Looking for the best crypto hardware wallet (also known as a cold wallet)? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve reviewed the world’s most popular hardware wallets from Ledger to Trezor’s portfolio, so we know which rule.
To add another layer of confidence, I actively use hardware wallets daily as a passionate crypto investor. I’ve been experimenting with hardware wallets to test everyone of their capabilities, from the build quality and staking mechanisms (a process that allows you to earn interest on your crypto) to ease of use and NFT support.
The best crypto wallets allow you to store a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, whether you’re drawn to silly meme tokens or more established coins. They also provide unmatched security features that hot wallets (e.g. Coinbase Wallet) could only dream of offering. And let’s not forget the companion app. A smooth, seamless, error-free user interface is key.
Without further ado, here are the best crypto hardware wallets that will keep your digital assets safe and sound.
What is the best crypto hardware wallet?
The best crypto hardware wallet is the Ledger Nano X. Yes, it costs $149, but hear me out. Its companion app, known as “Ledger Live” is elite. Unlike Trezor Suite, the companion app for the Trezor Model One and Model T, Ledger Live lets you see your saved NFTs. Ledger Live can also be accessed without connect the Nano X to your laptop, so you can track the crypto market and other details (Trezor Suite requires plugged-in hardware wallets).
On top of that, Ledger Nano X supports Android and iOS. Trezor’s cold wallets are not compatible with iOS. Heck, the Nano X’s own relatives, the Nano S and Nano S Plus, don’t support iPhones. Unlike its siblings and rivals, the Nano X comes with a battery that offers an 8-hour runtime; it does not make the Nano S and Trezor cold wallets (they must remain connected to operate).
The Ledger Nano X comes with 2MB of storage, meaning you’re less likely to worry about the dreaded “storage full” error in the future. Finally, the Nano X has Bluetooth support, the others do not. This means you can connect your Nano X to a mobile device without the need a cable.
However, this does not mean that the Nano S, Nano S Plus and Trezor Model One do not have their place in the hardware wallet market. While the Ledger Nano X benefits the most consumers, it might not be for you. Take a look at our roundup below to get a better perspective on which hardware wallet is best for your needs.
The best crypto hardware wallets
Ledger Nano X is the best crypto wallet on the market. Trust me – there’s a reason it’s one of the world’s best-selling cold wallets. It has the most comprehensive support for a cornucopia of cryptocurrencies, whether you’re storing a digital asset like Ethereum, or (excuse my language) a crapcoin like SafeMoon.
Whatever you want to store on the Ledger Nano X, it will most likely support it. I can’t say the same for other hardware wallets (eg the Trezor Model One).
The Nano X also comes with the best companion app for hardware wallets: Ledger Live. It is so a lot you can do on Ledger Live that other companion apps don’t offer, especially betting (earning interest on your cryptocurrencies while you sleep).
One downside to the Nano X, however, has nothing to do with the product itself, but everything to do with Ledger’s tarnished security reputation. In July 2022, the producer was hacked; the email addresses of 272,000 Ledger customers leaked. No wallets were compromised, but the data breach left a sour taste in potential buyers’ mouths.
See our Ledger Nano X vs. Nano S face-off.
The Ledger Nano S Plus is the Nano X’s more affordable cousin with a more palatable price tag of $79. However, be careful! If you’re an iPhone owner and you want to use the Nano S Plus with your device, you don’t have that option. Nano S Plus is only compatible with Android.
However, you can use the Nano S Plus on macOS and Windows just fine. Apart from this major limitation, the Nano S Plus is quite similar to the Nano X. It has 1.5MB of storage (Nano X has 2MB), supports 5500+ tokens and offers access to Ledger Live.
Unlike the Nano X, the Nano S Plus is not equipped with a battery, so you have to keep it plugged in to use it. The display is also smaller than the Nano X’s panel, so if you have poor eyesight, the Nano X may be a better option.
Overall, the Nano S Plus is an excellent crypto hardware wallet for those who want a taste of the Nano X but don’t want to spend more than $100.
See Ledger Nano S Plus review.
The Trezor Model T is almost double the price of the Nano X. Why is that? I suspect that Trezor commands a premium price because it is well aware that people are uneasy about Ledger’s 2020 hack. As such, people are willing to pay more for Trezor’s solid reputation.
The Model T will set you back $250. It supports more than 1200 coins including Litecoin, XRP, Monero, Cardano and more. The 240 x 240 pixel panel is larger than the displays on the Ledger Nano X and Nano S Plus, so if more screen real estate is your jam, the Model T is your best bet.
The Model T’s companion app Trezor Suite is very minimalistic, offering only the basics. I think this is by design. The dumber a software is, the harder it is to hack. Keep in mind, though, that the Model T isn’t iPhone-friendly; it only supports Android. Whether you have macOS or Windows, the Model T works just fine.
The Trezor Model One is eight years old – the oldest hardware wallet on this list. It costs $72, which is easier to swallow compared to the $250 Model T. With support for around 1,000 cryptocurrencies (give or take), this is not a crypto wallet for seasoned investors. It is more beneficial for beginners who want an easy introduction to cold wallets.
Its companion app, Trezor Suite, is simplistic and basic, so it won’t intimidate the average Joe. I also think it’s cool that you can upload black and white photos to the wallet home screen. The image quality looks like a game ported into a graphing calculator, but it’s still a pretty nice feature.
Sorry to iPhone owning folks once again; Model One is only compatible with Android. However, it works fine with macOS, Windows and Linux. Another drawback? The Trezor Model One’s build quality is too cheap for my taste. Still, Model One is a respected OG that many crypto newbies will appreciate.
See the whole Trezor Model One review.
How to find the best crypto hardware wallet
The most important aspect you need to look at is whether the crypto hardware wallet you want to buy supports the digital assets you want to store. If you’re a Bitcoin maximalist, or you tend to stick to blue-chip cryptocurrencies, you’ll have no problem finding a cold wallet that supports your virtual currencies.
But if you’d prefer to venture out into the wild where Dogecoin and Shiba Inu spin-offs roam, you’ll need to double-check that your desired cold wallet supports your crapcoins—er, I mean “meme tokens.”
Second, some crypto wallets do not support iOS. If you own an iPhone, check to see if your preferred hardware wallet has iOS compatibility. If it doesn’t, it’s not the end of the world. You can always use your laptop instead.
Third, research the company’s reputation. Although Ledger did not experience an actual attack on the wallets, it is did facing a data breach, which was enough to tarnish its reputation.
Finally, you choose based on your skill level. Experienced investors should lean towards the Ledger Nano series. It offers Ledger Live, which has advanced features (eg staking) and a number of third-party apps that may appeal to crypto lovers.
