Everyday Carry (EDC) tools are the essentials that you bring with you out on the job, to social events, in case of an emergency – pretty much anywhere and everywhere. As such, making sure that your EDC is ultralight is par for the course. Phone wallet cases combine 2 of your bulkiest items into 1, and force you to take a good hard look at all the membership cards you’ve been lugging around (pro tip: download stocard , an app for your many store cards).
To help you on your way to an ultralight EDC, we’ve compiled a list of the 7 best iPhone Wallet cases on the market today. Our base selection criteria was for the case to be able to hold at least 4 cards, not have cards face the phone screen (which can scratch your screen over time), and not distort camera flash. Everything else each of these cases can do, well those are just bonuses.
iPhone 6/6+ iPhone 6s/6s+ iPhone 7/7+
The Bellroy Wallet Case is hands down our favourite case, for being able to store 5 cards in such a gorgeous slim design.
What we love: Magnetic closure for the flap, 5 card storage, Sim & Pin storage, vertical stand, ability to speak on the phone with the flap closed, longest warranty of 3 years, microfiber lining and gorgeous leatherwork.
What could be better: It would have been quite simple for Bellroy to add some wrist strap holes to the design for those seeking extra security, particularly as this particular model doesn’t include any shock absorption features if dropped. In fact, we suggested it to them a year ago. So, we’ll see.
iPhone 5/5s iPhone 6/6+ iPhone 6s/6s+
Bullettrain got their start on Kickstarter, where they premiered their first iteration of the Safe Wallet. It advertises as being slimmer than a sharpie, and full of perks.
What we love: Discreet card storage, extra key storage on + models, Sim & Pin storage, hidden stashes under the case, easy card removal, bottom located wrist strap holes and raised edge protection. The Safe Wallet was our go to for the iPhone 5/5s and 6+/6s+ models. These two are both great cases and fit five cards as promised.
What could be better: Unfortunately, their third iteration, the 6/6s model, was plagued with issues. While their polycarbonate casing is meant to be strong enough to withstand drops, the thinner ares around the buttons and door locks tend to break over time, and would have been much better served by a rubber/silicone material. This model was also the only one out of the three that does not fit five cards if even one of them is a raised-letters credit card. The pen also let us down – running dry after 3 months. Lastly, the decision to go with polycarbonate on all the 6 models resulted in a slick case, that falls out of hands and off tables quite easily. Grip Tape/Inslips recommended to deal with this.
iPhone 6/6+ iPhone 6s/6s+ iPhone 7/7+
This is one of those things that seem like magic. Mega Tiny corp has produced a MEGAVERSE Anti-Gravity Wallet iPhone Case that uses nano suction to stick onto non-porous surfaces. Stick on their 4 card leather wallet and you’re good to go.
What we love: Nano-suction technology, swappable backplates (mirror, wallet, bottle opener), 4 card storage, reinforced bumpers, matte edges, dockable, wrist strap hackable, lightweight and super slim.
What could be better: The nano-suction can get weaker over time, but a little bit of water can clean it right off. It isn’t a very reinforced case, and so you shouldn’t get this case if you are prone to dropping your phone. You will need a screen protector, as the lip around the case isn’t very tall.
iPhone 6/6+ iPhone 6s/6s+ iPhone 7/7+
Distil Union’s Wally Case is a simple idea well executed. There are many cases out there that make reaching your cards a pain. The Wally Pull-Tab™ changes that by combining a discreet wallet with ease of access.
What we love: 3 card storage (4 if leather is stretched), Wally Pull-Tab™ secret wallet, TPU shock-absorbing bumper case, push through volume buttons for extra protection, the pull-tab is washable, and the leather – who doesn’t like leather?
What could be better: If you decide stretch Wally out to 4 cards , you can’t go back down to 3. And really, you can still kinda see the cards. Screen protector is recommended as the edges aren’t particularly tall.
iPhone 6/6+ iPhone 6s/6s+ iPhone 7/7+
ZVE has produced a quality leather case, that doesn’t even have a fancy name. The ZVE wallet case with kickstand is extremely tempting for being a slim case that can hold six cards for only US$17.
What we love: SIX card storage, kickstand with a slip resistant band, magnetic closure for kickstand, resilient ribbon for card accessibility, full frame molded rubber bumper for shock absorption, wrist strap hackable, and supposedly it won’t stay stretched out if you go from 6 cards back down to 1.
What could be better: Honestly it’s hard to fault the ZVE case. It isn’t quite as attractive as some of the other cases on this list, but it is the most practical.
iPhone 5s/SE iPhone 6 iPhone 6s iPhone 7
Of all these companies, Vaultskin is the one that acheived the impossible. A slim iPhone case with storage for EIGHT cards, in the Vaultskin Eton Armour Wallet Case.
What we love: EIGHT card storage, awesome looking logo (I mean, it’s a shield!), molded rubber bumper for shock absorption, magnetic closure for the 6 card hidden slot, 2 card pocket for accessibility/pay&go capabilites, nice grip to the soft leather and possibly RFID-blocking capabilities (we’ve reached out to Vaultskin to seek confirmation).
What could be better: You don’t receive the easiest access to the 6 cards that are hidden in the middle of the case. There also aren’t any + model cases, so + model carriers lose out on this eight card heaven. The base is also less protected than the ZVE case, but it claims that the leather back provides extra cushioning in case of drops. The 2 card pocket can be a bit tight, requiring a bit more of a push to ensure it doesn’t obscure the camera. Also, no wrist strap holes.
iPhone 6/6+ iPhone 6s/6s+ iPhone 7/7+
The UAG Trooper Series iPhone Case claims to be for the rugged adventurer. But we know it’s really for us butterfingers.
What we love: Best protection with a feather-light impact resistant core that meets military drop-test standards (MIL STD 810G 516.6), oversized tactile buttons, rubber honeycomb interior, flexible sides to make it easier to get the phone on and off, third-party compatible cable openings, all with storage for 4 cards.
What could be better: If it could hold just 1 more card, this would be the perfect case. It is so protected, you could bash a zombie with it and come away happy as Larry. Unless the zombie was Larry. But before that scenario comes along, we’ll have to stick to 5 card minimum cases. Other than that, it is large. Which means it won’t be as easy to slip into pockets as some of the slim cases above.