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Details
- Price $29.99 at amazon.com
- Weight 2.43 oz / 69 g
- Dimensions 2.7" (w) x 2.4" (h) x 0.6" (d) / 68 (w) x 60 (h) x 14 (d) mm
Note: I am reviewing the 3Way+, but all product links point to the CIO NovaWave 3Way as the plus doesn't seem available outside Japan.
Overview
CIO has carved out a niche in Japan by building compact, risk-taking products, and the NovaWave 3Way+ is their attempt to squeeze a full 3-in-1 charging station into something you can pocket.
I’ve used this accessory daily with my Nomad Rugged Case, and it’s one of those accessories you don’t think about until you lose it. I actually misplaced mine once and bought it again, which says something about how useful it is.
It’s especially handy if you’re running older iPhones that still don’t have USB-C. With options like battery cases becoming obsolete or sold out, a compact MagSafe charger like the NovaWave 3Way+ makes sense.
Style
The design hits that sweet spot of being chunky but not clumsy. The textured matte finish feels more like a DSLR body than glossy plastic, and it hides scratches well. The black glossy metal handle gives it a polished vibe, and on a black phone and cover, it just looks right.
Compared to the earlier NovaWave 3Way, the Plus version is a little thicker and heavier, but still small enough not to notice on your phone. The tradeoff is worth it, since the added bulk supports Qi2 charging and a faster Apple Watch charge.
Technology
CIO upgraded the 3Way+ with Qi2 certification, which finally lets iPhones charge at the full 15W speed, something the older 3Way capped at 7.5W. For Apple Watch, the + doubles the output from 2.5W to 5W, so newer models juice up noticeably quicker.
The charger takes in up to 30W through USB-C, meaning it has enough overhead to handle both devices together without throttling. In real-world use, my iPhone 14 Pro Max locks on magnetically and charges as fast as Apple’s own MagSafe puck, while my Apple Watch Ultra charges quicker than it ever did on the 3Way.
Heat is controlled well—warm to the touch after an hour, but never hot enough to worry. The magnetic alignment is strong enough to hold the phone in place, but not so strong that you’ll struggle pulling it off.
It’s not MFi-certified, which is commonly referred to as an Apple tax. I've never felt it was necessary unless you are ordering unknown products on Aliexpress.
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Usage
Daily use is straightforward: snap the phone on, flip up the arm for the watch, and let it do its thing. My iPhone climbs steadily in percentage even while I’m watching videos propped on the stand, and the Apple Watch trickles up faster than the old model.
Where it shines most is travel. At just 69 g, it saves me from carrying two separate chargers for my phone and watch. Despite having amazing MagSafe accessories like the Plaud and NOMAD MagSafe Wallet, the NovaWave 3Way+ is what's on my phone by default.
The stand is where things get divisive. It only props up in one orientation, which looks clean on a desk but becomes limiting in bed—you can only set it on one side if you want to glance at your screen while lying down. The angle is also low, so it isn't really useful for any other positions except in front of you, in landscape mode, on a table.
That annoyance was enough for me to switch to the RORRY M3 when I needed more flexibility.
Because of the subtle design, you can't intuitively stick it on your phone without checking which side the port is on each time. I've put it on a few times and tried to plug in my cable, only to find the port on the other end.
The issue is not limited to the direction. But also getting it on straight. I have mild OCD and have to adjust it to be straight each time. This is more of a MagSafe issue, but still one worth noting.
Conclusion
The CIO NovaWave 3Way+ nails the idea of a compact two-device wireless charger with just enough upgrades over the older version to make it worthwhile. Qi2 makes it properly fast for iPhones, the 5W Apple Watch output feels more in line with current models, and the design still looks great despite the added chunk.
If you’re after a sleek bedside or travel charger and don’t mind the one-way stand limitation, the NovaWave 3Way+ is one of the smartest little accessories you can pick up. For me, it became an everyday essential.
I designed a thing.
I found a 100 year old company that would create these heirloom quality canisters for me. They are handmade and will keep your tea leaves, coffee beans or anything that you need dry for years to come.
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