Best Smart Wallets

2022-09-17 07:59:39 By : Mr. Rickey Lai

From AirTag pouches to RFID tech, these wallets will keep your cards organized and secure.

Not since Jules’ iconic wallet in Pulp Fiction has the men's wallet gained more attention than it has of late. Thanks to innovations finding their way to wallets, the wallet has evolved from just a thing to hold your money and credit cards to a smart device as integral to your personal ensemble as your phone. You may think that a wallet is the last thing that needs to be smart, but giving a wallet smarts makes all the sense in the world.

But, how smart does a wallet have to be, to be considered smart? Like so many other things in our lives, the level of smartness and functionality a thing needs depends on how you intend to use it. Sure, a wallet is not a complicated thing, but it’s what you have in it that’s important. Smart in the sense of a wallet should be geared towards organizing what you put in it and protecting it. And fulfilling such needs is what smart wallets are all about. So, having a smart wallet isn’t just about having the latest and greatest to show off, it’s really about organization and protection.

Of course, when something new comes out, there will end up being tons of options to choose from. If you didn’t know why a wallet needs to be smart you may find it somewhat overwhelming in choosing which one with what functions to get. To help you cut through the terminology and functionality, we present a list of the best smart wallets for men. You will indeed be able to do as Jules and ‘walk the earth’, but with a smart wallet.

Tactical wallets are great, but even with a minimalist design, if they are constructed of metal, even these small wonders can get a bit heavy. There are various materials used for tactical wallets like Italian leather, carbon fiber, and the ubiquitous polycarbonate (PC). The Spigen Wallet S is a smart wallet that takes full advantage of a super-light PC build which only adds to its smarts.

More tactical in form than functionality, the Wallet S measures 3.38 by 2.14 by 0.60 inches and is constructed of lightweight, but sturdy polycarbonate. The front and back plates are secured with durable elastic straps. There’s room enough between the plates to hold up to 12 cards without testing the functionality of those elastic straps. There is a notch at the bottom which is used to push the cards up for access. Retrieving cards in the middle can be a bit tricky, but all it takes spreading the Wallet S a little bit for easy access. Protection not only comes in the PC body but also the Wallet S has RFID blocking. An elastic strap with circular silicone pads holds cash in place. The Wallet S can be turned “un-losable” with the addition of an AirTag (sold separately) which is inserted in the detachable cover.

The Spigen Wallet S takes advantage of the durability of PC to form a rather stylish tactical smart wallet. The combination of lightweight toughness and smart functionality puts the Spigen Wallet S firmly on the list of best smart wallets for men.

With the increasing capabilities of smartphones like mobile payment, wallets seem to be losing their usefulness. Until digital driver’s licenses become the norm, and as long as cash is around, the venerable wallet continues to have its day. But, if you’re going to carry a wallet, it should at least be something that is no bigger than the amount of cash and cards you carry already. The Hawanik Slim Minimalist Wallet is the smart wallet to have especially when you might not necessarily need one.

The Hawanik is a minimalist wallet measuring 3.3 x 4.1 x 0.12 inches and is made of faux leather. The Hawanik has slots enough for 6 cards and 6 bills. It’s a bonus that one of the slots is an ID window. Much more than just a minimalist wallet, the Hawanik does have some smart features. First up is RFID blocking to keep those cards safe. Secondly, the Hawanik is an AirTag wallet. The AirTag is not included, but there is a compatible built-in case on the front of the Hawanik for peace of mind if you ever lose your wallet. What is nice is that the AirTag holder doesn’t add much bulk to the wallet.

The Hawanik Slim Minimalist Wallet is a great smart wallet choice for those who may see carrying around a wallet as a necessary evil. Its minimalist design and smart features make the Hawanik a solid selection on the list of best smart wallets for men.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a wallet that carried everything you need to have on your person when traveling? Okay, so such a wallet may not fit in my pocket, but having my phone, various credit cards, forms of ID, etc., comes at a size cost. The Skyborne Travel Wallet holds just about everything you need when traveling so not being able to put it in your pocket won’t be a high price to pay.

Measuring a non-pocket-friendly 8 x 5.5 x 1 inches, the Skyborne has a premium leather covering that closes with a sturdy zipper. Inside, there is a dual passport holder, slots for credit cards, cash, boarding passes, etc. The interior is designed in such a way as to make having what you need while traveling orderly and readily accessible. There’s even a pen included as well as space for coins. The Skyborne is also big enough to carry your phone and thanks to the built-in 5000 Mah power bank, you won’t have to worry about your battery dying while traveling or lugging around adapters. Smarts also include an Apple-Air tag (not included) slot and RFID protection.

The Skyborne Travel Wallet is handy enough to take some of the pain out of traveling. No longer will you be “that” traveler holding up the line searching for your documents. Because it’s essentially your personal travel valet with ample room for travel documents, charging, and security, the Skyborne Travel Wallet is a featured travel wallet on the list of best smart wallets for men.

Just because something is straightforward with its design doesn’t mean it's boring or not fashionable. When you think about it, most wallets are straightforward in what they do and look like, which can be good or bad. Taking a look at the good side of matter-of-fact design, the Ridge Minimalist Slim Wallet is an outstanding choice when looking for the best smart wallet.

Measuring just slightly larger than the size of a standard card at 3.39 x 2.13 x 0.24 inches, the Ridge is a tactical, plate-and-band style wallet. Though there are other materials from which Ridge wallets are constructed, this particular model uses carbon fiber for the plates. The carbon fiber makes the Ridge incredibly light and strong. The Ridge can hold up to 12 cards between the plates without over-stretching the bands. There is a notch opposite the bands which is used to push cards out for access. Ridge calls the design ‘dual-track’ providing two layers of RFID protection between the inner and outer plates. This model has an attached cash strap with an elastic band, but a money clip is available. The wallet itself does not have a tracker or a specific space for one, but a carbon case for an AirTag is available.

The Ridge Minimalist Slim Wallet is about as straightforward as a smart wallet can get. But, its design and durability make it a standout among all wallet types. Being stylish and functional put the Ridge Minimalist Slim Wallet is an excellent choice on the list of best smart wallets for men.

I want a wallet that does everything a wallet is supposed to do like hold my stuff for easy access and not be too bulky to carry around. Throw in some smarts and I’m all set. The Eskster Parliament Wallet is an excellent example of a wallet that will suit the needs of anyone who carries it, even needs you don’t know you wanted.

Measuring 0.4 x 4.1 x 2.5 inches, the Parliament is a bi-fold, ejector style, “slim” wallet that can hold ten or more cards (depending on the card type). The exterior is environmentally certified leather that surrounds a built-in aluminum cardholder. That cardholder is a key feature as it can hold up to 6 cards and they are accessed via a quick-access mechanism. With the click of the card-ejector button, cards are ejected, or popped up in a vertically fanned arrangement that makes choosing one effortless. There is also an elastic strap for cash or other cards along with RFID protection.

Those features are smart enough, but add in the optional Ekster Solar Powered Tracker Card to the designated pocket and the Parliament becomes un-loseable. Used via a phone app, the tracker features two-way ringing to find either a lost wallet or phone. The tracker also features voice control. The tracker will even help you take selfies!

The Ekster Parliament does what a wallet is supposed to only it does so in a compact and very smart way. The Parliament is one of the most versatile on the list of best smart wallets for men.

Ever been described as “sophisticated with an edge?” Me neither. But I imagine that sort of person being classy, yet rugged, but that might be even more confusing. However, if you do consider yourself sophisticated with an edge, the Dango D03 Dapper smart wallet is for you. Given the features and usability, it is a wallet that is actually suitable for anyone.

The bi-fold style D03 measures 4.3 x 2.7 x 0.4 inches with an outer facing of leather or durable fabric material. An ID window on the inner pocket of the surround is an appreciated, feature that is far too left out on smart wallets. The interior of this minimalist wallet is a well-built, aluminum chassis that holds up to 14 cards securely. What’s unique, and smart, about the holder is that it uses an innovative rail system that lets you easily slide cards out. For cash or additional cards, there is an integrated elastic band. The smarts continue with RFID blocking protection. An added bonus is the limited lifetime warrant the D03 comes with.

The Dango D03 Dapper is a well-built EDC (everyday carry) wallet with a smart combination of elegance and sturdiness. Dango says the D03 “…was designed for the sophisticated individual with an edge.” I don’t exactly know who that is supposed to be, but the Dange D03 Dapper is a smart wallet with a design and features that make it a wise choice for anyone looking for a smart wallet. The Dango D03 Dapper is a worthy member of the list of best smart wallets for men.

We spend enough time adapting to our wallets. Either it’s too small to carry what we need, too big to put in a pocket comfortably, or even too empty because of our finances, etc. Isn’t it time our wallets adapt to us? The Pitaka MagEZ Wallet UE is a smart wallet that adapts to you, and that’s the way it should be.

Looking like a sleek deck of cards, the MagEZ is built of durable carbon fiber and measures 3.99 x 2.65 x 0.47 inches. What makes the MagEZ smart is that it is modular meaning it has sections or layers that can be used or not, depending on your needs. The MagEZ comes with three layers that can hold 6 cards securely. The top layer is an anti-deguassing module that can hold two magnetic strip cards, the middle layer holds two chip and PIN cards, and the bottom layer holds one chip and PIN card. Cards are also protected with RFID blocking. The layers are held together with magnets and cards are accessed by fanning out the layers like, well…a winning hand of cards. Available additional layers include another card layer, a box layer that can hold keys, and a money clip layer for cash making the MagEZ truly adaptable to your needs in a wallet.

The Pitaka MagEZ Wallet UE is about as adaptable as wallets come. Finally, a wallet with smarts enough to change based on how you use it. The MagEZ Wallet UE is the modular standout on the list of best smart wallets for men.

With cryptocurrencies, mobile payment apps, and the like, carrying cash doesn’t seem as much a necessary thing as it has been. If you’re not the type to carry cash or would prefer not to, there really is no need to have a wallet specifically designed to carry the green stuff. If no-cash-on-hand is your preference, the Aiuwo Credit Card Wallet might just be your choice when looking for a smart wallet.

The Aiuwo is a tri-fold wallet measuring 3.9 x 2.6 x 0.6 inches, a size definitely geared towards cards. The carbon fiber leather flaps of the wallet are kept closed by magnets. It can hold up to eight cards that can either go in the flap pockets or in the cardholder which is where the magic happens. The cardholder is constructed from aluminum and securely holds up to five cards via a pop-up mechanism. Using the lever on the side of the cardholder pops the cards up in whatever order you use for easy access. The cards are also protected with RFID blocking. There is storage space for some folded cash, but the Aiuwo is all about holding cards. Added smart functionality comes in the form of a built-in case for an AirTag (not included).

With its focus set on carrying cards as opposed to cash, the Aiuwo Credit Card Wallet is an answer to changing times. Its functionality and smarts make the Aiuwo a great addition to the list of best smart wallets for men.

I’m always skeptical about any product that claims to be the “world’s best” or “world’s most” at whatever. Most times such claims are just puffery to get you to at least check it out. But, how many times have you fallen for such claims only to be disappointed? When it comes to smart wallets, the Flipside 4 boasts itself as the world’s most secure wallet and it just might be at that.

Not a typical wallet, smart or otherwise, in any way, the Flipside 4 is a crush-resistant polycarbonate (exterior) and aluminum (interior) shell-style wallet measuring 4.25 x 2.8 x 0.75 inches. The Flipside 4 is flipped open via a spring-loaded button and can securely hold 8 cards and cash. Cards can be placed in quick access slots that are in the lid and a sort of floating slotted tray that can be “flipped” back and forth. On the bottom half, are a clip and rubber strap that can hold additional cards or cash. The number of items that can be held will depend on how you use the clip. Security features include its tough build, the locking mechanism, and RFID blocking. There is no specific area for a Bluetooth tracker, but a small one can easily be put in one of the slots.

With the Flipside 4, you can rest easy knowing that your cards and cash will be protected from both physical and RFID attacks. Its functionality and features may indeed make it the most secure wallet in the world. The Flipside 4 is one of the more secure entrants on the list of best smart wallets for men.

When was the last time you really thought about your wallet? As long as you don’t lose it in the depths of your laptop bag, you don’t really keep it in mind all that much. It’s one of those functional devices that just needs to do its job and be quiet about it. Well, those days of thinking about the modest wallet are quickly coming to an end. Wallets are joining the league of innovation by becoming smart, and it’s about time. There are a lot of important things that go in a wallet and that receptacle should be up to the task of making you think of holding onto them in a different way.

When talking about smart wallets, we’re not talking about the mobile payment apps on your smartphone that contain an electronic wallet. The subject here is the good old physical wallet. There are a good number of types of wallets. Along with the trusty bi-fold and tri-fold wallets, there is the slim wallet, the credit card wallet, the minimalist wallet, the money clip wallet, and many more. With innovation has come a new set of wallets that do what the traditional ones do but in far smarter ways.

So, what exactly makes a wallet smart? When it comes to form, there are new designs that make up the smart wallet universe. One is the tactical wallet which is made of an elastic cinch that holds two pieces of metal together with your cards securely sandwich between them. There’s also the ejector or pop-up wallet which pops up cards in a staggered, vertical fan for access. There are other form factors, but for a wallet to be considered smart, it has to come with design or technical features that go beyond that of a traditional wallet. One such feature is the stronger and lighter materials that smart wallets are made of. Another key distinction is that smart wallets will help you be “smarter” about what you carry. This is the downsizing, minimalist functionality of the smart wallet. Key security features will include built-in technology that will help track a lost wallet and radio frequency identification (RFID) protection to prevent someone from wirelessly capturing your card’s account information for nefarious purposes. There are many possible features that can be integrated into smart wallets, but these are the foundations of what a smart wallet may have.

In a nutshell, a smart wallet is a personal advancement that will not only help you be more organized but also encourage you to put more thought into securing what you put in it. Once you have an idea of how smart you want your wallet to be, you have to then find some way to weed through the many choices that are available. To help with that effort, here’s a list of the best smart wallets for men that are available today.

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Sterling JA is an author and freelance writer. He has written several books, both fiction and non-fiction. He has a writing style all his own and his quirky yet informative reviews have been featured on ScreenRant. He is avid about all things tech, science fiction, and just about anything Shakespeare. He is also a certified MSTie from way back. His life philosophy comes from Langston Hughes: "I play it cool and dig all jive, that's the reason I stay alive. My motto, as I live and learn is, dig and be dug in return."