Everyday Carry

The 8 Best Key Holders for EDC in 2024, Ranked & Reviewed

Authored by:
Adam Molina
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
The 8 Best Key Holders for EDC in 2024, Ranked & Reviewed

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For the modern urban dweller, there are a few essentials that are, at minimum, always present in one's pockets: a phone, a wallet, and keys. But until you can unlock your front door, open your mailbox, start your car, or secure a safe with your phone or cards, those keys will always be an unfortunate part of your everyday carry. You could toss 'em in your pocket, but the resulting jumble of metal just isn't comfortable. And dangling them from your belt loop works, but there are more secure and quiet ways to go about it. So, what's the best way to carry your keys?

Thankfully, that's a question many brands have been working hard to answer, leaving us with plenty of great solutions for key organization. The best key holder can turn your messy, jangly keychain into something you can be proud of—just like the rest of your gear. We're highlighting our picks for the eight best key holders, so it's easier than ever to step up your organization game while also matching it perfectly with the rest of your EDC.


Our Top Picks

The Best Overall Key Holder: The Ridge KeyCase [Buy]

The Most Premium Key Holder: Orbitkey Saffiano Leather [Buy]

The Most Heavy-Duty Key Holder: KeyBar G10 [Buy]

The Smartest Key Holder: KeySmart Max [Buy]

The Most Compact Key Holder: Quiet Carry The Shorty G2 [Buy]


The Ridge KeyCase
Orbitkey Saffiano Leather
KeyBar G10
KeySmart Max
Quiet Carry The Shorty G2





$$
$
$
$$
$
Layout: 6L
LayoutSingle pivot
Layout: KeyBar G10
Layout: Double pivot
LayoutSingle pivot with knife
Materials: 2-6 keys
Materials2-7 keys
Materials: 14 keys
Materials14 keys
Materials: 3-5 keys
Key Features: Corrosion-resistant
Key Features: Unique locking pivot
Key Features: Lots of aftermarket mods
Key Features: Tile app integration
Key Features: Removable blade
Buy Now
Buy Now
Buy Now
Buy Now

The

The Best Overall Key Holder: The Ridge KeyCase

Purchase
Key Features
Highly durable
Corrosion-resistant
Minimalist
Specifications
Layout
Single pivot
Capacity
2-6 keys
Material
24 Karat Gold, others
EDC Rating


Price
$$
The KeyCase follows suit with The Ridge’s minimalist design, staying small, just under 3“, and weighing in at 2.5 oz, adding little footprint to your existing key setup. It sports Ridge’s patent-pending tension plate system, consisting of a single piece of 6061-T6 aluminum machined in a U-shape that gives it the tension to expand or shrink when carrying between 2-5 keys. Like an EDC knife’s handles, each side of the KeyCase comes with plates in various materials reminiscent of Ridge’s wallets. Your keys are held in place by a Bolt Tool that you can tighten or loosen to your preference, while a cutout lets you swing them out as needed. Last but not least are two carry options, a black keyring, and a pocket clip, giving you plenty of options for suspension and retrieval from your pockets or gear.
Orbitkey

The Most Premium Key Holder: Orbitkey Saffiano Leather

Purchase
Key Features
Unique locking pivot
Water-resistant
Soft to the touch
Specifications
Layout
Single pivot
Capacity
2-7 keys
Material
Saffiano leather, others
EDC Rating


Price
$
Orbitkey’s signature key holder streamlines and silences your keys in a compact, single-pivot design. A material loop folded over and joined at a large screw pivot forms a pocket-friendly housing for your jingling house keys that prevents poking in your pocket and scratches on the rest of your gear. This variant features iconic Saffiano leather (used by many luxury brands) and gold foil detailing in the hardware, providing both premium looks and performance. It accommodates up to 7 keys, a D-ring for a car fob, and modular add-on tools, including a multi-tool, USB drive, and item tracking device.
KeyBar

The Most Heavy-Duty Key Holder: KeyBar G10

Purchase
Key Features
Full G10 composite
Lightweight
Lots of aftermarket mods
Specifications
Layout
Single pivot
Capacity
12 keys with included screws
Material
G10, ‎aluminum
EDC Rating


Price
$
The KeyBar G10 Key Holder is a heavy-duty option for anyone, whether you’re looking to organize a few keys or has to carry around an obscene amount of keys. You can configure it to hold anywhere from 4 keys to an insane 28 keys with extension screws and inserts. It’s made of a strong G10 composite material and has a titanium deep carry pocket clip while still weighing less than 2 ounces without any keys attached. It also has a place for those pesky key fobs. If you have more keys than the average person and are looking for a way to tidy up your carry, this could be for you. There’s a reason it’s the go-to EDC key organizer for so many.
KeySmart

The Smartest Key Holder: KeySmart Max

Purchase
Key Features
Brighter flashlight
Rechargeable battery
Tile app integration
Specifications
Layout
Double pivot
Capacity
14 keys
Material
Polycarbonate
EDC Rating


Price
$$
KeySmart has long been one of the most popular key holders, and the KeySmart Max takes it to the next level. It’s made of tough polycarbonate and can hold up to 14 keys, but there’s more to it than that. The Max combines the tried-and-true design of previous versions with a few smart features that make it an even better option. For one, it has a built-in flashlight twice as bright as previous versions. It also comes with a handy multi-tool that slots right next to your keys without an issue. The best feature, however, is the built-in Bluetooth that helps you locate your keys via the Tile app if you misplace them. If you want a smart compact key organizer to add to your carry, this is a good option.

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Quiet

The Most Compact Key Holder: Quiet Carry The Shorty G2

Purchase
Key Features
Compact and minimal
Removable blade
Extension posts
Specifications
Layout
Single pivot with knife
Capacity
3-5 keys
Material
Titanium
EDC Rating


Just released
Price
$
If you’re looking for something that won’t take up precious pocket space, check out The Shorty G2 by Quiet Carry. This key holder measures 2.3” in length and still fits a practical 1.7” pocket knife with a frame lock. It’s worth noting that you can remove the blade if you often travel to avoid getting stopped by TSA. You can swap in a multi-tool blade with a built-in bottle opener and pry bar. It’s made of 6AL 4V Titanium, so you know it’ll have no problem with life in your pockets. It can hold up to three keys and a key fob by default, but it does come with extension posts and washers, so you can carry five keys if you need the extra capacity.
Bellroy

Bellroy Key Cover Plus Key Holder

Purchase
Key Features
Super slim design
Leather fob loop
Magnetic closure
Specifications
Layout
Single or double set
Capacity
4-8 keys
Material
Leather
EDC Rating


Just released
Price
$
Bellroy makes all kinds of high-quality EDC gear, so it’s no surprise that it also provides a great solution to noisy jangly keys. Like most of its products, the Bellroy Key Cover Plus is made of premium leather that will age beautifully the longer you have it. A magnetic closure keeps the case shut and your keys secure, while a small leather loop keeps your car key or key fob attached. It can hold anywhere from 4-8 keys and measures only 3.6” in length, so it won’t add any bulk to your pockets. This option is worth trying out for a sleeker alternative to the trusty carabiner.
Distil

Distil Union KeyLoop Kit Key Holder

Purchase
Key Features
MagLock feature
Silent key organization
Removable and reusable KeyMods
Specifications
Layout
Single pivot
Capacity
6 keys
Materials
Neodymium magnets, nylon, full-grain leather
EDC Rating


Price
$
For a key holder with a clever bit of added functionality, check out the Union KeyLoop Kit by Distil Union. This key holder is fully compatible with the Distil Union Ferris ModStation, which means that there’s a built-in magnet for modular versatility. So while it’s meant to be snapped onto the Distil Union ModStation, you can attach it to anything metal for safekeeping. The cool part is that it uses the Distil Union MagLock system, so you can freely rotate all six keys up to 360 degrees making it easy to choose the one you need in the moment. When you’re down, magnets silently snap them all back into place. Plus, it’s made of gorgeous leather that should patina nicely over time.
KeyPort

KeyPort Pivot 2.0 Essential Bundle Key Holder

Purchase
Key Features
Simple setup
Included multi-tool
Lots of aftermarket mods
Specifications
Layout
Single pivot
Capacity
1-8 keys
Materials
Aluminum, Titanium
EDC Rating


Price
$
The Keyport Pivot Essential Bundle is an all-in-one key organizer setup that consolidates common EDC tools like a flashlight and multi-tool alongside the rest of your keys. It’s been updated to a 2.0 version with many improvements over the original, including more robust hardware and a simplified setup. The Pivot's aircraft-grade aluminum chassis serves as the base, with a single pivot to swivel out 2-9 keys. Modular attachments can mount to the outside of the chassis, like the included LED flashlight module. The Essential Bundle includes one of Keyport's Anywhere Tools, the MOCA 10-in-1 multi-tool, to cover the rest of your bases.

What Exactly Is a Key Holder?

For many in the EDC community, a tried-and-true carabiner is the preferred method of carrying keys. A key holder lets you organize and quickly access any keys you need throughout the day. They are more on the minimal side, forcing you to think about whether to carry the emergency key to your friend's house every day or if you could leave that in a safe space.


The Benefits of a Key Holder?

Never Misplace Your Keys

One benefit of having a key holder is having all your essential keys in one easy-to-carry piece of gear. They are easier to keep track of than a simple keyring, and some have other ways to help you locate them. Some have built-in Bluetooth to help you locate your keys via an app on your phone, while others utilize built-in magnets so you can snap them onto something metal when you get home.

Adds Aesthetic Value

While some great carabiners are out there, keys rarely look good. Getting a key holder can help to make your EDC look way cleaner while having the added benefit of keeping your jingling keys silent while you move around. Plus, many options organize the keys to save space in your pockets while looking great.


Buying Guide For the Best Key Organizers

Material

Like any good EDC tool, the material matters here. You don’t want to put your trust in something that will fall apart over a few months. You want something that’s going to stand the test of time. Thankfully, there are plenty of materials to choose from. Metal is a great option for keeping your keys safe, and it won’t fall apart over time, but it is also rigid. A leather key organizer is more comfortable to carry but likely won’t be as durable as something made from titanium. That said, the leather will patina with time to better match your carry style and will certainly still last a very long time, so it depends on what you’re looking for.

Capacity

Most people can get away with carrying just a few keys, but some might need a more robust key organizer. Make sure to take stock of how many keys you need to keep on you so that you can be sure that whichever one you choose will get the job done.

Design

Like the rest of your carefully curated EDC, sometimes design makes or breaks something you’d want to carry or use. Fortunately, since many of the key organizers on this list are designed by and for EDCers, you have a lot of aesthetic and material options to best match your preference and usage. Want something light, but strong? There are plenty of titanium options. Prefer heritage leather? There’s that too. Want something that’s super minimal? You’ll find that on this list as well.


FAQs

What is the most popular key organizer?

The most popular key organizer is the OrbitKey Saffiano leather, which is in plenty of kits. It’s a simple loop of leather that keeps all your keys in one place, and because it’s made of quality leather it won’t look out of place whether you’re at the mall or in a suit. It’s popular for a reason, so if you want to upgrade your noisy key carabiner, this is a good choice.

What is the best way to organize keys?

There are plenty of ways to organize your keys, and there isn’t a single best way to accomplish this. Some people prefer throwing them on a carabiner, while others try to keep a low profile by finding a quiet key holder like some of the options in this list. As long as you’re not stuffing a pile of loose keys into your pockets every morning, the best way to organize them is to ensure you have a system for knowing where they are.

Are key organizers good for storing other tools?

Not all key organizers are good for storing other tools, but some are. While you’ll have a hard time stuffing a keychain flashlight into something like the Bellroy Key Cover, there are other options like the Quiet Carry The Short G2, which has a built-in blade or multi-tool option. The KeyPort Pivot 2 even has a flashlight built right into the frame, saving you the trouble of carrying a separate flashlight in the first place.

What are key holders called?

Key holders can also be referred to as key organizers. Regardless of what you call them, they all do the same thing. Consolidate that jingly mess of keys into a single, easy-to-carry piece of gear that you can keep in your EDC with pride.


How we picked

Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what’s new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget.

What is Everyday Carry?

Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily lives. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.

Why you should trust us

Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men’s essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise with the industry and familiarity in design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.

Adam Molina

Senior Contributor


About the Author
Adam Molina is a product review expert and seasoned everyday-carry enthusiast. They have covered gadgets and niche items for almost ten years and are passionate about exploring the ever-evolving landscape of consumer electronics and everyday carry gear. Having always been drawn towards electronics, they began their career reviewing audio gear and personal electronics for outlets like Soundguys, Android Authority, and Business Insider. They are currently a member of MKBHD network of channels, including an executive producer role on the Waveform Podcast.

In addition to their expertise in the tech realm, Adam possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in everyday carry gear ranging from watches to niche carabiners. He has used more backpacks than he can count, a plethora of different kinds of wallets, all kinds of multi-tools, and many random gadgets that never even make it into a recommended buying guide. Adam has developed a deep understanding of the nuances and practicality that make these items indispensable to modern-day life.

Adam is an avid runner and reader in their spare time and loves to learn random skills. Adam is the go-to resource if you are looking for an expert opinion on a product or want to learn more about everyday carry. They are happy to answer any questions and help you find the best products for your needs.

Bernard Capulong

Founder and Editor-in-Chief


About the Reviewer
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.

Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.

In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.