On this page you’ll find the best crypto wallet to protect your hard earned coins and tokens. Our research is updated for 2021 and completely free. On this page we focus on hardware wallets (also known as cold storage wallets) because they provide the ultimate in security to keep your crypto safe.
Hardware wallets are the best crypto wallet you can use and should be a core line of defence in your crypto security arsenal.
Remember, in crypto the security of your assets is up to you.
But there are a long list of hardware wallets on the market, all making competing claims about how secure and easy to use they are. How do you choose?
To make things simple and save you time, we’ve researched the best crypto wallets with a focus on function, features and price. On this page you’ll find reviews for each these cryptocurrency wallets:
How we rate the best crypto wallets
With hardware wallets, security is always number one and we treat it that way. But it is not the only feature you should be looking for to find the best crypto wallet for money in your pocket. Our reviews step your through:
- A description of the crypto hardware wallet and what you get in the box
- The key features of the wallet that help you figure out what to buy
- Pros and Cons
- What makes the wallet stand out from the rest, and
- Who the wallet is suitable for.
Our reviews are for non-tech heads
We keep it simple because you don’t need to be weighed down by the technical details. You simply need to know your coins are going to be as safe from theft and loss as possible.
We review the spectrum of wallets – from large screen hardware wallets designed to be locked in a home safe or hidden in your undies draw, to USB sized hardware wallets that fit in your pocket, and even card sized hardware crypto wallets that designed to fit, well, in your fiat wallet! We look at hardware wallets that offer something for everyone.
If you want to save time, skip straight to the highlights in the column where we make buying simple.
Our price checker will take you directly to either the manufacturer or an authorised reseller making the whole process easy and safe for you.
At the end are products we DON”T recommend. We are here to help keep your crypto safe after all!
And if you’re in doubt about whether you still need a hardware wallet, check out our DecryptiFi blog for the latest free crypto research and scams that you need to protect yourself from. A good crypto hardware wallet is designed to do just that so lets get on with the ratings!
The verdict
Crypto Wallet Reviewer’s top pick for best overall crypto wallet
Ledger Nano X – The Ledger Live app beats Trezor hands down, 1500+ coins & tokens supported and great tech support from a brand that will be around a long time.
Our top pick – best crypto wallet
Ledger Nano X – winner
Highlights

Suitable for
Everyone from beginner level (great tech support) to crypto hodlers and DeFi enthusiasts. On the go traders who need lots of exchange integrations.
Pros
- Versatility – the most coins and integrations with third party wallets & crypto exchanges
- Counterfeit proof at device level
- Ledger Live App – superior to other wallets
- Bluetooth – makes it mobile for Android and iOS users
Cons
- User experience lacks other top of the range hardware wallets like the Trezor Model T
- Doesn’t have the extra features like 2FA that comes with the Trezor Model T
- Bluetooth can lag sometimes
What sets Ledger Nano X apart?
- Best in class Ledger Live app
- Ledger website guides & resources
- Customer support
- Device authenticity validation via software
+ Manage up to 100 coin apps at once – a big step up from the Nano S.
What coins does the Ledger Nano X support?
1500+ coins and tokens. The Ledger website has a coin look up feature if you want to test this out.
Some of the bigger coins/tokens Ledger Live doesn’t natively support include: Binance Chain, BNB, ADA, KSM, EOS, NANO, NEO. Access is through third party services.

Detailed description & review
When it comes to the best crypto wallet, Ledger Nano X stands out. Ledger is without doubt the most popular and well known hardware wallet brand, dating back to 2014. Ledger ‘Nano X’ is the latest model hardware wallet from Ledger and is slightly larger than the first Ledger model, the Ledger ‘Nano S’ to improve the user experience. It comes at a mere 7.2 x 1.86 x 1.175 cm in size with a screen double the width of the Nano S (128 x 64 pixels). This is still smallish and one of the (few) trade-offs you get when choosing a Ledger Nano X hardware crypto wallet over something with a large screen but nowhere near the versatility, like SecuX V20.
What you get in the box:
- Hardware wallet device
- USB-C connection cable
- Recovery phrase sheet and guide
- You also get the keychain but not the lanyard.
Features
Security Ledger Nano X features everything you’d expect from a top brand in the market. It has a secure element chip, PIN code and seed recovery phrase protection. You set your own PIN code and your seed phrase is generated offline and displayed on the Nano screen, which means this critical part of your crytpo security is never on an internet-connected device. This is rock solid security for any hardware wallet worth its salt.
Device authenticity One outstanding difference with all Ledger Nano hardware wallets is that they use software (called Root of Trust) to verify that the hardware is genuine. Other hardware wallets in the markets use anti-tamper packaging – which unfortunately is still subject to counterfeit. The Ledger software validation means that when using the Ledger for the first time, you’ll have to verify its genuineness by completing a security checklist wizard. You’ll be prompted to do this:
- When you are connecting your device to the Ledger Live app for the first time
- Each time you access the Ledger Live manager functions
- Every time you install an application from the Ledger Live manager
- Each time you update your firmware.
This might feel frustrating at times when you’re using the device, but it’s also part of what makes Ledger a stand-out product in the market.
Dual connectivity The Ledger Nano X features connectivity to computer (Mac and PC) and mobile via both cable and Bluetooth. The cable connection is USB-C. It also has 8 hours of native battery storage onboard.
Ledger Live App In an upgrade from the Nano S, the Ledger Nano X provides mobile support for both Android and iOS. Combined with its versatility, and security the Ledger Live app is another feature that makes the Ledger stand out from the crowd.
Ledger Live supports 27 coins + a long list of ERC Tokens. You need to integrate with other third-party services if you want to interact with or manage other coins.
The Ledger Live app has some great native capability – you can send, receive, buy, swap and stake (a small number of) coins. We counted 44 swap options so that’s pretty impressive for the native app, but swap is not available in all countries.
The in-app staking list is limited at this stage but don’t worry, here is where Ledger shines. It has the best third-party integrations by a long shot, which makes it incredibly versatile. We love the integration with MetaMask wallet to make money with decentralised finance protocols in particular.
The Ledger website links you to integration options for staking via third parties. This is a great added feature and we hope the Ledger team keep working to expand it.
100 Apps You can store 100 apps on the wallet which means you can manage 100 coins and tokens at the same time. You’re unlikely to need more support than 100 coins.
Set up Set up on the Nano X can take extra time due to confirmation and validations but this means it is extra SAFE! After you set up your PIN and passwords you need to install the apps from their app catalogue for the coins you hold. You also need to set up an wallet for each separate coin you want to store your private keys for. Don’t forget to download the Ledger Live app first from www.ledger.com.
Comparable hardware wallet
Trezor Model T, which has more bells and whistle non-crypto features like universal 2 factor authentication capabilities but doesn’t have the Ledger Live versatility or ease of use.
First Runner up
Trezor Model T – best added non-crypto features
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.
Second Runner up – best on a budget
Ledger Nano S
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.
Best touchscreen user experience
Secu X (V20) – big touchscreen
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.
Security for a great price
Trezor One
Highlights

Suitable for
Budget users and crypto beginners wanting the reassurance of customer support. Android users only have mobile support with Trezor One.
Pros
- The price for the quality of product you get
- Company reputation and customer support – rock solid should anything go wrong
- In app exchange and buy features Open source software –trust doesn’t lie with the manufacturer alone
Cons
- Wallet interface lacks the features and ease of use of Ledger Live.
- Solid all-rounder, but some of the tech has been surpassed by new entrants and the upgraded Trezor Model T.
What sets Trezor One apart?
The password manager function, which for the same price as Ledger Nano S is an added extra here.
What coins does Trezor One support?
1500 + coins and tokens. Some of the coins doesn’t it support include UNI, AVAX, YFI and SUSHI are key omissions for this hardware wallet. These are supposed to be added soon. Also coming soon according to the manufacturers is ONE, CELO, OCEAN, REEF, YFII to name a few. No timelines on this additions though.
Detailed description & review
Security TREZOR One uses a limited USB connection with one way communication to your computer which means your computer can’t control the device – a security feature. You can connect it to a Mac or PC and compatible browsers include Chrome and FireFox.
A 24-word seed phrase is generated using random number generation. Trezor One doesn’t have the secure element chip for PIN, password and recovery seed phrase protection that other more recent devices have. The seed phrase is displayed on the device and you have to type your PIN, password and seed phrase into the connected computer rather than into the device (as with the upgraded Trezor Model T).
Because it connects through myTrezor, Trezor will know about your IP address unless you use it with a VPN. Blockchain transactions use the Trezor hosted node so Trezor will also know that transactions are occurring unless you can hide your XPUB (by running a full node). They won’t necessarily be able to link you to the transactions so this is only a worry if you are worried about privacy.
Brute force timeout protection for your PIN – After each incorrect guess the wait between guesses is raised by a power of two. So you don’t have many guesses before you’re waiting years for your next one.
Keystroke monitoring protection It also features keystroke monitoring through randomised number selection when you’re entering your Pin via the computer.
Hidden Wallet feature You can add a passphrase to the 24-word seed as an extra security feature, which acts as a 25th word. This means you can have hiddent wallets inside your wallet to diversify your risks. Like the SecuX. But you must remember BOTH or your coins are lost.
Trezor wallet Uses the same Trezor wallet as the Trezor Model T with all of the features.
Versatility Since it uses the same app, Trezor One has similar versatility to the Trezor Model T in terms of third party services, which we think is a lot of value for the budget price. It doesn’t support some coins supported by the Trezor Model T model probably because it’s an older edition.
Password manager Trezor One can also act as a password manager and provide U2F Authentication (like Google authenticator). So you can use the Trezor to store passwords to accounts online and require that the accounts only login when you enter the 2FA password generated by the Trezor. For the price, this is a nice added extra and saves around $20 on a standalone U2F device.
Set up When you first set up you need to take the step of installing the Trezor Bridge so that the device can communicate with your computer and the myTrezor wallet.Once you have set it up you will have to use myTrezor to access the hardware wallet interface and transact your coins. Confirmation of transactions is on the device using the buttons.
Comparable products
Ledger Nano S, which received a better rating as it has a better app and more versatility
A wallet that fits in your wallet!
CoolWallet S
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:
- the hardware wallet
- charging dock
- 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.
Swiss made quality
Bitbox 02
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:
- Download the app from shiftcrypto.ch/start
- Insert the microSD card into the BitBox02 and connect it to the computer or smartphone with the BitBox app installed.
- 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.
World’s first biometric hardware wallet
D’Cent biometric wallet
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.
Crypto hardware wallets that we can’t recommend
Ballet wallet
Description
Like the CoolWallet S, the Ballet wallet is credit card like in size. But unlike the CoolWallet S, which is pliable, the Ballet wallet is a steel card with multiple ‘built on’ security features that conceal your encrypted passphrase and private keys which are then used to secure your crypto currency. With the Ballet wallet, whoever holds the card, holds the crypto.
The card is manufactured in China with a two-layer QR code sticker which is printed with the encrypted private key on the concealed bottom layer and the crypto deposit address on the exposed top layer. If any of this is messed with send the item back. This type of security system also puts a lot of trust in the manufacturer and its internal processes. Read on for more about this.
Main concerns
Our main concerns with the Ballet card are related to the security architecture used to protect your keys and reliance on physical rather than software based security features.
Security The wallet is not electronic – everything you need to operate it is on the card itself. We have real concerns over this and wouldn’t use it to protect any decent amount of cryptocurrency. Read on for the details.
With the Ballet Wallet, its just a physical card with the wallet pass phrase and serial number laser-etched onto the card at two separate manufacturing facilities in the US. This two-step manufacturing process is how the manufacturer manages the security of these elements of the card (see below – 2FKG). The encrypted private key can only be decrypted (in the app) by the BIP38 passphrase.
The BIP38 compliant passphrase is also stored on the card, concealed by a ‘scratch it’ type material that is tamper evident. The private keys are generated by the end user, who has physical possession of the product, by using the wallet passphrase and BIP38 compliant key that are stored physically (separately) on the card.
Two-Factor Key Generation (2FKG) The manufacturer claims to have something called Two-Factor Key Generation. This just means the production of two private key components (wallet passphrase and encrypted private key) is done by different people in two different geographic locations. Theoretically this this is in place so that employees do not have access to both private key components. The card is produced by a Chinese manufacturer in partly in China and partly in the US.
Two-Factor Private Keys (2FPK) is where according to the manufacturer the private key is made from two separate components. The wallet uses the BIP38 standard. The BIP38 two-factor private key can only be generated when two separate private key components – the wallet passphrase and encrypted private key – are combined through an open-source industry standard called BIP38.
Summary
There are some pluses to the card, like third party integrations with Wyre and no KYC registration requirements. When you receive the card set up is simple enough. You just download and open the Ballet Crypto mobile app and then scan the primary coin QR code on the card to add a virtual wallet card to the app.
But, on balance the security system is just too reliant on the manufacturing process and tamper proofing on the card for us to recommend using this wallet for any serious crypto storage. At best, the Ballet wallet is a nice crypto gift card but also an expensive one!
Keepkey
Description
The device itself is one of the bigger ones on the market – large enough to lay across the palm of your hand and too big to carry around in your pocket. This is a plus if you’re worried about losing some of the smaller devices like the Ledger or the card type hardware wallet models. It weighs 0.88 ounces or around 25 grams. The device itself feels sturdy in your hand as does the braided USB cable.
It arrives packaged in a little black box with a silver security seal so if this is broken or has been messed with, send it back as it may have been tampered with. The device works with a computer – MAC or PC but not with mobile. It is pretty easy to set up, via Chrome web browser plugin.
The wide screen feature allows users to see the whole cryptocurrency address without scrolling which is a point of difference with other hard wallets.
Main concerns
Our main concern with the KeepKey is security and technical support. Because the Keep Key acts as a mini computer and doesn’t have the secure element chip architecture of other hardware wallets. This means it is connected to the internet at key points of security and its attack surface is larger. It relies on purposely limited communication protocols with your computer to protect your private keys but these are not ‘air gapped’ in the same way they are with other hardware wallets. We’re also not keen on the Keepkey because the ongoing upgrades and tech support is not as good as other hardware wallets. If it’s not supported, the device risks becoming redundant with technology developments, which in crypto are very fast.
Summary
Keepkey does offer web-based interface is through ShapeShift which we have seen mixed reports about. You use the Shapeshift platform as the in-wallet exchange. Reports are Keepkey is also supported by popular wallet services Electrum and myetherwallet but we have not tested this. If it is true it means users can log in to their hot wallets (web wallets) which are internet connected and utilise the security of the KeepKey wallet. However its functionality is pretty basic compared to newer larger screen hardware wallets such as SecuX. If you’re serious about securing your crypto you also want to make sure the tech support is there for you should anything go awry. With Keepkey, that’s not certain.
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