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 |
$ | $ | $$ | $$ | $ |
Dimensions: 4.13" x 2.80" x 1.34" | Dimensions: 4.96" x 4.02" x 1.14" | Dimensions: 4.25" x 3.00" x 0.43" | Dimensions: 3.30" x 3.70" x 0.80" | Dimensions: 3.80" x 2.50" x 0.32" |
Capacity: 12 cards | Capacity: 12 cards | Capacity: 10 cards | Capacity: 8 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 |
Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
The Best Smart Wallets, Reviewed
The Best Overall Smart Wallet: Ridge Carbon Case
PurchaseThe Best Smart Wallet on a Budget: Hayvenhurst AirTag Holder
PurchaseThe Most Premium Smart Wallet: Dango M1 AirTag Wallet
PurchaseThe Best Leather Smart Wallet: Geometric Goods Leather AirTag Billfold Wallet 2.0
PurchaseThe Most Compact Smart Wallet: Distil Union Wally Junior MagSafe
PurchaseSIMPLY SOIRÉE AirTag Passport Wallet
PurchaseWhat 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.
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 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.
Discussion (4 total)