The bad news is your traditional wallet likely won’t do the trick. The good news is there’s no reason to constantly worry about someone skimming your information without you even realizing it. RFID blocking wallets are very common now and work by creating a virtual shield for your RFID cards. Think of the best RFID wallets as a force field.
Best for minimalists: Buffway SlimBest zippered: TravelamboBest hard-sided: The RidgeBest design: FossilBest for passports: ZoppenMost anti-theft protection: PacSafe Z50
How we selected the best RFID wallets
There’s a decent selection of RFID wallets, ranging in price, style, size, and functionality. For our final recommended list of best RFID wallets, we first took a look at dozens of choices. Choosing the right one can be overwhelming. We have selected options to fit practically any lifestyle and budget as prices can range from as little as $10 to upwards of a couple of hundred dollars. With the highest priced wallet on this list being less than $100, we didn’t find any additional benefits that wallets priced higher than $100 had that would make it worth spending the extra money on them. We considered key features such as the level of RFID protection, the size of the wallet, style vs functionality, the material used to produce the wallet, and manufacturer reputation. Skimmers can use a wide array of devices to snoop on your info, so it’s important to consider all the potential attack vectors.
What to consider when buying a RFID wallet
What should you consider when you’re searching to buy a quality RFID wallet? Here are some things you’ll want to keep in mind before making your purchase:
Price: RFID wallets come in a wide variety of materials and it will be up to personal preference on what type of material you’d like to utilize. Options include genuine and synthetic leather, military-grade materials, and other synthetic materials. Material: Higher price points usually are due to special features such as lifetime guarantees, anti-theft properties, or mainstream brand names. However, if you have a small budget, there are plenty of stylish and practical options for under $20.Planned Usage: Whether you’re looking for something to use in your day-to-day life, just when you travel, or for all occasions will likely drive your decision by a decent amount. Some very minimalist designs may not be practical if you’re headed on a trip with travel documents and other additional items you need to keep safe. On the other hand, a wallet made with travel in mind may just be too bulky to use everyday for your taste.
Best RFID wallets: Reviews & Recommendations
Best for minimalists: Buffway Slim
Why it made the cut: It’s slim and lightweight, but still provides RFID-blocking technology and space for your essentials ultimately making it great for individuals looking to lighten their load while protecting their identity. Specs:
Measures 3 ⅛” x 4 7/16” x 1/8” Weighs 1.05 ozIncludes 8 slotsFront pocket money clip
Pros:
Extremely compactComes in 20-plus colors Inexpensive
Cons:
Not able to block 125KHz signals (i.e. hotel room keys and access cards)Doesn’t form a complete cage around cards
Having a wallet that is strong, durable, and offers RFID protection doesn’t have to automatically mean bulky. Whether you’re traveling or just prefer to not feel weighed down by a clunky wallet, a slim, minimalist wallet is a must. We were impressed with the lightweight and slimness of the Buffway Slim Wallet and how it proves that big things can come in small packages. While weighing just over 1 ounce and ⅛ of an inch in thickness, this wallet still provides plenty of space to carry your essential cards and cash. Included are four slots that can hold credit, debit, and bank cards, one clear slot made for your ID, work badge, or driver’s license, two side-slip pockets for items such as business cards or train passes, and one middle pocket for cash, tickets, receipts, and more. This wallet is equipped with a protective layer that blocks 13-14Mhz electronic signals, which includes the most common radio frequencies, from trying to retrieve your personal information. The Buffway Slim Wallet is available in almost 30 different colors ranging from neutrals to pastels to bright hues. Each wallet is 100-percent genuine leather with a polyester lining.
Best zippered: Travelambo
Why it made the cut: Its design includes zipper and button closures giving users an alternative to a bifold or trifold. Specs:
Measures 8” x 4” x 1”100-percent leather
Pros:
Plenty of spaceComes in 30-plus colors Affordable
Cons:
Requires some breaking inCan get bulky fairly quickly Doesn’t fit more recent (larger) smart phones
The Travelambo zippered wallet is impressive first and foremost for its large capacity. It offers 16 slots for cards, 1 window slot for an ID card, and 2 zippered pockets. Your credit and debit cards, receipts, coupons, cash, and more can all easily fit in this practical and stylish wallet without feeling like it’s overloaded. You can use the inner button when the wallet is on the fuller side and the further button while empty. The Travelambo wallet is available in more than 30 color options ranging from basic neutrals to bold colors. Each wallet is handmade from genuine leather. Because it fully closes around the cards, it creates a more effective layer of RFID protection than an open-faced wallet.
Best hard-sided: The Ridge
Why it made the cut: Its design is very unique compared to other wallets and it’s super-durable. Specs:
Military-grade 6061-T6 aluminumAnodized gunmetal platesWeighs 2 ouncesInterchangeable elastic and screwsRemovable money clip or cash strap
Pros:
Military-grade materialsMinimal designLots of material options
Cons:
Less color choices than othersHighest price on the listSome finishes scratch easliy
With design and functionality in mind, the Ridge Wallet takes up minimal space without limiting its use. The main compartment is expandable but hard-sided, giving it the capability to hold 1-12 cards and stretches to hold exactly what you put in it. When it comes to cash, this wallet provides two great options both of which are removable. The money clip holds less cash but is quickly accessible. This wallet has a dual-track design which includes RFID-blocking inner plates to protect all of your important information and valuable cards. It works in a front pocket, but it can also survive in a purse. You don’t want to put it in your back pocket, since its hard sides won’t be comfortable.
Best design: Fossil
Why it made the cut: Its traditional look and design are perfect for individuals weary of change. Specs:
100-percent leatherBifold closureFlip ID windowsFront slide pocketMeasures 4.25″ x 0.75″ x 3.5″
Pros:
Several compartmentsTraditional look
Cons:
Fewer color choices than others
The initial impression of this Fossil wallet may be that it looks like one you currently own. That’s because it still has Fossil’s highly-loved look while providing extra levels of protection for essentially the same price and without adding extra bulk. This RFID wallet has what has traditionally been referred to as a masculine design. Perfectly fitting in your front or back pocket, it is a great size for someone that isn’t quite ready to go as small as a minimalist design but still wants something that will fit in their pocket.
Best for passports: Zoppen
Why it made the cut: Its design combines practicality, plenty of space, and style into one slim package. Specs:
Faux leatherTri fold closureMeasures 7.75” x 5” x 1”Weighs 6 ounces
Pros:
Great for travelSeveral compartmentsOver 30+ color options
Cons:
Only effective on a frequency of 13.56MhzSmall coin pocket
This extremely spacious wallet is made with travelers in mind. The multiple compartments will hold all of your daily and travel essentials including a passport pouch that can hold up to two standard US passports. Other compartments include eight slots for cards, a flap compartment for coupons or receipts, a coin zipper pocket, a pen holder, and a SIM card slot. What is really impressive about the Zoppen Passport Holder is the capability to hold things outside of financial-related items. It also includes a smartphone pocket that holds a phone with a maximum size of 154 x 77 x 7.7mm. It also includes a key ring so you can keep your phone, money, and keys all connected. This wallet makes for a great choice for someone who likes the cosmetic look of the leather wallets but prefers not to have genuine leather. It is produced using premium polyurethane (PU) leather and faux suede.
Best for anti-theft protection: PacSafe
Why it made the cut: It’s great for travel, durability, and the added level of protection. Specs:
BifoldMeasures 5.1″ x 3.5″ x 0.6″ Weighs 5.99 ouncesNylon and polyesterBlocks transmission of 10Mhz to 3GHz
Pros:
Great for travelExtra securityUnisexMid-range pricing
Cons:
Not as stylish as other optionsMay be slightly bulky for a pocket
PacSafe is a brand known for its dedication to security and mobility. The PacSafe Z50 Rfid Travel Wallet is made with PacSafe’s award-winning RFIDsafe blocking material as well as a detachable, hard-to-cut metal chain. This strap makes it harder for pickpockets to slash the strap in their attempt to steal it. It can also be used to wrap it around your wrist or secured to a belt loop while in your pocket. As for the storage capabilities, this wallet includes a zippered note slot, a slip note slot, six slots for cards, and a split pocket. The RFIDsafe blocking material blocks out between 10MHz to 3GHz, which covers the radio frequency used in most e-passports, credit cards, ID cards, and key cards.
Final thoughts about RFID wallets
If you still have the same wallet from high school, you may consider that it’s time to update the item that carries some of the most important information in your life. Taking just a little bit of time to find and pick the best RFID wallets will pay off in the long run. Having a wallet that protects you against theft in your back pocket will give you some peace of mind.
