NYTSTND UNO

Overview

After years of owning multiple different devices, most of us don’t have any shortage of charging cables.  Regardless of whether you prefer wired or wireless, the one thing we can all agree on is that we will be returning to it nightly.  My personal choice is wireless because of the simplicity it provides in setting a device down without fumbling for port locations or proper connectors.  Most companies will provide functionality in this space, however, there are a few standouts like NYTSTND that hope to add modern elegance to the design.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with NYTSTND, they have been in the charging industry for quite some time and partnered with a local Amish woodworking outfit in the Midwest.  The results are a beautiful harmony between technology and nature that can be displayed in any home or workspace.  Recently, we entered a contest that NYTSTND was running on their Instagram and were fortunate to win one of their UNO chargers.

Review

The UNO is NYTSTND’s cleverly named single device charger and the entry into their lineup of products.    It is comprised of premium leather encased in natural wood that has a distinct handmade quality to it.  There are no aluminum, chrome or futuristic characteristics that seem all too common nowadays.  Maybe it’s a sign that I am getting older, but there is an unmistakable attraction to natural environmental design elements that compliments one another.

When it comes to the UNO, there are three different leather color options available that all have the same Oak wood frame.  The one we received from the contest was the Alcantara Blue leather and it adds a nice pop of color that forces me to move away from the traditional black, white, or brown that I usually gravitate to.  Hidden underneath the leather is a charging coil capable of delivering up to fifteen watts (15W) of power for Qi compatible devices.  This should include most major brands and NYTSTND does a fantastic job of maintaining the device compatibility list on the website.  For example, Apple’s latest iPhone 14 series was added very soon after it released.

As for the performance, it works well and does not get noticeably hot in the process, which is a good sign of efficiency.  I could go down the path of technical numbers and times, however, those statistics do not generally matter since most people charge the phone routinely.  The cable and charging brick that you use, however, will have an impact on your charging times.  Ensure you are using the recommended USB-C cable included in the box with a powerful enough brick to take advantage of fast charging.  The UNO is compatible with MagSafe and MagSafe accessory cases, so you get the satisfying “snap” feeling to know it is perfectly aligned.  This makes it an easy choice for anyone else in the Apple ecosystem of products because it works for the Airpods Pro as well.  Personally, I love the way a white Airpods Pro case visually sits on a pedestal while charging!

Verdict

If you are in the market for a new wireless charger, this will set you back about $64.  Once you get past the sticker shock and consider what you get, it is not unreasonable.  A standard MagSafe charger sells for $39.99 and is literally just a “puck”.  Then add in the leather, wood, and the fact that someone handmade this with care.  The price tag becomes much more reasonable.  This product is not going to change your world, however, it will enhance it with organic elegance.

Pros & Cons