Ekster Wallet Review

The Ekster Wallet takes the brand’s standard RFID-protected Cardholder and wraps it in high-quality leather, adding two additional card slots and a money clip. It is perfect for those looking for a bit more flexibility in a wallet while still maintaining a slim profile. This version also comes with some nice upgrades for those who tend to misplace their wallet. You can either add on their Finder Card or opt for the version that includes a dedicated AirTag holder.

Ekster is known for making easy-to-use and sustainable wallets, bags, and accessories designed to help people save time and speed up their day by allowing them to get back to living. This wallet does not disappoint. It provides fast and easy access by giving you an overview of all your cards at once with just the push of a button. It may not be noticeable at first, but it substantially simplifies the process by removing the need to fumble around in a traditional wallet or shuffle through a stack of cards in search of the desired one. With over a year of testing, we can confirm the simplicity and ease of retrieving the desired card either from one of the exterior slots or from fanning the cards in the aluminum cardholder, which is impactful. The Cardholder’s ejecting mechanism works perfectly without any issues, even after over a year of ejecting both out of necessity and fidgeting.

The Rundown

The Ekster Wallet may not look like a smart wallet, but its intuitive features and high-quality materials make it perfect for those searching for a wallet that can hold plenty of cards and then some. Between the integrated aluminum cardholder and the additional slots the leather case provides, it can hold up to 12 cards plus cash, thanks to the built-in money clip. Ekster’s emblem is on the bottom right hand corner and there’s another Emblem stitched onto the money clip when you open it.

Inside are two card slots with immediate access on the left side and the money clip built into the aluminum cardholder on the right. On the back is another slip pocket for additional cards, folded bills or receipts, or one of their dedicated smart trackers. This wallet also provides RFID protection for scammers and skimmers when out and about.

The wallet opens similarly to a book: the left side is pretty minimal but makes it easy to access about two cards without additional steps. These slots are perfect for things like ID cards or commuter cards, as you can slip them in and out smoothly and keep them separate from bank cards. Stowing a card for public transportation in the outer back slot allows you to use it without removing it from the wallet by placing the Ekster against an NFC reader. While not explicitly designed for this, we found that it usually works, though it depends on the NFC receiver’s tech, so your mileage may vary.

On the right-hand side, the integrated clip has a nice amount of stretch to accommodate extra cards, bank notes, or even receipts, provided you fold them enough. It is easy to use and makes inserting or removing the essentials a breeze. Storing a commuter card here also works reliably well. You can open the smart wallet and place it against an NFC reader to have less material blocking the data transfer.

Behind the clip is the aluminum cardholder. This ultra-light cardholder is made from space-grade 6061-T6 aluminum and is the main storage area for all your cards. Pressing the button fans out all the cards inside for a reliable overview so you can select the desired card with little to no effort. Throughout our testing, we have not experienced any issues with the ejector malfunctioning despite using it as an unintended fidget toy. However, you must firmly press the button to eject the cards with a proper overview. A lack of conviction when pressing the button tends to impact the overall spread of the card.

The aluminum cardholder does a fantastic job of keeping everything safe and secure. We never experienced any issues with cards slipping out, even when not fully loaded. The one downside is that since the cards are stacked on each other, using embossed cards limits the overall number of cards you can use here. The Cardholder can fit six non-embossed cards or a combination of four to six embossed/non-embossed. Your experience will vary based on the thickness of your cards; these estimates are based on the standard thickness of an everyday card. A nice workaround is to store the embossed cards in the slots on the left, in the money clip, or in the additional card slot on the back.

The card slot on the back provides additional storage for more cards or cash but is also a perfect place to include their dedicated smart tracker. Sold separately, this allows you to make your wallet even smarter by providing a handy method of ensuring you never lose your wallet again. They also have a dedicated version of the Ekster Wallet designed specifically to fit an Apple AirTag that you can easily slip in here. Both trackers allow you to pinpoint the wallet’s location and play a sound to help locate it when it slips between the cracks of a couch or you forget it in a pocket. The AirTag variant does add a small amount of bulk since it essentially secures the AirTag to the back. The additional size is not a huge issue; it is just something to keep in mind.

Packability

This wallet’s slim form factor and environmentally certified leather make it incredibly pocketable and comfortable to hold. The height and width are only slightly larger than a traditional card, making it easy to slip into a pocket, carry in a sling, or throw into a backpack. One thing to keep in mind is that while this wallet is fairly slim, it still has an aluminum frame. Those carrying their wallet in a back pocket might want to adjust. The initial adjustment period to carrying a slim wallet in the front pocket can be slightly annoying, especially if you are accustomed to keeping your wallet in the back pocket. However, its compact design makes it easier to fit in a front pocket than a traditional, bulkier wallet.

Quick Comparison

Both the Ekster Wallet and the Garzini Essenziale Magic Wallet are easily pocketable and provide added flexibility to carry the essentials. The Ekster Wallet provides a bit more storage and the additional functionality of a smart tracker, while the Garzini Essenziale Magic Wallet has a slightly more compact form factor and uses its clever magic folding to secure content inside. Both provide RFID protection and are easy to use.

The Pakt Mojito Wallet is smaller than the Ekster Wallet but lacks the same amount of storage and smart functionality. Its ultra-compact form and durable construction ensure it will last a while without any potential hardware malfunctions. Without rigid hardware, it may be more suitable for a back pocket. The Ekster Wallet provides more storage capacity, RFID protection, and additional flexibility regarding features and storage capacity.

The Ekster Wallet is a fantastic option for those looking for a slim, stylish, and functional wallet that can hold the essentials and then some. Its RFID-protected aluminum cardholder, additional card slots, and money provide ample storage and organization in a compact, pocketable form. The ability to quickly fan out all of your cards with the push of a button saves time and frustration. It is an excellent balance between form and function in a stylish, high-quality design that is worth considering.