3 Top Cryptocurrency hardware wallets review and comparison 2018

If you have Bitcoins in abundance and you might wary of leaving them on Bitcoin exchange, online wallet, or software wallet.

Then the most secure way to take your coins offline altogether with a cryptocurrency hardware wallets. It is a device that can be connected to your desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone.

These are as secure as any other cold storage like a paper wallet and can be as comfortable in day to day transaction like an online wallet.

Cryptocurrency hardware wallets offer more security than other types of wallet. They are designed to keep private keys of your currency in an offline setting. Private keys are generated via your wallet when you needed to spend Bitcoins.

Your Bitcoins will always be safe even if your machine gets hacked or someone stole your hardware wallet. Because without knowing the secret pin of your hardware wallet nobody can transfer your currency to any other address or device.

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How to set up cryptocurrency hardware wallets

When you set up cryptocurrency hardware wallets in most cases you have to install a software on the connected device i.e PC, laptop, tablet or mobile

1. It is important to create a backup of your seed keys. This allows you to restore your wallet when the device is broken or stolen.
2. To do this, you usually have to write down seed keys or recovery phrase somewhere safe or the backup is automatically saved digitally on the device. You can also write down your seed keys or recovery phrase in 3 to 4 places and distribute it.
3. Then choose a pin or code to protect your wallet from hackers or any unintended access.

How Top Cryptocurrency hardware wallets works

Best cryptocurrency hardware wallets keep a portion of your wallet offline or an external pre-installed disk. It works a bit like sofa box that you have to approve all your transaction through hardware wallet.

This is because all private keys encrypted are stored on your device. So even if you connect your hardware wallet on any compromised machine, it will be immune to malware, trojan or any kind of threat which is accessible on the connected machine.

Basically, how top hardware wallets works are? on connecting the wallet to your computer the transaction is entered into your terminal software which you installed on the computer, but the transaction is then encapsulated in the hardware wallet.

All necessary data are sent to the connected device via USB, Bluetooth, NFC or via other transmission options. This means that your private keys will never leave the device.

Hence, no transaction can be done without the approval of Cryptocurrency hardware wallets.

 

3 Top cryptocurrency hardware wallets on the market

In this post, we are going to discuss 3 best or top cryptocurrency hardware wallets available in the market.

We will do an in-depth analysis of all 3 Top cryptocurrency hardware wallets and will compare their features.

These best or top cryptocurrency hardware wallets are Ledger Nano S cryptocurrency hardware wallet, Trezor cryptocurrency hardware wallet, and KeepKey cryptocurrency hardware wallet.

1 Ledger Nano S — Cryptocurrency hardware wallet

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+Ledger Nano S is a USB device with smart card security in a very compact package and ranked first on the list of 3 Top cryptocurrency hardware wallets 2018
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It was developed in France by three France companies BTchip, Chronocoin, and La Maison du Bitcoin in December 2014. It is a compact USB device with an extra security layer.

The smart card provides an additional security layer and eliminates some safety issues that may arise due to any compromised device which is based on multipurpose microcontrollers.

It comes with a tiny screen that means you can operate it independently of your computer otherwise, it can be vulnerable to malware.

The controls are pared back to two buttons on the top of the device, which is used for everything from scrolling through menus to entering your PIN.

The Ledger Nano S supports FIDO second factor authentication for use on things like Gmail and GitHub.

Features of Ledger Nano S hardware wallet

1.Appearance —

Although the appearance of cryptocurrency hardware wallets is not their most important aspect appearance can give us an idea of some important aspects of usability and durability.

Ledger Nano S hardware wallet is made up of brushed stainless steel and plastic.

It weighs only 16.2 grams. It is second most lightweight cryptocurrency hardware wallet after Trezor cryptocurrency hardware wallet on the list of 3 top cryptocurrency hardware wallets

It uses ST31H320 + STM 32F042 chip. It’s size is 98 X 8 X 9 (mm). It is second most compact and small cryptocurrency hardware wallet after Trezor hardware wallets on the list of top cryptocurrency hardware wallets in the market

It has a good level of drop resistance. As it has a rotating cover when folded its drop resistance level increases.

2.Compatibility —

Ledger Nano S hardware wallet is compatible with Windows (7+), Mac (10.8+), Linux or Chrome OS. Besides, it requires Google Chrome extension or Chromium extension to be used in order to connect to the hardware Bitcoin/Ethereum wallet.

3.Security —

Ledger Nano S provide a high level of security like other 3 top cryptocurrency hardware wallets. It can be superior but not weaker than none. Security features it provides are:-

• Ledger Nano S is based on a dual chip architecture (ST31/STM32, Certification level: CC EAL5+). The firmware integrity is guaranteed by cryptographic attestation.
• Ledger Nano S ensures only you can access your accounts by requiring a 4 digit PIN code each time it is plugged into your computer.
• Your cryptographic secrets are never exposed to the outside world.
• Your private keys are never held or known by Ledger or a third party: they are hard locked in the Secure Element.
• It offers 24 words recovery seed which helps in recovering wallet data in case your wallet is stolen or broken.
• It also offers AutoLock. This enables Ledger Nano S to automatically lock itself after a certain period of inactivity.
• Ledger Nano S hardware wallet can be set without being connected to any system or internet. Hence, wallet setup is completely isolated.
• Another feature of the wallet is that recovery seed is not displayed on computer screen. Hence, even if you used your wallet on the compromised machine your recovery seed will only be known to you.

4.Cryptocurrency support —

Ledger supports almost all top trading cryptocurrencies.

Altcoins it supports are:-

• Bitcoin - trade, buy & sell Bitcoin currency at best rate
• Ethereum - trade, buy & sell at Ethereum at best rate
• Litecoin - trade, buy & sell Litecoin at best rate
• FIDO U2F - trade, buy & sell at best rate
• Dogecoin - trade, buy & sell Dogecoin at best rate
• ZCASH - trade, buy & sell Z-cash at best rate
• DASH - trade, buy & sell Dash at best rate
• Stratis - trade, buy & sell Stratis at best rate
• Ripple - trade, buy & sell Ripple coin at best rate
• Hello - trade, buy & sell at best rate
• Bitcoin Cash - trade, buy & sell Bitcoin cash at best rate
• Komodo - Exchange Komodo at best rate
• Ethereum classic - trade, buy & sell Ethereum classic at best rate
• POSW - trade POSW at best rate
• ARK - trade ARK at best rate

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Ledger cryptocurrency hardware wallet operate with its own cryptocurrency wallet interfaces. Ledger Apps (free Google Chrome applications). You can also use other compatible software wallets like:-

Ledger wallet Bitcoin, Ledger wallet Ethereum, Ledger wallet Ripple coin, Copay, Mycelium, Electrum, MyEtherwallet, Greenbits, BitGo

5.Pricing —

Ledger Nano S is the cheapest on the list of top cryptocurrency hardware wallets on the market. Priced at 83.60$

it offers the same functionality as other best cryptocurrency hardware wallets (in some cases it surpass them). It is a feature rich hardware wallet which doesn’t put the extra burden in your pocket.

Pros of Ledger Nano S hardware wallet

1.Compact and stylish device.

2.Supports the most number of altcoins in comparison to other top cryptocurrency hardware wallets

3.Compatible with all major operating software

4.Good level of drop resistance as it has rotating cover and drops resistance increases when folded

5.Comes with a two button controlling system, which allows you to browse the menu and confirm transactions.

6. Second lightest wallet among 3 top cryptocurrency hardware wallets weighs only 16.2 gm

7.Cheapest among other top cryptocurrency hardware wallets.

Cons of Ledger Nano S cryptocurrency hardware wallet

1. The Manufacturing quality of Ledger Nano S hardware wallet is not very robust, although it is made up of brushed steel still it looks fragile.

2. The click buttons are sometimes not registered or are registered multiple times with one click.

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Buy Ledger nano S hardware wallet

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2.Trezor — Bitcoin Ethereum Litecoin Dash Zcash Cryptocurrency Hardware Wallet (Cold Storage)

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Trezor is the first cryptocurrency hardware wallet launched in August 2014. It is founded by a Czechoslovakia company satoshi labs.

One of the company’s founders is Marek “Slush” Palatinus, who also created the first mining pool for Bitcoin (founded in 2010). It is the most reputed cryptocurrency hardware wallet among other top cryptocurrency hardware wallets.

The Czech built Trezor has many similarities with Ledger cryptocurrency hardware wallet.

In native language, it translates to “vault”. Because of its unparallel security features, it is also called as Bitcoin safe.

Like other top cryptocurrency hardware wallets, it comes with an OLED screen and can be used for password management and document signing.

It generates 24 words recovery seed and 9 digit pin which can be used for recovering the private key in case device is broken or stolen.

Features of Trezor hardware wallet

1.Appearance —

It is most lightweight cryptocurrency hardware wallet and only made up of plastic rather metal and weighs only 12 g.

Its overall size is 60mm x 30mm x 6mm. Hence it is lightweight and smaller in size comparing to Ledger Nano S hardware wallet. So if you love a compact and smaller size device then Trezor should be your first choice.

Trezor also has two buttons designed to manage wallet software, same as in Ledger Nano S cryptocurrency hardware wallet.

As Trezor is made up of plastic and Ledger Nano S is made up of brushed steel but both devices have the same level of drop resistance because of their individual construction.

2.Compatibility —

Trezor is compatible with both desktop and mobile devices. It can be connected to Window, MacOS, Linux, and can also be connected to Android devices.

There is also a Chrome extension that allows managing hardware device and information stored in it. It can be connected to android apps like Trezor wallet, Mycelium (Bitcoin Android wallet), and Multibit HD.

3.Security —

Like Ledger cryptocurrency hardware wallet it also comes with two physical buttons, but these buttons are placed on the front panel, unlike Ledger wallet where buttons are placed on the side panel.

These buttons are used to confirm the transaction and to get any other kind of authentication.

• You can instantly wipe your Trezor device in case of an emergency.
• It generates 24-word recovery seed which can be used to recover all your funds in case your device is stolen or broken.
• Like other cryptocurrency hardware wallets, your private keys are stored in an offline environment.
• It offers 4 digit pin authentication like other cryptocurrency hardware wallets.
• Encryption passphrase can be set on top of the PIN. This protects the device in case of a seizure.
• It’s using military-grade encryption of the seed on TREZOR storage, so even torturing the device in a laboratory won’t leak your private keys.
• It is CE and RoHS certified (quality, reliability and environmental standards).

4.Cryptocurrency Support —

Cryptocurrency supported by Trezor cryptocurrency hardware wallet are:-

• Bitcoin - Buy, sell and trade Bitcoin instantly using the credit card
• Ethereum - Buy, sell & trade Ethercoin at most trusted cryptocurrency exchange
• Litecoin - exchange & trade Litecoin at world's top altcoin trading platforms
• Dogecoin - Buy and sell Dogecoin instantly
• ZCASH - Buy, sell and trade Z-cash instantly
• DASH - Buy & trade Dashcoin instantly
• Bitcoin Cash - exchange & invest in Bitcoin cash
• Ethereum classic - Buy, sell & trade Ethereum classic at best altcoin trading platforms
• Namecoin - Buy and sell Namecoin Instantly
• Bitcoin Testnet - Buy and sell Bitcoin Testnet
• ERC -20 Tokens - exchange & trade cryptocoin at world's top altcoin trading platforms

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Trezor cryptocurrency hardware wallet supports fewer cryptocurrencies than Ledger hardware wallet including third most trading cryptocurrency i.e Ripple

5.Pricing —

Trezor hardware wallet is priced at 109$ which is 10$ more than Ledger cryptocurrency hardware wallet

Price of Trezor cryptocurrency hardware wallet is decent and it is ‘value for money’ product

Obviously, It was the first hardware wallet came into existence. It is more popular and renowned in comparison to other top cryptocurrency hardware wallets in the industry.

Pros of Trezor cryptocurrency hardware wallet

1. High quality and premium body.

2. User-friendly interface

3. Lightweight weighs only 12 gm, convenient to carry.

4. It is extremely secure and intuitive

5. Minimal and robust design

6. Supports almost all Top cryptocurrency

7. Great support provided by Trezor team.

8. Using it from last two year. It has been a smooth experience till now

Cons of Trezor cryptocurrency hardware wallet

1.The price is a bit higher than Ledger wallet for almost same features

2. Ripple is not supported (Major drawback)

3. Made up of plastic, not of steel.

 

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3.KeepKey: Cryptocurrency Hardware Wallet

Keepkey is third on the list of top cryptocurrency hardware wallets. It offers the same functionality as of Trezor and Ledger hardware wallet but at a higher cost. It has a much larger screen which makes it little inconvenient to carry.

But KeepKey’s large display gives clarity to every digital asset leaving the device.

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Each transaction must be manually approved using KeepKey’s confirmation button.

Like other top cryptocurrency hardware wallets, KeepKey works with the wallet software on your computer by taking over the management of private key generation, private key storage, and transaction signing.

KeepKey generates the private key using its hardware-based random number generator, combined with randomness provided by your computer. Once your private key is generated, you can write down a backup of your KeepKey in the form of a twelve-word recovery sentence.

Features of KeepKey hardware wallet.

1.Appearance —

 

KeepKey is largest in comparison to other top cryptocurrency hardware wallets i.e. Ledger and Trezor.

KeepKey is made up of Aluminium metal and Polycarbonate so it tougher and durable than Trezor hardware wallet which is made up of plastic.

It weighs more than both Trezor and Ledger Nano S hardware wallet. Its dimensions are 38 X 93.5 X 12.2 mm.

But larger size doesn’t really mean you can’t carry it, but it is obvious, it is more inconvenient to carry in the pocket.

2.Compatibility —

KeepKey hardware wallet can be connected to Window, Mac OS, Linux and also to Android devices. It can be connected to other software wallets like Electrum, Mycelium, and MultiBit.

It is very easy to navigate on KeepKey interface, there is no ‘fuss’. This is one place where it excels from both Trezor hardware wallet and Ledger Nano S hardware wallet.

It also has inbuilt shapeshift instant cryptocurrency exchange to exchange the assets.

3.Security —

It offers same security features as Trezor and Ledger cryptocurrency hardware wallet. But it uses a single chip like Trezor hardware wallet whereas Ledger Nano S wallet uses two chips.

• As it has a larger screen so that adds extra security feature of wallet recovery using the cipher.
• It offers hidden/alternate wallet which can be accessed via a passphrase
• It generates 12 words Recovery seed which is useful while recovering your wallet information in case your wallet is stolen or lost.
• It offers 4 pin authentication to confirm a transaction.
• Virus- and malware-proof.

4.Cryptocurrency support —

KeepKey hardware wallet supports six top cryptocurrencies which are fewer than other top cryptocurrency hardware wallets

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Dash, Namecoin, and more coming soon.

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5.Pricing —

KeepKey hardware wallet is Priced at $129 Which is too much for me.

Pros of KeepKey hardware wallet

1.Tougher and durable. Full aluminum metal body.

2.Large display screen.

3. Extremely secure

4. Elite wallet. Give a premium feel.

Cons of KeepKey hardware wallet

1.Costly, not suited for the new buyers with small Bitcoin investment.

2. Heavy, not super easy to carry

3. Off late many negative reviews on Amazon

4. Relatively new in comparison to Ledger Nano S and Trezor cryptocurrency hardware wallets.

5. Support is not up to the mark

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Precautions.

Although hardware wallets are safest and secure way to store your Bitcoins.

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But there is a downside of hardware wallets if you lose access to your Recovery phrase, password, and security pin

Then there is no way you can recover your security information.

So it essentially means you have lost your Bitcoins as someone has stolen them from you.

It is important to make a two to three copy of this information and save them two to three different locations from where you can access them in case of mishappening.

Using some prudence and a bit of common sense can help you to enjoy the world of Bitcoin while being safe and secure the entire time.

Final verdict

Each top cryptocurrency hardware wallets listed above are of high quality with one or two different features.

But they all have one thing in common i.e. they are extremely secure and has been trusted by the cryptocurrency community.

For me, Ledger wallet tops the list of 3 top cryptocurrency hardware wallets. Trezor comes second and Keepkey at third.

Although Trezor hardware wallet is most reputable hardware wallet on the list

But lose to Ledger because of the fewer number of altcoins it supports and plastic body in comparison to steel body makes Trezor second choice.

Keepkey doesn't justify its high price

Larger size makes it quite inconvenient to carry and support is not up to the mark.

I am still using Ledger and Trezor hardware wallet and they both serve their purpose well.

So if you are thinking to involve in cryptocurrency game for the long term then you should buy at least one of the above listed top cryptocurrency hardware wallets by making a small one-time investment.

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Do note that due to the recent surge in demand for Bitcoin and top cryptocurrency besides Bitcoin, these 3 Top cryptocurrency hardware wallets are often listed as out of stock on Amazon and other E-commerce websites.

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