Who should use a phone wallet?

Using a phone wallet is a matter of personal preference, but it's ideal for people who carry their phone with them at all times, don't want to carry a phone and wallet separately, and are good at not losing their phone!

Are phone wallet cases protective?

Phone wallet cases may be protective, but it depends on the specific model. They would need to cover the entire phone in order to be protective, and they would ideally have some shock-absorbing qualities to protect against drops. You will likely need to purchase a screen protector separately.

The 8 Best Phone Wallets of 2023

For most of us, cell phones are practically attached to our bodies. So it comes as little surprise that some people prefer to streamline their essentials with a phone wallet.

Phone wallets come in many different shapes and sizes, from simple stick-on slots for a credit card or two to full-on crossbody cases with a carrying strap. Some are made of plastic, while others are made of leather – and some can only hold cards (like ID and credit cards), while others have room for cash and coins.

These are all factors you'll want to take into consideration when searching for a phone wallet. Our top pick is the Spigen Slim Armor CS case, which has a hidden compartment for cards. It also provides your phone with shock-absorbing protection.

Here’s our breakdown of the best phone wallets:

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Spigen Slim Armor CS for iPhone 13 at Amazon

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Best Budget:

AgentWhiteUSA Stick-On Cell Phone Wallet at Amazon

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Best MagSafe:

Apple Leather Wallet with MagSafe at Amazon

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Best Crossbody:

Bandolier Emma Crossbody Phone Case and Wallet at Amazon

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Best Popsocket:

PopSockets PopWallet at Amazon

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Best Wristlet:

ZVE iPhone 13 Wallet Case at Amazon

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Best Folio:

OCASE Wallet Case at Amazon

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Best Stick-On:

Fulgamo Adhesive Phone Pocket at Amazon

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Amazon

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Why We Love It: It offers full-phone protection, but is still quite slim.

What To Consider: You can't use this case with wireless charging.

If you're looking for a phone wallet that doesn't look like a phone wallet — i.e., has a hidden compartment for your cards — this is the model for you. The wallet is embedded into the protective case, which is lined with TPU and "air cushion" layers for shock absorption. All you have to do is slide the compartment open to access your cards. (There's space for one or two, and unlike stretchy phone wallets, you don't have to worry about it being too loose for a single card).

Another highlight that makes this case stand out is how thin it is; it adds less than a quarter of an inch to the thickness of your phone, and it does so uniformly so your phone will lie flat on a surface. The one downside is that you can't use this case with wireless charging. You'd have to take the case off entirely in order to charge your phone wirelessly.

Price at time of publish: $40

Material: Polycarbonate, TPU | Phone model: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel | Number of card slots: 1 slot, up to 2 cards

AgentWhiteUSA Stick-On Cell Phone Wallet (Set of 3)

Amazon

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Why We Love It: It's a universal phone wallet.

What To Consider: It stretches out over time.

It doesn't get any more straightforward than this simple phone wallet — stick the adhesive side to the back of any phone or a smooth phone case, and you're good to go. There's just one pocket, but it can fit two cards comfortably, and three if you push the limits. On that note, these phone wallets do stretch out over time, particularly if you over-stuff them, so you'll want to keep an eye on the elasticity lest you lose a card or two. Fortunately, this phone wallet comes in a pack of three, so it's easy to replace (and is extremely affordable, just over $2 per wallet).

Price at time of publish: $7

Material: Rubbery plastic | Phone model: Universal | Number of card slots: 1 slot, 2 cards

Amazon

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Why We Love It: It supports Find My to help you locate your wallet if it falls off your phone.

What To Consider: It's only attached by magnets, so it's less secure than other phone wallets.

Apple's phone wallet is made of leather, has a sleek look to it – per the company's brand standards – and comes in nine colors. It is, of course, only compatible with the iPhone — specifically those with MagSafe technology. The wallet attaches to the MagSafe magnetic device embedded in the iPhone (or you can attach it to a MagSafe-friendly case), which means it's easily removable. This makes it easy to use with wireless charging. However, that means it could fall off more easily, too. But that's why the wallet is equipped with Apple's Find My software — you can see its location from another one of your Apple devices.

Price at time of publish: $59

Material: Leather | Phone model: Apple iPhone 12 and later | Number of card slots: 1 slot, 3 cards

Bandolier Emma Crossbody Phone Case and Wallet

Amazon

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Why We Love It: You don't need to open any flaps to use your phone.

What To Consider: It's expensive, and the case has two rings that stick out to connect to the strap.

For a more purse-like style — ideal for people who don't often have pockets — this phone wallet has a removable cross-body strap for hands-free carrying. Even better, you don't have to open anything up to use your phone screen, as this isn't a folio wallet case. On the back of the case is a snap-secured slot that can fit two cards or a bit of cash. The one important thing to note is that while the wallet case can be used without the strap, it does have two rings at its base that connect to the strap which stick out a bit.

Price at time of publish: $98

Material: Leather | Phone model: Apple iPhone 11 and later | Number of card slots: 1 slot, 2 cards

Amazon

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Why We Love It: The wallet can be removed to use with wireless charging.

What to Consider: Your phone won't lie flat with the PopSocket.

PopSockets are a popular stick-on tool that can be used to hold your phone more stably or as a kickstand. And if you'd like to use it with a phone wallet, you're in luck — the company actually makes one that has a PopSocket embedded in it, so you don't need to worry about compatibility with the wallet. The wallet is a hard plastic shell with an elastic cutout that allows you to slide your cards in and out. It attaches to your phone with an adhesive mount, but you can remove the thick part to wirelessly charge your device.

Price at time of publish: $22

Material: Polycarbonate | Phone model: Universal | Number of card slots: 1 slot, 3 to 5 cards

Amazon

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Why We Love It: It has an RFID-protected card holder.

What To Consider: The zip wallet is bulky.

For an almost traditional wallet experience, you can try this zippered phone wallet with a removable wristlet strap for easy carrying. Unlike with a folio phone wallet, you can use your phone without opening any flaps; the wallet portion is entirely attached to the back of the phone. Because the compartment is zippered, you can even use it to stash things like Airpods or house keys, making it a more multi-purpose item. It does, however, make your phone very bulky. While the wristlet strap is removable, it hooks onto a ring at the bottom of the case which is still there if you use the wallet on its own.

Price at time of publish: $28

Material: Leather | Phone model: Apple iPhone | Number of card slots: 4 slots, 1 card each

Amazon

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Why We Love It: You can use the wallet as a stand.

What To Consider: You have to open the folio to use your phone.

Folio cases like this one completely encase your phone. The card slots are housed in a flap that faces the front of your phone, so in order to use your device, you'll have to open the folio and expose your cards. You can either hold the wallet open like a book, or you can fold the wallet flap around the back of your phone to get it out of the way.

Because the wallet is rather large, it has a fair amount of capacity: three card slots that can fit one card each, plus a pocket for bills. You can also use the wallet's folding capabilities to create a stand for your phone, allowing you to watch videos horizontally while your phone is set on a flat surface (say, on a seat-back tray on a plane).

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: Faux leather | Phone model: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel | Number of card slots: 3 slots, 1 card each

Amazon

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Why We Love It: There are two slots to keep your cards separate.

What To Consider: The wallet can stretch out over time.

If you don't like the "sticky" quality of the AgentWhiteUSA Stick-on Cell Phone Wallet (we mean the actual material the wallet's made out of, not its adhesive backing!), try this spandex and lycra stick-on phone wallet instead. Because the material is a fabric, it's a little slicker and won't stick to smooth surfaces. We love that this stick-on wallet has two slots for your cards which make it easier to remove them. Though it's technically designed for one card per slot, you can get away with adding an additional card – but be forewarned, this may stretch the phone wallet out.

Price at time of publish: $7

Material: Spandex, lycra | Phone model: Universal | Number of card slots: 2 slots, 1 card each

Tips for Buying Phone Wallets

Make sure your phone will fit

Many phone wallets are designed for specific phone models, so make sure the one you're interested in will fit your phone properly. There are some phone wallets that are universal, including most that are stick-on.

Choose the best style for your needs

Not all phone wallets are made equal. In general, they all add some bulk to your phone, but some do so more than others — you’ll want to consider how bulky you would like your phone to be. You should also consider what you plan on storing in your phone wallet: the number of cards, cash, coins, etc., and check the capacity to make sure it will be a fit.

Finally, think about how you want to interact with your phone wallet. For instance, if you'd prefer one with a carrying strap, make sure you look into crossbody or wristlet options. If you'd like one that offers easy access to your cards, look into carrying cases with hidden compartments that slide open, or stick-on phone wallets with card slots.

Consider the materials

Most phone wallets are either made of some kind of plastic (soft and stretchy or hard like a phone case) or leather (or faux leather). If you prefer something smooth, you might want to look into plastic, as leather typically has a rougher texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should use a phone wallet?

Using a phone wallet is a matter of personal preference, but it's ideal for people who carry their phone with them at all times, don't want to carry a phone and wallet separately, and are good at not losing their phone!
Are phone wallet cases protective?

Phone wallet cases may be protective, but it depends on the specific model. They would need to cover the entire phone in order to be protective, and they would ideally have some shock-absorbing qualities to protect against drops. You will likely need to purchase a screen protector separately.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance travel writer with nearly a decade of experience in both writing about and using phone wallets. For this article, she evaluated her own experience with phone wallets and read dozens of customer reviews.

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