5 Best RFID-Blocking Wallets for Extra Security

Updated 18 Aug 2022

Why Trust RevuuBuddy?

We spend thousands of hours researching, evaluating, and testing items to recommend the best options for the customers. We only get paid if you purchase anything through one of our links, and all of our product opinions are our own.

Finding the correct product can be difficult and time-consuming. You might not have time to do it yourself, so let us help you. RevuuBuddy reviews thousands of items in hundreds of categories, including home appliances, toys, camping supplies, and everything in between.

We compare the most popular brands and models, and we boil them down to the top five to give you the most in-depth and dependable buying recommendation - so you can make the best buying decision possible.

BEST OF THE BEST

How We Tested

These products are recommended based on a thorough research process that aims to cut through the clutter and uncover the best products in this category. We spend hours looking into the elements that matter with the assistance of experts to provide you with these options.

Models Considered

180

Consumers Consulted

Hours Researched

Updated 18 Aug 2022

Written by

Revuu Buddy

Fossil Derrick RFID Bifold with Flip ID

BOTTOMLINE
Customer Favorite
This wallet may be used to protect your cards from fraudsters, but you'll grow fond of how it looks as time goes on.

PROS
This wallet has a genuine leather construction and includes eight card slots. It has a bifold design with a window identification. It's sturdy and long-lasting. There are eight card slots in this wallet. The bill pocket is big enough for your cash and cards. RFID blocking lining.

CONS
Does not include a zippered compartment.

Check Price

Columbia Men's RFID Passcase Wallet

BOTTOMLINE
Trusted Brand
Columbia's micro RFID-proof wallets are a sophisticated yet practical method to protect your cards.

PROS
The design is attractive and sturdy, with six card slots and two hidden compartments. ID window. Bifold wallet with a slim profile. Handmade. Includes a box for the gift. Available in four hues: red, blue, pink, and black.

CONS
The PU (polyurethane) shell is only 25% leather.

Check Price

Buffway Slim Wallet

BOTTOMLINE
Best Slim Wallet
The ultra-slim and colorful RFID-blocking Buffway wallet is ideal for minimalists and light travelers.

PROS
This wallet is not only stylish but also inexpensive and narrow. It comes in six types of Leather and features eight card slots. The convenient ID window makes this wallet more user-friendly. A finger hole for removing the front card allows you to get it out quickly. This wallet is available in a variety of colors.

CONS
The complaint would be a nit-pick.

Check Price

Dockers Men's Leather Traveler Wallet

BOTTOMLINE
Best Storage
This sturdy wallet is ideal for anybody who uses a lot of cards, not just because of its RFID-blocking design but also because it has plenty of storage space.

PROS
The wallet has a lot of storage space with 15 card slots, an ID holder, and five compartments. Zippered pocket. Sturdy stitching. Bundled in a lovely box. Trifold design with threefold capabilities. Available in three hues

CONS
The cover is made of only 30% leather.

Check Price

Eston RFID Blocking Trifold Leather Wallet

BOTTOMLINE
Most Stylish
This RFID-blocking all-leather wallet can store a substantial number of cards and other items.

PROS
Has a hybrid trifold/bifold form factor, which allows you to utilize the item for its greatest potential. A present-worthy container is included. The genuine leather wallet is a fantastic choice for those who seek something special. More than one dozen card slots and many compartments are included in this sophisticated product.

CONS
When your wallet is too full, the hybrid trifold/bifold design doesn't work as well.

Check Price

Buying Guide for Best RFID-Blocking Wallets

Anyone who has had to deal with a credit card scam or theft knows how stressful and costly it is. If you have an RFID-enabled card or identification, an RFID-blocking wallet is the best option for protecting your data and preventing identity thieves from stealing your credit card information.

When you buy an RFID-blocking wallet, you're buying a wallet with metal strands woven into the cloth or Leather that prevents radio waves from gathering information. Your level of risk is determined by the type of credit card you have and how much exposure you (and your wallet) have, but an RFID-blocking wallet is the greatest method to keep your information secure.

RFID-blocking wallets are readily available in a variety of designs and cost very little money. It's a small investment that can help you avoid thousands of dollars in fraud and theft.

The greatest part of the security on your credit cards is the protection you can get from chip-and-PIN machines. Because there's no contact with a PIN inserted into an ATM, EMV transactions are considerably faster than RFID. This is the main reason why protecting your RFID-enabled cards is so vital.

WHAT IS RFID?

Some credit cards can send information without the need for physical contact using radio-frequency identification, also known as RFID.

RFID chips, or "tags," are used in some credit cards to transmit data rapidly and wirelessly to make payments. Credit cards are equipped with passive RFID tags that must be within the electromagnetic field of an RFID receiver to communicate data. This means you can simply hold your card near a reader to complete a transaction.

There is no way to "switch off" your credit card information because it is passive RFID. A burglar might use their own RFID scanner or even an application on their smartphone to gather their payment card information. They would only need to come close enough to your card to get a reading, between 18 and 36 inches depending on the distance between the reader and tag. Contactless payment data, on the other hand, is susceptible to being stolen due to its double-edged nature. As you may imagine, it's simple for a thief to acquire this information because contactless data transfer is a two-edged sword.

RFID tags are also found on credit cards, passports, keys, and passports, among other things. RFID chips have been added to U.S. passports since 2006 in an attempt to make it more difficult for fraudsters to produce fake documents. They're no longer available, but they were used in the past to keep track of people's movements and behaviors. These chips contain basic identification data that you don't want to give out to strangers.

An RFID-blocking wallet is the safest option for safeguarding your financial and personal information.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RFID ON YOUR CARD

An RFID tag is a tiny electronic gadget that may be put inside any product. There are two types of tags: active and passive. Active tags emit radio waves when interrogated by an interrogator (reader). Passive tags simply store data from the interrogation process in their memory banks. An EMV chip, as opposed to an RFID tag.

Most credit cards with RFID feature an RFID symbol (which might resemble the WiFi sign) or the acronym "RFID." If not, you can talk with your credit card company to check if your card is RFID-enabled.

DID YOU KNOW?

Your credit card's RFID tags don't store personal information, but they may contain confidential information for a thief to use your card to make purchases.

STAFF

Revuu Buddy

DO YOU NEED A WALLET THAT IS RFID-BLOCKING?

There is disagreement about whether RFID theft is frequent enough to be a worry. Card skimmers are far more prevalent among thieves these days.

For each RFID transaction, most major credit card companies issue a one-time CVV code. This implies that if a thief steals your credit card data, you can simply make another purchase before the thief does, and the stolen information will be useless. However, not all RFID-enabled credit cards are created equal, and a thief might still make an expensive purchase using your information.

Some states in the United States have RFID chips in their licenses or enhanced licenses. In most situations, the only data stored on the RFID chip is a number that allows for easy identification of genuine licenses.

The RFID, on the other hand, can contain fundamental information that you need to safeguard in order to avoid identity theft. Member identification cards and documents may also include private information that should not be accessed by strangers.

An RFID wallet is a low-cost method to safeguard yourself from the risk of significant monetary damage and identity theft if you are unwilling to take any risks.

RFID-BLOCKING METHODS

With metals such as aluminum, copper, and nickel, it is easy to block radio waves. The majority of RFID-blocking wallets include these metals in small threads that you are unlikely to notice. A tiny piece of metal, such as a paper clip, can break the electromagnetic wave that is required to pass through your wallet in order to read RFID cards.

Some metal RFID-blocking wallets can hold several cards and a small amount of money. However, not all metal wallets are RFID-blocking, so check to see whether the wallet you're thinking about buying is designed to block RFID readers.

Both of these techniques create a "Faraday cage," which disrupts radio and electromagnetic transmissions.

CAUTION

If a thief uses an RFID reader to steal your credit card information, they may construct a fraudulent credit card and make numerous purchases.

STAFF

Revuu Buddy

RFID-BLOCKING WALLET STYLES

Wallets with RFID-blocking technology are available in a variety of designs similar to traditional wallets. It's simple to discover a wallet that matches your preferred style if you're making the switch.

Bifold and trifold wallets are typically popular, and RFID-blocking wallets often appear to be the same as these. Leather or fake Leather is used to make these RFID-blocking wallet types, which give the most room for cards, money, and coins of all.

Front-pocket wallets are slender and easy to conceal in your pocket. These RFID-blocking wallets can store a few cards and have a clasp or bill compartment.

Checkbook wallets are long and narrow, with plenty of space for bills, a checkbook, and cards. Because they fit best in breast pockets, jacket pockets, and bags, this style may take some time to get used to.

Metal or leather wallets with a small design that is barely wider than a credit card are called minimalist wallets. These can only accommodate a few cards and bills, although some consumers like their sleek wallets to fit comfortably in a tiny pocket.

RFID-BLOCKING WALLET ALTERNATIVES

Not only are RFID wallets available, but there are also other types of RFID-blocking goods. An RFID-blocking sleeve is another option. These wallets are available in a variety of sizes to protect credit cards and passports, with some being so thin they can fit into your wallet. In most situations, a family's worth of sleeves is contained in one package.

If you don't want to use wallets, an RFID-blocking handbag or purse may be a good alternative. It's more difficult to discover something like this that appeals to you, but it's not impossible.

If you prefer not to carry cash, there are many RFID-shielding backpacks and travel bags on the market. These come in a variety of designs, from simple drawstring bags to professional laptop carriers.

If you want to keep your data safe, some jeans and jackets have RFID-blocking pockets to assist you.

EXPERT TIP

Removing an RFID chip from a credit card isn't simple. It's far simpler to acquire an RFID-blocking cover or wallet.

STAFF

Revuu Buddy

RFID-BLOCKING WALLET PRICES

The most inexpensive RFID-blocking wallets cost around $10 to $20. While they may not be attractive, they are functional and make for a good bargain if you're going somewhere urban or international.

RFID-blocking wallets range in price from $20 to $75. These are sometimes designed like a traditional wallet and are ideal for day-to-day usage.

The most expensive RFID-blocking wallets exist and cost anywhere from $80 to $200. They are typically name-brand items or leather goods of high quality. These are well-made wallets that should last a long time.

TIPS

If you're not sure whether your credit card is RFID-enabled, look for the names Paywave (Visa), Paypass (Mastercard), or Expresspay (American Express) to confirm it.
It's worth noting that aluminum foil is sometimes used to shield against radio frequencies. For extra security, use an RFID-blocking wallet instead of a regular one.
Unless you're prepared to lug around two wallets, be sure the RFID-blocking wallet you select has enough capacity for all of your cards and bills.

OTHER PRODUCTS WE CONSIDERED

There are several RFID-blocking wallets on the market. In addition to our top choices, we like the Itslife Women's Big Fat RFID Leather Wallet for its huge size and plentiful compartments. The wallet includes a checkbook and money clip, as well as nine credit cards. The checkbook holder is detachable, allowing you to store various documents in one place. The Buvelife Leather RFID Wallet is another great option, which can accommodate 36 cards and has a sleek look. With several options to select from and enough room to hold a smartphone, this is a stylish and handy solution that keeps your cards safe.

There should be an open path between the RFID tag and the reader to get the greatest reading. You may further secure your RFID-enabled cards by placing them in the center of your wallet or another bag with other objects.

FAQ

Q. Is it possible that an RFID-blocking wallet will ruin my credit cards?

A. It's not a type of metal you're accustomed to seeing in wallets. They aren't made of steel, titanium, or any other substance that's commonly used in money belts. The metal in RFID-blocking wallets prevents unwanted signals from reaching your wallet. It won't harm your cards (or smartphone).

Q. Do RFID-blocking wallets work all of the time?

A. If a metal wallet is in direct contact with the reader, it's conceivable that the RFID tag on your card can still be detected. This is unlikely, however, and the thief would need to be quite close to your wallet for even a slim chance of obtaining a reading.

Q. Is it possible for RFID-blocking wallets to set off metal detectors?

A. A metal detector will detect this wallet. Your best bet is to take the wallet out of your pocket and set it down with the rest of your luggage while going through security.