Whether the key ring is big or small, the key ring can make this unchanging partner truly personalized. In addition to classic pendants with slogans or logos, corkscrews or shopping cart chips, there are many very practical styles.

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

The Bluetooth key finder is a very useful key ring gadget. The long and tedious work of finding the key is a thing of the past. The top model has a range of more than 100 meters. Our comparative test of 14 key discoverers showed the capabilities of other practical helpers.

Ultimately, most devices differ only in details. The only real exception is Apple's key finder. Thanks to the effective software, Airtag (test report) can also be used as a real-time tracker, but only for iOS. However, in order to connect this gadget to the keychain, you first need an additional bracket. Due to the wide range of options, we have shown the essential accessories for AirTags in a separate guide.

In order to inject some power into a smartphone or camera in a car or laptop, you need a suitable charging cable. Stupid only when this is at home. In this case, the cable on the key chain is readily available. They are short, but always included.

There are many designs and different plugs for cables and adapters. The most flexible is the multi-charging cable with classic USB-A to USB-C, micro USB and Apple Lightning ports.

The variant with a magnetic lock is easy to use, but it is also quickly lost. We also recommend buying models with protective caps. Otherwise, the connector may become dirty during transportation in a trouser pocket, and may be damaged in the worst case.

Experience has shown that these cables do not last forever and are often lost. Therefore, our personal cable is placed in the pocket of the backpack, rather than hung on the keychain.

If your smartphone, smart watch, earphones, or sports camera runs out of power during the trip, it’s too annoying. Worse still, when there are no power outlets available everywhere. When you have a mobile power bank, it will come in handy. It does not have to be large or heavy. The capacity of the keychain mini power bank is not particularly high, but this is not the point. The small battery used in the trouser pocket is used as an emergency power source, and the size of the available model is sufficient to meet this requirement. If you don't want to carry an extra cable with you, you should buy a model with an integrated charging cable.

Apple Watch users can even comfortably use the small Qi mobile power bank to reload the keychain while on the go. Due to its compact size, a practical emergency battery looks like an ordinary trailer.

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

In addition to the classic USB-A connection, the reader also provides Lightning, Micro-USB or USB-C connections. The most flexible is the model with multiple connection options. These parts should be protected from dust and damage. Whether the card reader accepts multiple memory card sizes or only micro SD cards depends on personal needs.

Although the internal storage of a smartphone is usually sufficient, the extra USB memory stick on the keychain is very useful. The memory stick has a very compact design, which not only provides space for videos and photos of the last family reunion, but is also very suitable for backing up your own smartphone.

In order for USB memory sticks to be used on mobile phones and computers, they should have at least two different connectors. In order to prolong their service life as much as possible, they should be protected from external influences by a cover.

We recommend buying the model that is as compact as possible. Experience shows that the design has little effect on the final price. However, we would suspect extremely cheap storage devices because they may be fakes, as our colleagues at Heise.de discovered.

In addition, there are plenty of practical and surprising keychain tools. How does the Zigbee remote control the smart home functions? Or have you ever wondered what would happen if you could switch each TV or turn it off? If you want to make a joke with your friend, you should hang a universal TV off switch on the keychain. The small remote control can turn off almost any standard TV or change the volume.

In the long run, tools such as a screwdriver for spectacles or a miniature classic Swiss army knife are significantly more versatile and practical. These little helpers make daily life easier and take up very little space in your pocket. We recommend the compressed air tester in mini format for cyclists and campers. A quick check of tire pressure can prevent unnecessary annoyance, and this small tool can save the trip to the next gas station.

Or how about a James Bond style key ring? The tiny ones are problematic in terms of data protection laws, but absolutely exciting keychain cameras and recorders. You should not expect too high quality, they are small dictation machines for short notes starting at 30 euros, but they can be used anyway.

Smartphone or not-the flashlight on a bunch of keys is very practical and always within reach. Very compact lights help and save smartphone battery in many everyday situations. If you use your lamp more frequently, you should buy a version with a rechargeable battery. Therefore, this is actually only necessary for very intensive use.

The Lego lights in Star Wars design have been deeply loved by us in recent years and are also suitable for children's activities. Despite frequent use, the built-in button battery has lasted 24 months.

Camping enthusiasts and survival enthusiasts will definitely be happy with the flint or gasoline match on the key chain. However, for models with lighter fluids, a certain degree of caution is required. In rough daily life, some containers have only moderate elasticity and tightness.

More suitable for the public is a silicone case with a key ring, which is used in the charging dock of Apple Airpods. They protect the plastic surface and provide additional accessory options for key chains or backpacks.

The possible uses of the NFC remote control key are also exciting. A guide to what NFC tags can do shows what these tags look like.

The so-called Key-Organizer helps bring order to the keychain. The key holder provides space for 6 to 11 different keys and puts them tightly together.

The key ring secures the key chain together, making it unique. Functional technology gadgets are not only suitable for technology enthusiasts and nerds. The portable charging cable is as practical as a small USB memory stick or flashlight on a key ring.

The camera in the key design and the mini console on the key ring are mainly interesting gimmicks, and due to their size, they are only partially suitable for daily use.