REVIEW – In 2013, Nomad launched an IndieGoGo campaign for the ChargeKey, a short charging cable for iPhone and Android phones designed to fit on your keychain. That successful crowdfunding campaign went on to bring in over $172,000 and now a decade later, Nomad is bringing back that classic charging cable that has been updated with new materials and a new look. Let’s check it out!
What is it?
The Nomad ChargeKey is an ultra-portable charging cable that you can hang on your keychain for on-the-go battery-topping action.
What’s in the box?
- ChargeKey (either a USB-C to USB-C cable or a USB-C to Lightning cable)
- Carbon neutral packaging
Design and features
Nomad sent me both versions of the ChargeKey. The only difference is that one of the ChargeKeys has a Lightning plug on one end. It should be obvious that one ChargeKey is designed for Apple gear and one is for everything else.
Note that the Lightning version of the ChargeKey supports fast charging for iPhones up to 20W.
The new ChargeKeys are very snazzy. They feature a smooth zinc metal housing (that looks like titanium) and black nylon braided cables.
The non-business end of the cable has a loop that you can use to attach the ChargeKey to a keychain. When folded, the ChargeKey has a length of 7.6cm, and when in use, the length is 12cm.
Before you complain about the length of the ChargeKey cable, just realize that they are designed to be short. Really short. That’s what makes them as portable as possible.
Although they are short, they are the perfect length to plug into your laptop when you need to charge your phone, earbuds, etc.
I tested both ChargeKeys with my iPhone, AirPods, and a selection of Android phones and there were no surprises. The ChargeKey cables worked as expected.
Other than looking cool and allowing you to have an easy-to-carry cable with you at all times, the ChargeKey could even be considered a fidget toy because it has built-in magnets that hold the two cable ends together. Check out the short video clip below.
See it in action
What I like
- Magnets!
- Easy to use
- Ultra-portable
What I’d change
- Nothing
Final thoughts
This is a short and sweet review of the Nomad ChargeKey because it’s short and sweet! There really wasn’t a whole lot to say other than it’s a well-made little charging cable for Apple geeks and Android geeks. It will definitely go into my EDC.
Price: $25 (USB-C to USB-C), $35 (USB-C to Lightning)
Where to buy: Nomad
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Nomad.
