What are Faraday boxes all about? That’s a good question. It does sound like the kind of thing HG Wells might have used to get his time machine going, but it is actually an invaluable car security device that can protect your car from the threats posed by keyless car theft.
Most vehicles are now equipped with keyless entry and ignition, operated by electronic signals from your key fob (RFID). Now, Mr Thief and his mates seem to catch up with advances in security technology impressively quickly, and it’ll come as no surprise that they’ve found a way to intercept and clone those electronic signals enabling them to steal your vehicle, even if your car fob is sitting apparently secure on the hallway table.
But adding an extra layer of car security and preventing those radio signals from being intercepted is pretty easy and inexpensive. A Faraday pouch or box is lined with a metallic material which prevents any electronic signals from entering or leaving the box, thereby preventing would-be thieves from intercepting your RFID signals and stealing your car. As keyless vehicles can be stolen and driven away in under a minute with the right techniques, it’s surely a no brainer that blocking the signal is one of the easiest things to do to prevent car theft from reaching you.
The best Faraday boxes 2024 at a glance
So, when you get home, don’t just leave your fob on the table; put it safely in a Faraday box. It’ll keep your car safe, and no more misplaced keys. Here’s a selection of Faraday boxes for you to choose from.
The best Faraday boxes 2024
The best Faraday box
The sleek and classy exterior styling is made from 2mm aluminium, while the inside is padded to afford extra protection. It comes in small or large sizes to suit the type of fob you have.
Pros
- Stylish design and a premium upgrade over a conventional pouch
- Compact enough to take with you and carry it in a large pocket
- Quality construction and durable materials
Cons
- Only suitable for a single fob rather than multiple units
Editor's pick
Rrp: $16.99
Rrp: $16.99
Pros
- Attractive finish and looks subtle in your home
- Pouches included for added protection on the go
- Compact yet spacious design, which means clever packaging
Cons
- Pouches can be a tight fit for larger fobs
Best large Faraday set
The box is covered in a tough, grey-coloured polyurethane leather and the two clips help to keep the lid firmly closed and prevent any signal leakage.
Pros
- Comes with additional pouches, which are fairly sizeable themselves
- Large enough for six fobs, which is great if you have a fleet of vehicles
- You can choose between a small or large size box
Cons
- The pouch can be a bit tight for some fobs
Best wall-mounted Faraday box
The outer layer is made of PU leather and comes in various colours to match your décor. Inside is a double-layer protection sheet, hanging space for four keys, and the door is held securely closed by the magnetic latch.
Pros
- Wall mounted, so it can blend in with your furniture
- Safe storage for multiple keys and has hooks inside
- You can choose from a range of colours
Cons
- Requires fitting, which may put some off
- Isn't the most versatile option, thanks to vertical design
Best value Faraday box
The outer design has a slightly retro look with a clasp lock to keep everything inside secure.
Pros
- Compact, but can still fit up to four key fobs
- Decorative look and can be had in either brown or black
- Represents better value for money than some of the others at under £20
Cons
- Quality of the latch could be improved
- No pouches included, so no portable protection as well
Best large Faraday box
The brand says the box can fit up to nine sets of keys, which is perfect if you want to store multiple keys and items inside. There's even space for some phones, which helps if your vehicle is keyless from your device.
Pros
- Box is large enough for up to nine sets of keys
- Includes two fobs, which is great considering the price point
- Subtle design that will blend in with your home furniture
Cons
- They key pouches aren't the strongest on the market
Faraday boxes FAQs and things to remember:
How do Faraday boxes work?
Faraday boxes aren’t as simple as bulky steering wheel locks. Instead, they work by using materials that block electromagnetic radiation. When an electronic device is placed inside the pouch, the electromagnetic signals are blocked, and the device is shielded from any external signals. This prevents thieves or hackers from accessing the RFID signals coming from the device.
Are Faraday boxes 100% effective?
Unfortunately, no. More substantial things like parking posts will always be more protective on the whole. While they can block a significant amount of electromagnetic radiation, some signals may still be able to penetrate the box. In addition, the effectiveness of the box may be reduced over time as the materials degrade or become damaged. However, a good quality Faraday box can provide a high degree of protection.
Is it worth getting a Faraday box?
If you are at all concerned about the security of your keyless vehicle, the best Faraday box can be a good investment. As well as your key fob, a Faraday box can protect your credit cards and phone as well. For a relatively small investment, it can give you some peace of mind. If however, you want to go the extra mile, a good wheel clamp might be an option for you.
Are Faraday boxes better than key pouches?
In many ways, yes. Faraday boxes are stronger than pouches, thanks to the protective layers being slightly thicker and built more substantially onto the base box design. However, like pouches, they’re not 100% safe from attacks after a while and the materials can fade. But they tend to last a lot longer than key pouches and needn’t be replaced as much.
Another strong point to boxes is that they can hold a number of different items at the same time, including cards, phones, and other objects. They’re also ideal if you leave them overnight with your keys inside them, but aren’t really practical when you’re on the move – which is where key pouches come in.
How we choose Faraday boxes
All of these Faraday boxes have been hand-selected by our team of experts, who have spent hours investigating and researching Faraday boxes to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we’d never recommend a product we don’t believe in. Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about.
Alex Boyd is a Commercial Content Writer at CAR and Parkers and loves travel, gardening, DIY and music.
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