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The Best RFID

Nov 17, 2023

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?

Lock down your wallet against tech-savvy thieves.

COMMON THIEVES are using every tech tool they can get their hands on these days to steal everything from credit card numbers to bank passwords to full-blown identities. That’s why you want to be extra vigilant in safeguarding your personal data and essentials. Thankfully, everything is getting smarter these days. Wallets are no exception.

There’s a good chance that many of the cards you’re carrying in your wallet right now use embedded radio frequency chips (with RFID technology) to transmit things like identifying information and credit card details. Problem is, any reasonably smart thief with the right scanner can “sniff” out this info from across a crowded room, restaurant, or airport and steal it without you ever knowing. The solution is simple: An RFID-blocking wallet. They look like old-school wallets—including traditional bifold, tri-fold, and front-pocket-friendly designs—but feature built-in anti-scanning materials to block the transmission of your personal data.Despite their seemingly high-tech nature, RFID wallets are actually pretty low-tech. Shopping for the right one for you isn’t much different than finding the right traditional wallet. But if you’re ready to safeguard your wallet from tech-savvy thieves, but not sure where to start, we’re here to help. We did the hard work by researching and comparing many top-selling models to find the best RFID wallets for men this year.

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If you’re a simple fellah who likes his personal accessories on the traditional side, Fossil’s Derrick is the RFID wallet for you. It features an old-school, bifold design that’s probably similar to the wallet you’re already carrying. The handsome, all-leather exterior opens to reveal a polyester-lined interior with exactly enough room for your essentials. That means a single billfold pocket, twin ID windows, eight card slots, and even a small coin pouch. It’s more storage than an ultra-minimal, front-pocket wallet but smaller than a beefy tri-fold or passport-friendly alternative.

Beyond the timeless good looks, this wallet is perfect for safeguarding your RFID-embedded cards too. Like every other RFID wallet on this list, there’s noting extra you need to do protect your credit cards. Just stash them inside the wallet like normal and get on with your day. The built-in RFID-blocking materials take care of the rest. At $60, this is a great, midpriced option that we love as a “daily driver” wallet for everyday use.

What do buyers say? “Great for every day use and the RFID is excellent protection for today's world,” said one Nordstrom reviewer.

We’re long-time fans of Timberland for the brand’s rugged, well-made goods that are always reasonably priced. This RFID-blocking wallet features a smooth leather construction inside and out. It’s an aesthetic that’s handsome and timeless, and will only look better with age. If you tend to keep a lot more in your wallet than the average man, the trifold design is built to hold more than a standard bifold wallet. It puts your ID in a see-through window at the center, flanked by two wing-style card holders for credit cards, membership cards, and more.

This wallet also features built-in RFID-blocking materials indicated by a small tag on the inside. The technology is completely transparent, so all you need to do is stash your cards inside and the wallet does the rest. At around $15, and with more than 6,000 five-star ratings on Amazon alone, this is one of the best-priced and best-reviewed RFID wallets we’ve seen this year. If you’re looking for a budget-minded option with plenty of card storage, this is your man.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 8,000 Amazon reviews, 90% recommend the Timberland Genuine Leather RFID Blocking Trifold Wallet with at least a 4-star rating.

The Ridge has become a go-to favorite of ours for sleek, slim, front-pocket-friendly wallets. This model is for the modern gentleman who prefers to travel light with only the most absolute essentials in his pockets. The design holds up to a dozen credit and debit cards with a convenient thumb notch for easy access. On the outside is an attached strap for stowing folded bills, business cards, and more. Even “fully packed,” it’s plenty streamlined enough to fit in your front pocket and forget about.

With more than 20,000 buyers ratings—including more than 15,000 five-star reviews—on Amazon alone, this is clearly a fan favorite. While we love the industrial-cool look of this wallet in Burnt Titanium, it’s also available in roughly a dozen other colorways, so you can coordinate with your personal aesthetic. The only downside? Price. At $125, it’s one of the most expensive RFID wallets we’ve tested this year. But with so many great ratings and reviews, plus a lifetime guarantee, this is the one to buy if you’re willing to splurge a bit.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 20,000 Amazon reviews, 90% recommend The Ridge Minimalist Slim Wallet with at least a 4-star rating.

For a unique option, we love this RFID wallet from MisterCrafter. This best-selling leather wallet on Etsy is available in a handful of colors, including Black, Mocha, and Navy. Every option can be personalized with initials, a graphic, or a custom message, making this a great wallet for gifting. The book-style design features a snap closure that opens to reveal a clear ID window and room for 10 cards, split between a pop-up aluminum card case and a fold-out wallet “wing.” The former provides built-in RFID-blocking tech to safeguard your most important cards. A rear pocket also adds room for paper currency, if you’re the old-school (boomer) type who still carries cash.

At around $40 (plus an extra $9 for personalization), this is a surprisingly affordable RFID wallet, especially given its handmade nature. Plus, with more than 35,000 sales and over 8,000 overwhelmingly positive ratings, this Etsy Star Seller is one of the site’s best, so you know you’re getting a quality product.

What do buyers say? “Very high quality wallet! Holds everything I need with room for more. The design I had them put on it came out flawless,” said one Etsy reviewer.

If you appreciate an old-school money clip (over, say, an “ordinary” wallet design), this RFID wallet is damn-near-perfect. The sleek design folds neatly in half and takes up little room in a front pocket, so you’ll barely know it’s there. A single card slot with a thumb notch on the outside provides quick access to your ID or most important card. Inside, there’s room for six additional cards, and a money clip at the center keeps your cash in place. The design is incredibly strong, so you know you’ll never lose your bills.

At around $30, this is one of the most affordable RFID wallets we’ve seen this year. With hundreds of five-star reviews on Walmart alone, it’s a clear fan-favorite among buyers as well. We love that it comes in eight colorways and styles, from smooth black leather to army-inspired green to modern carbon fiber, so you can choose the one that complements your personal style. Built-in RFID-blocking materials safeguard our credit cards, but the ultra-thin design of this one isn’t quite as strong as others on this list.

What do buyers say? “I've been looking for the ‘perfect’ wallet for years. Years. And years. Finally, I found the not-so-perfect but ‘perfect’ wallet for me,” said one Walmart reviewer.

From travel bags to smartphone accessories to wallets, Bellroy makes some of favorite leather goods. The brand’s aptly named Travel Wallet features an oversized design that’s built to safeguard everything modern travelers need, including a passport, ID, plane tickets, credit cards, and international currency. It holds more than 10 cards in total with four quick-access slots for your most frequently used ones. We also love the included micro pen, SIM card holder, and special hidden compartment to stash extra cash. It’s all wrapped in premium, eco-friendly leather that’s available in five beautiful colors, from a rich ocean blue to traditional black and caramel.

At roughly $140, this is the most expensive RFID wallet in our roundup, so it’s a splurge for sure. But it’s also the most premium and, in our humble opinion, the most handsome. It looks and feels more luxurious than any other wallet on this list. If you’re a travelers looking for the swankiest, most luxurious RFID-blocking wallet of 2023, this is your man.

Another in Timberland’s line-up of essential accessories, the Passcase Security Wallet features a traditional bifold design. It’s plenty roomy with six card slots and two slip pockets (for extra cards or cash), plus a dedicated compartment for bills. A clear, slideout leather pocket makes it easy to quickly remove your ID and keep it protected in the process. It’s all wrapped in a smooth, 100% leather exterior that’s available in half a dozen colors to perfectly coordinate with your personal style.

At less than $15 on sale, this a great option for budget-minded shoppers looking for an ultra-affordable RFID wallet. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a decent, genuine leather wallet for less. Like its competition, this wallet features built-in RFID-blocking materials to safeguard your credit cards and pocketable goods. Plus, if you shop on Amazon, you enjoy free shipping and free returns, so you can always send it back if you decide it’s not for you.

What do buyers say? “The wallet is made very well! Plus if the wallet is anything like their boots, then it should last a long time. Great buy,” said one Amazon reviewer.

For the utmost in slim, front-pocket-friendly design, you need a card case. Herschel’s Charlie is an RFID card case wallet that’s only big enough to hold your most essential cards and IDs. With four card slots and a center compartment for extra cards or cash, it’s guaranteed to keep your pocket valuables wrangled in the most compact space possible. An included rubber band keeps everything in place and can act as a make-shift “money clip” for strapping down extra cash to the outside. Raven Crosshatch is the only colorway available, but the simple pattern is versatile enough to work with just about any personal style.

The ultra-thin design of this wallet means its RFID-blocking capabilities aren’t quite as strong as most of the others in our roundup. Still, it’s thick enough to get the job done. If you’re looking for a streamlined, goes-with-anything RFID wallet at a great price, this is a solid option. It’s less than $15 on sale (roughly $20 retail) and well-reviewed with more than 2,000 most positive reviews on Amazon alone.

What do buyers say? “I wish I got this product 10 years ago its really that good. It's slim, light and sleek everything you want in a wallet. The material is great it feels premium,” said one Amazon reviewer.

RFID is an acronym that stands for “radio frequency identification.” The radio-wave technology is embedded into tiny chips that can be wirelessly read by scanners or receivers within a certain range. It’s used in a surprising amount of ways today, including inventory tracking for businesses, monitoring attendance (at, say, large events or meetings), and keeping tabs on assets, including everything from laptops to smartphones to power tools.

It’s slightly different than NFC (near-field communication), which is embedded into many of today’s smartphones. This technology requires close proximity between the chip and the receiver. RFID scanners, however, work across greater distances of up to 30 feet, making them far more vulnerable to theft.

Nowadays, most credit cards are embedded with RFID chips (if you’re unsure, it’s indicated by a sideways Wi-Fi icon on one side of the card). Because these chips can be read from anyone within a reasonable distance of your wallet, pocket, or purse, it’s relatively easy for tech-savvy thieves to steal your personal financial information. RFID wallets (also called RFID-blocking wallets) block the signals emitted by your credit cards to prevent theft.

Despite how relatively simple it is to steal your credit card info with an RFID-scanning device, the chances you’ll actually fall victim are still pretty low. So, the short answer to “Is an RFID wallet really necessary?” is: Maybe. Ultimately, it depends on how safe you like to keep your personal and financial data. Decent, budget-friendly RFID wallets can be had for less than $20. We think that’s a small price to pay for the added peace of mind.

Our tech- and travel-savvy writers here at Men’s Health researched and personally tested dozens of RFID wallets over the past two years. We compared every feature and spec, including price, design, overall quality, and the level of RFID-blocking protection each model offered. We also considered top-selling wallets with at least 200 positive reviews on the etailer sites we trust most, namely Amazon. The list above represents our honest picks of best RFID wallets worth buying in 2023.

Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South Africa, and survived a near-miss great white shark attack in Mexico. His travel advice has appeared on the websites for Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNET, and National Geographic. He loves the great outdoors and good bourbon, and (usually) calls Tulsa, Oklahoma home. Mike also enjoys speaking in the third person.

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