This thumb-sized USB-C cable is my new favorite travel accessory – and it’s fairly cheap

ZDNET’s key takeaways

As often as I rely on USB-C cables to charge my devices or help with work, I hardly think about them. My mindset has been that they’re all mostly the same with negligible differences. I usually throw them into my junk drawer and only take a cable out when needed. Plus, what improvements can you really make on smartphone cables?

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That was my belief until I spent some time with Nomad’s new ChargeKey V2. This compact USB-C accessory is something I wish I had years ago. It provides fast charging speeds while sporting a compact design that ensures it’ll never get tangled in your pockets or bag. You won’t have to spend five minutes unraveling it like regular wires. 

As you probably guess from its name, this is a second generation product. But while it looks nearly identical to the previous model, there are a handful of improvements.

Built to last

The ChargeKey V2 sticks to the series’ signature feature with a durable form factor. Both the cable housing and the little connecting lock are made of electroplated zinc, protecting the device from outside damage and corrosion. You’ll notice that the lock has enough space in its loop for owners to slide in a key ring and attach it to a keychain or backpack.

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Nomad’s thoughtful design doesn’t stop there. The cables are covered in nylon, which further enhances durability. Unlike the plastic sleeves seen on garden-variety USB-C cables, the ChargeKey can be twisted in different directions and won’t rip.

Aesthetic tweaks were also made, but they’re so subtle that you may not notice them unless you look closely. For example, the housing molds are slightly larger than before, and the electroplated zinc is more polished.

Speedy recharges

Nomad’s ChargeKey is a 240W USB-C cable that can quickly recharge mobile devices. I wanted to see how it performs, so I did a series of tests. 

First, I connected a Moto G Power to my Anker power bank via the ChargeKey. It took about 50 minutes to go from a dead battery to about 50% and just under two hours to 100%. For the next test, I connected the power bank to a laptop, and it took roughly two hours to recharge the computer to about 40% (the bank eventually ran out of juice).

Once everything was done, I did the same tests, but with the cable, I got with the power bank. I noticed no time variance between either cable. They performed at about the same level. On the surface, that may sound disappointing — the ChargeKey didn’t blow the competition out of the water. Is it no better than any old cable you buy at Best Buy?

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No, it is definitely better. Those generic cables don’t have ChargeKey’s durable design. This is a crucial factor when considering purchasing it because it enables a longer shelf life and even saves users from spending money on replacements. 

The Nomad ChargeKey does provide one other benefit that other cables may not possess — the ability to transfer files at 10Gbps. In another test, I moved 150 images from my smartphone to my personal laptop. The whole process was over in about 40 seconds. Moving larger packets of data will take longer. A 10GB folder took about 5.5 minutes from the same phone to my laptop.

ZDNET’s buying advice

Nomad’s ChargeKey V2 retails for $25 per unit. The company offers “2-pack” and “3-pack” bundles, which cost $45 and $60, respectively. I recommend this accessory to people who want a USB-C cable as part of their everyday carry but don’t want a long wire knotting up in their pockets or purses.