Best crypto wallet 2022

Highlights

Suitable for

Touch screen fans that still want mobility. Android users, especially if you want to pay for your purchase with crypto. We think this will be big in the future.

Pros

• Company reputation & customer support
• In app exchange and buy crypto features
• Open source software
• Touch screen
• More coins than Trezor One
• Stronger security and more features than Trezor One

Cons

• The size of the tough screen can make it tricky to use for some.
• Mobile only works with Android at present.
• A lot more expensive than Trezor One

What sets Trezor Model T apart?

• No mandatory seed phrase generation or validation during set up.
• Great security combined with touch screen convenience.
• Integrates with Exodus mobile crypto wallet for secure crypto exchange and swap.

What coins does Trezor Model T support?

1500 + coins and tokens. Trezor Model T supports more coins than Trezor One. You can check the Trezor list here.

Detailed description & review

Manufactured by SatoshiLabs and designed and built in the EU, Trezor hardware wallet is a well-established brand that has been around since 2014. This is a big tick in the box for Trezor hardware wallets as tech support can be important if you’re interacting with one of these devices for the first time. They also provide easy to understand use guides on their website.

Released in 2018, the Trezor Model T is the more recent Trezor hardware crypto wallet and marketed as the premium model.

Trezor Model T comes with a full color if somewhat small touch screen instead of the two button interface of the Trezor One.

In the box you get

• the Trezor hardware wallet device,
• getting started manula
• a USB-C cable
• seed phrase cards
• a magnetic doc for the Trezor Model T, which with the magnet can be used to hide the device up under a table or draw, to keep it safe from prying eyes. Pretty ingenious we think!

Tamper seal packaging should be in place on the device when you receive it. Trezor does not provide the same counterfeit protection as Ledger Nano X which offers software validation of device authenticity.

The Trezor Model T has a Micro SD card slot where the Trezor One does not. This could be for on board storage in future. It’s also slightly larger than the Trezor One to accommodate a bigger screen.

Key Features

Security One of the key differences and security upgrades from the Trezor One is that your Pin, password and seed phrase are interacted on the Trezor Model T device using the touch screen and not on your computer of mobile. This makes it more secure than the Trezor One as these critical protections are now ‘air gapped’ from the web making it harder them to be hacked.

Another thing that differentiates Trezor hardware wallet from Ledger is the validations required. With Trezor for example, there is no mandatory seed phrase generation and validation during hardware wallet set up. You should still do this and can at any time. Trezor Model T just doesn’t require you to do it at set up which means set up is a lot smoother and first impressions are generally good from this user experience.

FIDO2 security key and 2FA functionality The Trezor Model T offers FIDO2 security key as well as 2FA functions. Both provide robust password authentication capabilities. This extra functionality is worth around $20 in a stand-alone device, so nice value for money if you’re looking for something like that.

Hidden Wallet feature You can add a passphrase to your 24-word seed phrase as an extra security feature. The passphrase essentially acts as a 25th word and means you can have a hidden wallet inside your wallet to diversify your ‘5 dollar wrench attack’ risks. You also find this feature in the SecuX. If you use this feature you must remember all 25 words or your coins are lost.

Keystroke monitoring on the device The touch screen on the hardware wallet has keystroke monitoring protection.

Trezor suite is simple to use. On top of the usual send and receive functions it also features in-wallet buy and exchange, which you can use to buy crypto with fiat currencies and swap from one crypto to another. Trezor wallet also gives you some control over whether you want to pay lower fees and wait longer for blockchain transactions.

Buy with crypto Sending and receiving crypto is easy straight from the screen on Trezor Model T because it can display a QR code public address which senders can scan and send crypto to if they are with you physically – great for ‘pay with crypto’ purchases, which we think will become more prevalent in the future.

Versatility Trezor hardware wallet is compatible with a bunch of third party wallets. Here’s a snapshot:

Comparable product

Ledger Nano X and SexuX. The Trezor Model T has a better user experience than the Ledger but the UI on Trezor Model T is not as good as the SecuX. Ledger Nano X rates better than Trezor because of the versatility and integrations of the Ledger Live app and device counterfeit protections.

Highlights

Suitable for

Large cap crypto hodlrs. Security on budget & mobility with an Android phone.

Pros

• Versatility – the most coins and the most integrations with third party wallets, exchanges
• Ledger Live
• 50+ integrations

Cons

• Small screen – user experience is traded off for a smaller device
• Transaction confirmations can get frustrating if you’re using the hardware wallet a lot

What sets Ledger Nano S apart?

• Ledger Live app
• Website guides & resources
• Device authenticity validation via software

What coins does Ledger Nano S support?

The same coins as Ledger Nano X.

Detailed description & review

The Ledger Nano S hardware wallet looks just like a USB but with a tiny monochrome screen of 128 x 32 pixels and two buttons. It is 5.7 x 1.74 x 0.91 cm in size and weighs just 16 grams. There is no native battery storage in the device (the Nano X upgrades this).

What you get in the box:

• Hardware wallet device
• USB connection cable
• Recovery phrase sheet
• Lanyard and keychain – probably because its so small you will need to tie it to something

Key features

Security as for the Ledger Nano X hardware wallet

Device authenticity The same software protected device authenticity as for the Ledger Nano X hardware wallet is a real bonus for the price of this device.

Connectivity via cable Connection to a computer or phone is via USB Micro-B cable only.There is no Bluetooth connection for the Nano S. Communication is purposely restricted so you can even connect the Nano S to a malware infected computer.

Ledger Live mobile support for Android The Ledger Nano S comes with the Ledger Live app but mobile support for the app is only available through Android. You can store up to 6 apps on the device which is a great budget option if you’re a Bitcoin maximalist or just want to hodl a few larger cap coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The device itself only supports English but the Ledger Live app comes with a selection of language settings.

Set up Set up is easy with the wizard. As there is additional device validation security you’ll experience more steps and confirmations with Ledger than with other hardware wallets. Depending on how you weight security versus useability, this is either a bonus or a bit annoying.

Comparable hardware wallet

Versatility The same Ledger Live app but no where near the number of coins supported ( Nano S supports 6 coins).

Trezor One, but we prefer the Ledger Nano S hardware wallet because of the superior Ledger Live app and third party integrations it brings.

Highlights

Suitable for

Crypto hard wallet beginners because of the great user interface, easy set up and customer support. Visual users who want the comfort of a screen to transact.

Pros

• Dual connectivity allows mobile transactions.
• Hidden wallet feature like Trezor Model T
• Great customer support, which is lacking in many products in this new industry
• Large enough not to lose it easily like you might a USB sized device.
• Long battery life – 7 hours of lithium storage

Cons

• It’s pricey
• Does not use open source security architecture like Ledger and Trezor
• Chrome and Opera were the only two browsers supported at the time of writing
• Not as many coins as we would expect

What sets SecuX apart?

Large touch screen makes it a brilliant user experience compared to other wallets.

What coins does SecuX support?

8 or so major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, Dash, Dogecoin, Digibyte, Bitcoin Cash and all ERC-20 tokens.

According to the manufacturer, Tron (TRX) coins and tokens are supported as at April 2021. Cardano (ADA), Polkadot (DOT) and Binance Smart Chain (BSC) are scheduled to be supported by September 2021.

Detailed description & review

SecuX V20 and W20

Manufactured in Taiwan, the SecuX comes in two versions – W20 and V20. So what’s the difference between the two?

Well the first thing you’ll notice is the price. The V20 is the newer, premier model and will cost you more than the W20. The main differences include sturdier device aluminium framing on the V20, and the shape. The W20 is square while the V20 is rounded. The W20 uses a USB Micro B connector while the V20 uses a USB type C connection.

The SecuX looks like a mini TV or a hockey puck in your hand. It’s built around a 2.8 inch touch screen and weighs in at 120 grams. The device comes packed in anti-tamper packaging. In the box you get:

• connection cable – either USB – Micro B ((W20) or USB-C (V20) cable depending on the series you buy
• quick start guide booklet and recovery sheet
• carry pouch

Key features

Large touch screen With a large sensor touch screen the user experience is one of the best we’ve seen. This is great device for anyone that hates small buttons and small screens. If that’s you it may just be worth shelling out for the SecuX V20 over the Ledger or Trezor premium models.

Dual connectivity is a key feature of the SecuX hardware wallet. You can access your coins securely via blue tooth on a mobile app or direction connection to a Mac or PC.  The device is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Chrome OS, Linux

Security The SecuX hardware wallet comes with a certified secure element micro chip to secure the private key and device PIN from cyber and physical attack. Your PIN and private keys are created on the secure element chip which is manufactured in Germany. As with most devices you can generate a personalized PIN code or one-time-password to control access to the hardware wallet.

One cool feature is the randomized digital keypad, which helps to avoid keystroke monitoring when connected via Bluetooth or cable to the internet. The device also requires physical confirmation on the touchpad for each transaction to avoid man-in-the-middle attacks.

One of the major caveats to the SecuX wallet is that all interfacing has to be done with servers that SecuX themself controls, or third parties they have relationships with control. There is no way to use the wallet with common software interfaces like Electrum, Sparrow, or Specter. This creates some potential attack vectors that the company should look to cover off. For example, if the manufacturer servers are attacked, this impacts your ability to get access to your coins or transact them using your SecuX device. This is one reason you must always keep your recovery seed phrase separate and secure from your hardware wallet – so you can get access to your coins on another compliant hardware wallet if anything does happen.

Brute Force Protection Another neat feature is the brute force attack protection where the device automatically erases after 4 failed PIN input attempts. You can still recover your crypto with your seed phrase but hackers will not be able to gain access to your device by breaking your PIN code.

MyWallet The SecuX is interfaced through a web app – the ‘mywallet’ area of the SecuX website. No your coins aren’t held on their website! But read on below about the security implications of this design. The SecuX can also be integrated with other third party apps/ soft wallets.

Hidden wallet feature The SecuX hardware wallet allows you to set up a hidden wallet, which is like a “secret pocket” hidden inside the mywallet area of the user interface. It’s easy enough to do by selecting “Create Hidden Wallet” in the device menu.  To do so you must create another PIN (4~8 digits) different from your 1st PIN as well as a pass phrase (1~99 characters). This feature essentially gives you two wallets, with their own security, in the one hardware wallet. It’s another way to spread your coins around so that if anything goes awry, you don’t lose them all in one fell swoop.

500 accounts SexuX hardware wallets hold up to 500 accounts which is the most we’ve seen on any hardware wallet and means you can securely store up to 500 different types of crypto with it. In reality, no one holds this many different types of coins or tokens at the one time!

Set up It’s super easy set up out of the box – you can transfer your coins within about 5 minutes assuming there is no firmware upgrade needed. As with all things like mobile phones etc, do any upgrades first if prompted.

Comparable product

Trezor Model T or Ledger Nano X. While the large touch screen is incredible on the SecuX, we think both the Trezor and the Ledger beat out the SecuX in their security architecture (open source) and in value for money.

Highlights

Suitable for

The only credit card sized true contender in hardware wallets at present.  Crypto buyers, sellers or traders transacting on the go.

Pros

• Unique combination of credit card size + encrypted Bluetooth connection + secure element chip protection
• Bluetooth support for Android and iOS
• Simplicity

Cons

• Durability
• Limited versatility – doesn’t cater for a lot of Defi or NFT coins.
• Easy to lose

What sets CoolWallet S apart?

• You don’t need to carry around USB cables or a laptop to transact.
• No need to register to use the Coolwallet, which means your transactions are anonymous which some folks in the crypto world see as a bonus.

What coins does CoolWallet S support?

Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, Ethereum, Litecoin, Zen, USDT, WETH, JOY, ZPR, BNB, BDG, CTXC, DAI, USDC, USDT, TUSD, BDG, FMF, ATUM, ICX, IRC, DAI, MTL, KAG, KAU, OKB, GUSD, XLM, XYO, ZRX, all ERC-20 tokens.

The latest release of the CoolWallet Pro app supports DOT, ATOM and TRX.

Detailed description & review

The Coolwallet S is black in colour, weighs just 6 grams, and comes in the size of a credit card. It operates in tandem with its mobile app using encrypted Bluetooth connectivity. It has a monochrome screen and metal button to scroll and validate transactions on the card. The card hardware wallet comes with a charging pad for the battery and USB cable. The card is waterproof and bendable.

What you get in the box:

1. the hardware wallet
2. charging dock
3. seed recovery cards

The credit card looking wallet has inbuilt lithium rechargeable battery that takes 1.5 hours to charge and last around 2 weeks based on 2 transactions per day, which is surprisingly long we think. The manufacturer CoolBitX recommends you fully charge the card once per month for best battery life.

CoolBitX, the company that makes Coolwallet S is Taiwanese and has been in the business since 2014. However, the long-term reliability and robustness of a credit card type wallet are untested as the device has only been around a couple of years – will the Bluetooth and chip in the card stand the test of time for crypto hodlers?

Key features

A lot of wallets trade off convenience with security but CoolBitX claims that the CoolWallet provides both. Promoted as the world’s smallest mobile Bluetooth hardware wallet, a key feature of the Coolwallet is its size and convenience.

Security You have the usual multi-signature features of a PIN code and seed phrase with the CoolWallet. It also features a secure element chip on the card which is unexpected and means your private key is not exposed to the internet. You can generate your seed phrase on the card itself or on the CoolWallet app. We recommend you never use the app for this.

The hardware wallet also provides biometric and 2FA security checks through its app.  It requires a 3-step verification process when you transact – biometric, 2FA and PIN code. Transactions occur over encrypted Bluetooth connection instead of WIFI or USB-to-computer connection. If anything happens you can restore access to your coins with your seed phrase using other (BIP39/BIP44) compatible wallets.

Cold compression coating This is an anti-tampering coating on the card that CoolBitX claims makes any tampering visible to the owner and so provides protection from this kind of attack. We do wonder how this coating will stand up to world class counterfeiting that occurs from time to time with crypto wallets.

CoolWallet Pro App The card is compatible with both iOS and Android phones and integrates with the CoolBitX mobile app wallet called CoolWallet Pro. You can set a Pin code for app access. The app also allows you to track your crypto investments as well as send, receive, and trade. CoolWallet Pro (latest app version) unlocks staking and earning for CoolWallet owners.

Third party integration The wallet allows you to store different crypto in the same mobile hardware wallet or exchange them by connecting to a crypto exchange like Binance through WalletConnect. This is a nice integration feature that makes it a versatile option for crypto traders on the go.

Set up It takes about 20 minutes to set it up and transfer your crypto.

Once you receive your device and download the app, you simply press the button on the card to pair it with the app. After pairing you go through a process of creating your seed phrase with the ‘create’ button. Seed generation can be performed either on the device itself or in the mobile app. Clearly, generating your seed phrase in the device is a better choice as you should avoid having your seed phrase exposed to the internet. Remember to write the phrase down or store it in your seed storage metal wallet. There is a slightly complicated process to validate your seed phrase by adding up a bunch of numbers. We found it pretty easy to get these calculations wrong, which may annoy some users.

Comparable products

CoolWallet is a mix between the Ballet wallet and Nano S. The Ballet series of crypto wallets, which also come in credit card size doesn’t offer anywhere near the same security as CoolWallet S.

Highlights

Suitable for

Primarily large cap coin holders that want Swiss quality hardware. Bitcoin node operators.

Pros

• Manufactured in Switzerland with a 2-year warranty
• User experience – sensor touch screen interface with intuitive gestures is great
• Does not slouch on security
• Password manager function (2FA)

Cons

• One of the more expensive wallets on the market.
• Coin support can be lacking depending on what you hold.

What sets Bitbox 02 apart?

• Advanced user features like running a Bitcoin node
• Micro SD card backup capability
• Hardware warranty

What coins does it support?

The Bitcoin only version is really just if you want to isolate your Bitcoin from other crypto for added security.

The multicoin edition supports Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether USD, Chainlink, Basic Attention. Also a large number of ERC20 tokens.

Detailed description & review

Bitbox 02 is a small sleek looking black rectangular USB like device that is USB-C compatible meaning you can plug it into your phone or computer. The phone option is enabled for Android only in Beta at present, so most users will end up plugging into their computer.

There is an optional USB-C to USB-A adaptor and cable available in the box.

The device dimensions are 7.09 x 4.72 x 0.98 inches and it weighs 4.9 ounces.

The Bitbox 02 has a nice touch screen interface with OLED display and invisible touch sliders that make it easy and smooth to interact with.

Bitbox 02 comes in two versions – a multicoin or a Bitcoin only edition. The only difference is in the software and app functionality, which allows more coin and token versatility in the multicoin version.

The hardware wallet comes in tamper proof packaging – a vaccum sealed bag and the box itself is hermetically sealed with the ShiftCrypto logo printed on the seal, to avoid tampering in the supply chain. We will say there is counterfeit out there in the crypto world in both cold and hot apps so you want to make sure you have the authentic item. The only hardware wallet that gets around the problem with counterfeit at the moment is the Ledger and that’s partly why it’s number one in our rankings.

Shiftcrypto has been producing Bitbox since 2015 and this is their second edition wallet. The wallets are made in Switzerland.

Key features

Security Once you set up your password for the device all communication between the app and device is encrypted. Your password is entered directly on the device and not in the app. The Bitbox itself generates a twenty-four word recovery seed phrase which is encrypted and stored in a microcontroller in the device. The seed phrase is protected by your chosen password. For a hacker to gain access to your coins, they must have access to a random secret on the secure chip, the seed phrase on the microcontroller in the device, and your device password.

Interestingly, ShiftCrypto claim BitBox02 is the only hardware wallet to have correctly implemented multi signature security safely. They claim that most hardware wallet multi-signature setups are insecure and therefore vulnerable to remote theft or ransom attacks because of the way they implement xpub (standard) multi-sig verification. If you are interested in the detail, you can read about it in this blog post.

Sensor touch screen interface is a nice feature that allows you to tap to navigate and slide to verify transactions. We will say that the screen is still small. If you’re looking for a screen-based user interface the SecuX is worth reading about. Interacting with the screen is slower than the Trezor Model T but faster than the Ledger two button interface which can lag with Bluetooth.

Bitbox App – Like other hardware wallets, the Bitbox 02 comes with the Bitbox app which is available for macOS, Windows, Linux and Android. You can send or receive coins, check your balance and see the transaction history for Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether USD, Chainlink, Basic Attention Token Maker, 0x Dai. 

It’s worth noting Ethereum and ERC20 tokens are only supported for the BitBox02 Multi edition. Bitbox 02 also works with some companion apps like Electrum, which gives you access to DeFi staking.

Micro SD card back up – The wallet comes with a slot to insert a micro SD Card for backup. You get one 8GB micro SD card in the pack. You must keep a backup of your device to restore your funds if your device is lost. Of course, you should never lose the micro SD card – which may be easier said than done given how small it is. Not your SD card, not your coins!

Your other option is to get a metal crypto wallet back up for your seed recovery phrase. Steel wallets are larger, almost indestructible and harder to lose. You can see our metal wallet reviews here.

Fast performance – 120 MHz micro controller means transactions are faster than on the likes of the Ledger Nano S.

2FA functionality – A nice value add is that BitBox allows you to use it to provide 2FA for some of your online accounts such as Dropbox, Google, and Facebook.

Hardware warranty – Made in Switzerland and comes with a 2-year warranty. This distinguishes Bitbox from other hardware wallets in terms of hardware quality.

Advanced user features – allows you to run a secure Bitcoin node and connect via Tor routing which enables a greater level of privacy. But this is pretty much irrelevant for non tech heads.

Set up is straightforward in a few simple steps and there are user guides on the Shift Crypto site to help:

1. Download the app from shiftcrypto.ch/start
2. Insert the microSD card into the BitBox02 and connect it to the computer or smartphone with the BitBox app installed.
3. follow the Wizard in the app for setup. You’ll may need to update firmware in this process.

Comparable products

Trezor Model T but the Bitbox doesn’t support the same coins and tokens the Trezor Model T supports.

Highlights

Suitable for

On the go traders and active coin and token users

Pros

• Biometric security allows quick and easy access to your coins and less worry about losing passwords.
• Nice clean app with expanding coin support and versatile integrations (e.g. Binance Smart Chain)
• Large screen and ease of us. Nice simple user interface in both the device and app.

Cons

• Proprietary operating system – means you have to put more trust in the manufacturer that they won’t build a back door
• Fewer native features in the App than other similarly priced wallets
• Coin list is in the mid-range compared other devices – supported coins are expanding though

What sets the D’Cent wallet apart?

Biometric security makes using the device easy and allows you to check your coin balances without needing to connect to a computer or mobile device first. You can quickly access your coins and authorise transactions. No need to worry about lost passwords to get into the device buy you still need to keep your seed phrase safe.

What coins does D’Cent support?

Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), XRP, RSK Smart Bitcoin (RBTC), ERC20 tokens. (MONA), (BCH), (LTC) , (ZEC), (DASH), (BTG), (KLAY), (DGB), (RVN), (BNB) BEP2 (Token), Binance Smart Chain BEP20 (Token), (XLM), (DOGE), (TRX), TRC10/TRC20 (Token), (BCHA), Luniverse Token, XinFin Network, (XDC), (ADA), (MATIC).

Detailed description & review

D’Cent hardware wallet makes the grade as the world’s first biometrically secured hardware wallet. The wallet is manufactured in Korea by IoTrust and is an ‘up and comer’ in the crypto wallet market with some attractive features.

The device features a 1.1 inch OLED screen within a plastic frame. It does feel solid in your hand however. In terms of size, its larger than the Trezor and Ledger, but smaller than the SecuX. It measures 78.2mm x 43.2mm x 10.8mm in size and weighs a slight 36g. You have the choice of four available languages (English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese) when using the hardware wallet.

Out of the box you get:

• the device,
• a micro USD connector cable
• quick set up guide, and
• seed recovery card.

Key features

Security The D’Cent hardware wallet is the only crypto wallet we know of with biometric access for security. A biometric fingerprint sensor is used to access the device instead of the normal PIN code (it does support PIN if you prefer). This makes it nice and quick to use.

In addition, security is achieved through a secure element chip like the Ledger and with Multi IC Architecture. This architecture is a custom-designed operating system (OS) which the manufacturer assets will defend your crypto against multiple types of attack. There is not a lot of information about the proprietary OS D’Cent uses and its security features. This may be off putting for those who really want to know what’s behind the vault. We score it lower on security because of this lack of transparency compared to other hardware wallets.

No private keys are ever transmitted over Bluetooth and the manufacturing company IoTrust does not operate a server that manages your private key and personal information.

Dual connectivity To use the D’Cent hardware wallet, you have to pair the wallet with a smartphone or tablet running the D’Cent mobile app. Mobile connection is available via the supplied USB or over encrypted Bluetooth.

Versatility The app is currently available on both iOS and Android. The native app is simple to use but functions are limited to managing your accounts and making transactions (sending or receiving coins and tokens). It doesn’t come with any buy or sell functions or other native capabilities like stake or earn. The D’Cent hardware wallet does integrate with other Decentalised Apps like Moonpay, Compound, and Maker DAO oasis. You can get access to staking and farming through these integrations. The app also supports Binance Smart Chain so you can interface with swap markets like Pancake Swap.

A nice feature for NFT enthusiasts is that it provides a function to manage ERC721 based NFT assets and link direct to NFT marketplace OpenSea.

Purchase with crypto The OLED screen can display a QR code for each of your wallets which makes it super easy to send and receive coins and tokens with extra mobility. There’s a share button that allows you to send others your QR code for deposits into your wallet.

Set up It’s pretty easy all up and doesn’t require the app. You need to go through the usual process of creating a wallet, setting your PIN code and backing up your seed phrase. You can then download the D’Cent app and pair the wallet either via USB cable or Bluetooth in order to transact your coins. If you have any problems there are easy to follow user guides on the D’Cent website.

Comparable product

Trezor Model T, but D’Cent lacks the transparency of the Trezor Model T about what security is embedded and since a hardware wallet is about security over all other things, we can’t give it the rating it would deserve if it were more open source.