We compared both Ekster Aluminum Cardholder and Fantom R Wallet. Here's who wins!

It's the digital age… rarely do we carry cash. We rely on credit/debit cards and recently the new generation of e-payments via apps and our phones.

Even so, most of us still carry around a wallet built for a handful of bills. These flaps and folds end up getting stuffed with gift cards, receipts and other junk nobody needs. Since most of us have gone cashless and resorted to just tapping our cards, we set out to find the perfect smart wallet to cater to our modern needs and reduce the bulk.

After searching, the Ekster Aluminum Cardholder and the Fantom R wallet caught our attention, so we compared the two.

Key Similarities:

  • Both the Ekster and Fantom R wallets are Aluminum-based
  • Both wallets have RFID protection
  • Both are built for instant access

Key Differences:

  • Ekster Aluminium holds from 1-15 cards + bills whereas the Fantom R wallet holds between 4-13 cards (depending on the model)
  • Ekster Aluminum cardholder costs $67 whereas the Fantom R Wallet costs $94
  • Ekster Aluminum comes with an optional tracker card unlike the Fantom R Wallet
  • Ekster Wallets have a button and your cards are fanned out whereas the Fantom R Wallet has a leaver that you need to push before using your thumb to pull out your card.

Ekster Aluminium Cardholder:

Made from Space-grade 6061-T6 aluminum, the Ekster Aluminum Cardholder's aesthetic is the modern solution we've been looking for. It's sophisticated, sleek, and made for maximum storage. Their patented card ejection mechanism allows you to pick out your cards quickly without fumbling.

The Cardholder fans out all the cards at the click of a button and the extendable backplate allows you to carry more while not making your jeans or purse look bulky. It holds up to 12 cards and has RFID technology which keeps your identity safe and protects against data skimmers. The Aluminum Cardholder also has a small cash strap so you can fit a few bills just in case.

This elevated essential comes in five different colors and has space for the Ekster Tracker Card, which we highly recommend getting. The Tracker Card is solar power charged and connects to your phone, so if you lose your wallet you can use the Ekster tracking app to find it, (It rings like a phone and the vibration and blinking light helps you find it even in dark corners). Their worldwide crowd GPS network spans across the globe to help you find your wallet.

The Aluminum Cardholder comes with a 12-month warranty and costs $67.

Fantom R Wallet:

The Fantom R Wallet allows you to grab the card you need, flick the lever and use your thumb to pull up and out your card. It's slim and fits in your pocket easily. The wallet is also paired with a selection of wood, leather, and carbon fiber finishes to suit your style.

The Titanium money clip allows you to store your bills securely, it can be either installed in the front or the back of your wallet. Plus, it comes in natural or vibrant colors.

Like Ekster, The Fantom R Wallet is designed with RFID and NFC protection to keep your data safe. While this is great, Fantom doesn't offer the next-level security that Ekster's Tracker Card does. So if you're someone that is prone to losing things, this may not be the best option for you.

The Fantom R Wallet is customizable and costs $94

Final Thoughts:

Although both wallets are based on easy access and safety they are also very different. The Ekster Aluminum Cardholder offers a lot more features for a much better price. The Aluminum Cardholder has a stylish, modern and classy look, whereas the Fantom R reminds us of something from the early 2000's.

When you're trying to organize cards in a wallet built for cash it ends up being bulky and takes up a lot of space. This isn't the case with the Ekster Aluminum Wallet. It offers a practical and functional solution, and it's durable material means it will stand the test of time.

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Lately, I've been looking for a new wallet, something to streamline my essentials. While I love my current wallet, it's just too much to carry and now that I'm out and about more I really don't need it weighing me down.

While I've tried searching my typical go-to stores, I wasn't finding anything that really brought down the bulk of my wallet. I've seen guys with the slimmest wallets that slide right into their front pocket and I want that same level of convenience. After some research, I found that the leader in ultra-sleek smart wallets is Ekster.

Ekster's wallets were exactly what I was looking for … but their classic leather wallets didn't really go with my aesthetic.

When I found their Aluminum Cardholder in Metallic Rose, I knew it was perfect for me and I decided to go for it.

Here are 4 reasons why I'm loving my Ekster wallet:

1. Helps me avoid cash

Over the years I've definitely gravitated away from cash and after 2020, you won't see me pulling out any bills. Viruses and bacteria can live on most surfaces for about 48 hours, but cash can reportedly transport a virus for up to 17 days! Even more of a reason to ditch cash and with my Ekster wallet, it's easy.

The Metallic Edition Aluminum Cardholder holds up to 12 cards that pop out with just the press of a button and the new silicone band can hold the occasional cash I have. The band stays clean, doesn't stretch out over time, and is the perfect solution to eliminating a ton of unnecessary space.

2. Fits in any bag or pocket

With Ekster's Metallic Edition Aluminum Cardholder space is never an issue for me. It's super slim, at just 0.29" thick, and perfect for just slipping into my jacket pocket or holding in one of my cute but incredibly small purses (you know that trend).

I definitely don't miss fumbling around at the cash register. Now I can access my cards quickly, making my cashless transactions even faster.

3. Cool tech features

One thing I didn't anticipate loving was all of the amazing tech features Ekster brings to their wallets. The RFID blocking technology is added security to protect my card information from skimming and it's completely built-in. Now that the world is moving towards cashless, card security is more important than ever.

I also added Ekster's Tracker Card to my cardholder. It's solar-powered with one charge lasting up to 3 months and has a range of up to 200 feet. I can ring my wallet from my phone and vice versa - no more scrambling for either! Plus, I love that the tracker can be voice-activated with Google Assistant, Alexa, or Siri, and also be used to take selfies.

4. Metallic Rose color

Ekster's Metallic Edition Aluminum Cardholder is functional but thankfully the finishes also make it incredibly stylish. They use high-quality space-grade aluminum that is so durable it can withstand the average weight of a car without a dent.

While the classic cardholder comes in blue, green, red, space grey, and matte black, I'm loving the glossy look of their brand new Metallic Gold, Silver, and Rose finishes. I had to go with the Rose option since it's the perfect subtle hint of color and goes with all of my fits - from casual day-to-day to a dressier night out.

If you're afraid to take the leap, trust me you won't regret it. Take your wallet to the next level with Ekster and get style, functionality, and quality all in one.

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There are plenty of wallets out there that provide the basic function of holding our cards and cash. But innovative companies like Ekster are producing top-of-the-line products that go beyond the expectations of what your regular wallet can do.

All of Ekster's wallets come with RFID blocking technology and the ability to be tracked with their tracker card, making them safe from data theft and virtually unlosable.

Ekster's tracking card is solar-powered, 3 hours of sunlight lasts for 2 months of tracking. You can pair the tracker card with any of their products to eliminate the possibility of ever losing a wallet again. Pair it with your Google Assistant, Alexa, or Siri, and simply speak a command into your phone and have your tracker pulled up on a map the instant you realize your wallet's missing.

Not only that, but Ekster's wallets are sophisticated, high-quality, with styles to suit everyone. Read on to see what products we recommend for you:

The Classic Guy: The Modular Bifold Wallet

Still not ready to let go of the classic aesthetic? The Modular Bifold Wallet allows you to keep the classic design while still functioning like any of Ekster's modern wallets. It has the amazing features mentioned above, but still has the simplistic fold design. It's made from premium Italian leather, and it comes in caramel, brown, and black.

The Modular Bifold has a removable cardholder. The strong magnets will keep the extra cardholder in place should you need it. If not, you can remove it easily. Plus, it has a large sleeve that can hold up to 10+ bills.

The Tech Junkie: Aluminium Cardholder

If you love all things tech-y, The Aluminum Cardholder is for you. It's made from space-grade aluminum which ensures longevity and offers a sleek look. It can hold up to 15 cards, includes a cash strap, and an expandable backplate which provides extra storage without sacrificing a slim design.

It's most impressive feature is the card pop-up function, where you can get easy access to each of your cards with the click of a button.

The Scatterbrain: iPhone Case & Modular Card Holder

Do you like to have everything in one place just in case you forget or lose something? Then this iPhone case is perfect for you. The case is made from premium top-grade leather that fits your phone perfectly. The inside is lined with ultra-soft microfiber and has ridged edges that protect your screen and lens, preventing scratches, scrapes, and breakage.

The discrete built-in magnets allow you to attach modular components, so you can seamlessly attach the Magnetic Cardholder or Folio which stay in place thanks to the strong auto-aligning magnets.

This means you can convert your phone case into a fully-fledged modular wallet with storage for up to 6+ cards, bills, and extra cash, without it being bulky. Plus, the inside of the case boasts a secret compartment for extra SIM cards and a reset pin so you never have to worry about losing it, as well as a discrete spot for a little extra cash.

The Super Organized Guy: The Parliament Wallet

For the guy who likes to keep things organized, The Parliament Wallet is for you. It's super slim but holds 6 cards, and comes in 7 shades - Classic Brown, Nappa Black, Roma Cognac, Juniper Green, Merlot Red, and Steel Blue. Plus, the leather is environmentally friendly.

This wallet also has the easy access card feature - just one click of the button in the bottom corner and your cards will pop up, no more fumbling to find the right credit card. The perfect slim solution for someone who carries only the essentials.

But this is only scratching the surface of Ekster's great innovations. Ekster's products are made to be versatile by combining style with functionality, so there's something for everyone. Check out their site and see for yourself.

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