For many of us, ID badges are a part of our daily working lives. When working onsite in an office, we usually require such badges (or sometimes RFID cards) for security purposes. Like house keys, these items are small and, for security items, are maddeningly easy to lose. That’s where lanyards and ID badge holders come in.
When paired with lanyards, ID badge holders are super useful (yet super underrated) security items. Not only do these holders protect our badges from the elements, but they also attach to the wearable version of a keyring (aka a lanyard), keeping our security items close and safe. Different business needs call for different card holders; so without further ado, here is our list of top-five ID badge holders.
Table of Contents
1. Vinyl badge holders
Perhaps the most common ID badge holders, the vinyl badge holder is common in office environments. This simply, slinky and cost-effective cover is made from flexible vinyl to bend to your every whim (within reason). Its transparent make makes it ideal for double-sided displays. For example, you may want to display both sides of your ID badge. Alternatively, you could use it to display a single side of two cards. Vinyl badge holders are common at conferences, concerts, and public events. This thin layer of vinyl provides optimal protection against the elements, lengthening the longevity of your ID card. Best of all, its top is tipped with holes—attach it to your lanyard and go about your day!
2. Proximity badge holders
Most proximity badge holders are made from vinyl and perform the same functions as described above. The thing that makes proximity badges special? They ensure your RFID card can be scanned without being removed from the holder. Not only is this more convenient, but it reduces the wear and tear inherent to removing and scanning cards on the daily.
3. Rigid plastic badge holders
As the name suggests, rigid plastic badge holders will not be bending to any whims (yours or otherwise). They hold your ID badge firmly in place and provide extra durability, if that’s your thing. The downside is they tend not to be double-sided. The upside is that they’re ideal for the outdoors or construction sites—places that need that extra layer of protection.
4. Waterproof badge holders
On today’s market, many items are waterproof or at least water-resistant. It’s an oddly useful feature that can save your skin when you least expect it. Before waterproof technology was a thing, I’ll bet many of us tried to immerse our phones in rice. It’s that feature you don’t think you’ll need until you bring your phone a little too close to a swimming pool.
That being said, it seems unlikely that ID badge holders would come into contact with water. Think again. If you require a lanyard in outdoor conditions, this feature will protect your ID badge from inclement weather. If you work as a lifeguard, you may need to immerse yourself in water at any given moment. Waterproof badge holders will save your ID badge as much as you save lives beachside.
5. Shielded badge holders
If you’re paranoid about someone getting their grimy mitts on your RFID card, you may want to consider a shielded badge holder. These holders contain a thin metal layer to block card readers from scanning card information. Unfortunately, RFID cards are easily duplicated, and if an RFID card were to fall into the wrong hands, this could spell disaster. Shielded badge covers are compulsory for many governmental and law-enforcement workers. If you desire the extra protection but want to forego this ID badge cover, RFID-blocking cards are also available for purchase.
