Losing your wallet is a universal human experience, like misplacing your car keys or forgetting where you put the remote. In the past, recovering a lost wallet often came down to pure luck and the goodwill of whoever found it. But modern technology has turned what used to be a game of chance into a temporary inconvenience.
Thanks to smart trackers and specially-designed wallets, we no longer have to spend hours cancelling credit cards and filling out replacement forms. Modern technology has transformed this age-old tradition into a matter of opening an app. Within seconds, you can locate your wallet’s last known location and, hopefully, have it back in your pocket by the end of the day.
Some wallets have smart tracking features and RFID-blocking built in, while others can be made “smart” by slipping a thin tracker into a credit card slot. A basic leather bifold paired with a tracker like the can provide the same peace of mind as a wallet with an integrated AirTag. Whether you’re simply looking for a way to protect your credit cards or you want to track your wallet down in an emergency, here are the best smart wallets you can buy.
The Best Overall Smart Wallet
Bellroy Hide & Seek
- Design remains slim even when fully loaded
- Features a hidden bill section
- Easily accommodates slim smart trackers
- Raised Bellroy logo may ding desks or catch on clothes
| Specification: | |
| Style | Bifold |
| Size | Holds up to 12 cards |
| Material | Leather |
| RFID | Yes |
The Bellroy Hide & Seek is a classic bifold made with premium full-grain leather; it’s soft to the touch, expertly crafted, and surprisingly robust despite its slim profile. In addition to four quick access card slots, there’s a hidden section that can protect business cards, plus a secondary pouch to conceal large bills. That secondary pouch is so well hidden that you wouldn’t know it was there unless someone told you, yet it’s easy to access by pulling up the flap.
I’ve been a front pocket wallet user for the past ten years, but after two weeks of using the Hide & Seek, I’m switching. It’s remarkable how slim the wallet feels even when it’s stuffed with 10+ cards. Bifolds have a tendency to feel bulky and heavy when they’re fully loaded, but that isn’t the case with the Hide & Seek. And while I’ve only been using the wallet for a few weeks, it’s holding up well to daily use — no stitch, pocket, or flap out of place. The vegetable-tanned leather is sourced from gold-rated Leather Working Group tanneries, with nine colors to choose from.
Beyond its durable design, it offers RFID protection and plenty of room to accommodate a smart tracking card, while leaving the four quick access card slots untouched. The overall layout is practical, and the cards slide in and out of each slot easily. With thoughtful design details, a hidden cash compartment, and a discreet coin pocket, Bellroy’s Hide & Seek is the best bifold we’ve used.
The Best Budget Smart Wallet
Smart Buy Apple AirTag Wallet
- Built-in AirTag case
- RFID blocking
- Slim design is very pocketable
- Only holds eight cards
| Specification: | |
| Style | Slim |
| Size | Up to 8 cards |
| Material | Leather |
| RFID | Yes |
If you own an iPhone, chances are you're already using Apple Wallet to hold most of your cards — and if you're not, you really should be. This is where The Smart Buy's minimalist Apple AirTag Wallet comes in; it's a slim wallet that holds only five cards, but that's more than enough to handle a driver's license and one or two backup payment cards with enough room to spare for a bit of cash.
What's unique about this for Apple fans is that it has a built-in holder for an AirTag, so you won't have to worry about losing it or misplacing it. Whether you left it at the gym or office or you're just trying to figure out where you set it down in your house, having an AirTag strapped to your wallet can be invaluable. There's also RFID-blocking technology to protect your cards, and it's available in brown, black carbon fiber, and blue.
The Best Quick Card Access
Ekster Parliament Wallet
- Quick card access mechanism
- Option to add a tracker card
- Premium leather
- The design may not be for everyone
| Specification: | |
| Style | Slim |
| Size | Up to 12 cards |
| Material | Leather |
| RFID | Yes |
Ekster's Parliament Wallet is a classic choice for environment-conscious shoppers. Made from premium environmentally certified leather from LWG gold-rated tanneries, it comes in a choice of 10 colors and boasts RFID-blocking technology to keep your cards safe.
The built-in aluminum cardholder holds up to 12 cards and has a quick-access mechanism that fans out your cards at the touch of a button, making it easy to find exactly what you need without fumbling through a stack of cards. There's also the option to add a Chipolo tracker card for an additional $35, which provides peace of mind with its 200-foot range and three-month battery life.
The tracker’s smart features include compatibility with Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri, and it works with all phones running iOS 11 or Android 5 and above. While the wallet’s premium materials and features command a higher price, its combination of sustainability, security, and convenience makes it a worthwhile investment.
The Best Slim Smart Wallet
Nomad Card Wallet Plus
- Genuine Horween leather
- Easily accommodates slim smart trackers
- Hold up to 16 cards
- Quick access card slot
- No RFID shielding
| Specification: | |
| Style | Slim |
| Size | Up to 16 cards |
| Material | Leather |
| RFID | No |
Somewhere along the way we started accepting humungous wallets as the norm. The Nomad Card Wallet Plus pushes back against this by offering a wallet that’s simultaneously slim yet capable of holding a lot of cards — up to 16 at maximum capacity. If you still carry cash, the number of cards it can accommodate gets cut down to 12, but that should still be plenty for most users. It was plenty for me during my time testing it — I actually prefer cutting down on the number of cards I carry at any one time.
Whether it’s a case, laptop sleeve, or Apple Watch band, Nomad’s leather goods are among the best available, and the Card Wallet Plus is no different. The Horween leather offers exceptional quality and durability, developing a nice patina over time that adds character. During my testing, the leather conformed to my cards while maintaining its structural integrity — and it still looks brand new, despite being thrown around as my daily driver. The Card Wallet Plus features intricate stitching at stress points, and each card slot is easy to access.
The slim profile doesn’t come at the expense of functionality either. Despite its minimalist design, the wallet features a convenient external pocket for your most-used cards, plus a few deeper internal pockets to store emergency cash. For minimal wallet users, Nomad’s Card Wallet Plus is as sophisticated as they come.
The Best Classic Bifold
Fossil Derreck Bifold
- Classic, sophisticated bifold design
- Clear ID pocket eliminates the need to remove your ID when needed
- Limited color options
| Specification: | |
| Style | Bifold |
| Size | Up to 13 cards |
| Material | Leather |
| RFID | Yes |
The Fossil Derreck is another classic bifold that looks like something your grandfather would carry, but with a few modern touches. The traditional design evokes a sense of timeless style that fits perfectly with today’s digital world. There’s one bill compartment, two ID windows, and eight credit card slots — all while maintaining a compact 3.5-inch height and length that fits easily in your back pocket.
Additionally, the Derreck features RFID blocking and two slide pockets, providing extra security for your cards while offering convenient storage for business cards and receipts. The clear ID window eliminates the needs to remove ID cards during verification and other situations, saving you time. These features, combined with the wallet’s classic design and compact size, make the Derreck a versatile option that balances traditional style with modern security. And like our other options, it can accommodate a tracking card, so you can easily locate the wallet if it’s misplaced, adding another layer of security to this timeless accessory.
The Most Durable BiFold Smart Wallet
Dango D03 Dapper Bifold EDC Wallet
- Holds up to 14 cards plus cash and ID
- Aluminum and leather design is very durable
- Elastic band may not be reliable to hold cash
| Specification: | |
| Style | Slim |
| Size | Up to 14 cards |
| Material | Aluminum and leather |
| RFID | Yes |
Constructed with aluminum, water-resistant DTEX components, and fastened with mil-spec bolts, the Dango D03 is one of the most durable wallets on this list. It works on a rail system with a bifold three-pocket design that holds up to 14 cards, plus an ID window in an inner pocket. An integrated elastic band carries additional cash and cards and keeps the wallet securely closed.
Meanwhile, RFID-blocking technology keeps your data secure and safe. The D03’s industrial-grade construction doesn’t just make it tough — it also provides peace of mind knowing your wallet can withstand daily wear and tear. The precision-engineered rail system ensures smooth card access while maintaining the wallet’s slim profile.
Despite its robust build, the wallet remains lightweight and comfortable to carry. The water-resistant DTEX material adds another layer of protection for your cards, making the D03 particularly suitable for those who lead active lifestyles or work in demanding environments. That said, one minor complaint is the elastic band can eventually wear out, potentially making it unreliable to hold cash.
The Best Front-Pocket Smart Wallet
Serman Brands RFID Blocking Slim Bifold Wallet
- Upscale design gives it a more premium look
- Choice of genuine or vegan leather
- Not the most durable-quality leather
| Specification: | |
| Style | Bifold |
| Size | Up to 8 cards + 10 bills |
| Material | Leather |
| RFID | Yes |
The Serman Brands bifold card holder — trim and compact at 3.9 by 2.85 by 0.5 inches — has a front pocket made for your most frequently used card. Two pockets on the inside, with a photo ID slot and a money clip, hold your cash. It fits between six and eight cards plus bills with a minimal pull-tab design to reduce bulk. The wallet case also has a smart pull strap for quick access to your most-used cards. It’s made from the finest leather or vegan leather for both the front and inner lining to make a smart and stylish case that absorbs the natural oils of your hands and allows the wallet to develop a rich and dark color.
The cardholder provides advanced RFID secure technology, a unique metal composite, engineered specifically to block 13.56 MHz or higher RFID signals and protect the valuable information stored on RFID chips from unauthorized scans.
The Most Affordable Bifold Smart Wallet
Runbox Slim Leather Wallet
- Stores up to 12 cards plus cash
- Wide choice of colors
- May not close fully with lots of cards plus cash
| Specification: | |
| Style | Bifold |
| Size | Up to 12 cards |
| Material | Leather |
| RFID | Yes |
Do you like to have all your stuff with you? You can with the Runbox Slim Leather Wallet, a huge-capacity bifold-style enclosure that can store up to 12 cards and includes a money pocket that can store multiple bills. The slim wallet is ideal for carrying business cards, credit and debit cards, and cash, keeping everything safe and organized.
Made of soft and comfortable carbon leather and a leather lining, it’s stitched with precision for long-lasting durability. The wallet features advanced RFID security tech to protect sensitive cards by blocking the 13.56 MHz band against data theft by RFID scanners. This protection extends to credit cards and debit cards, giving you peace of mind in an age of increasing digital theft. Despite its impressive storage capacity, the wallet maintains a surprisingly slim profile that fits comfortably in both front and back pockets. That said, it may not close all the way when it’s fully loaded, though it should still fit comfortably in your pocket.
The Best Clasp Design
Secrid Mini Wallet
- Slide mechanism for easy card access
- Wide range of color and material combinations
- Holds up to 12 cards plus cash
- Bills must be folded to fit
| Specification: | |
| Style | Bifold |
| Size | Up to 12 cards |
| Material | Leather |
| RFID | Yes |
A slim, practical design, premium leather construction, an RFID-blocking compartment, and an inventive card sliding mechanism come together to make the Secrid Mini Wallet one of the most attractive smart wallets on the market. Available in over 80 color and material combinations, including both genuine leather and vegan variations, this wallet offers something for every style preference and ethical choice.
The Mini Wallet is a true minimalist’s companion, comfortably housing up to six cards in the secure compartment and another six in the accompanying pockets. Opening the wallet completely reveals a tab that holds bills, although it’s limited to around five to right notes at a time.
What really sets Secrid wallets apart is the patented slide mechanism that allows you to fan out all the cards in the protected compartment with one pull of the bottom handle, making card access a breeze. This innovative feature, combined with built-in RFID protection, ensures your cards remain both secure and easily accessible.
The Best Integrated Money Clip
Travando Slim Wallet
- Holds up to 11 cards
- Integrated money clip
- Can feel bulky when fully loaded
| Specification: | |
| Style | Bifold |
| Size | Up to 11 cards |
| Material | Leather and vegan leather |
| RFID | Yes |
The Travando Men’s Slim Wallet offers an attractive blend of minimalist features at an affordable price. This RFID-blocking vegan wallet checks a lot of boxes for shoppers, including an integrated money clip, room for 11 cards, an easy-access front pocket, and a clear window to display your ID. Its RFID blocking design protects against the 13.56 Mhz band used by RFID scanners, making it secure without sacrificing design.
Available in nine color combinations — with the carbon fiber variation being the most popular choice — this wallet comes packaged in a gift box, making it an excellent option for special occasions. The thoughtful design incorporates multiple card slots arranged for easy access, while maintaining a slim profile. Despite its compact size, the wallet’s durable vegan leather construction ensures longevity, and its practical layout makes everyday use a breeze. The integrated money clips keeps cash organized and readily available, while the front pocket provides quick access to your most frequently used cards.
The Best Modular Design
The Ridge Minimalist Slim Wallet
- Slim, minimalist design can fit in your front pocket
- Durable aluminum can easily withstand daily wear and tear
- Can be tough to find the right card
| Specification: | |
| Style | Slim |
| Size | Up to 12 cards |
| Material | Aluminum |
| RFID | Yes |
Slim wallets are an ideal way to cut down on the number of cards, receipts, and bills you carry at one time, and The Ridge wallet is the perfect option to add to your everyday carry. Built from aerospace-grade aluminum, this wallet is engineered to withstand years of daily use without compromising its functionality or structural integrity. The minimalist frame can hold up to 12 cards securely between its metal plates, while the elastic band keeps everything firmly in place.
The Ridge Wallet’s standout feature is its modular design. Unlike traditional card holders and bifolds, you can customize this wallet to fir your needs — remove the cash strap, add an AirTag holder, or switch between different attachments. This adaptability makes it a more versatile everyday carry option than conventional options. The brand’s lifetime guarantee backs up its durability claims, giving you confident in your investment. For iPhone users, there’s even a MagSafe-compatible version available, which conveniently attaches to the back of your phone.
The Best Slim Card Holder
Groove Life Wallet
- Very compact design
- Made of high-grade 6063 aluminum alloy
- Only holds up to five cards
| Specification: | |
| Style | Slim |
| Size | Up to 5 cards |
| Material | Aluminum |
| RFID | Yes |
The Groove Life Wallet exemplifies minimalist design while maximizing functionality. This aerospace-grade aluminum wallet maintains a remarkably thin profile at just 8.5mm, making it practically disappear in your front pocket. The wallet’s card-access system features a sliding mechanism that staggers your cards with a simple thumb push, allowing quick and easy access to exactly what you need. Meanwhile, the integrated RFID-blocking technology provides essential protection against electronic theft.
Beyond its standard card slot, the Groove Life features a sturdy money clip that accommodates up to 10 tri-folded bills. This extra feature ensures you have room to carry everything you need. Available in 14 different colors, there’s also a specialized “Mountain Ridge” model designed for higher capacity. This version can hold up to 12 cards and features a side-ejecting mechanism, rather than the standard Groove Wallet’s top ejection. Of course, the Mountain Ridge version can feel a lot heftier when it’s fully loaded, so the choice ultimately comes down to your preferences.
What to Consider When Buying a Smart Wallet
How many cards does it hold?
Do you like to have your ID easily visible in a clear window? Do you carry a lot of cash? Are you more of a minimalist, or do you want to carry everything? These are some of the most important questions to ask yourself when shopping for a smart wallet. A good exercise you can do right now is to remove the entire contents of your wallet and lay all of it out on a table. How many of these items are essential to carry around?
Most wallets offer anywhere from 6–12 card slots, depending on the style you choose. Whether you prefer a slim cardholder, a classic bifold, or a larger wallet, make sure it can hold all your credit cards, loyalty cards, medical cards, and pictures. The key is finding the right balance between security features and everyday practicality for your needs. Another thing to consider before making a purchase is moving some cards to your phone’s digital wallet, allowing you to trim down how many you need to physically carry at one time.
Security features are essential
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) skimming has emerged as a genuine threat, where criminals can wirelessly steal credit card information simply by standing nearby with a scanning device. A wallet with RFID-blocking creates an electromagnetic barrier that prevents unauthorized scanning of your cards, making it an essential feature in the next wallet you buy.
Additionally, ensure the integrated tracker inside the wallet supports features that allow real-time location monitoring through your smartphone, sends instant notifications when the wallet isn’t nearby, and has reliable battery life of several months. The tracker should also feature a small speaker, allowing you to trigger an audible alert when the wallet isn’t visible.
The materials matter for durability
The choice of materials directly impacts the longevity. Premium materials like genuine leather, aluminum, or carbon fiber might command a higher initial price, but they offer better resistance to daily wear and tear while maintaining their appearance over time. For instance, full-grain leather develops an attractive patina with age.
That said, aluminum and carbon fiber often have a more rigid construction that may be less comfortable to use. Their hard edges and less flexible designs can feel awkward when sitting or moving compared to traditional leather wallets. However, this rigidity provides excellent protection for your cards and helps maintain the effectiveness of RFID-blocking features.
How we Selected
I’ve been using the same wallet for as long as I can remember, though I’ve tried numerous alternatives as my everyday carry. While my traditional leather wallet remains reliable, my experience with trackers, accessories, and other wallets has given me a clear understanding of which features truly matter in a modern wallet. When testing and researching the best smart wallets, I focused on essential features like card capacity, RFID protection, durability, and tracking capabilities. For the models I tested, I used each one for several days while shopping and commuting. You can learn more about how we test products for these guides.
Why trust us
Digital Trends has been reviewing everyday tech essentials and smart accessories for years, from tracking devices to cases and portable batteries. As these accessories have evolved to include more sophisticated features, I’ve stayed at the forefront of testing their capabilities and real-world usefulness. With nearly 15 years of experience reviewing consumer technology, I’ve watched wallets transform from simple card holders to advanced tracking devices with smartphone integration.
While traditional wallets still serve their purpose, our goal is to help readers understand how smart features can enhance their everyday carry without sacrificing practicality.
