Any links to online stores should be assumed to be affiliates. The company or PR agency provides all or most review samples. They have no control over my content, and I provide my honest opinion.
Journey is a relatively new company that specialises in accessories for Apple products, such as cases and chargers.
They specialise in producing products that are attractive and premium-looking with a simplistic design.
Two of their stand-out products are the ALTI Wireless Charging Desk Mat and NEXA 4-in-1 Laptop Sleeve.
In both cases, they take a simple product and give it an attractive makeover using felt and vegan leather, then add in wireless charging for phones and earbuds, resulting in something quite unique and interesting for something that is typically a boring product.
I have been using the Journey Nexa laptop for the past few weeks with my Huawei Matebook 14, including my current trip to the USA, and it has proven to be an excellent laptop sleeve.
Features
- The Nexa is an all-in-one laptop sleeve, portable mousepad/desk-mat, and a dual wireless charger (for smartphone and earbuds)
- The Nexa sleeve’s exterior can be used either as a smooth and roomy mousepad surface or a portable desk mat.
- Easy magnetic closure for easy storage and retrieval
- Elegant vegan leather exterior and soft-quilted interior for maximum protection
- Powered by USB-C DC 12V/2.5A
- Wireless Charging:
- Wireless charger for phones (MagSafe compatible)- 15W(Max)
- Wireless Charging for Earbuds/AirPods/Pro – 5W (Max)
- Compatibility
- 13-14inch model: 260mm (W) x 340mm (L) x 25mm (D). Weight: 0.289 kg.
- 15-16inch model: 290mm (W) x 385mm (L) x 25mm (D). Weight: 0.350 kg.
Design
The Journey Nexa Laptop Sleeve features an elegant design with an exterior crafted from vegan leather and a soft-quilted interior that provides maximum protection for your laptop. The sleeve comes in two colour options – Dove Grey and Black – both featuring a two-tone treatment. The attention to detail in the craftsmanship of this sleeve is evident, making it a stylish accessory for any laptop user.
The sleeve doesn’t have any additional pockets, and because it has a reasonably rigid design there is not really any spare room in the sleeve for anything else.
Performance as a Laptop Sleeve
When it comes to protecting your laptop, the Journey Nexa Sleeve does a good job.
The vegan leather exterior not only adds a touch of sophistication but also shields your device from scratches, scuffs, and bumps.
The soft-quilted interior provides a cushioned environment, ensuring your laptop remains secure and safe during transportation.
The sleeve is more rigid than many laptop sleeves, which I imagine would give it some additional protection in some situations. However, the cushioning is limited compared to many laptop sleeves. Unless you buy a laptop sleeve designed for a high degree of protection, I would say this performs just as well as many competing options.
The magnetic closure adds convenience, allowing for easy storage and retrieval of your laptop.
Wireless Charging Performance
The standout feature of the Journey Nexa Sleeve is its wireless charging capabilities. The built-in wireless charger supports both Qi-compatible smartphones and earbuds. With its 15W maximum charging output, you can quickly charge your iPhone or Android device without the hassle of tangled cables. Additionally, the sleeve offers a dedicated 5W charging pad for AirPods or other wireless earbuds.
Both pads are compatible with MagSafe. I found that the magnets were not that strong, but they are good enough to avoid you accidentally knocking your phone or earbuds out of place.
To power the wireless charging function, the sleeve can be connected to a USB-C wall charger, a power bank, or a suitable USB-C port on your laptop. The USB-C adaptor should be capable of 12V/2.5A (30W), but the wireless charging should still work with lower-rated plugs, albeit with slower charging.
This versatility ensures that you can charge your devices on the go, whether you’re at a café, in a library, or travelling.
Using the Journey Nexa Sleeve as a Mouse Pad
Another unique aspect of the Journey Nexa Sleeve is its ability to double as a mouse pad.
The smooth and roomy surface of the sleeve’s exterior provides a superior surface compared to most desktops, especially if you are unfortunate enough to be working on a glass-top table (which seems to happen a lot in hotels).
One minor gripe is that this is designed so that you use the vegan leather side as the mouse pad. Using my mouse with this surface works fine, I don’t have any problems with the sensor not working properly, but the leather material provides a bit of resistance.
I found that flipping the sleeve over and using the cloth surface gave me a more responsive surface to work off. However, this then makes the wireless charging pads face down on the table.
Price and Alternative Options
The Journey Nexa 4-in-1 laptop sleeve is available from journeyofficial.co.uk for £79.99.
It is available in either black or white, and there are two sizes 13/14 inch and 15/16 inch.
I am not aware of any other laptop sleeve that has a charger built-in, so the only alternatives are normal laptop sleeves.
If you look at the Apple Store, they list the STM Myth 14-inch Laptop Sleeve at £50 or the vegan leather Von Holzhausen MacBook 14″ Portfolio at £120.
On Amazon, HYZUO Laptop Sleeve is vegan leather with a design not dissimilar to the Journey Nexa, but lacking wireless charging. This is available for £20.
You can also pick up wireless charging pads for around £15 or around £25 for a two-device pad.
Overall
First and foremost, the Journey Nexa is an attractive laptop sleeve with a sleek, professional design, and durable build quality, which should provide a good level of protection for your laptop when carrying it in a bag.
The wireless charging capabilities, combined with its ability to double as a mouse pad and desk mat, are convenient additions. Though many laptop sleeves can double up as a mouse mat and bringing a QI charging mat with you is not a huge burden. This, however, provides you with a sleeker solution.
Having everything built into one incurs a slight premium, but not as much as I was expecting.
Overall, this is a good laptop sleep, and I can recommend it if you want a premium-looking laptop sleeve and would benefit from the wireless charging.
Journey Nexa Laptop Sleeve Review
Summary
Overall, this is a good laptop sleep, and I can recommend it if you want a premium-looking laptop sleeve and would benefit from the wireless charging.
Overall
70%-
Overall - 70%70%
Pros
- Attractive design which is nicer than most laptop sleeves
- QI wireless charging is a handy feature and works well.
- MagSafe is also a good additional benefit
Cons
- Using the vegan leather surface for a laptop makes the mouse feel a bit sluggish
- Not a great deal of benefit vs buying an attractive laptop sleep + wireless charging mat
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
