A hands-free phone crossbody is the perfect lightweight travel accessory.

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Travel + Leisure

A few months after my first child was born, I found myself in a quandary while packing for an international flight. I needed a diaper bag for my daughter and didn’t want to be laden down with another full-sized purse for myself. At the same time, I didn’t want to have to take off the backpack-style diaper bag every time I needed my phone. A friend gifted me my first phone purse, which is when I realized it was possible to have the best of both worlds: a safe, easily accessible place to store my phone, cards, and a couple of other small accessories that was also lightweight and portable enough to carry in addition to a backpack and baby. 

Since then, I’ve used my phone purse religiously, either as an addition to a larger bag or on its own for running errands or short outings on vacation. There are many different types of phone purses. Some, like mine, offer the security of a zippered compartment and a little extra space for a small wallet, passport, or travel documents. Others are more minimalist, combining a traditional phone case with a card sleeve and crossbody strap. To help you find the right style for your needs, we asked T+L editors to recommend the phone purses they own and love to travel with. Scroll through to see their top recommendations.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Kaai Smartphone Pouch at Kaaibags.com Jump to Review Best Organization: Bandolier Dillon Bag at Amazon $198 Jump to Review Most Versatile: Strathberry Pouch at Strathberry.com Jump to Review Best Splurge: Aviteur Phone Case at Aviteur.com Jump to Review Most Spacious: Cuyana Easy Phone Tote at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best for Minimalists: SALE Maison de Sabre Phone Case at Nordstrom $99 $60 Jump to Review Most Stylish: Bandolier Phone Case at Bandolierstyle.com Jump to Review

Best Overall

Kaai Smartphone Pouch

Credit: Kaai View on Kaaibags.com Why We Love It

• A structured rectangular shape and a selection of seven timeless colors make this pouch a stylish choice for every occasion.

What to Consider

• We find the knotted straps a little difficult to adjust.

T+L associate editor Anna Popp owns the Kaai Arch Smartphone Pouch in terracotta and loves that it works well for a wide array of outfits and occasions, noting that “the pointed corners and rectangular shape of this structured bag give it a really refined, sophisticated look.” Other shades range from neutral cognac, black, or dark khaki to eye-catching Celadon green, all with a microsuede lining in the brand’s signature blue. The pouch is made from 100 percent Italian cow leather with a matte finish, protecting your phone from water, scratches, and UV damage. 

It’s designed to fit phones of up to 6.2 x 3.5 x 0.6 inches. Our iPhone 12 fits like a glove with just enough room to spare for a lip gloss, making it the ideal choice for drinks or dinner at your hotel — or any other outing that requires minimal “stuff.” There are three slots on the back of the pouch for your credit card, ID, or room key. The flap is secured by a magnetic button and closes without any issues even when the bag is packed full. Finally, we love that the crossbody strap keeps our hands free although we wish the knotted design was a little easier to adjust. 

The Details: 7.5 x 4.5 x 1 inches | 100 percent leather | 3 card slots

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Best Organization

Bandolier Dillon Bag

Credit: Bandolier $198 at Amazon View on Bandolierstyle.com Why We Love It

• With three separate compartments, this purse allows plenty of extra space for other essentials. 

What to Consider

• It’s inevitably larger and more bulky to pack than a minimalist phone purse.

Crafted from 100 percent genuine pebbled leather, the Bandolier Dillon phone purse offers three compartments. First, there’s a zippered section with ample space for a phone charger, wallet, snack, or sunglasses. Second, an exterior molded slip pocket for phones of up to 5 x 3.75 x 0.6 inches secured by a snap-button closure; and finally, a slip pocket on the reverse side ideal for plane tickets and other documents. Popp calls it a phone purse/regular purse hybrid and uses hers around the city when she knows she’ll be out for a while. 

Popp can fit her phone in the front, middle, or back compartment which leaves an abundance of space for other items. However, she does caution that “I personally only feel safe with my phone secured in the zippered main compartment” in busy, highly populated areas. The purse comes with an adjustable crossbody strap that can be switched out with any strap sold by Bandolier, while colors include black, tan, cherry, or ivory. Most colorways have gold hardware, although there is a black version with pewter hardware for those that prefer a more subtle vibe. 

The Details: 7.25 x 5.25 x 1.5 inches | 100 percent leather

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Most Versatile

Strathberry Pouch

Credit: Strathberry View on Strathberry.com Why We Love It

• This luxe, elevated option works well for more formal occasions while also being casual enough to wear to the airport.

What to Consider

• The drawstring closure is not especially secure.

With its soft-structured design and signature Strathberry Music Bar detailing, the Osette Midi Pouch looks more like a miniature leather purse than a holder for your phone. “This pouch was really easy to dress up while going out to nice dinners on a trip to France, but was also ideal for wearing at the airport to keep my phone and passport within easy reach,” says Popp. It’s handcrafted from premium calf leather, has a soft microfiber lining, and a thin leather strap that works for crossbody or over-the-shoulder transportation. 

The unstructured main compartment is big enough for a phone and a selection of smaller essentials (think AirPods, lipstick, or a set of keys). We like that the leather has some give, making it possible to squeeze in a few more belongings when necessary. The only downside? The drawstring closure is not particularly secure, which doesn’t give full protection against potential theft. The pouch comes in five neutral colors ranging from tan to cream, with a more expensive beaded and embroidered version available in black. 

The Details: 7.1 x 5.3 x 2 inches | 100 percent leather 

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The 22 Best Phone Wallets

Best Splurge

Aviteur Phone Case

Credit: Aviteur View on Aviteur.com Why We Love It

• Exquisite Italian craftsmanship and a roomy interior make this phone purse stand out from the crowd.

What to Consider

• It will set you back more than four times as much as our overall winner.

T+L associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parker is effusive in her praise of the Aviteur Phone Case, calling it “the most beautiful phone purse — and one of the most beautiful purses generally — I’ve ever seen.” The product of a brand led by Patricia Gucci, it’s made in Italy from the highest grade naturally tanned hide. A panel of intreccio-weave leather speaks to the purse’s impeccable craftsmanship, while color choices range from timeless black, ivory, and elephant grey to gorgeous walnut and teal. 

We think it pairs well with both casual and formal outfits. Because it’s designed to fit two phones, it’s also roomy enough for a phone, slim card case, key fob, and passport—making it the ideal travel companion. Although we initially wished that it had a zipper, the leather flap proved secure enough to prevent even a child’s hand from slipping inside. Finally, we like that the adjustment mechanism of the crossbody strap is hidden within the bag for a completely seamless look. 

The Details: 7 x 5.1 x 1.6 inches | 100 percent leather

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Most Spacious

Cuyana Easy Phone Tote

Credit: Cuyana View on Nordstrom $198 at Cuyana.com Why We Love It

• This purse offers extra space for those that want to be able to fit more than just their phone.

What to Consider

• It may be a little too large for minimalist travelers.

A miniature version of Cuyana’s best-selling tote, the Easy Phone Tote comes complete with comfortable top handles and a removable, adjustable crossbody strap. We love the versatility afforded by these two carrying options and also appreciate that the crossbody strap is made from the same high-quality pebbled Italian leather as the purse body. The leather has been certified as environmentally responsible by the Leather Working Group and comes in gorgeous neutral shades including cappuccino, stone, and ecru. 

T+L’s senior testing editor Jackie Cucco says, “I like that this product offers a larger size than most phone purses, allowing me to fit several items and avoid carrying an entire purse when traveling light.” She found that it’s ideal for wearing with a backpack so that you can keep your essentials within easy reach and likes the extra security afforded by the zippered opening. We’ve fit an iPhone, hand sanitizer, earbuds, keys, credit cards, and passport simultaneously and use the interior slip pocket and key loop to keep contents organized.  

The Details: 7 x 5.6 x 1.8 inches | 100 percent leather

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The 7 Best Protective Phone Cases

Best for Minimalists

Maison de Sabre Phone Case

Credit: Maison de Sabre $99 $60 at Nordstrom View on Maisondesabre.com Why We Love It

• Despite its minimalist design, it offers features that elevate it beyond a regular phone case.

What to Consider

• It’s currently only available for iPhones 12 and up. 

Available in black, nude, or fuschia pebbled leather, The Sling Phone Case from Maison de Sabre is essentially a wraparound case with a microfiber suede lining to prevent damage to your phone. It’s ideal for those that like to travel extra light while keeping their hands free; and also fits seamlessly into a larger bag when you need to carry more. In cities where phone snatching is common, the added security of a strong, leather crossbody cord affords peace of mind for savvy travelers. 

Despite its no-frills design, the case does have two features that give it similar carrying capacity to a regular phone purse. First, there’s a card slot on the rear capable of storing up to two cards. It has a crescent-shaped opening for easy access, although you’ll need to take both cards out to extract the bottom one. Parker loves that she can still use her MagSafe wallet with the case even when this card slot is filled. Finally, the phone’s carabiner-style O-ring allows you to attach a keychain for quick trips to the café or gym. 

The Details: 100 percent leather | 1 card slot

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Most Stylish

Bandolier Phone Case

Credit: Bandolier View on Bandolierstyle.com Why We Love It

• With a range of colors and leather patterns to choose from, this phone purse is as fashionable as it is practical.

What to Consider

• The case makes it a bit difficult to press the phone’s side buttons.

Available for iPhones 11 and newer, the Bandolier Lily Duet is crafted from 100 percent leather with gold-toned hardware. You can snag this in a range of colors and patterns, including pink crocodile, green snakeskin, and timeless black. We love the classic, designer handbag-style woven chains used for the detachable wristlet and crossbody strap, which can be swapped out to compliment a wide range of outfits and occasions. We also like the slimline aesthetic of the purse, which combines a traditional phone case with an integrated card holder pocket on the back. 

This pocket offers space for up to five cards and is secured by a snap button closure. T+L senior editor Jasmine Grant says, “I love that it can fit enough cards to travel with just this purse for the day…no big, heavy bag required!” Of course, this phone purse lacks space for the extra items you might keep in one of the larger options on this list (i.e. you won’t be squeezing in your AirPods or lip balm). However, it’s sleek enough to fit easily into a larger purse when necessary. 

The Details: 100 percent leather | 5 card slots

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Our Testing Process

For this article, T+L editors recommended phone purses that they own and have personally used on their travels around the world. Most of them have been thoroughly tested over the course of many months (and in some cases, several years) on a variety of adventures ranging from domestic road trips to international business trips and vacations. We asked editors to consider each purse’s size, quality, organization, and style and will continue to collect insights for at least six months after which point this article will be updated. 

Tips for Buying Phone Purses

Find a phone purse that suits your needs

Finding the perfect phone purse for your needs requires working out the balance of size versus capacity that suits you best. For example, many people use a phone purse in conjunction with a larger backpack when traveling to keep their phone handy without having to remove their backpack every time they want to take a photo, pay for something, or check a conversion rate. In this case, a minimalist purse that has just enough space for your phone and perhaps a card or two is probably sufficient. 

But if, like me, you prefer to explore as unencumbered as possible, you may want a phone purse that can act as your only bag for the day. In this case, you’ll probably want a little more space for other essentials (cash, a lip balm, a room key, or AirPods). Other things to consider include the purse’s closure (I always opt for a zippered design when traveling somewhere where pickpocketing could be a risk) and its overall aesthetic. Neutral colors and styles that can be dressed up or down are the most versatile.

Consider your exact phone model

While some phone purses are universal, others are designed to fit specific phone models. If you go for the latter style, be sure to select the compatible size. You should also consider carefully whether you’re likely to upgrade your phone in the near future. If the answer is yes, you may want to hold off on buying a purse until you receive your new phone since these model-specific styles are not interchangeable. Even if you choose a universal phone purse, make sure to check the dimensions carefully to ensure that your phone will fit comfortably. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Jessica Macdonald has traveled to more than 50 countries across six continents and has been reviewing travel gear for over a decade. She was gifted her first phone purse (a leather one from a small South African brand with a zippered main compartment and multiple card slots) by a fellow mom shortly after her first child was born and has been using it daily for the last six years. She loves it for its blend of style and hands-free practicality. 

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