4 TRENDY ALTERNATIVES TO CREDIT CARD SLEEVES

If you’re the type of person who carries cards instead of cash, you might want to look into buying a credit card sleeve. Credit card sleeves are a minimalist alternative to leather wallets that are becoming more attractive to people looking to minimize how much cash they carry. Credit card sleeves can also be used as additional RFID protection for individuals looking to protect the credit cards in their wallet.

How do I protect my credit card in my wallet?

Do RFID blocking sleeves really work?

RFID blocking sleeves and wallets work by protecting your credit card details from scammers. Your credit cards are likely already embedded with an RFID chip which allows you to make contactless payments.

Unfortunately, your credit card information can potentially be compromised using devices called RFID scanners. RFID scanners can pick up information such as credit card numbers, CVV codes, and expiration dates. Once the scammer has your credit card information, they might be able to make a purchase using your credit card information.

RFID blocking sleeves have a thin layer of metal or carbon fiber that prevents RFID scanners from reading your credit card’s RFID chips. Not all credit card sleeves have RFID protection, so choose carefully if having RFID protection is important to you.

If you’ve ever ventured into the world of paper Magic, you’ve probably bought some card sleeves before. And if you’ve bought a couple different brands or types of sleeves, then you’ve definitely noticed that there can be a pretty big difference in quality. If you’ve never bought card sleeves before or have only ever bought the same ones, well, now you know.

Regardless of your relationship with card sleeves for paper Magic, it’s important to know that there are so many options available for you to choose from. A handful of brands are well-known among paper Magic-ers, whether for good or for ill.If you’re trying to figure out what sleeve is best for you—or you’re now questioning every card sleeve purchase you’ve ever made—then I’ve got your back. Whether you’re looking to display your collection, protect your cards while you play, need a gift for a fellow Magic player, or just want some good, high-quality aesthetic sleeves, I’ll cover everything you need to know and give you the scoop on what to get and what to avoid. So, let’s get this started, shall we?

Best Credit Card Sleeves

When people refer to “credit card sleeves”, they’re usually referring to one of two things. There’s the traditional credit card sleeve which is a thin piece of material with only enough space for one card. Then, there are also credit card sleeves that resemble miniature wallets. These wallet-like credit card sleeves often hold multiple credit cards.

Traditional Credit Card Sleeves: These are extremely thin sleeves that are designed to work in tandem with a regular wallet. You slide your credit card into the sleeve and then place the sleeve in your wallet. They’re usually made out of leather, faux-leather, carbon fiber, or plastic.

Wallet Credit Card Sleeves: These types of credit card sleeves act as a wallet with space only allotted for your cards. They’re also called card case wallets. They are often made of metal, plastic, leather, or synthetic fabrics. These types of credit card sleeves are typically larger than RFID credit card sleeves and can hold multiple cards.

Before you decide on which credit card sleeve is right for you, make sure to consider these 4 alternatives.

If you own a valuable or treasured card collection, be they baseball cards, Pokémon cards, or any other type, penny sleeves are a great way to store, sort, and protect your collection all at once. Known as “penny sleeves” because of their low cost, these sealable plastic rectangle-shaped pockets hold one card at a time and protect them from stains from your fingerprints, crumbs, and liquids. They also safeguard your cards from becoming ripped, torn, or scratched, as well as the colors, writing, and pictures from rubbing off or peeling over time, and other hazards of consistent handling. They’re great for mass storage as well, as you can buy hundreds at once for a low price. If you’re a card game enthusiast or serious card collector, a pack of penny sleeves is a worthwhile and low-cost investment to help keep your collection safe.

What to Look for in Penny Sleeves

Here’s what you should think about when purchasing penny sleeves:

Amount: Penny sleeves are available in quite a range of quantities. Most are sold in packs of 100 or 200, but there are higher and lower amounts available. You can buy as few as one or five sleeves at once, and as many as packs of 1,000, depending on the size of your collection.

Thickness: Some penny sleeves are made of thicker plastic (usually measured in millimeters) than others, ensuring your cards greater protection. Penny sleeves advertised as “premium” will, in general, be the ones made of thicker plastic than standard models. You can also buy double-sleeved packs, where you’ll buy penny sleeves that come in two sizes: a standard-sized sleeve to hold your card, and a slightly larger one to place that sleeve in. This will protect your cards even better, as there will be two layers of plastic between them and the elements.

Acid-Free: If you’re serious about protecting your cards or have particularly valuable ones, you’ll want to buy penny sleeves that are explicitly marked as acid-free. Acid and similar chemicals may rub off on your cards and run the risk of discoloring or staining your cards if they’re stored in them over an extended period of time. Therefore, acid-free penny sleeves are generally the best option for collectors.