Even though Apple Wallet and Google Wallet are becoming the rage, they haven't yet completely eliminated the need to carry a physical wallet. Sure, these technologies are great at handling payment and loyalty cards, but digital IDs are still in the very early stages, and it will likely be years before you can leave your driver's license at home. As such, it's still a great idea to carry a physical wallet. And if you're doing that, you may as well make sure it's one of the best smart wallets out there.
Fortunately, physical wallets have gotten much smarter than the simple billfolds of yesteryear. At the very least, modern smart wallets ensure that your contactless payment cards are securely held and shielded against digital pickpocketing, where thieves can surreptitiously scan and copy your credit card just by bumping up against you on a crowded street or transit terminal.
However, many smart wallets take that a step further, with support for tracking technologies that help you find your wallet in the event that it's lost or misplaced. Some of these offer their own trackers, while others are simply designed with a spot for you to insert your own trackers, such as an Apple AirTag or Tile Slim. Whether you're simply looking for a way to protect your credit cards or you want to track your wallet down in an emergency, here are the best smart wallets you can buy in 2024.
Ekster Parliament Wallet
- Quick card access mechanism
- RFID blocking technology
- Option to add a tracker card
- Premium leather
- Not the cheapest option
Ekster's Parliament Wallet is a classic choice for environment-conscious shoppers. Made from premium environmentally certified leather from LWG gold-rated tanneries, it comes in a choice of 10 colors and boasts RFID-blocking technology to keep your cards safe.
The built-in aluminum cardholder holds up to 12 cards and has a quick-access mechanism that fans out your cards at the touch of a button. There's also the option to add a Chipolo tracker card for an additional $35. The tracker card has a 200-foot range, and a full charge lasts up to three months. It's compatible with Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri, and it works with all phones running iOS 11 or Android 5 and above. The only bad thing about this wallet? It's pretty expensive.
Nomad Card Wallet Plus
- Genuine Horween leather
- Compatible with AirTag and Chipolo trackers
- Hold up to 16 cards
- Quick access card slot
- Pricey
- No RFID shielding
If you're looking for a more luxurious smart wallet, Nomad's Card Wallet Plus is worth a look. While it doesn't offer RFID shielding to protect your cards, it's designed to let you easily add an AirTag or Chipolo tracking module so you can help recover it in the event that it's lost or misplaced or simply get a reminder if you've forgotten it when you head out the door.
Of course, genuine Horween leather doesn't come cheap, and on its own, the Nomad Card Wallet Plus doesn't include any tracking capabilities. To get those, you'll have to add $35 for a Chipolo Card Spot or $20 for an insert to hold your own AirTag. Still, with room for up to 16 cards — or 14 cards with a bit of cash — plus an external quick access card slot, it's pretty versatile. The Nomad Card Wallet Plus is available in black or rustic brown, and the leather is designed to develop a rugged patina over time for a more unique look.
Smart Buy Apple AirTag Wallet
- Built-in AirTag case
- RFID blocking
- Slim design
- Holds only 5 cards
If you own an iPhone, chances are you're already using Apple Wallet to hold most of your cards — and if you're not, you really should be. This is where The Smart Buy's minimalist Apple AirTag Wallet comes in; it's a slim wallet that holds only five cards, but that's more than enough to handle a driver's license and one or two backup payment cards with enough room to spare for a bit of cash.
What's unique about this for Apple fans is that it has a built-in holder for an AirTag, so you won't have to worry about losing it or misplacing it. Whether you left it at the gym or office or you're just trying to figure out where you set it down in your house, having an AirTag strapped to your wallet can be invaluable. There's also RFID-blocking technology to protect your cards, and it's available in brown, black carbon fiber, and blue.
Dango D03 Dapper Bifold EDC Wallet
- The best smart wallet currently available
- Holds up to 14 cards plus cash and ID
- RFID blocking technology
- Money strap holder isn't particularly durable
If you’re looking for the best wallet that U.S.-based tech can offer, check out the Dango D03 RFID Wallet. Constructed with 6061 aerospace aluminum, assembled with water-resistant DTEX components, and fastened with mil-spec bolts, the D03’s aluminum chassis is anodized for a tough-coated finish. It works on a rail system with a bifold three-pocket design that holds up to 14 cards and an ID window in an inner pocket. An integrated elastic band carries additional cash and cards and keeps the wallet closed. RFID-blocking technology keeps your data secure and safe. Customer support representatives are on hand to address any potential issues over time.
Serman Brands RFID Blocking Slim Bifold Wallet
- Compact, slim design
- Holds up to eight cards plus cash
- Choice of genuine or vegan leather
- RFID blocking technology
- Not the most durable-quality leather
The Serman Brands bifold card holder — trim and compact at 3.9 by 2.85 by 0.5 inches — has a front pocket made for your most frequently used card. Two pockets on the inside, with a photo ID slot and a money clip, hold your cash. It fits between six and eight cards plus bills with a minimal pull-tab design to reduce bulk. The wallet case also has a smart pull strap for quick access to your most-used cards. It’s made from the finest leather or vegan leather for both the front and inner lining to make a smart and stylish case that absorbs the natural oils of your hands and allows the wallet to develop a rich and dark color.
The cardholder provides advanced RFID secure technology, a unique metal composite, engineered specifically to block 13.56 MHz or higher RFID signals and protect the valuable information stored on RFID chips from unauthorized scans.
Runbox Slim Leather Wallet
- Stores up to 12 cards plus cash
- RFID blocking technology
- Wide choice of colors
- May not close fully with lots of cards plus cash
Do you like to have all your stuff with you? You can with the Runbox Slim Leather Wallet, a huge-capacity bifold-style enclosure that can store up to 12 cards and includes a money pocket that can store multiple bills. The slim wallet is ideal for carrying business cards, credit and debit cards, and cash, keeping everything safe and organized. Made of soft and comfortable carbon leather and a leather lining, it’s stitched with precision. The wallet features advanced RFID security tech to protect credit cards, debit cards, a driver’s license, and ID cards by blocking the 13.56 MHz band against data theft by RFID scanners.
Secrid Mini Wallet
- Slide mechanism for easy card access
- Wide range of color and material combinations
- Holds up to 12 cards plus cash
- RFID blocking compartment
- Bills must be folded to fit
A slim, practical design, premium leather construction, an RFID-blocking compartment, and an inventive card sliding mechanism come together to make the Secrid Mini Wallet one of the most attractive smart wallets on the market. It offers the Mini Wallet in over 80 color and material combinations in both genuine leather and vegan variations. The Mini Wallet is a true minimalist wallet, comfortably housing up to six credit or debit cards in the secure compartment and another six in the accompanying pockets. Opening the wallet completely reveals a tab that holds bills, although only around five to eight.
What really sets Secrid wallets apart is its patented slide mechanism that allows you to fan out all the cards in the protected compartment with one pull of the bottom handle to make card access a breeze.
Travando Slim Wallet
- Holds up to 11 cards
- Integrated money clip
- RFID blocking technology
- Money clip is too tight
The Travando Men’s Slim Wallet offers an attractive blend of minimalist wallet features at an affordable price. This RFID-blocking vegan wallet checks a lot of the boxes for wallet shoppers, including an integrated money clip, room for 11 credit or debit cards, an easy-access front pocket, and a clear window to display your ID inside. Its RFID blocking design protects against the 13.56 Mhz band used by RFID scanners, making it secure without sacrificing design. This wallet is available in nine color combinations — the most popular of which is the carbon fiber variation — and comes in a gift box that makes it a solid choice if you’re shopping for a present.
Vaultskin Chelsea Slim Minimalist Leather Wallet
- Holds up to 10 cards
- Made from top-grain Italian leather
- RFID blocking technology
- Smart strap for quick card access
- Leather may stretch, making card slots loose
The Vaultskin Chelsea Slim Minimalist Leather Wallet offers an elegant design and comfortable handling for no-nonsense asset protection. The slim wallet is ideal for carrying business cards, credit and debit cards, driver’s licenses, or other IDs. It’s constructed with soft, durable, top-grain Italian leather for a sophisticated feel and look. The 13.56 MHz RFID protector prevents electronic pickpocketing as your credit cards are protected from RFID theft. The three pockets include space for up to 10 cards in the front, an inner RFID-protected pocket, and a back pocket. A thin smart strap, which automatically retracts back into position when released, allows quick access to your cards. This wallet comes in a choice of 10 colors.
Himi Genuine Leather Wallet for Men
- Holds up to 10 cards plus cash
- RFID blocking technology
- A bit roomier than some other wallets
- Window for ID
- Not the most durable wallet
With its imported, smooth-textured leather exterior, the Himi bi-fold wallet is a high-end product that’s soft and comfortable in the hand. Its compact design features two windows for ID and other cards, allowing quick access when traveling, at the store, or at the office. A total of 10 card slots let you carry all your favorite cards, plus cash. Advanced RFID tech is constructed with a metal composite that blocks 13.56 MHz or higher RFID signals to protect your private information from rogue scans.
The Himi Wallet is a bit roomier than many minimal wallets and better suited for those who want to carry a few more cards and cash than a minimal wallet can accommodate. Despite the features and functionality, the Himi Wallet is one of the more affordable wallets out there.
Buffway Slim Minimalist RFID Blocking Leather Wallet
- Slim, minimalist design
- Wide choice of colors
- RFID blocking technology
- Holds up to eight cards
- Not the most durable if overstuffed
A slim wallet is always a fitting choice when you’re on the go. The Buffway Slim Minimalist Wallet fits snugly in your pocket, purse, or backpack. A sleek and professional design combined with luxurious and high-quality leather makes RFID wallets a hit across gender lines. Created with genuine leather, the Buffway wallet marries style, functionality, and durability, holding up to eight cards. The RFID blocking technology’s safety feature blocks electronic signals to keep your identity protected wherever you go. In addition to its reasonable price, the Buffway Slim Minimalist Wallet also features a simple design that makes it impossible to stuff too many items in your wallet, so you’ll be forced to maintain a minimal wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you like to have your ID easily visible in a clear window? Do you carry a lot of cash? Are you more of a minimalist, or do you want to carry everything? These are some of the most important questions to ask yourself when shopping for a smart wallet.
A good exercise you can do right now is to remove the entire contents of your wallet and lay all of it out on a table. How many of these items are essential to carry around? Some banks now support cardless NFC ATM access, meaning you no longer need to carry a debit card to get in the door, access the ATM, and withdraw cash. Some credit cards you may use for recurring or online purchases don’t need to be on your person at all times. How many of your cards can you move to your phone’s digital wallet and never miss them? Figuring these things out will let you significantly slim down your wallet and potentially choose a convenient option.
Another consideration might be your work ID. Perhaps you don’t want every card slot in your wallet to be RFID blocked, so you can keep your work badge in your wallet and still unlock the doors in your building, for example. A wallet should be durable, compact, and capable of storing all of the cards, bills, and IDs you need every day. Styles include bifold, trifold, slim, and travel wallets, though some of these categories can be combined.
Many smart wallets are grouped with technology- and electronics-related products, so sales events like Cyber Monday can be a good time to score a deal on a smart wallet. Beyond sales events, you can use an Amazon price tracking extension like Keepa if you want to set price thresholds and get notifications when those prices are available. Keepa also lets you see the price history of an item on Amazon, so you know if the deal you are getting is a good deal or if you should hold out for another price drop or product.
The best wallets are made of leather, faux leather, or aluminum and carbon fiber. High-quality wallets have leather liners for card and money pockets. Make sure to take stock of your credit and debit cards before you make your purchase. An RFID blocking wallet prevents thieves from using an RFID scanner to collect financial and personal information. Read the specific details about the RFID blocking capabilities of smart wallets you’re considering, because many can only block a specific number of card slots on a given wallet. Figure out how many cards you have where RFID blocking is important first, then do your research.
