Nomad’s ChargeKey is a short USB-C or Lightning cable that’s perfect for a keychain or travel.
- The Nomad ChargeKey is a portable and compact USB-C cable that is convenient for travel or daily commuting. It is especially useful for connecting an external battery pack to a phone or tablet.
- The materials used in the ChargeKey, such as the metal ends and nylon fabric, are durable and of high quality. The magnetic closure adds to the product’s clean lines and satisfying user experience.
- The USB-C ChargeKey is priced reasonably at $25, considering its unique uses and well-built construction. However, the $35 Lightning cable may be harder to justify.
The saying goes, the best camera is the one you have with you. The same is true for a device’s charging cable. In that vain, Nomad is resurrecting its ChargeKey short cable in USB-C variants so you can always keep one within reach, tucked into any pocket, and have a power cable whenever you need it.
Nomad ChargeKey
Bring along a USB-C cable wherever you go with the Nomad ChargeKey, available in USB-C or Lightning connections.
- Brand
- Nomad
- Cable Type
- USB-C or USB-C to Lightning
- Length
- 12cm
- Folded product length
- 7.6cm
- Charging Rate
- Fast charging for iPhone up to 20W
- Materials
- Metal housing, nylon braided cable
- Retail price
- $25 for USB-C, $35 for Lightning
Pros
- Durable, premium materials
- Magnetic closure worked well
- Very compact
Cons
- Pricey for a short cable
- Length could be too short in some cases
A Tiny Travel Cable
Nomad has two new ChargeKey options, USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to Lightning. Both are equally practical at the moment, but if Apple puts a USB-C port on its iPhone 15, then the dual USB-C cable variant will instantly become more practical for all phones, iPads, and Macs. As a bonus, the USB-C ChargeKey is less expensive, retailing for $25.
The new ChargeKey charging cable has a short length that can only reach 12cm when stretched out. The microscopic length did make certain circumstances a challenge, including with a wall adapter, though it did still work. It was very usable on a desk, connecting a phone or accessory to a MacBook Air.
Additionally, another area the ChargeKey excels in is connecting an external battery pack to a phone or tablet. A longer cable can get tangled and be cumbersome when connected to a backup battery. The ChargeKey is near perfect for this type of use.
For these reasons, I found the ChargeKey to be ideal for travel. Whether for daily commuting or longer trips, having the petite, small cable always around was convenient. I began keeping both of ChargeKey end connector options in my tech pouch without taking up any additional space. They can essentially disappear if you need them to.
Nomad ChargeKey Materials
Yes, the function of a short USB-C cable that doesn’t get tangled and can slip into any pocket is probably what sells the ChargeKey. The materials, however, are exceptional and the aspect that might keep you enthusiastic about using the product.
The two metal ends snap together magnetically to keep the product’s clean lines intact. Snapping the ends together was satisfying every time I did it too. The tiny bit of nylon fabric exposed felt durable and was also incredibly satisfying to touch. You shouldn’t buy the ChargeKey as a fidget toy, but it might end up acting like one. I would often find myself holding it, twisting it around, and clicking the two ends together, usually unaware I had started doing it.
As evident in the name, Nomad envisions the ChargeKey being added to a keyring. I put it on a keyring for testing purposes, but I no longer have any keys for my car or house that I carry, so that use didn’t apply to me, personally. I can’t speak to how the ChargeKey will hold up in this specific scenario if you do intend on ChargeKey rubbing shoulders with keys regularly.
I did hit the ChargeKeys against each other on several occasions and kept them in a bag with other chargers and metal pieces. There were very few, if any, real noticeable scratches, and the ends remained functional after the controlled abuse. Time will tell, but based on this hands-on experience, I expect the product to hold up fine over years of use.
Should You Buy the Nomad ChargeKey?
At $25, the USB-C ChargeKey cable is pushing an acceptable value for its unique uses. I found its materials to fill in some gaps in perceived value as well. It really is a well-built, high-quality product. It’s a perfect travel companion if you can swing the cash.
That said, I had a much harder time justifying the $35 Lightning cable, simply for its $10 higher cost. It’s a high cost per cm for a technology accessory. Here’s hoping Apple moves all its iPhones to a USB-C port and Lightning becomes less relevant going forward.
Nomad ChargeKey
Bring along a USB-C cable wherever you go with the Nomad ChargeKey, available in USB-C or Lightning connections.