From practical to curious: gadgets for your keyring

Regardless of whether the key ring is large or slim, key rings make the constant companion really individual. In addition to classic pendants with slogans or logos, bottle openers or shopping cart chips, there are a number of really practical models.

We have selected some recommended variants from our own experience and have summarized them here.

Bluetooth key finders are a very practical gadget for a keyring. Long and tiresome searching for the key is a thing of the past. The range of the top models is over 100 meters. Our comparison test of 14 key finders shows what other practical helpers can do.

Ultimately, most devices only differ in details. The only real exception is Apple’s key finder. The Airtag (test report) also works as a live tracker thanks to effective software, but only with iOS. In order to attach this gadget to the keychain, however, you first need an additional holder. Since the selection is so large, we show the must-have accessories for AirTags in a separate guide.

In order to pump some electricity into the smartphone or camera in the car or on the laptop, you need the right charging cable. Stupid only if this is at home. In such situations, the cables on the keychain are always at hand. They are short, but always included.

The cables and adapters are available in numerous designs and with different plugs. The most flexible are the multi-charging cables with classic USB-A to USB-C, micro-USB and the Apple Lightning port.

Variants with a magnetic lock are convenient to use, but they are also quickly lost. We also recommend buying a model with a protective cap. Otherwise, the connectors can get dirty during transport in your trouser pocket and, in the worst case, be damaged.

Experience has shown that these cables do not last forever and are often lost. Our private cable is therefore in a pocket in our rucksack instead of hanging on a keychain.

If your smartphone, smartwatch, headphones or action cam run out of power on the go, it is extremely annoying. Even worse when there is no power outlet available far and wide. It comes in handy when you have a power bank to hand. It doesn’t have to be big or heavy. The capacity of the mini power banks for the keychain is not particularly high, but that’s not the point. The small battery for the trouser pocket serves as an emergency power supply and the available models are sufficiently dimensioned for this. If you don’t want to carry around an additional cable, you should get a model with an integrated charging cable.

Apple Watch users can even comfortably and wirelessly use small ones on the go Qi power banks for the keychain reload. Thanks to its compact dimensions, the practical emergency battery looks like an ordinary trailer.

Although action cams, cameras and drones now transmit their recordings wirelessly, it is worth purchasing a card reader for your key ring if you use them frequently. The transfer speed of the card reader is significantly higher than that via Bluetooth or WLAN. If you want to transfer your videos from Gopro or Mavic Mini (test report) to your smartphone, for example, you save a lot of time and at the same time save the battery of the devices.

In addition to the classic USB-A connection, the readers are also available with a Lightning, Micro-USB or USB-C connection. The most flexible are models with several connection options. These should be protected against dirt and damage. Whether the card reader accepts multiple memory card sizes or, for example, only micro SD cards, depends on personal needs.

Although the internal memory of smartphones is often sufficient, an additional USB stick on the keychain is extremely useful. The memory sticks, which are available in a very compact design, not only offer space for videos and photos from the last family reunion, they are also ideal for backing up your own smartphone.

So that the USB sticks can be used on both a mobile phone and a computer, they should have at least two different connectors. For the longest possible service life, they should be protected against external influences by a cover.

We recommend buying a model that is as compact as possible. Experience has shown that the design has little influence on the final price. However, we would be suspicious of extremely cheap storage devices, as they could be fakes, like our colleagues from Heise.de have figured out.

Otherwise, there are tons of practical and surprising tools for the keychain. How about a Zigbee remote control to control smart home functions? Or have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could switch every television set or switch it off? If you want to play a joke on your friends, you should get a universal one TV off switch hang on the keychain. The small remote controls are able to switch off almost any standard TV set or to change the volume.

Significantly more universal and more practical in the long term Tools like screwdrivers for glasses or the classic Swiss Army knife in miniature. Such little helpers make everyday life easier and take up little space in your pocket. We recommend the for bikers and campers Compressed air tester in mini format. A quick check of the tire pressure protects against unnecessary annoyance and the small tool saves the trip to the next gas station.

Or how about a James Bond style key ring? Tiny ones are questionable in terms of data protection law, but definitely exciting Camcorders and voice recorder for the keychain. You shouldn’t expect too high a quality, they are for short notes small dictation machines from 30 euros but to be used in any case.

Smartphone or not – flashlights on a bunch of keys are practical and always close at hand. The very compact lamps help in many everyday situations and save the smartphone battery. If you use your lamp more often, you should buy a version with a rechargeable battery. Whereby this is actually only necessary for very intensive use.

The Lego lamp in Star Wars design has served us well in recent years and is also suitable as an activity for children. The built-in button cell has lasted for a good 24 months despite regular use.

Camping enthusiasts and survival fans are sure to be happy about the flint or that Gasoline match on a keychain . With the models with lighter fluid, however, a certain degree of caution is required. In rough everyday life, some of the containers turn out to be only moderately resilient and tight.

Much more suitable for the masses are there Silicone cases with key ring for the charging cradle of the Apple Airpods. They protect the plastic surface and offer an additional attachment option for a keychain or rucksack.

The possible uses of an NFC key fob are also exciting. The guide What NFC tags can do shows what these look like.

So-called Key-Organizer help to bring order to the keychain. The key holders offer space for six to eleven different keys and keep them compactly together.

Key rings hold the keychain together and make it unique. Technical gadgets with functionality are not only suitable for technology fans and nerds. The charging cable for on the go is just as practical as the small USB stick or the flashlight on the key ring.

The camera in the key design and the mini console on the key ring are primarily funny gags and are only partially suitable for everyday use due to their size.