Nomad’s new Apple Watch charger may be the most ingenious accessory I’ve tested yet

If you’re an Apple user who’s on the go, then you know how important it is to have an easy setup for charging your most used devices when you need it most — including your Apple Watch. 

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As ZDNET’s mobile accessory expert, I have a deluge of mobile gear, from MagSafe battery packs to cords or cables, keeping my essential tech powered up no matter where I am. Nomad’s Universal Cable for Apple Watch<!–> may just be the best USB-C travel cable I’ve ever tried (and the only one I’ll ever need). 

Nomad’s new Universal Cable launched today, but I’ve already gone hands-on with this all-in-one battery booster. If you’re a fan of 3-1 MagSafe charging stations, this option is the best USB-C equivalent I’ve seen yet. Here are the specs. 

Nomad Universal Cable for Apple Watch Specs and Details: 

• 100W USB-C PD Charging
• Fast charges iPhone, iPad, and MacBook
• Integrated Apple Watch Fast Charger
• 1.5m cable with a Kevlar® outer weave 
• Electroplated metal connectors
• Integrated cable tie for cable organization
• Price: $100

This multifunctional cable lets you charge multiple devices, like your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch, in endless combinations or possibilities. I could charge via my MacBook Pro, iPhone 15, a wall outlet, iPad Air, and more, thanks to the handy USB-C port. The included Apple Watch fast charger is perfect for someone who needs one cord to juice up their Apple ecosystem on the go, and it’s one of the first times I’ve seen a fast charger integrated into a USB-C in this fashion.

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In fact, Nomad says it’s the first of its type on the market. “With just this one cable, you can charge all your Apple devices, and you can even charge your AirPods and your Apple Watch from your iPhone simultaneously. It’s truly mindboggling how much this one cable can do,” says Noah Dentzel, Nomad’s CEO. 

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I’d have to agree. Typically, you can’t score an Apple Watch fast charger like this unless it’s part of a 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 MagSafe multi-charger. Nomad just changed that. 

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Here’s how it works: Nomad’s new cable design includes a classic USB-C attachment on one end and an Apple Watch fast charger with a fastened USB-C end on the other. In between, there’s 1.3m of cable to tether the two ends together. 

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There are really endless ways to use this handy cord, and although I am a MagSafe travel charger fanatic, I have to give credit where it’s due. This cable is so great that I have a good feeling it will remain in my daily essentials bag for years to come and will make it into my carry-on for my next flight. 

This cable allows me to charge my Apple Watch via my own phone or, of course, other devices (like my MacBook, pictured above). And you can still charge using a classic outlet, too. Coming from an expert on tech travel gear, this is everything I didn’t know I needed until Nomad dropped it into my lap.

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I use my Apple Watch SE for sleep tracking and workouts,, and I wear it nearly 20 hours a day. This cord makes it so much easier to boost my watch battery no matter where I am. I no longer worry about putting my watch into low-power mode mid-workout; I can just snag some juice from my phone (which I am much better about religiously keeping charged). 

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Plus, with a Kevlar outer weave and coated metal connectors, this cable is sleek and durable and doesn’t tangle as easily, making it great for shoving into travel bags (I tested this part, too). It also comes with a handy cable tie attached if you prefer less chaotic storage means that I do. 

Keep in mind that while this cable is undeniably useful, it will run you $100, which is around the same price as purchasing 3-in-1 MagSafe charging setups from brands like Anker, ESR, and other brands. It’s certainly not a drop in the bucket, and is certainly a lot more than scooping off budget USB-C cords off Amazon (these are popular ZDNET sellers). But don’t forget you’re paying for a currently unrivaled charging experience, a durable cable, and an Apple Watch fast charger in a much more portable setup. 

ZDNET’s buying advice 

Here’s my advice. If you hoard dozens of charging devices and cables like me, you probably don’t need Nomad’s new Universal Cable–>