Erin Porteous
Imagine this; heading to work one morning, you realize you are getting late for work. As you weave through the human traffic, the unthinkable happens. A stranger with an RFID reader manages to skim your credit card information as he stood next to you. Just like that, your personal details are obtained, a copy of your card is made, and you lose thousands of dollars as a result. Seems impossible right? Well, you may need to think again.
There is an upsurge of such cases; not just in the US, but worldwide where RFID-enabled credit cards are in use. Although the statistics are not yet available on the exact number of cases reported, there is an urgent need to protect your credit cards from identity theft. Fortunately, RFID wallets are here to salvage the situation.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), works by transmitting waves through the air, for purposes of identity. This technology is the same one radio stations use to transmit their broadcasts. While it is an innovative way for credit cards to operate, compared to swiping, it can expose you to crafty individual out to harvest your personal information. To prevent that, an RFID wallet works by blocking transmission of your credit card information. This means, as long as your credit card is in the RFID wallet, any attempt at identity theft, will be thwarted.
Top 10 RFID Wallets of 2020 Reviewed
1. HIMI Leather RIFD Blocking Wallet
- Made from durable material
- Wallet package comes with extras
- Does not bulge even when filled
- Designed for men only
- The ID flab is not removable
- Larger than standard wallets
Best RFID Wallet for travel
Made from cowhide leather, the HIMI wallet is tanned, giving it a smooth, nice texture. Notably, HIMI wallet uses natural methods rather than of chemicals in its production process. This feature makes the wallet environmentally friendly.
With a two-fold design, the wallet is stylish and has a classic feel. It comes with a generous amount of space and is designed for men who carry lots of cards, documents and cash. Measuring 4.5×3.5×0.4 inches, the HIMI wallet consists of two cash windows, two ID compartments and 10 card slots. This gives it the capacity to hold up to 18 credit or debit cards.
RFID chips are located within the soft lining of the wallet to ensure credit card security. The chips are equipped to block frequencies of 13.56MHZ or higher. The compact design of the wallet makes it ideal for everyday use and frequent travelers.. What’s more, the various compartments are easily accessible.
2. Protectif RFID Blocking Secure Mini Wallet
- Fairly priced
- Comes in various colors
- Keeps a tight hold on its contents
- No thumb slide on the ID compartment
- The stitching looks uneven and rough
- The leather is thin
Best RFID Wallet for bulky users
Lightweight yet compact in design, this mini-wallet is designed for both front and back pockets. Measuring only 3.2×4.6×0.3 inches, the mini-wallet is portable, sleek and offers convenience due to its small size. The storage space is admirable and consists of three card slots, one ID compartment, as well as a zippered slot for coins and note currency.
The zipper is metal and abrasion-resistant for durability. Notably, the RFID blocking mini-wallet is constructed using full-grain cowhide leather. Apart from being durable, it also gives the wallet a smooth and soft texture while producing a highly fashionable and modern product.
The wallet’s RFID chips are conspicuously located in between the wallets’ leather and inner lining. Featuring genuine leather and strong lining, the mini-wallet ensures maximum protection for the magnetic strips and chips against wear and tear. The super-slim design of the wallet offers portability and convenience. It can also fit well under clothing and money belt. What’s more, an incorporated thumb notch makes it easy to remove cards from the wallet.
3. Estalon Leather Wallet with RFID Blocking Card
- Wide choice of colors available
- Comes with a one-year warranty
- Affordable
- Tendency to bleed colors
- Not waterproof
- All the slots cannot be used at the same time due to bulging
Best RFID Wallet for functionality and style
The Estalon leather wallet is slightly larger than a standard wallet. This gives it additional space with larger compartments for cash and cards. Constructed using a sleeve design, the wallet is made using genuine cowhide leather, giving it an attractive look and soft texture. The wallet’s stitching is sturdy and even, thus guarantees durability.
With six compartments that hold up to eight cards, the wallet provides ample space. Notably, three of the card slots are vertical to provide easy access. There is also a large main compartment designed to hold bills and an ID window with a thumb notch for convenience.
The wallet measures 4.4×3.2×0 inches, and the RFID blocking feature is securely located between the leather and the wallets’ inner lining. Despite its large storage compartments, the Estalon wallet is light, versatile, highly functional, and can slip into your front or back pocket easily.
4. Buffway Slim Minimalist Leather Wallet
- Does not get bulky
- Sturdy construction
- Comes in a variety of shades to choose from
- Cannot handle a huge amount of cash
- Inner slots pose a challenge when removing contents
- Only two slots have easy access
Best RFID Wallet for multiple cards
The Buffway Slim wallet is compact, discreet, stylish and small. Unlike most wallets designed with a specific gender in mind, the Buffway Slim wallet is unisex. The small design ensures it can fit in all pockets, including purses and travel packs. The wallet consists of four slots for credit cards, and a transparent window slot to carry your ID or driving license.
The window display eliminates the need to remove your ID/driving license when proving identity. The two main slide compartments are designed to carry credit and business cards, while the middle pocket can hold bills, coins, tickets, receipts, among others. Made from 100% leather, this wallet is durable and sturdy.
To protect your credit cards, the RIFD technology the wallet is equipped with can repel electronic signals of between 13-14MHZ. On the other hand, the wallet cannot block lower frequencies like those of access cards and hotel keys. This means you can gain access without necessarily having to remove the passes from the wallet.
5. Serman Brands RFID Leather Wallet
- Stylish design
- Lightweight
- Comes with a 12-month warranty
- Ideal for men only
- Seams give out fast if overstuffed
- Pull tab is not sturdy
Best RFID Wallet for quick access
The Serman Brands RFID Leather wallet stands out with its quick access sleeve. It comes with a rounded-off hole to easily slide in and pull out a card. This feature comes in handy for those who use one card for a majority of their transactions. Measuring 4x3x0.6 inches, the wallet comprises of a front pocket, two inner pockets and a cash slot.
For more convenient access, the wallet is equipped with a pull-strap. Its capacity can hold 6-10 cards and around 20 bills comfortably, without bulging. Since it is handcrafted, there is more attention to detail and quality.
Made from genuine luxury leather, the wallet is durable as the leather forms a thick layer and has a nice smell. The RFID chips are well protected by the thick outer layer and can protect against frequencies of 13.56 MHZ and above.
6. GDTK Leather Wallet for women
- Fairly priced
- Slim and discreet design.
- Comes in various colors
- The leather is stiff
- Does not hold too many cards
- Contents accessibility is a challenge
Best RFID Wallet for women
Despite its seemingly small size, the GDTK women’s wallet is quite roomy. It consists of 6 slots for cards, a coin pocket, bill compartment and a slot for a passport size photo. Measuring 3.7×4.1×0.5 inches, the wallet is designed for women’s comfort, portability and convenience. Made from high quality cowhide, the wallet has a smooth, sleek and stylish finish, which gives it a defined look and smooth feel.
Notably, the wallet can easily be slipped into a coat pocket, handbag or a crossbody bag. This gives you the convenience to handle the basic items you cannot leave home without like credit or debit cards, ID, driving license, receipts, tickets and cash.
The wallet’s RFID blocking material borrows heavily from military-grade technology. It can successfully block off frequencies of 13.56MHZ or higher. However, the wallet does not block access cards. To maintain its traditional look and feel, the wallet is handcrafted and sewn together by hand. This enhances quality and reduces incidents of poor craftsmanship on the end product.
7. Venture 4th Travel Neck Pouch
- Lightweight
- Adjustable neck straps
- Velcro and zippered pockets
- ID display is not sealed
- Straps are too thin
- Larger than most pouches in the same category
Best RFID Wallet for travel
Looking for the perfect travel companion? The Venture 4th Travel Neck Pouch is designed for travelers. The pouch comes with three main compartments to store travel documents and credit cards. The main compartment can store valuables and a passport. The other two pockets can accommodate boarding passes and credit cards.
For added security, you can be keep it beneath your clothes, and out of sight. Even under light clothes, the pouch will remain invisible. To make the pouch durable, Venture 4th uses tough rip-stop water-resistant nylon. The seams are double-stitched to make the pouch more sturdy and rugged.
To ensure your documents are not damaged by body heat, the compartments of the pouch are divided by a breathable mesh material. An ID window ensures you do not have to extract documents every time for identification. Notably, the RIFD blocking chips, are conveniently located inside the lining of the pouch.
8.Travando Money Clip Wallet
- Sleek and stylish appearance
- Fitted with a strong clip
- Excellent product detailing
- The slot after the money clip can be too tight.
- The credit card slots face the opposite direction making accessibility a challenge
- Not as slim as other wallets of the same class
Best RFID Wallet for valuables
With a simple, slim yet functional design, the Travando money clip is a bi-fold wallet designed to offer easy access and provide security for cards and valuables. The wallet comes with three credit card compartments and a money clip located in the middle. The money clip is tight and sturdy ensuring a secure hold on your cash.
The wallet has a 7-10 credit card capacity, and a space for 15-20 currency notes. It does not lose its original shape even when stuffed. What’s more, he edges are well rounded and the company logo is superbly etched on the wallets surface. The wallet measures 4.5×2.8×0.5 inches making it an ideal fit for any pocket. Made with a combination of tough premium materials, the Travando wallet is durable and stylish.
All the wallets’ contents are protected by a 13.56MHZ shield including the outer compartment. There are two colors to choose from; brown and black. The stitching of the seams is unmatched and will last for a considerable time even with everyday use.
9. BRYK Card Holder Case
- Waterproof properties
- Stylish design
- Does not get damaged easily
- The fitted plastic accordion eats up valuable space
- Bills have to be folded up to three times to fit in the case
- Limited space for business cards
Best RFID Wallet for maximum protection
Constructed using stainless steel, the BRYK holder case provides maximum protection for your cards, documents and other valuables. Despite its metal construction, the holder’s surface is smooth with no rough edges that may damage garments. The BRYK holder case is spacious and can accommodate up to seven cards comfortably.
The case comes with security airtight latches and offers additional protection to the case holder’s contents. Due to its smooth surface, the case can be customized and engraved with a name or initials, to give it a personal touch. It comes packaged in an elegant box making it an ideal option to offer as a gift.
Durability is guaranteed, and the BRYK card holder case comes with a lifetime warranty. Measuring 3.7×2.5×0.4 inches, the case can fit into any pocket. The RFID protective shield offers peace of mind as you go about your daily hustle while giving you convenient access to your credit cards.
10. Radix One Slim Wallet
- Sturdy build
- The plastic cover offers privacy
- Waterproof
- Large cards cannot fit
- Limited space for cash
- Due to its tight design, cards cannot be retrieved fast enough
Best Slim RFID Wallet
The Radix One Slim Wallet is ultra-thin and designed for people who prefer to carry only the most essential items. The wallet is extremely light and weighs less than an ounce. In fact, you will hardly notice its presence. Despite its slim profile, the wallet can hold 4-10 credit and business cards and comes in a bi-fold design. Measuring a paltry 2×3.5×0.5 inches, the Radix slim wallet is made for front pockets, but can also be carried in your back pocket.
Made using tough molded plastic known as polycarbonate, this Radix wallet is durable and can withstand a lot of abuse. The wallet’s plastic panel is designed with notches to give you a better grip when removing cards or cash. On the other hand, the plastic panels are held together by a strong silicone band.
If you do not like plastic wallets, Radix offers a stainless steel version, coupled with RFID protection. The only difference is the weight as steel tends to weigh more. The pricing is also slightly different; the plastic version is cheaper.
What it takes to get a good RFID wallet – Buying Guide
Notably, the main objective of an RFID wallet is to prevent your credit card information from falling into the wrong hands. However, not all RFID wallets deliver what they claim. As such, you ought to understand what it takes to get a good RFID wallet. The most effective RFID wallets are either made from metal, canvas, synthetic materials, hard plastic or leather. Such type of casing plays a huge role in blocking an electromagnetic field, similar to those found in RFID scanners. It is worth noting, however, that the casing only acts as a complementary aid to blocking RFID scanners.
RFID wallets are equipped with a protective sheath that blocks the signal referred to as a Faraday Cage. When an identity thief tries skimming, the Faraday Cage ensures the credit card is opaque, and cannot be accessed. It is this feature that makes RFID wallets stand out from the conventional wallets, but it does not in any way affect their size or design.
A Faraday Cage consists of wrapping or layer constructed using either metal or carbon fiber. This feature usually goes unnoticed. In fact, RFID wallets look and feel just like the standard wallet. RFID wallets can be categorized into three;
- Men’s RFID wallets
- Women’s RFID wallets
- Breast pocket RFID wallets
Take note of the style and design
RFID wallets come in various shapes and sizes. Choose your preferred RFID wallet depending on its intended use. For example, if you have numerous credit cards, pick a wallet with several compartments to accommodate each card separately. Most RFID wallets come with this feature. Others have extras like slots to keep coins, ID’s, travel documents, tickets, receipts and driving licenses. A wallet should be chosen based on appearance and functionality.
Here are some of the most common styles of RFID wallets available and their uses;
1. Bi-fold or Billfold RFID Wallet
These are the most common wallets in the market. In fact, when the word wallet is mentioned, chances are, billfold wallets will be the first to come to mind. The billfold wallet was designed to fit into jacket and pant pockets. The wallets come with a few different compartments for various bill denominations. They also have provisions for credit and store cards, and a transparent slot for an identification card. The wallets open and close like a book.
2. Tri-fold RFID Wallet
Tri-fold wallets resemble billfold wallets. The only difference is they have more storage space. The tri-fold wallets come with an additional compartment located at the back of the wallet to store receipts, coins and note currency. All the three compartments can be used to store credit cards, cash, photos and IDs. The compartments can then be folded up to become one. The only downside associated with tri-fold wallets is they can get very bulky.
3. Breast pocket RFID wallet
Designed long and thin to fit into a trench coat or jacket breast pocket, the wallet comes with numerous compartments for various uses. It has several card slots. The cash slots are unique as you do not have to fold the bill. Breast pocket wallets also have provisions for other documents such as travel documents, tickets and cheque books. Owing to the generous space available, the breast pocket wallet is also fondly referred to as the travel, secretary or checkbook wallet.
4. Accordian RFID Wallet
Just like the name suggests, the wallet resembles an accordion. The wallet’s design is thick and comes with a zippered pocket. It also has several compartments for credit cards, cash, travel documents, coins and identity cards. The accordion wallet can store all your important documents under one roof, but it can also get extremely heavy and bulky.
5. Side-by-Side RFID Wallet
This is a thin wallet designed with two full compartments on opposite sides, to store your credit cards and cash. Instead of folding along the breadth, the side-by-side wallet folds along its length. The wallet is an excellent choice for those who are not fond of bulky wallets.
6. Wrist RFID Wallets
If you need to see and feel your wallet at all times, then the wrist wallet would come in handy. Designed for both men and women, the wallet is thin and provides a hands-free option. It also comes with several compartments to store credit cards and cash. Some wrist wallets have a convenient smartphone storage pocket on the exterior and come in various styles and colors.
7. RFID Jimi Wallet
The case of a Jimi wallet is made using hard plastic and has cash and credit card slots on either side. To protect its contents, it snaps shut and has a clip at the back of wallet to attach to the belt band. The Jimi wallet is popular, especially with people who take part in water sports as it is water-proof. It is also light and does not get bulky, favoring people who are always on the move.
8. RFID Money Clip
Designed with a heavy duty metal clip, this wallet can hold several credit cards and lots of cash at a go. The money clip wallet is for individuals who prefer a high level of organization. The wallet comes with an array of different compartments that can be customized, and allocated to specific credit cards. Money clip wallets also have a provision for the owner’s name or initials.
9. Designer RFID Wallets
Due to the current huge demand for RFID wallets, many designer labels have thrown their hats into the ring. Some of them include; Lethnic, Tomy Hilfiger, Serman, MaxGear, Travelambo, Zero Grid, Prada, among others. The advantage of designer labels is the wallets come in different designs and colors, offering you a wider variety to choose from. Quality is also assured.
A look at Functionality
Wallets come in all shapes, sizes and are made from various materials. The level of functionality of your choice of wallet should be based on your lifestyle. If you prefer to carry the bare necessities, choose a minimalist wallet. In case you travel a lot, then a more secure option would be the best. Quick and easy access is also worth considering especially for the cards you use the most. Some wallets have thumb notches to increase the level of grip.
What Materials are available?
The most common material for RFID wallets is leather. When it comes to durability, studies and tests have shown genuine leather wallets are some of the most durable. This, though, depends on individual use and the levels of wear and tear. It is worth noting, however, that leather does not always translate to quality. There is low and high-quality leather. Full-grain leather offers the best quality compared to genuine leather. The pricing is also different with full-grain leather wallets costing more.
On the other hand, there are Silk RFID Wallets, mostly designed for women. Silk wallets come in various colorful, eye-catching and intricate designs and prints. Some are made for special occasions, while others are for daily use. The wallets serve as credit card and cash holders. Compared to leather wallets, silk wallets are cheaper but less durable and are prone to damage and tears. Curiously, men’s silk wallets are also available but come in more sober designs.
Another common material for RFID Wallets is fabric. Wallets in this category can be made using cotton, polyvinyl, nylon, microfiber and synthetics. They also come with various compartments for credit cards, documents and cash. When choosing a fabric wallet, it is advisable to pick one that is water-proof for the enhanced safety of your valuables. Fabric wallets are cheap and durable, depending on individual care and usage.
Final Verdict
In a nutshell, settle for an RFID wallet from a well known reliable brand. Some RFID wallets have been known to be effective for a short duration before the ability to block skimmers wears off. Buying from a trusted brand considerably reduces the chances of purchasing a low-quality RFID wallet.
RFID wallets are made using various materials. Metal, leather and synthetic materials have proved to be longer-lasting. The three materials also offer more protection from external forces. Genuine leather RFID wallets may be slightly expensive compared to the others, but they are worth every penny in the long-term.
Online stores provide the best platform to shop and purchase RFID wallets. This is because they offer a wide variety of designs, styles, prints and colors. Take your time though, and read through the reviews and ratings, before adding anything to your cart.
Identity theft is real, and protecting yourself by purchasing an RFID wallet is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Prevention is always better than cure, and you are better safe than sorry.
