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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If your feed is anything like mine, you've probably seen the same ad for Eksterpop up over and over again. I usually don't pay much attention to the ads I'm being targeted with, but by the 4th time seeing this ad I became intrigued.

I was definitely in the market for a new wallet - the one I was using was years old and starting to look pretty tattered. If Ekster's wallet was as cool as it looked in the ad, I thought it could be a good replacement.

I liked how slim the Ekster wallet looked, I hated that my wallet felt bulky sometimes, but would the quality be as good? I finally decided to click on the ad to find out more about Ekster.

Turns out, Ekster's wallets have RFID blocking technology to stop your card data from being stolen, as well as the ability to be tracked with the addition of their Tracker Card, making your wallet virtually unlosable. The Tracker Card only needs 3 hours of sunlight to last for 2 months, and allows you to ring your phone or wallet; you can even track it on a map!

I was pretty impressed, but still wasn't sure if Ekster wallets would be good quality. I saw they have a 12-month warranty on all products though, so I thought I might as well give Ekster a shot. I took the plunge and ordered the Parliament Wallet with the Tracker Card. It's made from premium leather and has a card pop-up feature - flashy and functional.

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My order arrived in a few days and I was excited to finally test out Ekster. The Parliament wallet stored my 9 essential cards comfortably. The pop-up feature is super cool - with the click of a button you gain easy access to all cards. The cash strap feature is also handy for any emergency cash I want on hand.

After a week of using Ekster, I was really happy with it. Anytime I had to take a card out, there was no fumbling to find the correct one thanks to the cards popping up for me. Plus, when I misplaced my wallet in the apartment earlier in the week, I was able to find it quickly and easily thanks to the Tracker Card - no panic.

Ekster has tons of wallet styles. Their Aluminum Cardholder is made from space-grade aluminum, holds up to 15 cards, includes the card pop-up feature, and an expandable backplate that provides extra storage while maintaining a slim design.

Ekster's Modular Bifold Wallet has a classic design along with a removable cardholder that is held in place with strong magnets allowing for extra optional space. I'm thinking of getting this for my dad since he appreciates the classic aesthetic but still needs a versatile wallet.

I'm so glad I gave in and clicked on the Ekster ad. Their wallets are high quality and are super affordable (I got the Parliament wallet for just $71!). Plus they're stylish and have such practical features. I now have extra peace of mind carrying my wallet around knowing I can track it if I lose it and I'm protected from RFID skimmers.

I'd highly recommend Ekster. Check them out, you'll be impressed!

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