3-in-1 charging stations able to wirelessly powering up an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and AirPods have been standard for years now, though most of them contain comparatively simple and utilitarian designs. Accent model Journey is trying to carry a bit extra design aptitude to the class with its new NOVA 3-in-1 Wi-fi Charging Station, which can start delivery subsequent Monday, October 28.
The NOVA charging station is accessible in Wooden Grain and Sparkle Gray colour choices, and I have been testing out a Wooden Grain mannequin for a couple of days to see the way it appears and performs.
General it includes a compact footprint with a vertically oriented design relatively than a “tree-style” design used on some competing 3-in-1 chargers. The complete physique is product of plastic, however the fake wooden grain entrance may help it slot in relying in your decor. A pair of non-slip strips on the underside of the charger assist hold it in place and defend your surfaces from injury.
At a bit of over 400 grams (0.9 kilos), the NOVA is hefty sufficient to stay secure with an iPhone mounted on it, but it stays considerably transportable so it may be simply transported. It measures round 15 cm excessive (although an hooked up iPhone will elevate the full top by a couple of centimeters) and has a footprint of round 8 cm by 9 cm.
The NOVA is topped with an elevated angled floor hiding a Qi2 charging pad, permitting an iPhone to magnetically connect and cost at as much as 15 watts relying in your iPhone mannequin. The MagSafe-compatible Qi2 customary has solely not too long ago began making its manner right into a broad array of merchandise, and whereas Apple has already one-upped Qi2 with its new 25-watt MagSafe charging on the newest iPhone 16 fashions, Qi2 ought to nonetheless be a lot adequate for many customers.
The cellphone charging floor is apparent plastic with no distinct pad or graphics indicating the place to put the machine. Magnetic alignment makes it straightforward to seek out the proper spot even with out these options, so it permits for a really clear look when there is not any cellphone on the charger.
The rear of the station features a flip-up Apple Watch charging puck that delivers quick charging on supported Apple Watch fashions. The flip-up characteristic permits you to cover the puck away whereas not in use and defend it should you select to toss the charging station in a bag for journey.
The rear-mounted Apple Watch puck design means your watch will not be seen whereas charging on a nightstand, finish desk, or desk, however should you’re additionally charging a cellphone in both horizontal StandBy or vertical orientation, that is seemingly a greater possibility for viewing the time and different info.
Lastly, a hole opening oriented towards the entrance of the charging station serves as a spot to drop a appropriate AirPods case for charging. The AirPods charging spot has a grippy pad to assist hold the AirPods in place, nevertheless it does not embrace magnets to assist with aligning AirPods circumstances with that characteristic. Nonetheless, the location appears pretty forgiving to me, and I did not have any points getting my AirPods Professional to persistently cost.
A touch-activated gentle contained in the opening may help you discover the AirPods charging spot at nighttime and even simply present a bit of sunshine in a darkish room for every other wants.
The NOVA charging station comes with a 1.5-meter USB-C to USB-C cable to energy the unit, though you may have to supply your personal energy adapter. I at all times choose {that a} energy adapter be included within the field, particularly for extra premium priced equipment, in order that’s a little bit of a draw back right here. Permitting you to supply your personal adapter does supply extra flexibility should you choose to energy it from a multi-port charger, a flat charger for tucking behind furnishings, or different choices, so simply pay attention to that potential extra value. You will need no less than a 30-watt charger to have the ability to cost all the pieces at full velocity.
Journey additionally consists of an adhesive magnetic ring and alignment information within the field, which lets you add magnetic capabilities to older iPhones and different smartphone fashions that help wi-fi charging however not MagSafe/Qi2.
The NOVA 3-in-1 Wi-fi Charging Station is generally priced at $139.99, however there’s at the moment a 20% off pre-order low cost that brings the worth right down to $112.00. Many different 3-in-1 chargers from respected manufacturers with MagSafe/Qi2 and Made for Apple Watch certification are within the $120–$150 vary, so that is in the identical ballpark. Keep in mind that you do have to supply your personal energy adapter although, however the present pre-order low cost brings issues down sufficient to maintain pricing aggressive even with that potential extra value.
Observe: Journey supplied MacRumors with a NOVA 3-in-1 Wi-fi Charging Station for the needs of this assessment. No different compensation was acquired. MacRumors is an affiliate accomplice with Journey. Once you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, we might obtain a small fee, which helps us hold the positioning operating.