I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
A key organizer is a small, portable device that helps you keep track of your keys and keeps them from jingling around in your pocket while making them easier to access when needed. Key organizers come in various sizes, shapes, and materials, so there’s likely going to be one to suit your need. Some key organizers have extra features like a built-in flashlight, multi-tools, and much more, while others are more basic.
After testing out quite a few key organizers, I have found that the Keyport Pivot 2.0 has been the best all-around key organizer! It is the most capable when it comes to customization, and is incredibly high quality. That said, I have found myself using the Ekster Key Case as my daily driver, due to its soft leather design.
With that said, let’s get into my recommendations, and which might be best for you!
Why should you trust me? I have been using key organizers for years and have used quite a few different ones to find the best one. This ranges from customizable metal-constructed organizers to minimalist leather organizers. This article is meant to be a culmination of this testing! You can learn more about me here.
Quick Note: I was gifted the Orbitkey, Pivot 2.0, Ekster Key Case and KeySmart Rugged found in this article to check out and review, however all opinions are my own!
Jump to:
1. Orbitkey Crazy-Horse Key Organizer
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- Fantastic quality leather
- Easy to install or remove keys and tools
- Soft sided key organizers are awesome
- The metal wears well
- I wish it was a bit longer
- No pocket clip
It took quite a bit to find a key organizer to beat out the Keyport Pivot 2.0, which we’ll talk about in a moment as my favorite key organizer. However, this Orbitkey Crazy-Horse Key Organizer has done it. At the same time, you can read my full review here; its won out for a couple of simple reasons.
It’s single-sided key organization allows for an easy installation! All it takes is thirty seconds and a penny to get your keys onto the organizer. Unlike double-sided organizers, it’s a simple task that doesn’t take ten minutes and a load of stress to complete.
While the Pivot 2.0 is also a single-sided organizer, what I liked better between the two was its top-grain leather. It feels incredible, smells fantastic, and is pliable in your pocket to the point you don’t even notice it isn’t there.
That said, it’s not quite as customizable as the Keyport Pivot 2.0, as its leather sides keep it from allowing for additional exterior accessories. That limitation finds its way to the interior as well, as I wasn’t able to fit all of my other multi-tools, as it was too short.
2. Keyport Pivot 2.0
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- Very high quality
- Extremely easy to install or remove keys from the organizer
- Modules and key accessories are very well-thought-out
- Very customizable to be exactly what you want
- Only fits eight keys
- With accessories, it is more bulky than the competitions
- It can get expensive once you have built it the way you want
- Dimensions: 0.7" High by 3.47" Wide by 0.6" Deep
- Capacity: 1 to 8 keys
- Weight: 0.63 ounces
If you want an organizer that does everything and can adjust to your needs, the Pivot 2.0 by KeyPort will be your best bet. The base version of the Pivot 2.0 is at a budget price point, but then you can quickly customize it to your liking (and budget) to have the exact organizer you need. You can choose from flashlights, pens, trackers, knives, and so much more, which can all be added to the organizer in different ways.
This key organizer is easily my near second choice when compared to the above Orbitkey; however, its one of two downsides is its size. Once you customize it with additional accessories, it struggles with bulkiness, making for an issue in your pocket.
The other downside? Its metal construction, which does tend to scratch other items in your pocket. Otherwise, this is the best key organizer out there, and I have no hesitation in recommending it to friends and family.
Quick Note: I highly recommend buying your Pivot 2.0 directly from the brand (as linked above), as they have the best set up to ensure you can get the accessories that best fit your needs. The link is below.
3. Ekster Key Case
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- High quality build
- Very easy to use
- Doesn't damage other items in pocket
- Easy to install keys
- Not overly customizable
- Smaller key capacity
- Dimensions: .5" High by 1.2" Wide by 0.31" Deep
- Capacity: 2 to 8 keys
- Weight: Unknown
While the Keyport Pivot 2.0 above is my favorite choice on this list, I have found myself using this Key Case from Ekster as my daily driver! While it doesn’t have nearly the customizability of its competitors, it makes up for it with a high-quality leather build and a simple and easy installation process.
The significant upside of this simplistic key organizer is that its leather construction keeps it from scratching anything else in your pocket, like your phone or wallet. I have found that its limited customizations can be offset by purchasing some other universal accessories, of which my favorite is this Multitool here that Keyport gifted me with the Pivot 2.0 (Paid Link), which allows you also to hook it to the top of your pocket, so you can quickly get the key organizer out of your pocket in a pinch.
4. KeySmart Rugged
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- Once keys are installed, extremely easy to use
- High quality
- Included pocket clip is very helpful
- Difficult to set up initially
- Can be annoying to add keys
- Not quite as customizable as some competitors
- Dimensions: 0.59" High by 3.7" Wide by 0.75" Deep
- Capacity: 2 to 8 keys
- Weight: 2.08 ounces
While the KeySmart Original is the key organizer I used first (we’ll talk about that in a moment), this Rugged version is the one I used the longest. It’s an impressive, entirely customizable key organizer if just a pain to install keys onto. While most key organizers are made of thinner steel or aluminum, the Rugged is built to be the most formidable option out there and is made of stainless steel.
It builds on this by also being one of the largest capacity key organizers, by being able to hold up to 14 keys. As alluded to earlier, though, because this key organizer can have keys on both sides, it results in a complex process for installing your keys, which other competitors do a bit better (as seen higher on this list). If you change out your keys infrequently and need the capacity, I have enjoyed this fantastic choice for years.
5. KeySmart Classic
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- Very inexpensive
- Customizable
- High quality
- Difficult key installation process
- Dimensions: 0.5" High by 2.9" Wide by 0.4" Deep
- Capacity: 2 to 8 keys
- Weight: 0.8 ounces
This key organizer is, in fact, the first key organizer I ever owned! Being gifted, this organizer set me off on the search for the best key organizers on the market. This one, in particular, is the first and original key organizer from the biggest name in this industry (KeySmart).
Its steel and simplistic design was revolutionary and allowed people to finally keep their keys from jingling around in their pockets. It made it considerably easier to access their keys when they needed them most.
The major downside of this key organizer is the same as the Rugged version above, as its key installation is challenging and results in you wanting to avoid going through that process again whenever you get a new key.
What should you look for in a key organizer?
While a key organizer may seem like a simple piece of gear, there are quite a few things you should consider when shopping for the right one that may only be evident once you have tried as many as I have.
1. Key Capacity
The advertised key capacity on every organizer reflects how many keys you can fit, but make sure to keep accessories into account, as those are part of that capacity. For example, I currently use the Key Case from Ekster, which has a capacity of 8 keys; however, I also have a pen, and two multi-tools on the organizer, which take up around 3-4 keys worth of storage.
So you will want to account for this when shopping for your key organizer! If you’re going to have accessories but still maintain a large capacity, something like the Keyport Pivot 2.0 is a great option, as some of the accessories are “modules” which don’t take up key capacity in any way.
2. Key installation process
One of the main drawbacks of many key organizers is the process it takes to install keys! While you gain capacity by allowing for keys to be installed on both sides of the organizer, this results in having to stack keys on top of each other, on both sides, and then try to line up the other side of the organizer perfectly, and then bolt them together.
While it’s easier to explain if you have tried, this process is a pain. Suppose you regularly want to switch out accessories or keys. In that case, you should look for a key organizer where keys are only placed on one side, like the Ekster Key Case, as you can quickly change out keys and only have to line up one side of the organizer.
3. Customizations
Key organizers do an excellent job of keeping keys from jingling around in your pockets and making them easily accessible. However, they also provide a fantastic way to add capabilities to your everyday carry. Some companies go deep in this direction, such as Keyport, and give you many options, some of which are universal, while others are proprietary to their system.
Meanwhile, some other companies give you little to no customizations to choose from; for those companies, you have to buy aftermarket universal accessories instead. Do your homework in this area to see what works best for you.
Conclusion
Key organizers are one of my favorite pieces of gear, as you use them daily, and they can make using your keys much more accessible. I have tried every key organizer on this list extensively, and they deserve recognition as the best.