Zenlet3: The Next-Gen Smart Wallet Revolution

Hi, I’m Hide, a tech journalist and part-time stay-at-home dad.

Cashless payments are on the rise, but let’s face it, cash is still king for some situations. The Zenlet3 Smart Wallet is the perfect blend of old and new. It lets you carry cash when you need it and has separate slots for two different IC cards. This is the wallet we’ve all been waiting for!

In my articles for Yahoo! News, I adhere to their guidelines, which means sometimes I receive or borrow products from companies. However, I only write about products that meet my standards after testing. If a product falls short or has more drawbacks than benefits, I return it and skip writing about it. I don’t receive any compensation from these companies.

Ready for Anytime

Many of you might think, “I’m almost entirely cashless and my smartphone has got me covered.” I get it—I mostly pay with my Apple Watch too. But, now and then, I face a dead battery.

That's where the Zenlet3 comes in, offering a stylish backup solution. Now in its third generation, the Zenlet wallet has seen significant improvements. After using it, I found it incredibly convenient, so let me share some specific examples.

The ability to switch between two IC cards

The Zenlet3 comes in four different models, with two of them offering the ability to hold two IC cards, one on each side. This feature proved to be incredibly convenient.

With traditional leather coin purses, using two IC cards, one on each side, often resulted in no response from either card. In my case, I use SUICA(which is a rechargeable contactless smart card used for electronic payments in Japan) and Times Car Share cards(like a Zipcar card), and it was inconvenient to take them out each time.

Many people also use IC cards as employee IDs, making this a huge plus. Zenlet3 even offers an optional cover with a transparent front, perfect for displaying your ID. For those who just need a cardholder, this is a nifty option.

Combining a leather cover on one side with a business card case on the other creates a luxurious blend of metal and leatherAnother great feature is the variety of covers available. You can easily swap them out with magnets based on your needs, customizing the wallet to your liking.

What really stood out for me were the leather panel and the genuine leather business card case. The leather panel adds a premium feel compared to the metal one and can also hold an IC card inside. The business card case attaches magnetically on top of the cover, making it convenient to carry along with your coin pocket.

If you're always in a suit, you're probably fine. But for someone like me, who’s often out and about in casual clothes, it’s easy to lose track of a business card case. The Zenlet3's design makes it super convenient to keep everything together.

## Elevate Your Style: Zenlet3's Meteorite Option for Ultimate Luxury

Although I didn’t get to try it, there’s a cover made from “meteorite,” a material often used in luxury watches like Rolex. It’s a jaw-dropping feature for those who recognize its uniqueness.

It might be useful when you want to add an extra touch of luxury to your wallet.

Even Better with Tracking Tool Compatibility

One minor concern I had was the coin capacity. While it can close even when slightly overfilled, sometimes a gap remains.

If you have about the same amount of coins as shown in the top photo, there’s no problem. However, if you carry more coins, the wallet may not close completely. Despite this, it remains secure and no coins will fall out. That said, a bit more coin capacity would make it more convenient, especially for Japanese users. It’s best used as a secondary option for those primarily relying on cashless payments.

The shape of the Zenlet3 allows for card-shaped tracking tools like Tile, but it’s difficult to fit an Airtag. If you prioritize tracking, consider the Zenlet3 Plus, which is designed for cards only.

That said, the Zenlet3 is impressively minimalistic and the quality is outstanding, down to the smallest details.

Adding an Airtag to the Zenlet3 may be unrealistic given its design, but it would be a huge help for those like me who often misplace their wallet (I might just be lazy, though... lol). I hope the next model considers this feature.

Additionally, making the Zenlet3 and Zenlet3 Plus neck-wearable would be a great improvement.

Overall, the Zenlet3 is a high-quality product that I now use daily. Instead of putting everything in a long wallet, having something like this is incredibly convenient for those who unknowingly find traditional wallets cumbersome.

Official Website:ZENLET Product Site: Zenlet 3

This story was originally published (in Japanese) on Yahoo! News Japan Expert.