It mainly depends on how often you use your badge and where you work.

• For everyday office use, the Economy Badge Reel is a lightweight, reliable option with a 61 cm cord and a strong steel belt clip.

• For demanding environments such as warehouses, security, hospitality or facilities teams, choose the Heavy Duty Chrome Badge Reel. It features a durable metal casing, stronger internal spring and an 80 cm cord for extended reach.

• If you need to carry keys or small tools alongside an ID, explore our Retractable Key Reels, which are designed specifically for keys and, in some models, offer higher strength suitable for small tools and heavier items.

Most badge reels clip easily to clothing using a belt clip or strap clip.

• The Economy Badge Reel comes with a sturdy steel belt clip that attaches securely to pockets, belts and waistbands.

• For more flexibility – such as clipping onto loops, bags, lanyards or work gear – the Executive Carabiner Badge Reel offers excellent versatility thanks to its carabiner-style attachment.

Choose the clip style that suits your uniform and the way you access doors, scanners or equipment throughout the day. For some roles, retractable lanyards can also be a convenient option for frequent access.

Yes – you can use a badge reel, but it’s essential to choose one that matches the weight of what you’re carrying to ensure reliable performance.

• Standard reels such as the Economy Badge Reel are ideal for lightweight items like ID cards, passes, and small fobs.

• For slightly heavier items or more frequent use, the Heavy Duty Chrome Badge Reel offers a stronger spring and higher pull strength for added durability.

• If you need to carry multiple keys or heavier tools, choose a purpose-built Retractable Key Reel to ensure smooth retraction and long-term reliability.

Cord length varies depending on the model:

• Economy Badge Reel: 61 cm

• Heavy Duty Chrome Badge Reel: 80 cm

Both cord lengths are ideal for door readers, swipe-access stations, and proximity systems. If you need a specific reach, always check the individual product page before ordering.

Yes. Many of our badge reels are available with full-colour custom branding to showcase your logo or message.

• Products such as the Heavy Duty Chrome Badge Reel include a recessed area designed specifically for corporate logos.

• To explore all available branding options, including domed labels, full-colour printing, and reinforced straps, browse our range of Custom Printed Badge Reels.

Minimum order quantities and lead times vary by model, and our team is happy to help you choose the best option for your needs.

Durability depends on the reel design and how frequently it’s used, so choosing the right model makes a big difference to lifespan.

• ABS-cased economy reels like the Economy Badge Reel are ideal for light-to-medium daily use and feature a 50 g pull strength suitable for ID cards and passes.

• Metal-cased options such as the Heavy Duty Chrome Badge Reel offer tougher construction, thicker nylon cords, and higher pull strength for demanding or high-use environments.

Selecting a reel that matches your workload helps ensure smooth operation and maximum long-term durability.

Different clip types affect how a badge reel attaches to clothing and how it performs during everyday use.

• Steel Belt Clip securely attaches to belts, pockets, or waistbands, keeping the reel close to the body. This style is best for lightweight use such as ID cards or access passes, as seen on the Economy Badge Reel.

• Carabiner Clip is available on selected models and allows the reel to hang more freely from belt loops, lanyards, bags, or work gear. Reduced friction at the cord exit point can help minimise wear and extend working life, such as on the Executive Carabiner Badge Reel.

• Heavy Duty Clips are used on reels designed for higher pull strength and frequent use. They are paired with stronger internal mechanisms and thicker cords, making them suitable for transport, warehousing, and industrial environments. Explore our range of Heavy Duty Badge Reels.

• Yes. Our badge reels are widely used in education, healthcare, and manufacturing environments where reliability and safety are essential.

• They are designed to detach if caught or snagged, helping to reduce the risk of strain, damage, or injury during everyday use.

• If you’re unsure which badge reel is best suited to your workplace or application, our team is happy to advise and recommend the most appropriate option.

• If your badge reel stops retracting, the internal spring has likely reached the end of its working life. This is normal for reels that are extended and retracted many times each day.

• If the item is new or appears faulty, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

• For heavier workloads or frequent use, upgrading to the Heavy Duty Chrome Badge Reel can provide improved strength and longer-term durability.

• To help extend the life of the cord, we also recommend using the Easy Metal Hook:

1) When fitted over the badge reel’s belt clip, the hook allows the reel to hang more freely rather than sitting rigidly against the body.

2) This reduces repeated friction at the cord exit point during extension and retraction, helping to prolong the working life of the reel.