When you click on any of the affiliate links within the article, I may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases at NO cost to you.
I appreciate your support!
The Clever Way to Hide Your Extra Key(s) in Your Car
Have you ever locked yourself out of your own car because you accidentally left your keys inside?
I have, and it sucks. 
Or, what about not being able to go inside your own home because you needed a spare house key?
Yep, been there too… and, again, IT SUCKS.
When you accidentally get locked out
Well, my key-troubled friend, this is where a hide-a-key for your car might be the solution for you. These small, discreet holders can be attached somewhere on your car magnetically, allowing you to hide a spare key in case of emergencies.
Hide-A-Keys, also known as “magnetic key holders for cars”, are small boxes used to hide different kinds of spare keys: car keys, house keys, secret diary keys (
), wine cabinet keys, etc. They attach to the vehicle using strong magnets.
You simply stick it onto a metal surface of your car, preferably somewhere not so obvious and out of sight (like the underside).
In this article, we’ll be looking at some of the best magnetic hide-a-key products for your car.
Plus, I’ll also give you some extra key 
insights on these items along with a few tips.
Alright, let’s get started!
"But I don't have time to read this entire awesome article right now..."
I get it, no worries! Click here to jump to the recommendations.
The Benefits of Using Magnetic Hide-A-Keys for Cars
Just in case you weren’t fully convinced yet, here are some benefits to having a hide-a-key on your vehicle:
What Kind of Magnet Do They Use and How Strong Are They?
All (if not most) magnetic hide-a-key devices use neodymium magnets, which are known for their strength and durability. I’ve talked about these magnets before in my previous article about the best magnetic key holders for a home since they also use these neo magnets.
These types of magnets possess a high magnetic energy density, which means they can generate strong magnetic fields relative to their size. This characteristic makes them popular for applications where compact size and powerful magnetism are essential. Because of this, they are used in various industries, including electronics, automotive, medical equipment, renewable energy, and manufacturing.
The strength of the magnet used in a hide-a-key is measured in pounds of pull force. The higher the pounds of pull force, the stronger the magnet will be. From what I’ve seen, magnetic hide-a-key holders have a pull force of around ~20-40 pounds (keep in mind, these are rough estimates).
For your reference though, here’s this handy magnet calculator that helped me come to these estimates.
The 2 Kinds of Holders: Water-Resistant & Waterproof
Here’s something that other top blog posts don’t talk about: There are actually 2 different kinds of magnetic key holders for cars…
- Water-Resistant Key Holders
- Waterproof key holders
Many people think they’re the same thing, but that’s not true and it’s important to know the difference!
As stated before in my outdoor storage box article, water-resistant means it can handle some water but it’s NOT fully watertight. So, if it’s exposed to enough water, or if it’s submerged, water will definitely still get inside the key holder.
On the other hand, waterproof holders are completely sealed and can protect your key(s) from even the most extreme weather conditions. These usually have some kind of latch mechanism and a rubber seal that makes them watertight when closed.
If you’re going to stick these under your vehicle or somewhere else where they’re going to be exposed to heavy amounts of water, then I highly recommend you get a waterproof holder. Why? Well, if water starts creeping inside your magnetic key holder it’ll cause your keys to rust. It’s even worse if you’re storing a key fob since water will get into the electronics.
Plus, water can cause the holder to start jamming up whenever you try to open and close it.
ATTENTION
It’s also worth noting that the magnets themselves can eventually start to rust too if they’re frequently exposed to a lot of water. If you live in an area with a dry climate though, and you don’t plan on going off-roading a lot, then a water-resistant magnetic key holder will work just fine.
QUICK TIP
You can also wrap your key(s) using a bit of plastic wrap. This can help keep them dry if water were to get inside.
NOTE
I’m well aware that the info I’ve provided you with so far is kinda overkill 
- this is on purpose though!
Even with such a small category of product, I want you to have as much info as possible so you can make a more informed purchase. That’s my overall goal with every article you see on MyHomeImproving 
.
Okay, and with that outta the way… let’s move on to the recommendations!
Best Magnetic Hide-A-Keys for Cars
Lucky Line Jumbo Magnetic Key Hider
-Dimensions: 2-1/4"W x 4-1/2"L x 7/8"H; Inside cavity is 3/4" deep
-# of Keys Supported: ~2-3
-Water-Resistant
-Has a self-tapping screw for a permanent install
WYZworks XL Magnetic Key Hider
-Dimensions: 4.25"L x 2.25"W x 1.25"H
-# of Keys Supported: ~2-3
-Water-Resistant
-Has a pretty big magnet
Master Lock 207EURD Magnetic Car Case
-Dimensions: 2"W x 4.68"L x 1.14"H
-# of Keys Supported: ~1-2
-Water-Resistant
-Compact size
Gorilla Box Magnetic Key Holder
-Dimensions: 3.5"L x 2.5"W x 1.5"H
-# of Keys Supported: ~2-3
-Waterproof
-Strong magnets & watertight
Best Budget Selections (All Under *$7.99!)
*At the time of this writing.
If you need something pretty inexpensive that can still get the job done, then these 2 budget hide-a-keys will work decently well. Just remember that quality won’t be top-notch here.
ATTENTION
If you come across a magnetic key holder that has a fancy combination lock on it, I recommend you stay away from it.
From my research, it seems that these have severe flaws that could potentially render them useless. Plus, there’s been multiple customers that have gotten locked out of their own keys due to the locking mechanism failing 
. This is why I refused to recommend any of them here.
Best Places to Put a Magnetic Key Holder on a Car
You’ve gotta be extra sneaky if you’re looking to hide your spare key. If a thief were to find it, your personal safety could be at risk.
Here are some of the best spots on a vehicle where you can stick these magnetic holders:
- Tucked underneath the car
- Behind the license plate (if you have space there)
- Inside the wheel well
- Inside the fuel cap door
- Underneath the bumper
- Inside the door frame
- Inside the hood latch area
- Top of the vehicle’s front frame
Remember to stick the holder onto solid steel for a good magnetic connection.
QUICK TIP
Don’t put these directly on, or super close to, your vehicle’s engine or the exhaust. The heat will damage the plastic casing on these holders.
If you’re going to use the underside of your vehicle, make sure it’s placed somewhere in a crevice where it has the best chance to withstand wind from high speeds or the shaking from rough roads. The Neo magnet’s strength is limited and if you place the holder directly under the vehicle where it’s overly exposed it will most likely fall off.
3 Factors That Make Up an Ideal Key Holder
1. Material and Durability
When choosing a magnetic hide-a-key for your car, the material and durability of the holder should be one of your top considerations. You want a holder that is made of high-quality materials that can withstand harsh weather conditions and regular use.
A great material for magnetic key holders is ABS plastic. The majority of the magnet holders you’ll come across will be made of this material – it’s lightweight, affordable, and impact resistant making it an ideal choice for these products.
NOTE
Higher-quality products in this category will be made slightly thicker. So, even though almost all holders use plastic some will be more durable simply because they contain more material overall.
2. Magnet Strength
The strength of the magnet is another crucial factor to consider. You want a magnet that is strong enough to keep the holder in place without flying off.
Luckily, this is also something that most of the items in this category will have in common: Neodymium magnets.
Neo magnets are some of the strongest magnets available and are often used in magnetic key holders. They’re small but powerful and can hold a significant amount of weight.
If you see a holder that uses something like Ferrite Magnets or Flexible Rubber Magnets, stay faaar away. Those products may have a cheaper price tag but will be substantially weaker than Neo magnets.
3. Overall Size
Third, you want a holder that is small enough to be discreet but large enough to hold your key(s). It’s a good idea to take some basic measurements of the keys you’re wanting to store so you get an idea of the size you need.
A holder that’s small will easier to hide but may not be able to fit larger-sized keys; While a large holder will fit bulky keys but could potentially be visible and attract unwanted attention.
It’s also a good idea to take some measurements of the location where you’re planning on sticking the magnetic holder, to make sure it fits.
Conclusion & Final Thoughts (TL;DR)
Overall these magnetic hide-a-key gadgets for cars are a convenient way to store a spare key in case of emergencies. But, they’re not a foolproof security measure and have their downsides.
As long as you get a good quality holder (like one of the ones recommended above!) and you hide it somewhere not so obvious, you’ll be able to take the stress out of any unexpected lockout.
I personally like these 2 here:
But any of the others will work well too 
.
Do you have any different hide-a-key suggestions for cars? Have any questions?
Feel free to post a comment below!
Until next time.
Take care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: "Do magnetic key holders really work?"
A: Yes, they do!
They’re designed to securely hold keys (or other small metal items) using the magnetic force of a magnet.
However, it's important to note that the strength of the magnet can weaken over time due to exposure to elements such as moisture and heat. It's also important to ensure that the surface where the key holder is attached is clean and free of dirt/debris to ensure a strong hold.
Q: "Where can I hide a spare key in my car without a hide-a-key?"
A: There are a few places you can hide spare keys without one of these holders – here are a few ideas:
- Under your floor mat
- Inside your trunk
- Under the vehicle’s main carpet
- Behind exterior trim panels
- Inside an interior trim panel
- Inside the sun visor
- Inside the door panels
- Tucked somewhere under a seat
Q: "Can magnets damage car keys/remotes/FOBs or cause any issues with a car's electronics?"
A: Potentially, but you’re most likely fine.
Regular magnets like the ones found in hide-a-keys aren’t strong enough to cause any damage to modern key fobs. Plus, the magnet won’t be directly facing the key fob.
It would have to be a way more powerful rare earth magnet. And even then, you would have to expose your key fob to the strong magnet for an extended period.
However, even though the internal electronics won’t be damaged the magnet can still cause battery drain on the key fob.
Q: "Can a hide-a-key hold multiple keys?"
A: Yep!
A car hide-a-key can hold multiple keys depending on the size of the holder and the size of the keys.
Some holders are designed to hold only one key, while others can hold multiple keys.
Q: "How do I securely attach a magnetic key holder to my car?"
A: The 2 best tips are: make sure that the metal surface is clean beforehand AND that it’s placed in a spot where it won’t easily fall off.
But if you want to go the EXTRA mile you can also use some adhesive tape to increase its holding strength.
Q: "Are there any waterproof magnetic key holders?"
A: Yes! But they're not as common as the water-resistant ones.
See the list of recommendations above. I made sure to specify which key holders were waterproof and which were just water-resistant.