Everyday Carry

Authored by:
Adam Molina
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products

Next to one’s phone and keys, a wallet is probably everyone’s most essential carry item. It’s meant to do one job–carry your cash and cards well–and usually, that’s the end of its duties. But with the rise of more innovative and compact tech, wallets can do so much more in such little space. This guide looks at some of the best smart wallets you can buy, each offering an essential security or convenience feature to take your everyday carry to the next level.


Our Top Picks

The Best Overall Smart Wallet: Ridge Carbon Case [Buy

The Best Smart Wallet on a Budget: Hayvenhurst AirTag Holder [Buy

The Most Premium Smart Wallet: Dango M1 AirTag Wallet [Buy]

The Best Leather Smart Wallet: Geometric Goods Leather AirTag Billfold Wallet 2.0 [Buy

The Most Compact Smart Wallet: Distil Union Wally Junior MagSafe [Buy


Ridge Carbon Case
Hayvenhurst AirTag Holder
Dango M1 AirTag Wallet
Geometric Goods Leather AirTag Billfold Wallet 2.0
Distil Union Wally Junior MagSafe





$
$
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Dimensions4.13" x 2.80" x 1.34"
Dimensions: 4.96" x 4.02" x 1.14"
Dimensions4.25" x 3.00" x 0.43"
Dimensions: 3.30" x 3.70" x 0.80"
Dimensions3.80" x 2.50" x 0.32"
Capacity12 cards
Capacity12 cards
Capacity: 10 cards
Capacity8 cards
Capacity: 4 cards
Key Features: Tons of material options
Key Features: Pull-out card slot design
Key Features: Handcrafted and made in the USA
Key Features: Secret AirTag pocket
Key Features: Works with most magnetic mounts
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Buy Now
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The Best Smart Wallets, Reviewed


Ridge

The Best Overall Smart Wallet: Ridge Carbon Case

Purchase
Key Features
Cash strap or money clip
RFID blocking
Tons of material options
Specifications
Dimensions
4.13" x 2.8" x 1.34"
Capacity
12 cards
Materials
Aluminum
Rating


Price
$
Ridge’s flagship aluminum minimalist wallet measures a mere 0.24” thick and lets you carry, and RFID protect up to 12 of your most used cards. Your choice of a built-in cash strap or money clip means you’ll always have a few bills on hand for your favorite cash-only lunch spot. The Carbon Case for AirTag attachment instantly upgrades any Ridge wallet by providing a sturdy and secure Kevlar casing for an Apple AirTag, allowing you to track your wallet and ensure it never gets left behind. It attaches to any Ridge wallet via a secure steel base, making it a reliable accessory for everyday essentials. And if you haven’t picked up a Ridge wallet for yourself, you can choose from various colors, materials (like carbon fiber), and finishes to match your style without sacrificing functionality or security.
Hayvenhurst

The Best Smart Wallet on a Budget: Hayvenhurst AirTag Holder

Purchase
Key Features
Full-grain leather
RFID blocking
Pull-out card slot design
Specifications
Dimensions
4.96" x 4.02" x 1.14" (package)
Capacity
12 cards
Materials
Leather
Rating


Price
$
A surefire way to have a bad day is misplacing your wallet and leaving behind your essential cards and cash. That’s why Apple’s new AirTags is a godsend: they’re incredibly compact yet perfectly functional as a tracking device for your equipment. Hayvenhurst’s smart wallet takes full advantage of an AirTag by integrating a slot for one right into its premium full-grain leather exterior. It can fit easily in your front pocket and has card slots for up to 12 cards, pull-out tabs for easy card retrieval, and even RFID-blocking technology for the complete package. Pick one up in three colors at the link below.
Dango

The Most Premium Smart Wallet: Dango M1 AirTag Wallet

Purchase
Key Features
Handcrafted and made in the USA
RFID blocking card cavity
Optional multi-tool
Specifications
Dimensions
4.25" x 3.0" x 0.43"
Capacity
10 cards
Materials
Aluminum, DTEX
Rating


Just released
Price
$$
Plenty of great wallets exist, but not all are as rugged as the Dango M1 AirTag Wallet. Like all of Dango’s products, this one is made with ruggedness and durability in mind. It has a slim design, is made from a combination of leather and 6061 aerospace aluminum, and is an RFID-blocking wallet to keep your cards safe. You can hold up to 6 cards in the main cavity and another 4 in the quick-access pocket on the front. The silicon strap perfectly holds an AirTag, so you can easily locate it whether your wallet is lost in the couch or the back of a taxi across town. It’s also fully compatible with the MT04 multi-tool that Dango sells, so you can add a little extra functionality.
Geometric

The Best Leather Smart Wallet: Geometric Goods Leather AirTag Billfold Wallet 2.0

Purchase
Key Features
Handcrafted
Full-grain leather
Secret AirTag pocket
Specifications
Dimensions
3.3" x 3.7" x 0.8"
Capasity
8 cards
Materials
Leather
Rating


Price
$$
If you want a tried and true leather wallet, then the AirTag Billfold 2.0 from Geometric Goods should be on your shortlist. Made from premium full-grain leather, this bifold is handcrafted in Europe with fantastic craftsmanship. You’ll be able to carry around up to 8 cards and some cash without an issue. What makes this wallet unique is the secret pocket that perfectly fits an AirTag. They come in multiple colors and can be further customized with a special engraving of up to 4 characters so you can make it your own.
Distil

The Most Compact Smart Wallet: Distil Union Wally Junior MagSafe

Purchase
Key Features
Full-grain leather
Quick pull-tab access
Works with most magnetic mounts
Specifications
Dimensions
3.8" x 2.5" x 0.32"
Capacity
4 cards
Materials
Leather
Rating


Price
$
When Apple added MagSafe to the iPhone, they unlocked a new world of possible accessories. One that stands out is the Wally Junior Magsafe by Distil Union. If you’re looking to slim down how much gear you carry in your pockets or don’t carry that much in your wallet to begin with, this card holder could be a great option for you. The slim wallet is made of leather with a hard shell on the back where the magnet is stashed. It snaps onto the back of any MagSafe-compatible phone, letting you carry up to 4 cards securely on the back of your phone. It should also work with car mounts, so you won’t have to choose between a convenient car mount or your wallet. The pull tab also makes this an even better option than the first-party Apple wallets since you won’t need to remove the wallet entirely to access your cards or driver’s license.
SIMPLY

SIMPLY SOIRÉE AirTag Passport Wallet

Purchase
Key Features
Premium vegan leather
Loop and snap design
Included AirTag keychain
Specifications
Dimensions
8.2" x 4.1" x 0.3"
Capacity
3 cards
Materials
Leather
Rating


Price
$
Your passport is one of the most important pieces of gear to keep track of when you’re traveling. The SIMPLY SOIRÉE AirTag Wallet is a clever way to ensure you always know where your wallet is when you’re out and about. You can carry up to 3 cards on the left and some cash, while the right side perfectly fits your passport. Then you can tuck an AirTag into the clasp that secures the wallet so you don’t have to worry about it falling out accidentally. Whether you’re traveling abroad or simply want to keep track of where your passport is before your next vacation, the AirTag Passport Wallet is a great travel wallet if you don’t mind carrying a large bifold.

What Is a Smart Wallet?

A smart wallet is designed to work seamlessly with the technology we use every day. In this case, that could mean that it has a special pocket for you to slip an AirTag into so that you can keep track of it through Apple’s Find My network, or it can mean that the cardholder has a built-in magnet to stay securely on the back of your phone. These typically have a minimalist design and are easily removable if you change your mind.


What Is a Smart Wallet Made Of?

Materials

The wallets on this list are made of high-quality genuine leather, metal, or both. There are plenty of options to go with whatever is most comfortable for you. Some people prefer metal's durability to leather's flexibility, but your cards and cash should be protected.

Bluetooth Module

Most of these wallets have a spot for you to place an AirTag. So while the wallet you choose might not have Bluetooth, the AirTag definitely does. Each AirTag uses Bluetooth to send signals to other Apple devices on the Find My network. It works by creating a huge mesh network of Apple devices. This is how you can find your wallet using the Find My app on Apple devices. Chances are, you’re never too far from another Apple device. As long as you register the AirTag to your Apple account, only you can see its location.

GPS Module

None of the wallets on this list have a GPS module. The key difference is that GPS modules communicate with satellites to pinpoint your location, while AirTags only use Bluetooth to interact with Apple’s mesh network.


Benefits of Owning A Smart Wallet

The ability to track a lost or stolen wallet

The best thing about owning a smart wallet is knowing where it is at all times. Whether you accidentally dropped your wallet under your car seat without realizing it, left it at the bar, or had it stolen, you can track exactly where it is and take appropriate action as long as it’s AirTag compatible.

Minimalist

If you’re tired of carrying around a fat stack of cards in your wallet, a MagSafe-compatible wallet can really slim down your pockets. They use magnets to snap onto the back of a compatible phone and can hold a few of your most used cards. If you’re tired of having to check whether you have your phone AND your wallet in the morning, you can combine the two by slapping one of these bad boys on your phone and calling it a day. These slim wallets are great even if you already have a wallet. You can use it as a credit card holder or even for business cards to get easy access to most cards.

Better security

Between your ID, credit cards, and maybe even your passport, locating your wallet better when lost is crucial. It’s a great defense against pickpocketing when you can pull out your phone and show law enforcement exactly where your wallet is. Having access to its location at any time is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. Plus, many wallets offer RFID blocking to protect your sensitive information as well.

RFID protection

Some wallets also offer RFID protection to protect your cards from being scanned without permission by any passing ne'er-do-wells. People looking to steal information can use machines that, when are close enough to your cards, can scan them to obtain sensitive information. RFID blocking makes it impossible for these machines to scan the contents of your wallets.


FAQs

How do I use a smart wallet?

You can use a smart wallet like any other wallet! It will hold your cards, cash, or passports like any other wallet. The only difference is that if it can hold an AirTag, you’ll have to use Apple’s Find My network to find it should you ever lose your wallet. If you go with a MagSafe wallet, you must properly align it on the back of your phone and let the magnets do the rest.

Where can I find a smart wallet?

We picked out some of the best smart wallets for you to choose from right here! If none of these pique your interest, a quick search will pull up many more options.

What is a smart wallet used for?

A smart wallet is used just like a regular wallet. A smart wallet might have an extra feature or two to help you find it quickly or make it easier to consolidate your everyday carry.


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 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.

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