Last November we reviewed NOMAD’s ChargeCard for the iPhone 5/5S, a flat Lightning USB cable that fits in your wallet. The company recently sent us their latest ChargeKey, a compact Lightning USB cable (it charges and syncs) for your keychain to test out and after using it for a few weeks, we’re impressed.
We never leave the house without our keys, wallet and iPhone. The ChargeCard, despite its usefulness never made it into our wallets. It’s thin, but still too ‘thick’ for our liking. This is where the ChargeKey excels. It is literally the size of a key and fits onto your keychain which guarantees you’ll always have a Lightning cable with you—plus it’s incredibly light.
The ChargeKey comes in simple packaging but is extremely well built. It’s flexible and the plastic is very strong and sturdy. The best part is the hole to attach to your keyring is thin enough to make removing it very easy.
The cable is strong enough to hang, flex and bend. During a recent Super Bowl party our iPhone 5s was running low on battery (of course). Luckily, with the ChargeKey I was able to charge my iPhone by plugging it into the USB port on a friend’s TV—hanging—without any problems (just don’t try it with an iPad!). Despite not being certified as MFi, we had no warnings or issues with the cable while charging.
As for some downsides to the ChargeKey, time will tell to see how well the rubber holds up to continuous flexing. Also, being so small when it’s not on your keychain it can be easy to lose. It’s not MFi certified so its future could change should Apple change things up for third party cables.
The ChargeKey is moderately priced at $25, which is a few dollars more than what you’d pay for a Lightning USB cable from Apple, but more expensive than other third party options. The website offers a $2 off coupon if you perform social network ‘action’ (i.e. ‘Liking’ them on Facebook, etc). Shipping is free if you order two or more and right now there is a backlog on orders still.
For new ChargeKey owners, the package details three easy ways how you can earn a bonus ChargeKey for free (we aren’t at liberty to reveal it) by spreading the word.
At the end of the day, the ChargeKey has become one of our favourite iPhone accessories to date. Knowing that you have a Lightning cable with you at all times is a powerful (and satisfying) thing especially when your iPhone battery is running low. Highly recommended.
Click here to learn more about NOMAD ChargeKey.
One More Thing…
Wait. We’re not done. NOMAD has graciously donated one ChargeKey for iPhoneinCanada.ca readers! This contest will be easy. All you have to do is leave a comment below explaining why you want one. Contest ends in exactly one week on Feb. 19 at 3PM PST. Good luck!
Update: Congrats to Rainer Stevens for winning our contest and everybody for entering. We’ll have another great contest coming up soon! We’ll be in touch!
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It’s the most innovative lightening cable charger! Will save me on a long day when I run low on battery
Would be awesome to have so I don’t need to turn brightness down to 10% on high usage days 😉
I would really love to win this. Please pick me.
This accessory is a must-have for someone on the go. It would really benefit my long days at the office! It’s just an added bonus to have it fit on my keychain.
i need one because my iphone always craps out at the worst time
this will be a nice accessory for my future iPhone
I’m a flight attendant, always away from home, dock, plugins. This would really help me throughout my day. Cheers!
This is something I am considering to buy.
Want and need one since my daughters take my cords! Help!
i frequently find my battery low before the end of day. this would be incredibly handy to keep my phone charged.
i’m a gamer, i need the juice.
I kept forgetting to take my lightning cable with me, with cable on keychain, I’never forget it again:-).
I travel often for work and half the time I forget to bring that lightning cable (and so expensive to buy another). The NOMAD ChargeKey is perfect and I never forget my home keys!
I want this chargekey because of its design. Being able to bring it with me anytime, anywhere are the convincing factors that this is one great companion for an Iphone user like me.
i want one cause i currently don’t even have a charger for my iPad mini and iPhone 5 i use my neighbours everyday lol
I want this ChargeKey because i love gadget! … And i love iphoneincanada.ca too!
I want it for work
In today’s fast paced hustle and bustle, it’s become increasingly more important to stay in touch and connected.
The ChargeKey is the perfect companion to make sure that your device will always be at the ready when you need it most.
Streamline and simplify is my motto, and this product fits the bill perfectly!
My battery keeps dying
Been looking for something like this for so long! But I’m a student on a budget :/
My wallet is like my phones battery, empty 🙁
My 5s desperately needs this.
Being a guy, I don’t often carry a bag with me (females can put it in their purses/handbags), so carrying a charger or cable around is annoying. This would be really convenient and I’d be able to help spread the word for NOMAD products 🙂
My iPhone 5s dies everyday mid day, please please please please please pick me to end this madness…. #PleaseAndThankYou
My phone keeps dying and I don’t yet have another lightning cable (have about a dozen 30pin cables of course). Would love to have one in my wallet!
This is exactly the thing I’ve been waiting for in order to charge on the go.
I’m the only one with a iOS device with lightning port and am left helpless when my iPhone’s battery runs out. It’s a scary, thrilling experience every day to live like this.
Oh I so need this ChargeKey. I am constantly using my iPhone 5 and always run the risk of running out of the battery. This will be a life saver for me.
My iphone wants it badly…
Can use an extra charging device as my cat put a claw through my lightning cable that came with the phone and its on its last leg.
On a side note, keep up the great works guys 🙂
I am always looking for an iPhone 5 charger, and it’s always so frustrating not having one. If I could just have this on my keychain. Things would be so much easier for me. Thank you iPhoneinCanada and NOMAD!
Easier to hide from my kids. I’ve replaced my iphone cable 4 times already.
As I roam around the beautiful capital city of BC I am always taking pictures of the beautiful sights! Frozen fountains at the parliament buildings during a rare cold spell, blooming flowers a week later, or maybe my dogs swimming off Dallas road. Living here it’s easy to see why my battery drains, so getting one of these charge keys would be great!!!
The charge key would help with my “nomad” nature
The “nomad” will be handy for charging my iPhone5 while I beat Flappy bird! Muhahaha! Muhahaha!
I want one because it would cement my status as a hip senior citizen.
Using the NOMAD ChargeKey plugged into my Rasberry Pi keeps everything compact and easy to store while on the road.
I really need one of these as my grandsons keep taking my iPhone 5 cable and I am too old to fight them for it.
I need one for the office
Charging cable on the go. Why not
I’d use it to charge my phone when it needs a top up on the go.
It would come in handy for those times when the iPhone is running low on battery, there is a USB plug, but no cable. Having in on the keychain would be so handy.
Nice and portable, would love one.
For my wife as her iPhone is “always” low on battery…
Because I always find myself needing a little more juice without a cable. To have one in my pocket at all times would be stellar. Please pick me!
I’m new to the world of iPhone so just have the one cable it comes with. Very interested to try out this as a secondary charger!
I travel a lot and can never have enough juice in my iPhone 5S! I’d love to have a small enough cable to carry around with me everywhere I go
Work demands my phone. My phone demands battery! A nomad would help keep me charged up! Cheers
February 19th is actually my 37th birthday! This would make an awesome birthday present.
Is love one , can never have enough batter in the road and I read this blog Everytime. 3 times a day please let me win