7 Best Hardware Bitcoin Wallets You Can Buy

With cryptocurrency prices going through the roof, more and more people are starting toinvest in digital assetslike Bitcoins and Ethereum. Centrals Banks areissuing warningsabout an impendingBitcoin bubble, but that doesn’t seem to be putting a damper on anyone’s enthusiasm about this newfound asset class. So if you want to get in on the act as well, the first thing you’ll have to do isset up a Bitcoin Wallet to store your digital cash. While there are manydifferent types of walletsto store your crypto investments, using web-based ‘hot wallets’ mean that you won’t actually have any control over your money, leaving you at the mercy of the service provider’s security infrastructure that has often proven to be the weakest link for the security of cryptocurrencies, withover $1 billion said to have been stolen, hacked or scammedfrom unsuspecting investors over the years. That is exactly why we recommend using hardware wallets to store cryptocurrencies.

The Best Hardware Bitcoin Wallets You Should Use

With cryptocurrencies becoming relatively more mainstream by the day, many companies are starting to offer hardware wallets, but here are the best, most time-tested ones you should use:

1. Ledger Nano S

The Ledge Nano S is, by far, themost recommended hardware walletto store Bitcoins. It is made by a France-based tech company and, offers a wide variety of features for cryptocurrency investors. The device comes withtwo hardware buttonsand a secure OLED display to double-check and confirm each transaction. It also needs a 4-digit PIN code (of your choosing) each time it is plugged in. One of the best features of the device is the‘backup seed key’that can be used to recover your cryptocurrencies in case the device is lost or damaged.

The Ledger Nano S is based on adual chip architecture(ST31/STM32, Certification level: CC EAL5+), while the firmware integrity is guaranteed by cryptographic attestation. Apart from Bitcoin, the device alsosupports a number of other popular cryptocurrenciesincluding, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Ripple, Litecoin, Dash, Stratis, Komodo, Ark, PoSW and ERC20. Overall, this is a feature-filled, relatively inexpensive, well-reviewed cryptocurrency wallet that is generally considered a must-have for cryptocurrency investors. The device currently costs just over $70 on Amazon US, but we’ve seen it listed at $65 earlier. In the Eurozone, it will costs you58€from the company’s own official webstore.

Buy from Amazon:($72.90)

2. Trezor

Made by Satoshi Labs, Trezor isthe original hardware wallet that started it all. It comes with an OLED display and supports a24-word recovery seed keyjust like the Ledger Nano S. The device runs on open source software and, is compatible not only with Windows, macOS and Linux distros, but also with Android devices and with apps such as Mycelium and Multibit HD. All you need to do is to connect your Trezor to the computer and follow the instructions. The device comes withtwo hardware buttonsthat let users confirm or or deny transactions with a single press. Users can also backup the contents on a small piece of paper and use this backup to regain access to all their coins in case the device malfunctions or gets lost.

Trezor uses state-of-the-artcryptographic algorithms that are open-source, which means everything can be audited by an independent third party, ensuring that the operations are transparent and backdoor free.Trezor supports a number of altcoins, like Litecoin, DASH, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, ERC20 tokens, Zcash and more. Trezor costs $99 in the US and €89 in Europe. While devices like the Ledger Nano S offer better value for money, the Trezor continues to remainone of the best-regarded productsin the segment.

Buy from Amazon:($99)

3. KeepKey

KeepKey is yet another hardware Bitcoin wallet that has fairly similar functionality to those of the two devices ahead of it on this list. It has samebackup seed keyfeature with PIN enabled like the other wallets, although, itsupports fewer altcoins. While support for Bitcoin is a given, KeepKey will also help you storeEthereum, Litecoin, Namecoin, Dogecoin, Dash and Testnet. The device works with Windopws, macOS, Linux and Android.

While KeepKey is a very decent device when taken in isolation, one of the factors that make it relatively less popular than the two aforementioned ones is its size. It issignificantly larger than its peers, making it difficult to carry around in your pocket. It is also priced at the higher-end of the spectrum, costing€89a pop from the company’s own website. You can buy it from Amazon if you’re in the U.S.

Buy from Amazon:($129)

4. CoolWallet

As mentioned earlier, many startups are starting to launch hardware cryptocurrency wallets with the increased public awareness about the technology. CoolWallet is the result of one of these projects that originally started off as anIndiegogo campaignby a startup called CoolBitX back in 2014. Unlike the other devices on this list, theCoolWallet looks like a credit cardand, is fully waterproof. It also has a screen thatdisplays passwords and seeds in ‘protection mode’so as to make sure nobody but the user alone can see the actual content.

The CoolWallet comes with aclickable circular control buttonthat allows users to operate the device. It also has a built-in re-chargable battery that is said to last up to two years. The card can bend up to 15 degrees and, is heat resistant up to 60 degrees celsius. Overall, this is as unique a hardware Bitcoin wallet you’ll ever get, but do keep in mind that it has onlystarted shipping a few months ago, so it is yet to prove itself as an effective, trustworthy, privacy-oriented alternative to its more established rivals.

Buy from CoolBitX:(Starts from$119)

5. BitLox

BitLox is yet another hardware wallet that comes with thecredit card form factor, although, it too, is arelatively new entrantin the industry. Like Trezor, Bitlox also comes withopen-source firmware. Even its apps that are used to communicate with the device and the blockchain are open source and, can be found onGithub.

Bitlox offers12, 18 or 24 word mnemonic backupsto recover funds if the device is ever lost or damaged. It’s fullycompliant with BIP32 & BIP39and, comes in three different packages – Advanced, Ultimate and Extreme. Prices start at $98 for the first option, with each higher option costing $50 extra.

Buy from Bitlox:(Starts at$98)

6. OpenDime

Opendime is asmall USB stick that acts like a read-only flash drive. It works with any computer, laptop and phone. The private key it generates remains undisclosed even to the owner, making it one of the most secure hardware wallets in the market.

The headline features of OpenDime include Bitcoin message signing, normal (non HD) bitcoin payment addresses and private keys in WIF format. If you are planning to buy the device, do note that itdoesn’t have a screenon it, which may be a problem in some cases.

Buy from Amazon:($49.99for a 3-pack)

7. Digital Bitbox

Digital Bitbox is made by a Switzerland-based company named Shift Devices, AG. It is a minimalist bitcoin hardware wallet that comes withopen source softwareand cool features like,smart verification and two-factor authentication,Tor and Tails OS compatibility, as well asoptional Multisig. The device comes with BIPS32 support, while a micro SD card allows offline backup and recovery.

Digital Bitboxsupports only BTC and Ethereum(ETH, ETC and ERC20 tokens) at the moment, but there are plans to add more altcoins in the future. The device costs €54 ($63) in Europe, while US residents need to pay€79 ($93) including a€25 FedEx Priority Express charge.

Buy from Digital Bitbox:($93)

Pros and Cons of Using Hardware Wallets

Hardware wallets are specially-engineeredphysical devicesthat allow you to store andsecure your crypto assets offline on your own hardware. The devices come with buttons that need to be pressed in order to authenticate every transaction, making them as hacker-proof as is realistically possible. Most hardware wallets also provide what’s known as a‘seed backup’in case the device itself is lost or stolen, so no matter what, you and only you are always in charge of your digital assets, making these devices the best options to store your digital riches.

However, while hardware wallets help keep your keys safe offline, they also come with some major drawbacks. First off,you’ll always need to carry your walletaround like a USB flash drive to be able to carry out transactions. Also, youcan’t access your coins if you forget or misplace your recovery seed backup, which is why its crucial to make multiple copies of your private keys or recovery code and distribute them to people you trust so that the money can be recovered even if something were to happen to you.

SEE ALSO:How to Buy and Sell Bitcoins in India (Guide)

Get a Hardware Wallet to Secure Your Crypto Coins Offline

Now that you know about the best hardware Bitcoin wallets, go grab yourself one before putting any more money into digital assets. You can continue using hot wallets for loose change, butto store a large amount of Bitcoin/altcoins safely, the least you can do is get one of the aforementioned devices.Once you do that, remember to let us know about your choice, because we love hearing from you.

Kishalaya Kundu

Passionate techie. Professional tech writer. Proud geek.

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