Choosing the best badge reel may seem like an easy task, that is until you discover just how many different options and styles are available. You have to decide which badge reel is best for your needs based on what factors are important to you. Of course, the cost is always a factor that has to be considered, especially when you are either buying the badge reel for yourself or if you are equipping a large team in your organization. Different organizations, team types, and even individual team members will require different types of reels that are best suited to the unique requirements of their day to day lives.
What is a Badge Reel
A badge reel is a type of badge holder that is used to display and carry identification badges. Badge reels typically have a retractable cord that allows the user to easily extend and retract their badge as needed. Badge reels are commonly used in settings such as hospitals, schools, and offices, where employees are required to wear identification badges.
Badge reels can be attached to clothing in a variety of ways, such as using a clip, a lanyard, or a pin. Some badge reels also have additional features, such as a built-in light or a keyring, that can be useful in certain situations. Badge reels are a convenient and practical way to carry and display identification badges.
The Basics Of Selecting The Best Badge Reel
The first thing you should do is determine whether you want a flat or curved design. Curved designs allow for easier access to all areas of the reel, but they take up more space than a flat design. Flat designs are generally better for smaller reels because it allows for a larger surface area so that you can place more badges on them. If you plan on using this reel often, then you might want to consider purchasing one that comes with a carrying case. This way, you won’t have to worry about losing your badge reel.
The most common types are carabiner style, swivel clip style, non-swivel clip style, heavy duty styles, and of course our wildly popular Key-Bak brand of badge reels that come in a variety of sizes and options. No matter which is the best fit for your needs you know that we will always have them at a great price and provide you with fast and friendly service.
In order to help you pick the best badge reel for you, we have put together this quick guide. It covers the most popular styles of badge/key reels that we carry here at Specialist ID and the important features of each.
Belt Clip vs Swivel Clip
A belt clip is a type of clip that is used to attach a device, such as a phone or a flashlight, to a belt. This allows the user to easily carry the device on their person without having to hold it in their hand. A swivel clip, on the other hand, is a type of clip that allows the attached device to rotate or pivot. This can be useful for attaching a device to a belt or other clothing in a way that allows the device to move freely and be easily accessed. Swivel clips are often used on devices such as radios or walkie-talkies, where the ability to rotate the device can be useful for communication.
How To Select The Best Carabiner Badge Reel
The Carabiner Badge Reel is our most popular style. Its combination of versatility and reliability, along with the ease of use of the clip make it a first choice buy for many buyers. The cord is super strong and is designed to last for thousands of pulls. It easily clips on to your belt loop, purse strap, backpack/knapsack/satchel, and even your favorite ID lanyard.
These retractable badge reels have an interesting history that dates back to the days of the french army in the 17th century. Carabiners were cavalry soldiers expected to dismount and fight on the ground like infantrymen; to this effect, they needed clips attached to straps that prevented them from dropping their rifles. The clip mechanism of carabiner hooks was adapted by mountaineers to secure their climbing gear, and german soldiers would later use them in the battlefield for various purposes. carabiner clips are extremely versatile, which is what makes them ideal for badge reels.
The Carabiner badge reel is built to last and durable enough to withstand approximately 100,000 pulls. It comes in a rainbow of color options including basic black, translucent black, translucent blue, translucent red, and clear white. It’s strong all metal clip at the top allows it to stay securely in place no matter how hard the unit gets yanked.
Carabiner Clip Benefits
Carabiner clips, also known as carabiners, are commonly used in climbing and other outdoor activities. They are strong, lightweight metal loops with a spring-loaded gate that can be opened and closed to quickly and securely attach and detach items. Some benefits of using carabiner clips include:
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Versatility: Carabiners can be used to securely attach a wide variety of items, such as ropes, water bottles, and gear, making them a useful tool in many different situations.
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Strength: Carabiners are made of strong metal alloys, making them capable of supporting heavy loads.
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Convenience: The spring-loaded gate on a carabiner allows for quick and easy attachment and detachment of items, making them easy to use even when wearing gloves.
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Safety: Carabiners can be used to help prevent accidents by securing equipment and preventing it from falling or slipping.
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Lightweight: Carabiners are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry and use on the go.
Overall, carabiner clips can be a valuable tool for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities, such as climbing, hiking, or camping. They are versatile, strong, convenient, and can help keep you safe in the outdoors.
How To Select The Best Belt Clip Badge Reel
Choosing a badge reel that features a belt clip with or without a swivel feature may be a great way to keep your badge attached to your body in a way that provides easy access while still maintaining a secure solution for carrying your badge. Depending on the type of usage that your keys or ID badge have, you may find one or the other firm to be better suited to your needs. In most cases, a swivel clip is the way to go, but there is a chance that you may personally find that the motion of the real on your body is distracting.
Belt clip reels are often used by janitors, custodians, security guards, and other professionals who need quick access to badges, keys, small tools, and access cards. The retractable feature of belt clip badge reels makes them ideal for workers who are required to pull and use various cards several times a day; one example would be servers at busy restaurants who need to access the point-of-sale system to place orders and ring up meal checks. Another example would be workers at healthcare facilities who need to access restricted areas with magnetic access cards several times a day.
The 2120-303X badge reel with the belt clip also slips easily onto clothing, but the drawback here is that its static feature may cause the cord to wear out quicker because of its resistance if you are frequently swiping a reader that is higher than the reel. Since a swivel clip reel will swivel towards the direction of the pull, it will result in less wear on the cord. While the belt clip will have a stronger grip, the swivel clip moves more easily in the direction you are pulling.
Belt Clip Badge Reel Benefits
A belt clip badge reel is a type of badge holder that attaches to a belt or other piece of clothing using a clip. Badge reels are commonly used in settings such as hospitals, schools, and offices, where employees are required to wear identification badges. Some benefits of using a belt clip badge reel include:
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Convenience: Belt clip badge reels allow the user to easily attach their badge to their clothing, making it easily accessible and allowing them to move freely without having to hold their badge in their hand.
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Security: Belt clip badge reels can help prevent badges from being lost or stolen, as they are securely attached to the user's clothing.
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Customization: Many belt clip badge reels allow for customization, such as adding a logo or other personalization.
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Durability: Belt clip badge reels are typically made of strong materials, such as plastic or metal, making them durable and long-lasting.
Overall, a belt clip badge reel can be a useful tool for anyone who needs to wear an identification badge regularly. It allows for easy access to the badge and can help prevent it from being lost or damaged.
How To Select The Best Key-bak Badge Reel
Key-Bak Badge Reels are considered the best retractable badge holders on the market today. A big plus here is that they are made of the highest quality products and with pride right here in the USA. If you are in the market for a strong badge reel that provides you with long term durability and trouble-free usage, this is the one for you. KEY-BAK reels have been tested for over 400,000 pulls and include a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty. KEY-BAK reels have the strongest cords in the industry, made of either Kevlar (the heavy-duty models) or extra strength nylon.
Many of the products in our catalog are proudly made in the usa, and this is certainly the case with key-bak, a California company that has been doing business since 1948. The founder of key-bak designed the first and best self-retracting reel mechanism for railroad maintenance personnel. The original headquarters office of key-bak was located near the nasa jet propulsion center and the caltech campus; this proximity inspired the company to take advantage of emerging technologies in order to guide their innovation.
How To Select The Best Heavy Duty Badge Reel
Heavy Duty Badge Reels are great if you need to carry multiple IDs, access cards, a larger waterproof case, or a lot of keys. These reels contain heavier and more durable springs that can hold more weight and have a greater retention ability. If heavy duty is not enough for your needs, then you may want to consider one of the larger Key-Bak reels that we carry which are rated for even more capacity and are ideal for more industrial applications. You can attack this badge reel to a hard plastic badge holder for extra security.
Specialist ID offers a full line of heavy duty badge reels that can carry more than just cards and keys. Our most rugged badge reels can support small tools and even portable devices such as handheld gps units. Heavy duty badge reels are often purchased by law enforcement agencies, paramedic squads, airport workers, mechanics, and security services companies.
Related Post: 25 Ways To Use Your Badge Reel
Let Specialist Id Help You Select The Best Badge Reel
Now that you have a better understanding of what to look for when choosing a badge/key reel and are ready to place your order, we would love to help. You can contact us using our online chat system. Our staff is excited to be able to help you with your questions and to help you select the best reel for your needs. In addition to badge/key reels Specialist ID also carries a full line of other ID accessories and personal carry along cases for small items and documents. Once you place your order it will be securely processed and shipped out within 24 hours in most cases, and no more than 6 days for custom orders. Let us help you get started today, we can’t wait to be of service for all of your ID badge reel needs.
Since 2001, Specialist ID has been providing business organizations and individuals with various solutions to their id and access card needs. Our staff can help you select the best badge reel for your company or personal use. Should you have any questions about our products or the ordering system, please contact us and one of our staff members will get back to you as soon as possible.