How does each one protect your cards?
An RFID blocking wallet shields the cards inside it. ALPHA does this with its aluminium body, and our leather wallets use a blocking lining, so every pocket is covered.
A BLACKOUT card works the other way round. It sits among your cards and interferes with a reader's signal, so contactless cards within around 5cm on either side cannot be read. It needs no battery and works in any wallet, purse or card case.
How do they compare?
| BLACKOUT card | RFID blocking wallet | |
|---|---|---|
| Keeps your current wallet | Yes | No |
| What it protects | Cards within around 5cm | Every card inside |
| Adds to your carry | One 0.9mm card | Nothing extra |
| Phone and watch payments | Work as normal | Work as normal |
| Best for | A wallet you love, or a purse or bag | A slimmer, simpler carry |
When is a BLACKOUT card the better choice?
- You love your wallet. Add protection without changing anything else.
- You carry cards in more than one place, such as a purse and a work lanyard. Use one card in each.
- You want to protect the whole family. BLACKOUT comes in 2 and 4 packs.
When is an RFID blocking wallet the better choice?
- Your wallet is due a change and you want a slimmer one.
- You want nothing to remember. Every card in the wallet is covered, wherever it sits.
- You tap through barriers every day. OSCAR has a Tap & Go front pocket for a travel card, while the inner pockets stay shielded.
Already have a wallet you love?
BLACKOUT RFID blocking card
Bank-card sized and 0.9mm thin. Protects every contactless card within around 5cm of it, with no battery.
About this guide
Written by the AKIELO team, makers of everyday carry since 2017.
