When my last wallet — a trusty bifold I carried for years — finally wore out, I decided it was time for an upgrade. My idea of the best wallet for women is something that complements my leather handbag, and within are enough slots for all the cards and cash I carry on a daily basis.
The best wallets we tested make it easier to navigate busy checkout lines and crowded subway turnstiles. When you pop open your wallet, you shouldn't have to root around to find what you need. Instead, everything is laid out in an intuitive design that lines up with how we handle money in real life.
If you're looking to replace a bulky old wallet with a new slim wallet for yourself or a loved one, consider one that works smarter, not harder. See our guide to the best men's wallets for more of our favorite picks.
Best overall: Lo & Sons The Leather Wallet
The style we tested was a stiffer Saffiano leather, although you can also get this Lo & Sons wallet in Nappa or cactus leather. With the Saffiano, the leather has been treated to resist scratches and water damage. The options also include a range of leather-and-metal-zipper combinations. Overall, this is a larger wallet from well suited for those who prefer a maximalist approach to packing a bag. It's sturdy, practical, and luxe-looking sans any major branding details.
Best slim: Bellroy Apex Slim Sleeve
The Bellroy Apex Slim Sleeve is the only wallet I've used over the last year. At about two-thirds the length of an iPhone, it can fit even in the infamously small pockets of women's pants. The sleek profile slips easily into tiny purses, and its leather has aged gracefully in the past year that I've used it. Because of its firm leather shell casing, it can be packed full and still feels slim.
The checkout experience is so much easier when your wallet has everything you need in your palm. You can open it using one hand with a side squeeze, making it easy to use for those with limited dexterity. Once open, the wallet's card slots are easy to access and have a pull tab in one of its sleeves. Then, it clasps firmly shut with a gratifying magnetic snap. It's genuinely a pleasure to use and feels worth its cost, and the brand offers a three-year warranty on all of its products. — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor
Read more in our full Bellroy review.
Best travel folio: Dagne Dover Accordion Travel Wallet
The direct-to-consumer, waste-conscious line is no stranger to organization and pieces for on-the-go, but this Dagne Dover wallet stands out for its looks and function. While it's a much slimmer travel wallet than the other top wallets for women we tested, it still includes six slots for credit cards and one for bills. The magnet closure is also a thoughtful choice as it eliminates fumbling often caused by zippers.
Unlike bulkier travel designs, the Accordion Travel Wallet is also a good size for slipping into everyday handbags, not just larger travel carryalls. Plus, the leather is soft and comes in lovely shades of cream, gray, and blue. You can find more insight into Dagne Dover products in our guide to the best work bags for women and Dagne Dover review.
Best designer card case: Tory Burch Kira Chevron Card Case
The Tory Burch Kira Chevron Card Case was the best slim wallet for women I tested for carrying the bare essentials in a feminine design. Its buttery leather exterior and gold hardware accent complimented anywhere I put it— including my front pocket (and we all know how infamously tiny the pockets in women's pants are). Such a sleek profile easily fits just as well inside my purse and allowed me some extra storage space.
The card case securely held my transit card, ID, and debit card in its outer slots, plus a couple folded bills in the innermost pocket. If you're trying to pare down all the extra receipts and business cards you usually lug around, this cardholder will help you lighten the load. —Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor
Best luxury: KAAI Large Wallet
This luxury-grade wallet is expensive, but worth the splurge if you want something that feels as intentional as your purse. The KAAI Large Wallet is made from a smooth Italian cow leather with a matte finish, balancing spacious storage with a slim, streamlined profile.
The sleek shape means you can carry all your essentials without adding bulk to your bag. Inside are 8 card slots, full-length sleeves for bills and receipts, and a convenient coin pocket, keeping everything organized and easily accessible while maintaining a clean silhouette. It's a bit too long to fit in a pocket, so it's best carried in a tote. For a more portable alternative, the Rebel Cardholder has a similar design, only with card slots on the outside.
Read about another one of our favorite KAAI accessories in our guide to the best work bags for women.
Best RFID-blocking: Arden Cove Kelso RFID-Blocking Card Pouch
We tested Arden Cove in our search for the best travel purse, and found its thoughtful designs considered every potential scheme a bad actor may take to steal your data. The Kelso Wallet blocks RFID (radio frequency identification) readers and still has a rear slot for cards you may want to use without taking out of your wallet (such as a public transit card). It also has a zippered coin pouch and (bonus!) a key leash.
Best embossed: Strathberry Mosaic Trifold Wallet
Strathberry's Mosaic wallet is made in Italy with soft, two-tone croc-embossed leather and adorned with antique gold details. Inside the trifold are six card slots, a zippered coin pouch, and a cash compartment, which snaps shut with a metal stud closure. This wallet is one fit for royalty (Strathberry's mid-range luxury fine leather goods are worn by the likes of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle).
Best bandolier: Bandolier Hailey Leather Crossbody
A bandolier is a hands-free way to carry all your essentials in one petite package, which is extra convenient as the best wallet for women to accommodate those infamously tiny pockets on women's jeans. The Bandolier shoulder strap adjusts to generous lengths so you can wear it at whatever height you prefer, and the snap closure carries cards behind the open-face phone case.
Read our full Bandolier phone case review.
Best large: Leatherology Windsor Flat Zip Wallet
Leatherology is a Dallas-based, vertically integrated brand that creates highly impressive leather goods, especially given its affordable price points of the best wallets for women. The zip-around Windsor wallet might be too large for those who wear a smaller everyday bag, and there's no designated coin purse, which could be a deterrent for some.
However, since it can carry quite a decent amount — when testing it out, it zipped right up with passport, keys, and a phone. Leatherology also sells wristlet straps if you prefer to use this piece as a bag itself.
Best money clip: Quince Italian Leather Money-Clip Wallet
Quince's direct-to-consumer business model translates from luxury grade materials to competitive prices when you compare to other retailers of top-grain Italian leather goods. One of the best wallets for women who prefer to carry cash on hand, this Italian Leather Money Clip wallet has room for up to eight cards with an ID window packed into a slim, minimalist silhouette.
Read our full Quince review.
Best sustainable leather: Cuyana Duo Zip Wallet
Cuyana's Duo Zip Wallet comes in four colorways with stylish options for crocodile, metallic, or pebbled finishes.
The Duo has a zipper pouch you can remove to make space in its middle compartment for your phone, and features a cleverly designed wrist strap that's easy to tuck away. This wallet is made in Turkey with leather audited by the Leather Working Group, an organization that works with brands, tanneries, suppliers, and more to create a responsible global supply chain.
Best with pen: Bellroy Travel Folio
The exterior of Bellroy's Travel Folio is smooth and sleek, with a zip-around closure, and RFID-blocking technology. Meanwhile, the inside houses a ton, including at least two passports. The design only includes a couple of card slots and doesn't have a coin purse, but it makes up for these potential inadequacies with its many organization pockets. Some of these slots are even hidden, making this a top wallet for women that safely ensures your belongings never spill out in your carry-on bag. Plus, a super slim pen is included in the center crease, ensuring you always have one on hand to fill out a customs form. Combined, these considerate touches will speak right to the heart of the most organized travelers you know.
Read our full Bellroy review here.
Best travel wristlet: Baggallini RFID Currency Organizer
Baggallini makes some of our favorite durable work bags we've tested, and their smaller accessories are the perfect acquaintance for safe-keeping your onboarding necessities. Here there are three color-coded slots, RFID-protected card slots, and a divider for boarding passes and a passport. You can also convert it to a wristlet with its removable strap.
Best crossbody: Polène Numéro Sept Crossbody Wallet
Polène's Number 7 is one of the brand's most popular collections, so it created an edition of its wallet that can be worn as a micro purse. Inside is a zippered compartment for coins, a slot for bills, and four card slots.
The exterior is made from full-grain Italian calf leather, and the centerpiece is a gold-plated stainless steel Polène logo buckle that clasps the crossbody wallet into a neat profile.
Best waterproof: Elfish Aluminum Card Case
If you know you're prone to spills, then choosing a hard shell wallet might spare you from soggy pockets in the future. This slim compact comes in a grand total of 44 colors and patterns, so despite its simple shape, you can still find a design to compliment your handbag.
It opens to reveal seven accordion slots that fan out and display your cards like a small folio. Its sturdy aluminum shell blocks RFID signals, and clasps shut tightly to seal out liquids. Because of its slight size, you can pack this wallet in your mini purse and it'll fit comfortably.
FAQs on the best wallets for women
What should I look for in a wallet?
Size, material, and security features are all key factors in choosing the best wallet for women. If you carry a lot of cash, look for billfolds that measure about 4 inches in height. This will keep them tucked out of sight. Full-grain leather will age gracefully with the proper care. Look for designs with magnetic clasps and zippered closures that seal the wallet shut.
What's the best wallet for women who carry a lot of cash?
If you carry a lot of cash, look for billfolds that measure about 4 inches in height. This will keep US dollars and taller bank notes like British pounds tucked out of sight.
What's the best wallet for women who carry a lot of cards?
If you carry many cards — whether they're bank cards, business cards, or IDs — look for wallets with several card slots that are easily accessible, yet still secure. The accordion design on the Dagne Dover Travel Wallet achieves this balance.
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