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 | Layout: Single pivot | Layout: KeyBar G10 | Layout: Double pivot | Layout: Single pivot with knife |
| Materials: 2-6 keys | Materials: 2-7 keys | Materials: 14 keys | Materials: 14 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 Best Overall Key Holder: The Ridge KeyCase
Purchase
The Most Premium Key Holder: Orbitkey Saffiano Leather
Purchase
The Most Heavy-Duty Key Holder: KeyBar G10
Purchase
The Smartest Key Holder: KeySmart Max
Purchase
The Most Compact Key Holder: Quiet Carry The Shorty G2
Purchase
Bellroy Key Cover Plus Key Holder
Purchase
Distil Union KeyLoop Kit Key Holder
Purchase
KeyPort Pivot 2.0 Essential Bundle Key Holder
PurchaseWhat 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.
