In cryptocurrency storage, there are two major types of wallets, hot wallets and cold wallet types. The cold wallet refers to the hardware wallets while the hot wallet type refers to crypto wallet apps. Many people, especially beginners in the cryptocurrency space, have asked which crypto hardware wallet is best, how to choose a hardware wallet, and even persons asking for specific coins like a bitcoin-only hardware wallet, and the best hardware wallet for USDT.

Choosing the right hardware wallet is crucial for protecting cryptocurrency assets. Our list of 10 best crypto hardware wallets combines top-notch security features, user-friendly interfaces, and broad compatibility with various cryptocurrencies. These devices provide peace of mind for investors by keeping private keys offline, thus minimizing the risk of hacking and theft.

With various options available, individuals may need help to select the most suitable hardware wallet for their needs. This post will simplify the process by showing you the top contenders, highlighting their strengths and unique features. Whether a novice or a seasoned investor, understanding these wallets will empower informed decisions regarding cryptocurrency storage.

What are hardware wallets?

Hardware wallets are secure devices designed to store cryptocurrencies offline. They offer an effective way to keep digital assets safe from online threats and unauthorized access.

In other words, a hardware wallet is a physical device that stores private keys for cryptocurrency transactions. Unlike software wallets connected to the internet, hardware wallets keep these keys offline. This offline storage significantly reduces the risk of hacking and malware attacks.

Common examples of hardware wallets include Trezor and Ledger devices. They connect to a computer or mobile device via USB or Bluetooth, enabling users to send and receive cryptocurrencies securely. Hardware wallets often feature a built-in display for transaction verification, adding an extra layer of security.

The best types of crypto hardware wallets

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular and advanced crypto hard wallets available in the cryptocurrency market today. So, if you have been looking for the best hardware wallet for cryptocurrency, check the list below:

1. Trezor Hardware Wallets

Trezor as a reliable hardware wallet company has made remarkable achievements in helping cryptocurrency investors keep their assets safe offline, Trezor provides sophisticated wallet types and encourages long-term crypto investors to minimize risks of losing their assets by going offline as it will limit connections and third-party access to your digital assets. The Trezor Model One $59, and Trezor Model T are the most popular hardware wallets from the company. Their latest invention includes the Trezor Safe 3 sold for $79, and the Trezor Safe 5 sold for $169.

Trezor Safe 5

The Trezor Safe 5 is engineered for crypto users who value both top-tier security and an intuitive, user-friendly experience. Equipped with a vibrant color touchscreen and haptic feedback powered by the Trezor Touch engine, it offers seamless navigation and tactile interaction. Trezor Safe 5 meets CE and RoHS certifications, ensuring reliability and environmental compliance. It is also X-ray-safe, making it ideal for air travel.

Built on a decade of open-source security and privacy development, Trezor Safe 5 uses an NDA-free EAL 6+ Secure Element, ensuring comprehensive protection against online and offline threats. With PIN and passphrase protection, your assets are safeguarded at every level.

• Secure Element: Certified EAL 6+ chip for maximum security
• Backup & Recovery: 12-, 20-, and 24-word wallet backup, plus Advanced Multi-share Backup for enhanced recovery

The Trezor Safe 5 introduces a 20-word wallet backup standard, allowing users to easily switch from a standard single-share backup to an advanced multi-share backup. This added layer of security ensures that even if your backup is compromised, your wallet remains safe.

With the Safe 5, you can easily manage your assets with Trezor’s ecosystem, which includes desktop and mobile apps. You can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies while enjoying access to a wide array of third-party services that let you tailor your experience to your needs.

• Trezor Ecosystem: Manage crypto seamlessly across desktop and mobile apps
• Send, Receive, Stake, & Trade: Convenient features at your fingertips
• Third-Party Services: Customize your experience with additional tools

Trezor Safe 5 enhances privacy with advanced coin control, giving you greater autonomy over your transactions. For even more privacy, integrate Tor to protect your identity online.

• Coin Control: Enhanced privacy for transactions
• Tor Integration: Protect your online identity

The Trezor Safe 5 supports two-factor authentication and complies with the FIDO2 standard, ensuring secure logins and enhanced protection for your accounts.

Key features of Trezor Safe 5 at a glance

• Color Touchscreen: 1.54” display, 240 x 240 pixels
• Haptic Feedback: Intuitive, responsive touch interactions
• Gorilla® Glass 3: Scratch-resistant, durable glass
• USB-C: Fast and reliable connections
• MicroSD Card Slot: Additional storage options
• Device Security: PIN and passphrase protection with on-device entry
• Backup: 12-, 20-, and 24-word recovery options

Specifications

• Size & Weight: 65.9x40x8 mm / 23 g (2.6×1.6×0.3 in / 0.8 oz)
• Operating Temperature: -20°C to +60°C / -4°F to +140°F
• CPU: 160MHz ARM Cortex M33 processor
• Material: Durable PC-ABS plastic, anodized aluminum backplates, tamper-evident casing, and laser engraving

Trezor Wallet Safe 5 has two types, the universal hardware wallet which supports 1000s of coins and tokens, and the Bitcoin-only hardware wallet which supports only Bitcoin. They’re all sold for the same price at $169.

FAQs about Trezor wallets

Can Trezor still be hacked?

Trezor wallets help keep your assets secure offline, due to their offline nature, it is difficult to penetrate or hack a Trezor wallet because it is not connected online. However, an attacker can still your wallet physically and replace it with a fake one. So, you have to always make sure you keep your hard wallet safe.

What coins are supported by Trezor?

Trezor wallets support 1000s of coins and tokens, some models also have the Bitcoin exclusive wallets called Bitcoin-only hardware wallets for bitcoin exclusive storage.

How do I know if my Trezor is tampered with?

Trezor wallets come with tamper-evident holographic seals placed on the connector.

2. SafePal S1 Hardware Wallet

The credit card-sized and lightweight SafePal hardware wallet, the S1 Hardware wallet, is fully decentralized with 100% ownership of your assets, securely kept in cold storage with unmatched securities. The S1 hardware wallet by SafePal comes with the following amazing features;

• EAL 5+ independent secure element
• True random number generator
• Multiple layers of security sensors
• Anti-tampering self-destruct mechanism
• 100+ blockchains supported with continuous updates
• Unlimited cryptocurrency storage
• Easily add or remove tokens
• Onboarding new tokens via firmware upgrades
• SafePal S1 supports 15 languages, with more on the way: English, Deutsch, Français, Español, Türkçe, Italiano, Português, 简体中文, 繁體中文, 한국어, 日本語, Russian, Thai, Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese

Elevate Your Asset Management with the SafePal App

Pair your S1 wallet with the SafePal App to unlock even more features:

• Secure and manage your crypto & NFTs
  Manage, transfer, and trade crypto assets effortlessly.
• Powerful DApp gateway
  Seamlessly connect to a rapidly growing ecosystem of decentralized applications.
• Cross-chain swaps & trades
  Swap assets across blockchains with the lowest fees and best rates, supported by deep liquidity from Binance, Bitget, 0X, 1-inch, and more.
• One-click yield & earn
  Boost rewards with trusted DeFi and Binance Earn products.

Specifications

• Operating Temperature: -4°F to 158°F (-20°C to 70°C)
• Battery: 400 mAh (Up to 20 days with 10 minutes daily use), rechargeable via USB cable
• Camera: High-speed QR code scanning
• Screen: 1.3” IPS full-color display
• Connectivity: Air-gapped (No Bluetooth, WiFi, or NFC)
• Upgrade Support: Firmware updates available

Why SafePal S1 Stands Out from Competitors

The comparison table above for SafePal S1 vs Ledger Nano S, Ledger Nano X, and Trezor One wallet, shows that the SafePal S1 wallet despite having one of the most amazing security features (the Air-gapped), remains the most affordable hardware wallet in the market.

SafePal hardware wallet prices can also be seen on the official SafePal website for all their hardware wallet types such as the; S1 Pro hardware wallet which is an improved version of the SafePal S1 wallet, and the SafePal X1 Hardware wallet which is fully open source and has Bluetooth connectivity feature.

FAQs about SafPal hardware wallet

Is SafePal wallet safe?

SafePal is a safe and reliable crypto hardware wallet that does not allow information leakage.

Which SafePal wallet is best?

All the SafePal wallets are great as they all have amazing features but if you have a little more budget and looking for which one is the best, we strongly recommend you go for the S1 range. That is the SafePal S1 and SafePal S1 Plus which has more advanced features.

How long does SafePal wallet take to deliver?

Although SafePal has a great network of outlets across the world where you can get your hardware wallet delivered to you, how long it will take depends heavily on your location. To deliver a SafePal hardware wallet, it might take 1 day to 14 days depending on your shipping address.

3. Ledger hardware wallets

Ledger is a renowned company with great interest in securing the blockchain revolution, with over 700 workers, and different offices around the world, Ledger is popularly known for the manufacturing of hardware wallets. The most popular crypto hard wallets by Ledger are the Ledger Nano X and Ledger Nano S Plus under the nano range. However, we will take a look at their latest hardware wallet release which features a touchscreen crypto hardware wallet.

• Ledger Stax™: The World’s First Secure Touchscreen hardware wallet
• Price: USD 459
• Magnet Shell Protection Included

Key Features

Uncompromised Security

Experience cutting-edge protection with the industry-leading Secure Element chip and Ledger OS. Enjoy curved, edge-to-edge security on the world’s first E Ink® touchscreen.

Seamless Transaction Experience

Review and sign transactions with ease. The Ledger Stax™ offers an intuitive, single-screen interface powered by E Ink® technology, providing a secure, efficient, and easy-to-understand experience.

Unmatched Battery Efficiency

With its eco-friendly, rechargeable battery, the Ledger Stax™ lasts up to 10 hours in use and stays in standby mode for days on a single charge.

Customizable Display

Make it your own by displaying your favorite NFTs or images on the 3.7” curved E Ink screen—even when the device is turned off.

Optimized Wireless Charging

Experience rapid wireless charging with up to 10W of power, guaranteeing both safe and swift recharges every time.

Stackable Design

Thanks to built-in magnets, you can stack multiple Ledger Stax™ devices—whether for NFTs, crypto, or other purposes—allowing you to organize your digital assets as you see fit.

Multi-Device Connectivity

Seamlessly connect your Ledger Stax™ with iOS, Android smartphones, or desktop devices for a smooth, accessible experience anywhere.

Ledger Security Key™

Securely log into your accounts with Ledger Stax™—no need to remember passwords. Install the free app and unlock the simplicity of the Ledger ecosystem.

Why Choose Ledger?

Join over 6 million customers in Ledger’s secure ecosystem.
Ledger Live lets you manage, buy, sell, stake, and track your digital assets, all from one convenient place.

Supported Cryptos

Ledger provides support for thousands of coins and tokens, encompassing popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT, among many others.

Staking Rewards

Earn lucrative rewards by staking a variety of popular cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Cosmos (ATOM), and Cardano (ADA).

Ledger Recover

Worried about losing access to your wallet? Ledger Recover allows you to restore your wallet even if you lose your Secret Recovery Phrase.

Compare Models

The two latest releases from Ledger are the Ledger Stax™ and Ledger Flex™

Both Ledger hardware wallet models support thousands of coins, are NFT-compatible, and work across desktop and mobile devices via the Ledger live app.

FAQs about Ledger wallets

What does Ledger wallet do?

Ledger wallets come in different models, they are used for cold storage of cryptocurrencies by generating private keys

How much does Ledger wallet cost?

A Ledger wallet can cost from $79 up to $459 depending on the model.

Can you transfer USD to Ledger?

Yes, you can store your USDT on Ledger and Ledger live application.

4. Tangem Wallet

The Tangem Wallet is a slim, card-sized hardware wallet that offers the security of a bank vault. Store, buy, earn, transfer, and swap thousands of cryptocurrencies with ease. Tangem Wallet is redefining crypto storage by offering a combination of security, simplicity, and accessibility. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, Tangem empowers you with full autonomy over your assets using a single tap.

• Starting from $54.90
• Swiss-based with a 25-year warranty
• Certified to the EAL6+ security standard
• Audited by Kudelski Security and Riscure

Key Features

1. Tap & Go Convenience

Simply tap your Tangem card on your phone to activate and manage your wallet. The embedded chip generates a random private key during setup, ensuring your assets are secure. Setup takes less than 3 minutes.

2. Multi-Card Backup

Each Tangem Wallet set includes up to three identical cards, all linked to the same wallet, like having multiple keys to your home. These cards store encrypted private keys, ensuring safe and secure access with no other copies.

• 0 out of 1,600,000 cards hacked since inception.
• Biometric security and access code protection.

3. Advanced Security

Tangem uses cutting-edge chip technology developed with Samsung Semiconductor. The secure element in each card provides:

• Protection from invasive attacks
• Resistance to dust, water, and extreme temperatures (-25°C to +50°C)
• Environmental safeguards against X-rays, electromagnetic pulses, and electrostatic discharge

The Tangem Chip offers:

• Counterfeit protection through firmware verification
• Zero charging requirements, always ready for use

4. Independent Audits

Tangem firmware has undergone two independent security audits—by Kudelski Security (2018) and Riscure (2023)—confirming no backdoors or vulnerabilities. Tangem is also open source, with the code available on GitHub.

With a 25-year warranty, the Tangem Wallet is built to last. Its durable plastic construction ensures the wallet remains secure, even under extreme conditions.

Pricing & Packages

• 3-Card Set: $69.90 – Maximum security
• 2-Card Set: $54.90 – More affordable option

Why choose Tangem?

Tangem offers:

• Fast setup (1-3 minutes) vs. 20+ minutes for other hardware wallets
• No battery is required for constant availability
• Multiple backup cards, unlike wallets that only use seed phrases
• Water and dust protection (IP68 certified)
• EAL6+ security certification, higher than most competitors

Tangem FAQs

How safe is Tangem wallet?

Yes, Tangem is safe because the private key generated by the chip never leaves the card, thereby denying third-party access to your cold storage.

Is Tangem wallet hackable?

It is difficult to hack Tangem because where the keys are stored does not have an internet connection, which makes it difficult for malware to exploit Tangem.

Is Tangem open source?

Yes, Tangem is a cold wallet that is open source. The code can be seen on GitHub.

Who is the CEO of Tangem?

Andrey Kurennykh is the co-founder and CEO of Tangem.

Benefits of using hardware wallets

The primary benefit of using hardware wallets is enhanced security. Storing private keys offline minimizes exposure to online threats. Most hardware wallets also support multiple cryptocurrencies, providing flexibility for users managing diverse portfolios.

User-friendliness is another advantage. Most devices come with intuitive interfaces and detailed instructions, making them accessible for beginners and experienced users. Additionally, many hardware wallets offer recovery options, this is to ensure that users can regain access to their funds if the device is lost or damaged.

Hardware Wallets Vs Software Wallets

Hardware wallets and software wallets serve the same fundamental purpose but differ significantly in security and functionality. Hardware wallets, being offline, provide superior protection against online attacks. They are ideal for long-term storage and large amounts of cryptocurrencies.

On the other hand, software wallets are more convenient for quick transactions but are susceptible to hacking. Software wallets can be installed on mobile devices or computers, allowing for easy access.

Summary of the differences between hardware wallets and software wallets

Common security features of crypto hardware wallets

Security is a critical aspect of crypto hardware wallets. The following features ensure assets remain protected from unauthorized access and loss.

Key management

Key management is central to the security of hardware wallets. They typically use a combination of public and private keys for transactions.

• Private Key Storage: Most wallets generate and maintain private keys offline, minimizing exposure to online threats.
• Seed Phrase: Users receive a seed phrase, often 12 to 24 words, which can regenerate private keys if needed. This phrase must be kept secure.
• Hierarchical Deterministic (HD) Wallets: Many wallets utilize HD technology, allowing users to create numerous wallet addresses from a single seed, enhancing privacy.

The robustness of key management directly impacts the overall security of the cryptocurrencies held.

Backup and recovery options

Backup and recovery options are essential for ensuring access to cryptocurrencies after loss or damage to the wallet.

• Seed Phrase Backup: Users should write down their seed phrase and store it in a secure location. This phrase is crucial for recovery if the wallet is lost.
• Cloud Backups: Some wallets offer optional cloud backup features, allowing users to store encrypted copies of their wallets for additional security.
• Multi-Device Synchronization: Certain wallets allow syncing across devices, enhancing convenience while maintaining security protocols for accessing funds.

These strategies help safeguard digital assets against unexpected events that could compromise wallet access.

PIN Codes and Passphrases

PIN codes and passphrases protect hardware wallets from unauthorized access.

• PIN Code Protection: Most models require a PIN to access the wallet interface, adding a layer of protection against physical theft.
• Passphrase Options: Some wallets allow users to create a passphrase in addition to the seed phrase. This extra layer of security requires knowledge of both to access funds.
• Brute Force Protection: Many wallets implement a lockout mechanism after a certain number of failed attempts, further protecting against unauthorized access.

Together, these elements create a fortified barrier against potential threats to wallet security.

How to buy crypto hardware wallet

If you want to buy a crypto hardware wallet, carefully follow the steps below to avoid making mistakes.

1. Visit the official website of your preferred hardware wallet manufacturer or on the website of a verified vendor.
2. Go through the available models and review their features, compare and contrast to know which hardware wallet model of the same company is best for you depending on your goals.
3. Sign up to place your order, and make payment. Most companies provide easy and secure payment gateways to allow you to pay with your cards,
4. Wait for delivery. Depending on your location and the delivery services of your preferred company, your delivery can arrive in 5 working days or even more.

Note: When you buy a hardware wallet, make sure to check that the seal is intact and untampered. Keep your keys private, and do not allow unauthorized access to your wallet.

Final thoughts

We hope that our list of the best hardware wallets for beginners and experts in the industry helps you make informed decisions on which hardware wallet is best for you to store your digital assets using a cold storage mechanism.

Interestingly, hardware wallet login takes only a few seconds after initial setup, each hardware wallet has its setup manual and does not require one to be an expert to set up a crypto wallet. For example, the Tangem wallet allows device connection to Twitter when you tap the card on your device, that’s a very easy way to start.