We tested the celeb-favorite Bandolier phone case that comes with a carrying strap, and we're never going back

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If you've ever left the house and wished that you didn't have to carry around a bag for your phone and wallet, then celebrity-favorite accessory brand Bandolier might just have a solution we've all been waiting for.

Bandolier makes wallet phone cases with crossbody and wristlet straps so you can carry your phone and cards completely hands-free. Blake Lively and Selena Gomez have been spotted with them, so naturally we couldn't wait to test them out. 

And after a few weeks of using it, I can say one thing: it's like actually having pockets! I no longer have to play the balancing game of clutching my phone and a coffee in one hand while I struggle to key open my door. It may not seem like much, but for a person who wears women's clothing, the convenience of a pocket is a small miracle.

Our Executive Editor, Sally Kaplan, has also become a devotee of the case: "I use my Bandolier phone case and carrying strap literally every day. I've always used phone cases with wallets attached, so I was familiar with the convenience, but once I added the strap it was game over."

I got the Lena Patent Leather Crossbody in Burgundy, which comes with elegant gold chain details that make it slightly more formal than some other options. I picked this one because of how much I loved the color and I wanted to be able to pair it with a wider range of outfits. 

Sally Kaplan, the Executive Editor of Insider Reviews, has also carried two styles including the tan and gold Kimberly crossbody set that comes with a detachable pouch, and the black and gold pebbled leather crossbody.

The phone case comes in almost all of the available iPhone models starting with the iPhone 6. If you have an Android, you can opt for the Holster, which fits almost all models. However, it's more of a small bag than a phone case since it isn't designed to fit devices that aren't iPhones. 

There are also other kinds of attachments, including wristlets and straps with zippered pockets that look like a modern, chic utility belt.

Bandolier also sells lots of little accessories that you can clip on your case. For example, you can add a chic hand sanitizer holder, a lipstick pouch with a small mirror, or an AirPods case that comes in nearly 40 colors. 

Sally has a set that comes with a simple pouch attachment. "It fits my sunglasses, lip balm, gum, and sunscreen) and that the phone case itself has enough room for everything I'd carry in a wallet," she says.

I have a couple of these cases and straps, including the one above with a Gucci-esque design, and this pebbled leather one that has a slightly longer strap.  I literally never carry a purse with me anymore unless I'm going to a formal event, and I never lose my phone anymore!"

Cons to consider

You should be aware that Bandolier phone cases are slightly bulkier than normal phone cases, which might be a downside for people who want to keep the case on their phone all the time. The place where the straps connect makes the bottom part a little thicker than you might be used to. 

If you — like me — want to keep a normal, thinner case on your phone and then swap to the Bandolier case when needed, it can be a little tricky to pop in and out at first. The case is super sturdy, so it cradles your phone tightly, but after using it for a while and popping it in and out, it loosened enough that it was no longer tricky to put it on my phone.

The bottom line

If you're someone who always wishes you had pockets, then this is the case for you. It's super convenient for carrying your phone and wallet while being hands-free. There are also lots of helpful add-ons if you want to carry accessories like your AirPods.