to 15W MagSafe wireless charging
  • Fast charging is only available for Apple Watch Series 7, 8, 9, Ultra, and Ultra 2
  • Up to 5W wireless charging for AirPods & AirPods Pro
  • Charges any MagSafe and Qi2 device
  • Raised MagSafe Charger ensures compatibility with any camera
  • It does not support iPhone StandBy when charging the Apple Watch
  • Compatible with Apple Watch Series 1-9, SE, Ultra, and Ultra 2
  • Fast charging is only available for Apple Watch Series 7, 8, 9, Ultra, and Ultra 2
  • AirPods charging dish supports any wireless charging-enabled AirPods

 

The Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger is available in Silver or Carbide; inside the box, you’ll find the Stand One Max and a 2M braided USB-C to USB-C cable. It is a pleasant unboxing experience that doesn’t include wasteful packaging.

The Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger is constructed from a high-quality metal chassis with a polished glass panel for durability and added elegance. It weighs 1.8 pounds, and the heft is a bit surprising when you first pull it out of the box.

Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger

On the bottom, an anti-slip rubber base protects whatever surface the charger is placed on and keeps it from moving. That’s an example of the thoughtful detail that makes Nomad products the premium accessories they are.

Side view of the Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger

The MagSafe charging disk extends slightly from the vertical stand, making it easy to grab the phone when it is time to go. The raised design also ensures the charging disk is compatible with any iPhone camera. That is particularly important as iPhone camera systems seem to become larger with each generation, and this is a charger you will want to use for years to come.

Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger holding an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods

The official MFi MagSafe charging coil inside the Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger’s disk delivers up to 15W. Those speeds, the fastest Apple allows, are achieved when you use a 30W USB-C power adapter. You’ll have to supply your own since Nomad didn’t include one in the box, but thankfully, the company offers them for a reasonable price.

The magnet in the charging disk is powerful enough to hold an iPhone in place securely. You can also rotate the phone and activate the StandBy mode Apple introduced with iOS17. Interestingly, the charger won’t support iPhone StandBy mode when it’s also charging an Apple Watch.

Next to the iPhone Charging Stand is a wireless charger for Apple Watch. It works with all models of Apple Watch, but fast charging is only supported for Apple Watch Series 7, 8, 9, Ultra, and Ultra 2. I am quite pleased with the design and the charging speeds on my Series 9 Apple Watch

Back of the Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger

Just in front of the Apple Watch charger is a 5W AirPods charging dish that supports wireless charging-enabled AirPods. The dust and scratch-resistant TPU charging pad keeps the AirPod case from sliding out of position while also keeping it scratch-free.

That means a single charging stand can cover all your Apple bases in an elegant manner that won’t take up the entire desk or night table.

Side view of the Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger

I appreciate the Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger’s vertical stand design, making the iPhone more easily viewable on a desktop or nightstand. My only complaint is that the Watch charger is a bit too close to the iPhone MagSafe charger.

Depending on the case thickness you are using, when the phone is placed in landscape mode and you are also charging your Apple Watch, the iPhone will be pushed forward a bit, and the MagSafe grip is not quite as strong. That’s a minor complaint, however; otherwise, I am exceptionally impressed by this charger.

My only hope is that, in the next iteration, Nomad will consider adding a USB-C charging port to the back so an additional item, such as an iPad or a second set of earbuds, can also be charged. In the meantime, however, the Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger stands out as the most complete, most elegant, and best charging solution I have seen.

The Nomad Stand One Max MagSafe Charger sells for $180; it is available directly from the manufacturer.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Beautiful and well built; Fast-charging wireless charger for iPhone plus charging for Apple Watch and AirPods with wireless charging; Non-slip base; Includes a braided USB-C cable; Allows the iPhone to be displayed in landscape or portrait mode, making it perfect for desktop or bedside use

What Needs Improvement: When an Apple Watch is also charging, the iPhone is held less securely when in landscape mode; StandBy mode does not work on the iPhone when an Apple Watch is also charging

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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.

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