The Trezor Model T is easy to use thanks to its touchscreen display. Another nice feature of the Model T is that it is quick and easy to set up; you can be up and running after going through three simple setup steps. Yes, the price has gone up in recent months (as have most things, in particular, cryptocurrency-related things), but this still remains the best hardware cryptocurrency wallet you can buy. Pros
Store passwordsU2F hardware tokenSetup in three simple stepsTouchscreen display
Cons
Price has gone up
This is a cut-down, simplified version of the Trezor Model T that’s perfect for those who want a cheaper and simpler wallet that doesn’t compromise security. There’s also a three-pack of the Trezor One available if you want to buy a set so you have backups. The price has gone up in recent months, but it remains a good deal, coming in under $100. Pros
Simplified version of Trezor Model Tdoesn’t compromise securityAvailable in a three-pack
Cons
Price has gone up
Pros
Supports more than 30 different cryptocurrenciesprotected by an 8-digit PIN code
Cons
Display is small and isn’t a touchscreen
You can augment the ColdCard with a range of accessories, including an adapter that allows you to power the ColdCard from a 9V PP3 battery, protecting you from attacks that might make use of a compromised USB charger. Pros
Built around high-security hardware and open-source softwareBrilliant OLED display and a full-sized numeric keypadAugment the ColdCard with a range of accessories
Cons
Bitcoin only
Pros
Made from indestructible 316-marine grade stainless steelfireproof, waterproof, shockproof, and hacker-proof
Cons
Can be tricky to get open the first time
Price: Not everyone wants to spend $200 on a wallet.Durability: A broken hardware wallet can leave you hating life (not to mention down the cost of the hardware), so choosing something that will last is a good investment.Reputable manufacturer: You could be trusting thousands of dollars of cryptocurrency to a hardware wallet, so you want to know that your wallet has been made by a reputable company with a track record in delivering secure and reliable products. Ease of use: Setting up a hardware wallet can be daunting enough, but it can be made all the more difficult if the documentation is poor (or non-existent) or the device itself is quirky and unpredictable.
Software wallets range in price from free to, well, not free, so they are great for those starting out. Since hardware wallets cost you money, there’s a financial investment that you have to make right from the beginning. However, where hardware wallets shine is the improved security that they offer compared to an app that lives on a smartphone, computer, or in the cloud. Having a device that puts an air gap between your private keys and other apps, the internet, and the bad guys offers vastly improved security from hackers and viruses. Hardware bitcoin wallets put you in complete and total control over your private keys.
Improved security: Total air gap between your private keys and everything else.Better control: You hold your keys and can keep them separate from all your other devices.Easy transportation: Bitcoin hardware wallets are small and easily transported. But they can also be stored securely in a safe or safety deposit box.No reliance on a third-party app or web service: Apps and services come and go.
Cons
Cost: Hardware bitcoin wallet solutions aren’t free.Extra complexity: There’s always a learning curve with hardware, and some bitcoin wallets have quite advanced features that will have you reaching for the manual.Loss, destruction, theft: Hardware can break, be lost, be stolen, become obsolete, or succumb to all sorts of mishaps.Another thing to take care of: If you need to make a transaction, you’ll need your wallet!
You also need to decide how much security you need. For some, having the air gap of a separate wallet is good enough, while others will feel the need to beef up security, and have a device that offers higher levels of security, biometrics, and even isolating the device from possible sources of attack, such as USB chargers. You also need a backup, just in case. Maybe this is another hardware wallet, or maybe you’re going to go for a “cold storage” solution that might include having your private keys printed on paper, or even engraved, stamped, or etched into metal. Another consideration is price. Unless you’re planning to hold huge cryptocurrency investments, then it might sting a bit to spend over $100 on a wallet.
