10 Best Card Tools In 2022
The screw on your glasses comes loose. You can’t rip open the packing tape on your latest Amazon box. One bolt on your bike won’t adjust, and that means the difference between a comfortable 10-mile ride, and limping back to town. How to keep all of the tools needed to fix these situations on-hand without weighing you down, taking up space in your already-crowded life, or breaking the bank at the hardware store? Easy: you need a card tool! You know, a credit card-sized pocket multi-tool.
An entire world congregates around EDC (or everyday carry items), and none is more popular, more versatile, and more sought-after than the lightweight, portable wallet card multi-tools. They make take up a small footprint, but these multi-use trinkets pack a wallop of a punch — just one rectangular piece of steel can have more than 30 different tool applications, and weigh just a single ounce. There is a myriad of tool options to choose from, so we did our due diligence and whittled the field down to the most popular and most versatile items that will save you time, money, and stress.
The Best Card Tool
1Wallet Ninja 18-in-1 Card Tool
You need a multi-tool that you can take with you everywhere — to work, to the baseball game, out on the boat, and even through airport security. You’ve found it with the Wallet Ninja 18-in-1 Card Tool! This card multi-tool, which is just barely longer than a traditional credit card but still fits in a wallet’s credit card slot, is made from four-times heated treated steel to be strong, durable, rust-proof, and consistently sharp. The Wallet Ninja includes 18 tools in its one card size. These tool features include six hex wrenches, a can opener, a fruit peeler, a bottle opener, a ruler (which includes both standard and metric measurements), a letter opener, a box opener, a phone stand, an eyeglasses-size screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, and a flat head screwdriver.
Each corner of the card features a different screwdriver to fit your task at hand. What we really love is the phone stand. Simply slide one of your credit cards into the slot located near the bottom of the multi-tool. You want enough of the credit card to slip through to support the base width of your phone. The multi-tool and credit card then support themselves from the weight of your phone against the angle of their joint, and voila! You have an on-the-go phone holder. The Wallet Ninja is the definition of a “can’t leave at home” tool.
4 x 2.2 x 0.1 inches
18 tools
Made from 4x heat-treated steel
Lifetime guarantee to never rust, bend, or dull
Includes a cell phone stand
TSA-approved
- BrandWallet Ninja
- ModelWN501
- Weight0.8 ounces
2ISPADNY Card Tool
Can’t choose between all the wallet-sized tools out there? We found a kit that includes them all! This ISPADNY Card Tool kit comes with three different items: an 11-in-1 wallet card tool, an 18-in-1 credit card tool, and a folding wallet knife. The 11-in-1 wallet tool is made from stainless steel and includes these features: a can opener, a bottle cap opener, a four-position wrench, a two-position wrench, a butterfly screw wrench, a direction ancillary wrench, a flat head screwdriver, a knife-edge, a saw blade, a ruler, and a keychain hole.
The ISPADNY 18 in 1 Card Tool encompasses all of these features inside a tough, compact plastic container — a short length of paracord, a whistle, two screwdrivers, a can opener, a compass, a magnifier, a firestarter flint stick, a knife (with a hooked end, a hex key, a blade saw, and a straight knife blade), a ruler, a knife sharpener, a tweezer clip, a toothpick, a lanyard hole for easy carrying outside of your wallet. These items are a combination of stainless steel and heavy-duty plastic (except for the short rope length!).
The folding knife weighs just .9 ounces and sports a surgical-sharp stainless steel blade that measure 65 millimeters long. The blade is protected by folding inward with a safety latch, so it won’t spring open or damage your wallet when stored. All three of these items were designed to easily slide into the credit card slot in your wallet or tucked inside of your billfold, and the knife is no exception. If you want the most bang for your buck, pick up this multi-tool wallet card kit.
11-in-1 wallet card tool
18-in-1 credit card tool
1 Folding wallet knife
Perfect for survivalists, hunters, and hikers
18-in-1 credit card tool: 3.5 x 2.3 x 0.3 inches
11-in-1 multitool card: 2.7 x 1.8 inches
Credit card knife: 3.3 x 2 x 0.15 inches
- BrandISPADNY
- Weight4.5 ounces
3Victorinox 13-in-1 Card Tool
Who better to create a great 13-in-1 card tool than the creators of the original Swiss Army Knife? Since they came up with the original multi-tool concept, they know exactly what tools to include in a compact yet handy card tool. The Victorinox 13-in-1 Card Tool is made from Swiss-made stainless steel and includes these emergency-saving features: an emergency blade (letter opener), scissors, a magnifying glass, two flat head screwdrivers, two Phillips head screwdrivers, tweezers, a pressurized ballpoint pen pin, a white LED light, a centimeter ruler, and an inch-based ruler. Most of the tools slide right out of their case so that you won’t snag sharp edges on your wallet, hand, or pocket. This card is thin enough to easily fit into any wallet, tough enough to keep in your back pocket, and handy enough to want a card in every extra space you have.
Swiss-made stainless steel
Lifetime guarantee against defects
2 year warranty, money-back guarantee
0.2 x 3.2 inches
- BrandVictorinox
- Model5333-swisscard-parent
- Weight1 pound
4SMART RSQ Black Edition 37-in-1 Card Tool
SMART RSQ Black Edition 37-in-1 Card Tool gift set includes all the tools to get you out of sticky situations. A multi-tool wallet card, whistle, money clip, fire starter, and a carabiner fill out this set (along with a sleeve cover to protect your wallet and fingers from sharp blades). The card tool includes four screwdrivers (one on each corner), two rulers, a nail file, five wrenches, a can opener, a fruit peeler, a serrated saw blade, a bottle opener, a right triangle, four hex screws, a knife-edge, a phone stand card slot, a nail puler, a cable bender and peeler, a lanyard hole, and a letter/box opener. This set is the perfect combination for hikers, sailors, hunters, handymen, and prepared individuals to have on them at all times. Attach the whistle and firestarter to your keys for extra convenience, and slide the multitool and sleeve right into your pocket next to your money clip. At such a budget price for an extensive set, we don’t know why you don’t have this already.
Carabiner
Stainless steel multi-tool card
Money clip
Whistle
Fire starter
Sleeve cover
- BrandSMART RSQ
- ModelRSQ-MCSB21
- Weight4.2 ounces
5PGXT 11-in-1 Survival Card Tool
We’re proud to say that PGXT 11-in-1 Survival Card Tool is one of the best budget deals on our list — and all your Christmas gifts are taken care of now. This set includes ten 11-in-1 multi-tool cards and ten faux-leather sleeves to protect your pockets, your wallet, and your tools. At this price, that’s less than $1 per multi-tool! Each card tool includes a can opener, a serrated blade edge, a flat head screwdriver, a ruler, a bottle opener, a four-position wrench, a butterfly screw wrench, a flat knife-edge, a direction ancillary indication (known as a water compass), a two-position wrench, and a keychain or lanyard hole. The card tool is constructed from 420, high-grade stainless steel for rust-proof, durable, and strong capabilities. Tuck this handy helper in your back pocket and trust that it will save you when you need it next. Even better — gift one to your coworkers, friends, significant other, or at your next White Elephant party!
Pack of 10 cards with sleeves
420 high-quality stainless steel
11-in-1
Pocket guide to tools
Smaller than standard credit card
- BrandPGXT
- Weight9.6 ounces
6Lever Gear Pro 40-in-1 Card Tool
This is a card tool for grown-ups and simplistic, high-quality aesthetic lovers. All of the graphics are laser-etched on the Lever Gear Tool card Pro, so your measurements won’t fade away over time. Lever Gear Pro 40-in-1 Card Tool is lightweight yet tough as they come since it’s manufactured in America with heat-treated 420 stainless steel. Features on the Tool card Pro include a box opener, a flat credit card bottle opener, open- and closed-ended wrenches, four screwdrivers, a V-shaped prybar, a protected, inset cord cutter (to save your hands and wallet from damage), measuring and drafting tools like rulers, and can opener. You can add the optional money clip if you want to go ultra-light and double your multi-tool as your cash carrier! Since this card tool doesn’t sport a sharp, unprotected edge or pointed corners, TSA agents will gladly wave you through to your flight with the Tool card Pro in hand. Choose from silver or tactical black and impress everyone with your on-hand EDC pocket tool.
No sharp or jagged edges to damage wallet
Heat-treated 420 stainless steel card tool
Satin finish
Silver or tactical black
Laser-etched graphics that won’t rub off
Easy to grip
Won’t cut your hand or pocket
TSA-approved
Standard credit card size
100% made in America
- BrandLever Gear
- ModelL1000az
- Weight0.96 ounces
7SMART RSQ Silver Edition 37-in-1 Card Tool
Here’s a great card multi-tool set that won’t hurt your budget but will impress your gift-receiving friends. Made from 316, high-quality stainless steel, SMART RSQ Silver Edition 37-in-1 Card Tool is durable and strong, yet lightweight and compact. This credit card multi-tool includes an eyeglass screwdriver, a nail file, a letter opener, a cable bender, nine wrenches, a knife blade, a nail puller, five flat head screwdrivers, a seatbelt cutter, two fruit and vegetable peelers, a box opener, a ruler, a smartphone stand slot, a 2D Phillips head screwdriver, a lanyard and key ring hole, a bottle opener, a cable peeler, a right triangle, a saw blade, a semi-circle template, and a can opener. Designed and tested by military forces, hikers, bikers, contractors, sailors, and guides, these multi-tools include the features you need to repair, separate, or assemble just about anything. Add the money clip to keep your multi-tool secure while still carrying cash.
37-in-1
Multi-tool card
Sleeve cover
Metal card holder
Key ring & carabiner
Money clip
- BrandSMART RSQ
- ModelRSQ-MCSS2
- Weight3.84 ounces
8SE 11-in-1 Survival Card Tool
Need a simple yet effective multi-tool but don’t want to spend more than a few dollars? SE 11-in-1 Survival Card Tool has you covered. For the price of a fast-food lunch, you can use the 11 tools on this ultra-slim multi-tool to repair and adjust just about everything. The stainless steel card tool includes these 11 functions: a can opener, a bottle cap opener, a 4-position wrench and a 2-position wrench, a butterfly screw wrench, a direction ancillary wrench, a flat knife-edge, a saw blade, a flat head screwdriver, a ruler, and a keychain or lanyard hole. This is the perfect multi-tool to keep in your tool backpack, car, or even on your keychain to make sure you’re prepared at all times. The measurements are stamped onto the card, as well, so you don’t have to worry about wearing them off. Pick up one for yourself, and maybe that friend who keeps borrowing your toolset…
2.75 x 1.75 x 0.13 inches
Credit card sized
Black faux leather carrying sleeve
11-in-1
Stainless steel
- BrandSE
- ModelMT908-1
- Weight1.6 ounces
9TAC9ER 22-in-1 Survival Card Tool
When TAC9ER says, “Be the quick fix hero,” they mean it. Thankfully, their 22-in-1 Survival Card Tool helps even the clumsiest of us mortals save the day with an abundance of on-the-go repair features. The tools include a screwdriver, a straight edge ruler, a cable bender, a letter, and box opener, a nail puller, a nail file, an eyeglass screwdriver, a slide blade, multiple hex wrenches, a can opener, a fruit and veggie peeler, a lanyard or key ring hole, a hex wrench, a card insert for a smartphone stand, a right triangle and ruler, plus, of course, a bottle opener. The sleek black design allows the measurements to stand out in stark contrast to help with even faster fixes. This card tool is constructed from heat-treated stainless steel so that it will last you a lifetime. If, however, you happen to damage the tool, TAC9ER offers a one-year, no questions asked warranty and replacement. If that doesn’t promote their confidence in this budget-friendly piece of survival gear, we don’t know what would.
22-in-1
Heat-treated stainless steel
1 year warranty, no questions asked
- BrandTAC9ER
- ModelT9CCTOOL
- Weight1.58 ounces
10SYLC 12-In-1 Card Tool
Looking for that last-minute gift for your mountain man friend? Don’t want to carry a cumbersome emergency survival kit, but know you need to be prepared? SYLC 12-In-1 Card Tool features a length of paracord, a whistle, two screwdrivers, a can opener, a compass, a magnifier, a fire starter stick, a seat belt cutting hook, a hex key, a saw blade, a flat knife blade, a ruler, a knife sharpener, a tweezer clip, a toothpick, a wire saw, and a lanyard hole for easy carrying. These tools will help you repair that camping stove, clear an area for your tent, and easily fit in a hip pocket of your backpack. Not looking for outdoor time, but still want to make sure you’re prepared for a road trip? This card tool is compact enough to take up no space in your glove box but will leave you ready if something goes wrong. You can easily keep this kit in your back pocket wherever you go — just don’t try to bring it through airport security. The slide-out knife is handy on the fly, but not with TSA!
Thickness of 4 credit cards
12-in-1
Included pocket guide to tools
Stainless steel and hardened plastic
1 year money-back guarantee
3.54 x 2.36 x 0.28 inches
- BrandSYLC
- Weight7 ounces
Card Tool Buying Guide & FAQ
Features to Look for in Card Tools
Size - The standard dimensions for a credit card are 3.375 inches by 2.125 inches. Nearly every credit card-sized multi-tool will fit into these dimensions to easily slide into your wallet. However, you should pay attention to the thickness of the multi-tool, in case you have very tight credit card slots in your wallet, or it’s already too thick to close effectively. Keep an eye out to see if the card tool is larger than these standard dimensions, as well. You may have to upgrade your wallet to fit your card tool!
Material - Good card tools will be made from durable, unyielding metal materials. Some may be stainless steel, some may be titanium, others aluminum. Some may thinner, but make sure that thin card tools are still made from strong materials. Other cards may be made from hardened plastics. This is certainly a cheaper option and can work well for light household jobs, but be wary of these options, as they could break under pressure — or even from sitting on your wallet the wrong way!
Additional Features - A whole world awaits those looking into credit card multi-tools. Some cards may sport a retractable knife, while others may have tiny flashlights! These features may cost extra, but they could mean all the difference in a pinch. If you’re interested in additional features, look no further — our selection includes several upgraded options for the ultimate card tool.
Card Tool FAQ
Q: What are the card tools?
A: Rather than carry around a heavy Swiss Army-type multi-tool, or keep clunky toolsets around, card tools are multi-use tools that fit in the credit-card slot of your wallet. They are generally made from durable materials like steel or titanium, which won’t bend or break with everyday force and use. However, card tools will be thin and rectangular (like a credit card) so that you can easily keep one with you at all times.
Generally, card tools will include some size of wrenches or hexes, a screwdriver tip, and a knife blade. Each card tool holds its own unique set of features, so be sure to check and make sure you like the included tools before purchasing. Card-sized tools have become exceedingly popular in EDC (or everyday carry) culture. This means you have the tools and essentials with you in your backpack or your pockets at all times. A card tool allows you to slide a handy multi-tool out of sight and out of mind until you need it most.
Q: What is a card tool used for?
A: Credit card tools are not meant to replace the toolset that you have in your shop or your garage. However, they come in handy when you’re out to dinner, and someone’s eyeglasses lose a screw, or you’re at work, and your desk starts to wobble from loose parts. Maybe you need help disassembling an office appliance, and no one has a screwdriver handy? Card tools stay safely stashed in your wallet until the time they’re needed, without taking up space, weighing you down, or hanging off of your pants pocket like a traditional multi-tool. Credit card tools are an all-in-one deal for the most common types of quick-fixes in your home or workspace.
Q: How do you use a card tool?
A: Ultimately, this depends on what tools are included in your card tool’s feature list. For the most part, The interior features (like the wrench cut-outs) work by placing the card tool over the piece of hardware you’re trying to tighten or loosen and maneuvering the piece as needed. The bottle opening features should be a no-brainer; simply set your bottle cap under the flat edge and use the rest of the metal card as leverage. Other features, like a screwdriver or blade, will be located on the outside edges of the card tool and can be used carefully by holding the entire card while you do what you need to do.