Nomad Introduces Revamped 'ChargeKey' With Lightning and USB-C Options - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Nomad Introduces Revamped 'ChargeKey' With Lightning and USB-C Options

by

Popular accessory maker Nomad today announced the reintroduction of the ChargeKey, a classic Nomad product that has been updated with a new look and with 2023 performance standards.

nomad chargekey
The ChargeKey is a pocketable charger that attaches to a keychain. It features magnetic tips that connect to one another when the ChargeKey is not in use, and then when needed, the two halves fold out into a small charging cable with a durable, braided design. When folded, the ChargeKey is 7.6cm long, and when unfolded, it is 12cm.

There's a USB-C version of the ChargeKey with two USB-C connectors for charging an iPad, Mac, or future USB-C iPhone with a USB-C power adapter, and there's also a Lightning version with a Lightning connector for the iPhone and a USB-C end that connects to a computer or power adapter. It can fast charge an iPhone up to 20W with an appropriate power adapter.

Back when Nomad launched in 2013, the ChargeKey was one of its first products. The old version was available with Lightning and microUSB, compared to the new version with USB-C connectivity. We were able to test out the ChargeKey ahead of launch, and it is an ideal portable charger for use when you need a cable on the go. It should stand up well to abuse with its braided cable.

Nomad's Lightning ChargeKey is priced at $35, and the USB-C ChargeKey is priced at $25.

Tag: Nomad

Popular Stories

Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro: Pre-Orders and Release Date

Sunday August 16, 2026 8:24 pm PDT by
Apple has yet to reveal when the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will be announced and released, but the dates usually follow a familiar pattern. As usual, the event is expected to take place in the first half of September. Labor Day falls on September 7 this year. The last time the holiday was on that day was in 2020, but the iPhone event that year was delayed until October due to the...
Read Full Article
iPhone 18 Pro Rumored Colors

What's Coming in September: New iPhones, Apple Watches and More

Thursday August 13, 2026 4:20 pm PDT by
Apple will introduce at least five new devices at its iPhone-centric event next month, and it's also possible we'll get devices waiting on Siri AI like the Apple TV. iPhone 18 Pro The iPhone 18 Pro is going to look like the iPhone 17 Pro, but with a smaller Dynamic Island. It's getting some internal updates, including a new Wide camera with a variable aperture for more control over lighting ...
Read Full Article • 25 comments
iPhone 17 One Year Later Thumb 1

Should You Buy an iPhone 17 Now or Wait for iPhone 18?

Friday August 14, 2026 12:15 pm PDT by
For the first time since Apple started selling standard and "Pro" iPhones, we're not going to get an entry-level iPhone model this fall. Apple doesn't plan to release an iPhone 18 in September, and will only launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra. The lower-cost iPhone 18 won't come out until spring 2027. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...
Read Full Article • 115 comments

Top Rated Comments

M
mgmacius
40 months ago
CHARGER?! It’s a cable! Not a charger. And crazy expensive one.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
burnout8488
40 months ago
Even though it's called a ChargeKey, the MR article should call it a cable. Nomad does not call it a charger on their website. The word "charger" does not exist on the ChargeKey product page. Why are we calling it a charger here?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Station Grey Avatar
Station Grey
40 months ago
Hang on, what is this exactly?

I genuinely thought it was a charger, what with the article describing it as a charger, and thought it looked quite cool. Like a little emergency backup to make a call or two.

But, er, it's just a cable, right? The Nomad naming is dubious, the MR article is appalling!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hoodafoo Avatar
hoodafoo
40 months ago
Free shipping if you spend $150
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
longofest Avatar
longofest
40 months ago
so... its a cable on a keychain.

Phil Schiller enters: "can't innovate my ass"
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BeerDrinkerDan Avatar
BeerDrinkerDan
40 months ago
So wait....the picture makes it seem like there's a battery or something, and the name suggests it too, but really this is just a cable that is compact (just the bit pointing to 4 o'clock in the image above). BFD.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments