According to our testing, the SLNT Faraday Bags are the best faraday bags for both EMP protection and everyday carry. They block signals reliably and are incredibly durable.
I’ve written about EMP protection before, and our team has been using Faraday bags for several years. While they’re primarily useful for protection against EMPs, I’m also convinced that everyone should get some for everyday protection.
Today, security and privacy concerns through hacking are real. It’s a common occurrence for car thieves to copy key fobs, for instance. Hackers can also access your log-in information and credit card numbers through your laptop, even when you aren’t using it.
Below, I’ll go over some of my favorite Faraday bags for both everyday carry and EMP/EMF protection. Though I’ve used many different Faraday bags, there are only a few that I truly recommend and use myself.
Table of Contents
- Quick Summary of My Favorite Faraday Bags
- Best Faraday Bag: SLNT
- Best Budget Faraday Bag: Rockagator Pyre
- Best Faraday Bag for Key Fob: Lanpard Faraday Pouch
- How I Tested Faraday Bags
- Faraday Bags for Preparedness, Privacy, and Security
- Do Faraday Bags Actually Work?
- Can Faraday Bags Mess Up Electronics?
- Can You DIY a Faraday Bag?
- What Faraday Bag Should You Get?
Quick Summary of My Favorite Faraday Bags
Many Sizes
Waterproof Options
Patented Technology
Save 10% of at SLNT sitewide with code “survivalstoic”
Best Faraday Bag: SLNT
Save 10% off sitewide at SLNT with code “Survivalstoic”
- Best For: Laptops, tablets, cell phones, mobile devices, and electronic equipment
- Effectiveness: Uses patented Silent Pocket® technology to block a wide range of signals (EMF, EMP, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi)
- Material Options: Waterproof nylon or top-grain leather
- Sizes: Multiple sizes offered
- Closure Design: Velcro
The SLNT Faraday bags are easily my favorite Faraday bags due to their effectiveness, available options, and durability. The company uses patented technology that really works, based on my hands-on testing. They stop a huge range of signals, including EMF, EMP, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.
Their bags are available in two different materials: waterproof nylon or top-grain leather. I use the waterproof nylon, I like the discrete design. However, the leather is a great option for those who are looking for a stylish everyday carry bag.
There are tons of different sizes available. Some are designed for specific applications, like carrying a laptop, while others are basically dry bags. No matter what you’re looking to protect, this company probably has something that’ll work.
I like their dry bags for storing my radios and GPS unit. In case of an EMP or a flood, they are protected. I keep it with my Go Bag.
The velcro on these bags is a bit difficult to open. During testing, I had to really work with it to get it open. But, this does mean that they won’t accidentally open during transport, exposing your devices to harmful signals, or let any water in.
Best Budget Faraday Bag: Rockagator Pyre
- Best For: Small electronics and documents
- Effectiveness: Provides solid signal blocking to guard against EMF, EMP, and similar interference
- Material Options: Made with fire-resistant and waterproof materials for all-around protection
- Size/Capacity: Offered in a single, compact size ideal for smaller devices
- Closure Design: Velcro
The Rockagator Pyre faraday bag is much cheaper than the competition. Plus, it has a lot of extra features, too, like fire resistance.
It’s basically designed to be a protective case to keep important documents or electronics in. Because it’s fire-resistant and waterproof, your stuff will stay safe during most disasters.
Sadly, this bag is only available in one size. Based on my testing, this size is plenty large enough for documents and most hand-held electronics. However, some laptops we tried wouldn’t fit in it. A thin 15″ laptop would just barely fit.
It’d be great for storing birth certificates, passports, and a backup cellphone. But, it isn’t a good option for those looking for a bag to provide everyday security and privacy. For that, I would recommend SLNT.
This is bag is great for part of my emergency preparedness kit. I can keep my backup tablet full of preparedness and survival info in it along with my important documents. Since it is water proof, fire resistant, and EMP proof, it is the best choice.
This bag is relatively new to the market and we got one of the first ones with our Battlbox subscription. So, availability may be somewhat limited for the time being.
Best Faraday Bag for Key Fob: Lanpard Faraday Pouch
- Best For: Key fobs
- Effectiveness: Blocks all relevant signals
- Material Options: Carbon fiber with zinc alloy keychain
- Size/Capacity: Compact design specifically made for key fobs
- Closure Design: Velcro
The Lanpard Faraday pouch is great for keeping your key fob safe from hacking or keeping an extra key fob, just in case there’s an EMP. It’s small and extremely inexpensive, so there is little reason not to get one.
Despite how inexpensive it is, this small pouch is made with carbon fiber and an RF shielding cloth.
This pouch blocks all kinds of signals, including EMF and RFID. During my testing, it was effective against all signals – in and out. It can prevent hacking and keep your keys safe from other external signals. It’s an all-around solution to keeping your access to your car safe.
It has a zinc alloy keychain for everyday carry. You can use it just like you would any other keychain. But, this one protects against harmful signals.
When you’re ready to get in your car, you just have to slide your key fob out and press a button!
How I Tested Faraday Bags
I tested several Faraday bags for their signal blocking strength and durability alongside my team. Only the best bags made it onto this list thanks to their effectiveness.
In my view, there are two main important factors when choosing a Faraday bag: durability and effectiveness. A faraday bag is pointless if it isn’t effective, and you can’t rely on it to work when you need it to if it isn’t durable.
That said, I did test several other factors, too. Here’s a complete look at our testing:
- Effectiveness: We placed an active smartphone inside each Faraday bag, sealed it as instructed, and then attempted to make calls, send messages, and connect to Wi-Fi, while also using a free signal-strength app to monitor any residual connectivity. We also did the same with our radios to see if any signals would pass through the bags.
- Value: Faraday bags don’t need to be expensive, especially since you can DIY one for pretty cheap, too. Some on the market are just way too expensive for me to recommend.
- Durability: You want your Faraday bag to stand up to regular conditions. So, we put each bag through the ringer before recommending it.
- Sizing options: You probably have a range of devices you want to protect, and having different sizing options helps ensure there is a bag to meet your needs.
Based on these factors, I chose the best Faraday bags for our readers.
Faraday Bags for Preparedness, Privacy, and Security
Faraday bags are essential for long-term prepping and everyday carry. There are harmful signals everywhere these days, and the threat of an EMP looms heavy in the distance. Faraday bags can protect from both.
Originally, Faraday bags were designed to stop EMPs, which can occur due to nuclear weapons or solar flares. For this reason, a reliable Faraday bag is an essential component of a comprehensive bug out bag, as outlined in our Bug Out Bag Checklist.
However, today, they’re also useful for modern security and privacy threats.
While you wouldn’t want to keep your phone in a Faraday bag constantly (it would block incoming calls and text messages), getting a computer or tablet bag with a built-in Faraday system is recommended, especially if you have sensitive information on your device.
A computer case is a useful option, since you’re probably keeping your laptop in one when traveling, anyway. A Faraday key fob holder is another easy option to prevent your key fob from becoming compromised, which is becoming more and more common.
When it comes to Faraday bags, don’t just think of them as saving your devices for the future. Consider how they can protect your devices today, too.
Do Faraday Bags Actually Work?
Yes, Faraday bags really do work. They block radio frequencies and electromagnetic fields, protecting your device from EMP damage and hackers.
That said, not all Faraday bags work. No one is controlling what companies can call their bags “Faraday” and who cannot. We tested plenty of bags that absolutely didn’t work.
One scientific test from the Auckland University of Technology reported:
“Results show that performance of the bags is not as promised by most vendors and that in urgent situations other materials at hand may suffice to perform the same function as a Faraday bag.”
Simply put, not all Faraday bags work. So, it’s important to choose a bag that has been tested by a third-party (and to test them yourself once you get them, just in case).
Law enforcement utilizes Faraday bags to prevent the alteration of evidence by blocking cell phones from all network connections. According to Mobile Device Isolation and Faraday Containers:
“During the Isolation Phase of mobile phone forensics, diligence should be taken to prevent radio communications that can alter the state of the evidence. Faraday bags, and Faraday cages, are effective means of isolating the device’s network connections.”
If Faraday bags didn’t work, law enforcement wouldn’t use them!
Can Faraday Bags Mess Up Electronics?
No, Faraday bags cannot damage electronics. They just block signals from reaching the device, just as if you were in the middle of the woods and couldn’t get a signal.
Faraday bags are constructed from materials that block electromagnetic fields, such as radio waves, from entering or exiting the bag. In this way, they provide protection against electromagnetic threats, tracking, and hacking.
However, they don’t cause damage to the electronics inside of them.
Can You DIY a Faraday Bag?
Yes! You can make your own Faraday bag pretty easily. In fact, we’ve covered it as an easy way to protect your electronics from EMPs.
You can make a pretty effective Faraday cage using only aluminum and a cloth (or paper bag). All you have to do is place the device inside the cloth or paper bag. Then, wrap the bag in aluminum foil.
I recommend at least five layers of aluminum foil. But the more you put on it, the more effective it will be.
Remember that you’ll have to wrap the device completely. That means no pieces sticking out of the bag, including the antenna.
The main downside of this DIY method is that the bag really isn’t reusable and getting to your device can be challenging. After all, you have to unwrap five layers of aluminum foil!
Commercial Faraday bags eliminate this problem by using Velcro or a similar closure method. This keeps your device protected when the bag is closed, but it also lets you get your device out quickly.
What Faraday Bag Should You Get?
I recommend most people select a bag (or bags) from SLNT. Their bags are extremely effective and durable. I use them regularly to protect my electronics, especially those I want to work in a SHTF situation, like my GPS. Plus, you can save 10% off with our code “survivalstoic”.
You may want to purchase several bags to protect all your different pieces of survival gear.
Getting a Faraday bag is a very small part of being prepared for emergencies. In our prepping guide, we go over other aspects that you should be thinking about, too, like water and food.
