What is a Faraday bag?
A Faraday bag is a pouch lined with conductive fabric that blocks radio waves from reaching the device inside. Once sealed, the bag forms a Faraday cage, the same principle Michael Faraday demonstrated in 1836. No cellular signal, no Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth, no GPS, no NFC, no RFID. Your device becomes invisible to the outside world until you take it out.
What signals do Faraday bags block?
Every Faraday bag we stock blocks the full commercial wireless spectrum:
- Cellular (3G, 4G, 5G across all Australian carrier bands)
- Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
- Bluetooth
- GPS and other satellite navigation
- RFID and NFC (including key fobs, contactless cards, and passports)
- Key fob remote signals (315 MHz, 433 MHz, 868 MHz)
Higher-spec bags from Mission Darkness and SLNT also defend against EMP and solar flare events when properly sealed.
Common uses
- Stop relay car theft. Keyless entry car keys broadcast a signal even when sitting on your hallway table. Thieves amplify that signal to unlock and start the car. A Faraday pouch on your keys ends this attack instantly.
- Digital forensics and chain of custody. Investigators use Faraday bags to preserve mobile evidence without remote wipe risk. Mission Darkness phone bags are MIL-STD-188-125 compliant for this exact use.
- Travel and privacy. Stop your phone broadcasting location, signal, or being remotely accessed while you're on the move. Useful for journalists, executives, and anyone crossing borders.
- Cybersecurity. Lock down a compromised device or hardware wallet. Block tracking on a phone, tablet, or laptop you suspect is bugged.
- EMP and disaster preparedness. Store backup electronics, hard drives, and radios in a Faraday bag to shield against an electromagnetic event.
Faraday bag vs Faraday pouch vs Faraday box
People use these terms interchangeably, but they describe form factor, not function:
- Faraday pouch: small, soft, usually sized for keys, phones, or wallets. Best for everyday carry.
- Faraday bag: larger, often with a rolltop or magnetic closure. Sized for phones, tablets, or laptops.
- Faraday box / Faraday cage: rigid enclosure, used for permanent storage of multiple devices, hard drives, or backup electronics at home.
All three work on the same principle. The right choice depends on what you're shielding and where you're carrying it.
Mission Darkness vs SLNT
Both brands work. They serve slightly different buyers:
Mission Darkness is built for professional and tactical use. Independently tested to IEEE 299-2006 and MIL-STD-188-125 standards. Used by federal agencies, forensic investigators, and military teams worldwide. The Non-Window Phone Bag and Window Phone Bag are our two best sellers. Choose Mission Darkness if you need certified attenuation, evidence-grade construction, or you're procuring for government or enterprise.
SLNT is built for everyday carry. Slim, well-designed, and indistinguishable from premium luggage or laptop sleeves. The E3 Faraday Backpack and Faraday Key Fob Guard are popular with privacy-conscious professionals. Choose SLNT if you want signal blocking that doesn't look tactical, or you want a bag you'll actually use daily.
