► Relay theft is on the rise across the UK
► A Faraday pouch can stop thieves from intercepting fob signals
► An affordable, no-nonsense way to keep your car secure
Keyless entry is a brilliant convenience; no fumbling for keys, just walk up to your vehicle and drive away. But that same tech is fuelling one of the UK’s fastest-growing crimes: relay theft. UK Government statistics show that, according to the 2022–2023 Crime Survey for England and Wales, relay theft was involved in 40% of all vehicle thefts. In London, the Metropolitan Police estimate that signal jammers are involved in around 60% of cases. With nothing more than a signal booster and a laptop, thieves can capture and clone your fob’s signal, tricking your car into unlocking and starting in seconds. It’s quick, quiet and devastatingly effective.
That’s why a Faraday pouch (also called an RFID key pouch) is one of the smartest and cheapest upgrades you can make to your car security in 2025. These signal-blocking cases are small, discreet and incredibly effective. A Faraday pouch is like a mini vault or invisibility cloak for your key fob. It blocks wireless signals (RF, Bluetooth, and NFC) so your car is unable to communicate with your fob when it’s not in use. No signal means nothing to intercept, leaving relay thieves empty-handed.
The best RFID key pouches 2025 at a glance:
How Relay Attacks Work
- Criminals position themselves near your home or office
- They use signal amplifiers to detect your key fob’s signal
- The amplified signal is transmitted to an accomplice near your car
- Your vehicle unlocks and starts, thinking the key is nearby
- Thieves drive away with your car in seconds
High-value premium brands such as BMW, Mercedes, and Range Rover models are especially vulnerable. Thieves can snatch them in under a minute using little more than an amplifier and a laptop. But even everyday cars aren’t immune, making a Faraday pouch a must for any driver with a keyless entry system.
Not all pouches are the same. Some are slim single-fob sleeves, while others are big enough for keys, bank cards, and even smartphones. Features vary, too – belt clips, key rings, waterproofing, or premium finishes like leather. The best pouch for you depends on your lifestyle, but the golden rule is simple: use it every time you’re not driving. Whether you’re at home, parked on the high street, or grabbing a coffee at motorway services, keep your keys protected.
How we tested
We put the wireless key fob inside the Faraday pouch on test, approached the vehicle and attempted to open the doors. Once the result of that test was noted, we entered the vehicle with the fob once again in the pouch and tried to start it using the button. Happily, all the pouches we tested performed successfully.
A Faraday pouch isn’t a gimmick; it’s a smart, sensible step every keyless-car owner should take. For the price of a takeaway, you can shut the door on one of the most common forms of modern car theft. Below, we look at some of the best RFID pouches you can buy right now.
The best RFID and Faraday key pouches 2025
Disklabs Key Shield
The best RFID pouch
Pros
• Has approval from the Police via Secured by Design, ensuring its strength and capability
• Blocks all signals from 5G to Bluetooth as it’s made from incredibly durable materials
• Compact and durable – ideal for single key fobs
Cons
• Won’t fit larger items like phones, which some may use to open their cars
Disklabs is a UK-based security brand trusted by professionals. This key pouch is made to an exceptionally high standard and is approved by ‘Secured by Design’, the official police recognition initiative for security products.
The quality is apparent straight away – it feels strong and sturdy. The compact design is tailored perfectly for a single key fob, fitting snugly in your pocket without adding bulk. The strong Velcro closure strip provides a good, secure seal to create a solid block against signal escape.
In practical testing with a car key fob, the pouch successfully prevented both unlocking and starting the vehicle when the fob was in the bag with the cover closed. This shows effective RF signal blocking, which is exactly what you want for protecting against relay attacks and keyless car theft.
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Disklok RFID Car Key Pouch
Editor’s pick
Pros
• You can choose between a small or large size pouch, with less than £3 difference
• Carabena clip for attaching to your belt loop or bag, saving pocket space
• Durable materials for effective signal blocking against relay thefts
Cons
• Only for keys or cards, too small for your phone
The Disklok RFID Car Key Pouch is a simple but effective way to protect your vehicle from keyless-entry theft. Compact in size (14cm x 9.5cm), it’s big enough to hold a key fob and a couple of cards, with a sturdy Velcro closure and a carabiner clip on the back that makes it easy to attach to a bag or belt.
To check its effectiveness, we tested it in real-world conditions. With the fob sealed inside the pouch, we tried to unlock the car remotely and later attempted to start it once inside. On both occasions, the signal was blocked, proving that the pouch does its job exactly as advertised.
At around £11, the Disklok pouch is competitively priced and feels well-made for everyday use. Some owners have noted that performance can reduce over time, so it’s sensible to test it periodically to make sure it’s still working. For drivers looking for an affordable, practical and no-fuss solution, it’s a strong choice.
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Defender Signal Blocker Two-Pack
Best large pouch double pack
Pros
• Two pouches included, which is great for multiple vehicles and/or purposes
• The pouches themselves are large enough to store both key and smartphone
• Great value for money at just under £10 for the pair
Cons
• These aren’t the strongest key pouches available
I tried out the Defender Signal Blocker and found it worked exactly as promised. With my car key inside the pouch, I tested both unlocking the doors and starting the engine, and on both occasions, the signal was blocked entirely. It’s always reassuring to see that sort of result in practice.
What makes this pack especially good value is that you get two pouches, which is ideal for a two-car family. They’re a decent size too, large enough to hold a key fob with room to spare, or even a medium-sized smartphone if you want to shield that as well.
Overall, the build quality seems good, with neat stitching and a secure feel. The only minor downside is the small hook on the back, which doesn’t look particularly strong, so I wouldn’t rely on it for regular clipping to bags or belts. Still, for the price, these pouches are excellent: affordable, practical, and effective.
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Stoplock RFID Pouch
Best for mobile phone RFID protection
Pros
• Reputable UK security brand known for its sturdy steering wheel locks
• Very good value for money at under £8
• Large enough to store a smartphone as well as keys.
Cons
• No clip for belt loop storage, which might be an inconvenience to some
If you’ve ever bought a steering wheel lock or wheel clamp, there is a fair chance it was a Stoplock product. Stoplock is the UK’s top vehicle security brand, specialising in high-quality, analogue security products. Its RFID pouch is one of its more recent additions, and it is budget-friendly and effective.
Initially, it looks more like a purse or long wallet than a pouch, but at 19.2cm x 10cm when closed, it’s large enough to store a phone and a key fob. While storing your phone when you are driving to prevent distractions is a laudable move, many drivers nowadays use smartphone apps like Google Maps and Waze, so perhaps its smartphone capacity may be better facilitated for those who use their smartphones to lock and unlock their cars.
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Ironstripe Faraday Pouch
Best genuine leather RFID pouch
Pros
• Made from genuine leather
• Double-layer signal blocking
• Can hold additional items
Cons
• The pouch can be pretty stiff when new
I recently got to try out the Ironstripe Faraday Protector Pouch and straight away noticed that its appearance was rather more upmarket than some of the others. Made from sturdy carbon-effect leather, it feels pretty classy, though I’ll admit it’s a bit flashy if you’re more into minimalist styles
Measuring roughly 14.5 cm × 9.3 cm, the pouch easily accommodates a modern key fob- and still leaves room for added bulk such as keyrings or even a credit card.
A small carabiner-style clip on the back is a convenient touch, allowing it to be attached to a belt loop or bag strap. Just don’t expect heavy-duty resilience if you plan to tug on it frequently; it’s functional, but doesn’t look all that tough.
Most importantly, the Ironstripe pouch delivered on its core promise. In side-by-side tests, I placed my key fob inside, approached the car, and attempted remote locking/unlocking and ignition. It blocked the signal as effectively as any good Faraday solution should, no unlocks, no starts, just peace of mind.
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AA anti-theft RFID pouch
Best quality budget pouch set
Pros
- Backed by the trusted AA brand for peace of mind
- Compact and easy to carry in a pocket or bag
- Effective at blocking signals to prevent relay theft
Cons
- Only fits one key fob, no space for extras
The AA is one of the UK’s most trusted motoring organisations, so it’s reassuring to see its name on an anti-theft product. The pouch we tested, the AA1872 RFID Anti-Theft Pouch (pictured above), is no longer widely available, but a newer version is now sold as a double pack. Based on the AA’s reputation and the quality of the original, we would expect the updated version to live up to the same high standards – both in performance and in build quality – and to meet the expectations of the public.
The original pouch was designed to protect a single key fob and was compact enough to slip easily into a pocket or bag. It didn’t feel luxurious, but it avoided any sense of cheapness, and its sturdy construction made it perfectly suitable for everyday use. One minor quirk was that the shielding material extended close to the top of the pouch, which could feel unusual at first, though this soon became second nature.
In practical testing, the AA1872 performed exactly as intended: with the key fob inside, the car wouldn’t unlock or start. It offered a simple, no-frills, affordable solution that worked effectively, exactly what you’d expect from the AA. The newer double-pack version should provide the same reliability while offering extra convenience for households with two vehicles.
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Defender Signal Blocker Mini
Best fob-sized two-pack
Pros
• Fits in your pocket, which is handy and compact
• Very effective signal blocker against relay targets
• Incredibly cost-effective at just under £9
Cons
• Too small to accommodate a smartphone
Designed to fit neatly into your pocket, Defender’s answer to preventing keyless car theft couldn’t be simpler. This RFID pouch can block RIFD, NFC, WiFi, GPS, and EMF signals from opportunist thieves. This package comes in a set of two, which is handy if you have a couple of vehicles in the household.
The Defender measures just 14 x 9 x 0.6cm, meaning that despite its compactness, you won’t be able to fit a phone in it. It’s best, therefore, to think of it as a key pouch and nothing else.
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Samfolk RFID Faraday Key and Phone Pouch
Best for larger mobile phones
Pros
• Sizeable enough to carry large phones and cards as well as keys
• Made of waterproof materials, making it durable in the rain
• Triple-layered, ensuring strong signal protection
Cons
• Cannot fit keys and phone in at the same time
One of the most stylish options comes from Samfolk in the form of this Faraday key and/or phone pouch. Since many modern cars require you to use your phone to unlock them, this is a useful device for that market.
It can fit phones up to 6.8 inches (17cm) and can, of course, effortlessly store your car keys as well. Unfortunately, it’s not quite large enough to store both at the same time, but at only £10 for the pouch, the value for money you get for the security overrides that.
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Lanpard Faraday pouch
Pros
• Various sizes available
• U-shaped locking carrying hook
• Double pack
Cons
• Maybe just a bit too big to carry in your trouser pocket
You needn’t break the bank to protect your car. This pouch from Lanpard comes in several sizes to suit the size of your vehicle key or to carry multiple keys at once. The largest size is big enough to accommodate an iPhone as well. The internal key ring keeps the key secure inside the pouch, and the cover is kept firmly in place with a Velcro strip.
This offer provides two pouches of the same size (for the spare key or second vehicle), which is good value and gives you peace of mind that those RFID signals are being contained within the pouch.
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Extra security tips
A Faraday pouch is a powerful first line of defence, but it’s even better combined with other good habits:
- Keep keys away from exterior walls and doors
- Consider a steering-wheel lock or driveway post as a physical deterrent
- Install motion-sensing lights or security cameras at home
- Use a tracking system for high-value cars
FAQs
How long should a Faraday pouch last?+
A good-quality Faraday pouch should last 1 - 3 years with daily use, but its lifespan will depend on build quality and how often it’s opened, bent, or compressed. Once the shielding layer wears out, it becomes less effective.
How do Faraday pouches work?+
RFID pouches and Faraday bags work by including certain materials, such as copper or aluminium foil, into the bag or pouch. This layer of material effectively blocks all signals to or from the pouch and any wireless devices being kept inside it. These include phone networks such as 5G, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth.
Do Faraday pouches drain the battery?+
No. They don’t drain your car key battery. Instead, they block the signal completely. The only minor effect is that some keys may try to “search” more often for a connection, but this has little impact on overall battery life.
Do RFID pouches work?+
Yes, as long as they’re made with proper signal-blocking materials (metallic or conductive layers). Cheaper versions can fail quickly, so it’s best to test regularly by trying to unlock your car with the key still inside the pouch.
What Faraday pouch is recommended by the police?+
UK police forces haven't given a recommendation of a single Faraday pouch, but rather, they advise you to look for one which has the Sold Secure or Secure by Design certification. These are police approved.
What is the most effective Faraday bag?+
Professional-grade pouches like Disklabs Key Shield are considered the most reliable. They’re tested to police standards and offer stronger and more consistent signal blocking than budget options.
Is it worth getting a Faraday pouch?+
Yes. They’re inexpensive, simple, and provide an effective layer of protection against keyless car theft. While not the only security measure you should use, they’re a worthwhile addition alongside steering locks, driveway posts, or CCTV.
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