Dear Nomadeware. I’m sorry. I was wrong to poke fun and laugh at the Universal cable for the Apple Watch when you announced it early last year.
When I first saw pictures, I sent them to friends and even family members and laughed at the idea of an Apple Watch charging puck built into a USB-C charging cable.
I would consider myself a frequent traveler, like I’m not hopping on a plane for a quick work trip, I’m driving a few hours away for a baseball tournament. One of the last things I pack for every overnight trip is a charging setup for anyone coming along.
That usually means a wall adapter, typically with two ports, along with a USB-C cable for an iPhone and an Apple Watch charger. I have a one gallon plastic bag I use to store everything so it’s easy to access when it’s time to hit the road. Multiply this standard setup for five people and I’m sure you can imagine the giant pile of spaghetti that lives inside the bag. It’s simply a mess.
Over the years, I’ve tried, tested and even reviewed numerous travel chargers, each designed to streamline charging on the go. Solutions like the Mophie 3-in-1 portable travel charger that folds up neatly to fit in a backpack, or Anker’s latest Prime Wireless Charging Station. Both do what they advertise, but they are bulky. In Anker’s defense, this charging station isn’t advertised as a travel charger – but its overall footprint and design begs to be taken on the road.
A few months ago, Nomad sent me the Universal Cable for Apple Watch along with its 65W Slim Adapter to test. A few days later I went on an overnight trip and took both gadgets with me.
My first thoughts after unpacking the cable were that it certainly looks odd and the end with the Apple Watch charging puck is heavier than I expected. The braided cable is the same as the rest of Nomad’s cables, which means it’s built to last. I have one of Nomad’s 3 meter USB-C to USB-C cables that has been run over and chewed up by our robot vacuum cleaner more times than I can count and it still doesn’t have a single mark on it.
Depending on your setup, you can connect the end with the Apple Watch charger to your wall adapter so that the standard USB-C end can be connected to the device you’re charging, which makes sense if the charger is placed horizontally on a table or desk. That arrangement allows you to charge your watch while, for example, you also use and charge your phone.
However, hotel outlets are almost always inconveniently placed, so I’ve used it the other way around – with the Apple Watch puck near my iPhone – and it works perfectly for me. I usually don’t put my Apple Watch Ultra 3 on the charger until I either get ready in the morning or go to bed, and my phone is still sitting on the nightstand or desk.
The cable can be charged at up to 100W with the appropriate wall adapter, while the Apple Watch charger can quickly charge compatible models. These included the Apple Watch Ultra 1, 2 and 3, Series 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 and the Apple Watch SE 3.
Oh, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that you can also place AirPods Pro 2 or later on the Apple Watch charger to top off the charging case. Bonus!
What I like best about the Universal Cable for Apple Watch is that it streamlines what I need to pack for myself. I no longer have multiple cables that inevitably get tangled up and look like a spider’s web when I take them out of my plastic bag.
It’s a single cable that can do multiple things, and for that reason it’s now a staple in my travel gear, even if it looks weird.
Right now, Nomad Goods has it in stock in the 1.5 meter length – there are 0.5 meter and 3 meter sizes, but both are sold out – for $85 / £69 / AU$129, in your choice of carbide or white. It’s actually expensive for a charging cable, but it’s not just a cable. You pay for the added feature of charging your Apple Watch along with the durability that Nomad’s cables offer.
Cable – Cable
Universal cable for Apple Watch | 1.5m | Carbide
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