Short
- Cryptocurrency hardware wallet stores your private keys in a secure offline environment.
- Hardware wallets are widely regarded as the gold standard for securing bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
When it comes to storing cryptocurrencies securely, hardware wallet Widely considered the gold standard.
Hardware wallets store your crypto’s private keys in a secure offline environment – which means that unlike software wallets, they are completely immune to online attacks. The best hardware wallets are also resistant to physical tampering.
Hardware wallets are ideal for anyone who wants to store a substantial amount of money securely cryptocurrency portfolio, or take your portfolio with you. They are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to store their crypto assets over the long term without needing to access them regularly.
There are currently dozens of options on the market, each with their own advantages and disadvantages, and target user base; We’ve rounded up some of the top contenders.
1.Ledger Nano S Plus
The most recent addition to Ledger’s hardware wallet range, the Ledger Nano S Plus sits midway between the flagship Nano X and the base-level Nano S in the lineup.
It sports a larger screen as well as more storage capacity than the Nano S seen on the Nano X, and charges using a USB-C cable instead of the older Micro-USB seen on the Nano S. The only area where it loses out against the Nano X is the lack of a Bluetooth connection – iOS users have no way to connect the wallet to their iPhone (Android users can use a cable to connect their Ledger to their mobile device). Huh).
With a beginner-friendly setup process and support for a wide range of cryptocurrencies, it’s ideally suited for crypto newbies – and unless you desperately need to connect your hardware wallet to your iPhone, it probably doesn’t. The best all-round wallet currently on the market.
Read our full review of the Ledger Nano S Plus
2.Ledger Nano X
First released in 2019, the Ledger Nano X is the flagship model in Ledger’s hardware wallet line-up. It’s a notable step up from the older Ledger Nano S, with the increased internal memory you can store up to 100 apps instead of the two or three that the Nano S can manage. It also has a new design with a larger display, and Bluetooth support—enabling you to use the device to sync wirelessly with the Ledger Live smartphone app.
Like its predecessor, the Nano X supports a wide variety of cryptocurrencies and is one of the most portable wallets available, making it ideal for those on a regular basis.
A series of firmware updates since the release of the Nano X have streamlined the update process for the device and added features, including full support. Ethereum 2.0, It is also the only model in Ledger’s line-up that will be compatible with its upcoming Ledger Connect browser extension at launch.
However, with the release of the Ledger Nano S Plus, the Nano X struggles to justify its premium price tag – unless the S Plus’s lack of Bluetooth connectivity is a dealbreaker.
Read our full review of the Ledger Nano X
3.Treasure Model T
The Treasure Model T is SatoshiLabs’ latest foray into the hardware market. The Model T is similar in design to the older Trezor Model One—albeit with a larger touchscreen interface, and support for a wider range of cryptocurrencies.
Although expensive, the Trezor Model T is considered one of the best hardware wallets on the market, especially for those concerned with the security implications of the Bluetooth connectivity that many recent flagship wallets have equipped with.
July 2021 saw the launch of the Trezor Suite, a full-fledged desktop app that replaced the previous Trezor Wallet web app as the main interface for the Trezor Wallet. This makes for a more streamlined and secure user experience, including one-click Tor integration and the option to buy crypto and have it sent directly to your hardware wallet.
Read our full review of the Treasure Model T
4.Ledger Nano S
Not long for this world, the Ledger Nano S is set to be discontinued in 2022, which has been superseded by the Nano S Plus. But don’t discount the old workhorse; The Nano S is an attractive, easy-to-use wallet that is suitable for those looking for strong security on a budget.
The Ledger Nano S has support for over 1,000 cryptocurrencies, and packs a built-in bank-grade secure element. Its tiny screen makes interacting with the device a pain — you have to cycle through multiple screens for each crypto address — but it’s a small compromise considering its bargain-basement price.
Periodic updates have refreshed the user experience, even as the hardware has become increasingly obsolete; This includes the Nano X’s Control Center feature, which enables you to adjust settings and delete apps on the device without using the Ledger Live desktop software. A streamlined onboarding process keeps things newbie-friendly as well. A perfect wallet for users on a budget, or for power users looking for a cheap backup device.
Read our full review of the Ledger Nano S
5.Treasure Model One
First released in 2014 by SatoshiLabs, the Trezor Model One was one of the first hardware wallets to hit the market. Despite its age, Trezor One still impresses with its security features, support for a huge range of cryptocurrencies, and compatibility with dozens of external wallets.
As one of the older wallets on the market, the Trezor One has an attractive price tag, but still hangs with some of the best in terms of features.
Like its more expensive cousin, the Model T, the Model One also benefits from being able to employ the Trezor Suite app as the wallet interface.
Read our full review of the Treasure Model One
6.Cool Wallet S
The Cool Wallet S is a slimline hardware wallet designed to fit your debit and credit cards as well as your wallet. The CoolWallet S has support for most major cryptocurrencies and is one of the few waterproof hardware wallets available.
The CoolWallet S also comes with Bluetooth connectivity, so you can manage your portfolio from almost any Bluetooth-enabled device.
Read our full review of Cool Wallet
7.funnel
KeepKey is a simple hardware wallet with a premium design and feel. Designed to be easily accessible, KeepKey allows users to store the most popular cryptocurrencies in cold storage and exchange assets directly on the device thanks to its built-in ShapeShift functionality.
As one of the cheapest hardware wallets on this list, KeepKey offers excellent bang for your buck, especially for those who don’t need top-end features.
Read our full review of KeepKey
8.SafePal S1
Binance-backed SafePal S1 is a lesser-known hardware wallet that makes cryptocurrency storage more secure through a completely self-contained device that lacks USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and any other connection methods.
This relatively inexpensive device has a built-in camera and six physical buttons, all you need to store and access thousands of different cryptocurrencies by scanning a QR code on the corresponding mobile app.
Read our full review of the Safepal S1
Best Cryptocurrency Hardware Wallet: Verdict
Like most things, choosing the cryptocurrency hardware wallet that works best for you will probably come down to your personal needs and preferences. Each wallet on this list will offer better security than a standard software or mobile wallet, but not all offer the same uses, features, and range of supported cryptocurrencies.
Based on security alone, Ledger’s line-up is arguably the most battle-tested of the bunch, benefiting from insights gained by the company’s Dungeon security team.
KeepKey is one of the easiest wallets to use, making it a great choice for newcomers to the crypto space; The Ledger Nano S and X are also highly accessible for seamless Ledger Live applications. On the other hand, the SafePal S1 is less accessible to inexperienced users.
As for asset support, the Ledger Nano X and S Plus clear the floor with everything else on the list—but that versatility comes with a relatively high price tag. For a good mix of value for money and asset support, the Ledger Nano S Plus should represent an acceptable middle ground for most users, and the Trezor Model One offers similar value for those with a diverse cryptocurrency portfolio.
Additional features such as 2FA functionality can be found on several devices on the list, including the Trezor Model One and Ledger Nano X and S Plus, while the Trezor Model T, CoolWallet S, and Ledger Nano X offer Bluetooth support for increased flexibility.
Overall, we believe that Ledger Nano S Plus Represents the best mix of security, asset support and additional features, offering essentially the same exclusivity as its Nano X sibling, minus the valuable addition of Bluetooth connectivity.
Want to become a crypto expert? Get the best of Decrypt straight to your inbox.
Receive the biggest crypto news + weekly roundups and more!
