Best Hardware Wallets for Crypto Security in 2025

Major crypto hacks keep making headlines. Radiant Capital lost $50M, Bybit got hit for $1.5B. If you're holding crypto, you need proper security. Hardware wallets give you the strongest protection available—they keep your private keys completely offline and away from hackers.

We've tested the top hardware wallets available in 2025, looking at security, ease of use, and value. Here's what you need to know.

What Are Hardware Wallets?

Hardware wallets are physical devices that store your crypto private keys offline. Think of them as your personal vault. Unlike apps on your phone or computer that stay connected to the internet, hardware wallets use "cold storage"—they keep your keys completely offline.

To access your crypto, you need two things: the physical device and your PIN. Most quality hardware wallets use Secure Element chips (the same tech banks use) to prevent tampering and brute-force attacks.

Here's why you want one:

• Maximum Security: Your private keys never touch the internet
• Wide Support: Modern wallets handle thousands of different coins and tokens
• Recovery Protection: If you lose your device, a seed phrase (usually 12-24 words) lets you recover everything
• Transaction Control: You must physically confirm every transaction on the device

Top Hardware Wallets for 2025

1. Ledger Flex - Best for Mobile Users

Source: Ledger Flex

The Ledger Flex is Ledger's newest wallet featuring a 2.84-inch E-Ink touch display with a lock screen function and multiple security measures including a Secure Element chip with CC EAL6+ certification, a 24-word Secret Recovery Phrase, and a 4-8 digit PIN. This isn't just another hardware wallet—it's designed for people who want premium features with rock-solid security.

The E-Ink touchscreen makes all the difference here. Unlike other hardware wallets, it doesn't just give you something nice to look at but ensures that no one can see your display in public through its lock screen feature. According to Ledger, the screen includes security features that work with the Secure Element chip for transaction verification.

What makes it special: The Ledger Flex supports over 15,000 crypto assets, including major coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, BNB, Solana, XRP, and Cardano, plus it supports staking, NFTs, and Web3 logins using FIDO2. You can customize your lock screen with your favorite NFT or photo, and it has multi-device connectivity and platform compatibility, working with more than 50 other wallets and supporting iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Security features: As it has no WiFi connection, this wallet can't easily be hacked into or otherwise breached remotely, and Ledger claims it includes security features that automatically respond to potential threats. The device uses Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and USB-C for connectivity, but all sensitive operations happen on the secure chip.

Key Features:

• 2.84-inch E Ink touchscreen with lock screen customization
• CC EAL6+ secure element chip
• Supports 1,000+ coins and tokens directly (15,000+ via third-party integrations)
• NFC and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity
• Direct smartphone integration

What's Good:

• Strong security with tamper-proof chip
• Large, customizable touchscreen
• Extensive crypto support including staking and NFTs
• Seamless mobile and desktop integration

What's Not:

• Expensive at $249
• Closed-source firmware
• Newer product with shorter track record

The Flex is perfect if you want the latest tech with proven security and don't mind paying premium prices for premium features.

2. Trezor Safe 5 - Best Open-Source Option

Source: Trezor

The Trezor Safe 5 is designed to be the ultimate hardware wallet for cryptocurrency users who prioritize both security and user-friendliness, featuring a vibrant color touchscreen and tactile feedback from the Trezor Touch haptic engine with an NDA-free EAL 6+ Secure Element. This is the wallet security researchers love because everything is transparent and auditable.

Trezor pioneered the hardware wallet industry, and the Safe 5 represents a decade of open-source development. The device's Secure Element has EAL 6+ certification, confirming that the chip has undergone extensive testing and can withstand sophisticated attacks, and the absence of non-disclosure agreements covering use of the Secure Element provides a transparent foundation for security.

The open-source advantage: SatoshiLabs developed a new open-source protocol, BIP39 or Shamir Backup, to create a human-readable mnemonic sentence that can be used as a backup to recover your wallet, and because the BIP39 protocol is open-source, other companies have started to utilize it as well. This means the entire crypto community can verify the wallet's security.

Advanced backup system: The enhanced backup standard uses 20 words and improves user-friendliness of the backup and recovery process. Users can also choose Shamir's Secret Sharing (SLIP-39) for advanced multi-share backup, offering superior security with no single point of failure. Note that this is separate from the standard BIP39 seed phrase system.

Key Features:

• 1.54-inch color touchscreen with haptic feedback
• NDA-free EAL6+ certified secure element (OPTIGA Trust M V3)
• Enhanced 20-word backup plus Shamir's Secret Sharing (SLIP-39) option
• MicroSD card slot for encrypted storage
• Supports 1,000+ cryptocurrencies
• Gorilla Glass 3 front protection

What's Good:

• Completely open-source and community-audited
• Advanced backup options eliminate single points of failure
• Haptic feedback makes operation intuitive
• Strong security with transparent secure element

What's Not:

• Complex transaction verification for beginners
• No Bluetooth connectivity (USB-C only)
• More expensive than previous Trezor models at $169
• No mobile app support currently

Security researchers recommend this wallet because it shows you everything you need to verify complex transactions properly, with complete control over your assets through features like Coin Control, Tor support, and passphrase protection.

3. GridPlus Lattice1 - Best for DeFi Power Users

Source: GridPlus

The GridPlus Lattice1 isn't just another hardware wallet—it's quite a fortress for your digital assets, designed with both security and usability in mind, offering a unique blend of features that set it apart in the crowded crypto wallet market. If you're deep into DeFi and need to understand exactly what you're signing, this is your weapon of choice.

Transaction decoding superiority: The Lattice has a big 5" TFT touchscreen that lets you check what you're signing as all transaction data is translated into human-readable form thanks to automatic ABI decoding, eliminating the risk of interacting with malicious smart contracts by mistake. The Grid Lattice Plus offers the best call data decoding of any wallet tested, even handling nested transactions, which is invaluable for non-technical users who need to understand complex transactions before signing them.

Multi-wallet management: SafeCard smart cards allow you to manage unlimited hardware-backed crypto wallets with just one Lattice1 device—in addition, they serve as easily accessible, convenient and secure backups for all of your wallets. Each SafeCard is PIN-protected and uses the same physically unclonable chips found on credit cards.

Enterprise-grade security: The Lattice1 meets high security standards and is designed to safeguard against sophisticated attacks including edge cases like RF emissions. All secure elements inside the Lattice1 are enclosed in an anti-tamper mesh which acts like an alarm system that will erase your secrets if a physical intrusion attempt is detected.

Key Features:

• 5-inch TFT touchscreen (480x800 resolution)
• Advanced ABI decoding for smart contracts
• SafeCard system for unlimited wallets
• Always-on wireless connectivity (WiFi/Ethernet)
• Advanced security with anti-tamper mesh protection

What's Good:

• Unmatched transaction decoding and verification
• Perfect for complex DeFi interactions
• Large, clear display shows everything at once
• Advanced anti-tamper security features

What's Not:

• Closed-source firmware
• Expensive (premium pricing)
• Bulky compared to portable wallets
• Always-on connectivity may concern some users

The Lattice1's secure touchscreen would have shown the actual recipient's address in major hacks like the $1.5B Bybit incident, potentially preventing the attack through Clear Signing verification.

4. OneKey Pro - Best Overall Value

Source: OneKey Pro

The OneKey Pro is equipped with four EAL 6+ certified secure elements, ensuring robust protection against various security threats—most other devices have only 1 such secure element, some have 2, but this device has 4 of these. This wallet delivers premium features at a more reasonable price point.

Unique security architecture: The OneKey Pro is equipped with four EAL 6+ certified chips, layering your protection to make unauthorized access virtually impossible, along with air-gapped signing where you can use the built-in HD camera to scan a QR code for transaction signing, keeping the wallet completely offline.

Premium features: It supports Qi wireless charging with a 530mAh lithium-ion battery, has a 3.5-inch color touchscreen that enhances usability, and includes biometric fingerprint authentication where the power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner. The device supports thousands of assets including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all managed through the user-friendly OneKey app.

Open-source commitment: OneKey products are open-source with verifiable builds, active GitHub repos, and fast community feedback, allowing developers and users to inspect the codebase, enhancing transparency and trust in software functionality and security. The company has engaged blockchain experts like Slowmist to conduct ongoing code audits.

Key Features:

• 3.5-inch IPS color touchscreen
• Four EAL6+ certified secure elements
• Fingerprint authentication
• Wireless charging (Qi standard)
• Air-gapped mode with QR code signing
• Open-source with reproducible builds

What's Good:

• Exceptional security with quadruple secure elements
• Modern features like wireless charging and biometrics
• Open-source design with community auditing
• Choice between air-gapped or Bluetooth connectivity

What's Not:

• Newer brand with shorter track record
• Some reproducibility concerns noted by security researchers
• Higher price point than basic wallets
• Limited transaction decoding compared to Lattice1

OneKey is backed by prominent investors including Coinbase Ventures and is the only hardware wallet Coinbase has invested in as of 2025.

5. Tangem Wallet - Best for Convenience

Source: Tangem Wallet

Tangem Wallet is a sleek, card-based hardware wallet using NFC for secure, user-friendly crypto management, priced at $54.90–$69.90, offering excellent value with robust security and a 25-year warranty. This isn't your typical hardware wallet—it's a complete reimagining of how crypto security should work.

Revolutionary design: The Tangem hardware wallet is a card-shaped self-custodial wallet that empowers users with crypto self-custody, with the device coming in at no larger than a standard credit card, making this wallet ideal for crypto use on the go or easy concealment someplace safe.

No seed phrase vulnerability: An estimated $100 billion worth of crypto has been lost due to seed phrase mismanagement with traditional hardware wallets, so the fact that Tangem does away with the single point of failure risk that exists with wallets that use a traditional seed phrase is certainly noteworthy. Instead, you get 2-3 identical cards that serve as backups.

NFC technology: Tangem uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which lets you interact seamlessly with your wallet by simply tapping the card or the ring against an NFC-enabled mobile device, while many other wallets require USB or WiFi connections before you can authorize simple transactions.

Durability and security: The cards are rated at the same level of chip protection used in passports, known as "EAL6+", and are dust-proof, waterproof, and should last for over 25 years in temperatures between -25℃ and +55℃. Tangem features Samsung S3D350A chip technology with an inbuilt DRAM-based True Random Number Generator, ensuring secure generation of random private keys with high entropy.

Key Features:

• Credit card form factor (no battery needed)
• EAL6+ Samsung secure chip
• NFC tap-to-use functionality
• Support for 6,000+ cryptocurrencies
• 25-year warranty
• Water, dust, and temperature resistant

What's Good:

• Extremely portable and durable
• No battery maintenance required
• Eliminates seed phrase vulnerabilities
• Most affordable premium hardware wallet

What's Not:

• Requires NFC-enabled smartphone
• Mobile-only (no desktop support)
• Limited display capabilities
• Closed-source firmware
• Can't integrate with other wallet software

According to Tangem, out of almost a million cards issued to customers, not one has ever been hacked.

6. COLDCARD Mk4 - Best for Bitcoin Maximalists

Source: COLDCARD Mk4

For Bitcoin-focused users prioritizing maximum security, the COLDCARD Mk4 offers unparalleled protection through its air-gapped design. This wallet is built by Bitcoin maximalists, for Bitcoin maximalists.

True air-gap security: COLDCARD is completely offline—it never connects to the internet, WiFi, or Bluetooth. All transaction data is transferred via microSD cards or QR codes, making remote attacks impossible. The device includes a "brick pin" feature that permanently destroys the wallet if you're forced to enter it under duress.

Bitcoin-only advantages: By focusing solely on Bitcoin, COLDCARD can implement Bitcoin-specific security features that multi-currency wallets can't match. This includes advanced multi-signature support, PSBT (Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions), and deep integration with Bitcoin Core.

Key Features:

• Completely air-gapped operation
• Bitcoin-only focus with specialized features
• MicroSD card backup and data transfer
• Advanced multi-signature support
• "Brick pin" and duress features
• Open-source firmware

What's Good:

• Maximum security through complete isolation
• Bitcoin-specific optimizations
• Strong privacy focus
• Proven track record with Bitcoin community

What's Not:

• Bitcoin-only (no altcoins)
• Steep learning curve
• Less convenient for daily use
• Basic user interface
• Requires technical knowledge

7. SafePal S1 - Best Air-Gapped Multi-Currency

Source: SafePal

SafePal S1 brings air-gapped security to multi-currency storage. If you want the security of COLDCARD but need to store altcoins too, this is your best option.

Complete isolation: The S1 has no USB, WiFi, or Bluetooth connectivity. It's completely offline and uses QR codes for all data transfer. This eliminates virtually all remote attack vectors while still supporting thousands of cryptocurrencies.

Key Features:

• Complete air-gap with QR code transactions
• Supports 30,000+ cryptocurrencies
• EAL 5+ secure element chip
• Self-destruct mechanism if tampered
• Color touchscreen
• Affordable pricing

What's Good:

• Maximum security with wide coin support
• Complete offline operation prevents hacks
• Anti-tampering protection
• Great value for money

What's Not:

• QR code method can be cumbersome
• Limited desktop integration
• Smaller community than established brands
• Learning curve for air-gapped operations

8. D'CENT Biometric - Best for Biometric Security

Source: D'CENT

D'CENT introduces fingerprint authentication to hardware wallet security, adding a unique biometric layer that no other wallet offers.

Biometric innovation: The integrated fingerprint scanner means you can unlock your wallet with your finger instead of just a PIN. This adds convenience while maintaining security, as your biometric data is stored locally on the device.

Key Features:

• Integrated fingerprint authentication
• EAL5+ secure element
• Bluetooth connectivity for mobile use
• Supports 4,500+ cryptocurrencies
• Mobile-first design

What's Good:

• Unique biometric security layer
• Excellent mobile integration
• Wide cryptocurrency support

What's Not:

• Reliance on biometric technology
• Bluetooth connectivity creates potential vulnerabilities
• Higher price point than basic wallets
• Limited long-term testing of biometric components

Key Security Features to Consider in Hardware Wallets

1. Secure Element Chips

Look for EAL5+ or EAL6+ certification. These chips provide military and banking-grade security against physical attacks. The rating tells you how thoroughly the chip has been tested against sophisticated attack methods.

2. Open-Source vs. Closed-Source

Open-source wallets like Trezor allow community auditing and verification of the code. This provides transparency but doesn't automatically mean better security—some closed-source wallets use proprietary technologies that have proven very secure through rigorous internal testing.

3. Air-Gap Capability

Air-gapped wallets like COLDCARD and SafePal never connect to the internet. They use QR codes or SD cards for data transfer. This provides maximum security but sacrifices convenience.

4. Recovery and Backup Options

All reputable hardware wallets provide seed phrase recovery using 12, 18, or 24-word mnemonic phrases. Some advanced wallets like Trezor Safe 5 offer additional methods like Shamir's Secret Sharing (SLIP-39), which eliminates single points of failure by splitting your recovery into multiple shares.

Best Practices for Hardware Wallet Security

1. Purchase from Authorized Sources

Always buy directly from manufacturers or authorized retailers. Scammers sell tampered devices on secondary markets.

2. Secure Your Recovery Phrase

Store your seed phrase offline in multiple secure locations. Consider metal backup solutions for durability. Never store it digitally.

3. Keep Firmware Updated

Install security updates promptly, but always verify they come from official sources.

4. Test Before You Trust

Start with small amounts to ensure you understand recovery and can access your funds.

The Future of Hardware Wallet Security

The industry continues to evolve rapidly:

• Enhanced Mobile Integration: Wallets like Ledger Flex are pioneering seamless smartphone connectivity with NFC and advanced app integration.
• Biometric Authentication: Fingerprint and other biometric security measures are becoming standard features rather than novelties.
• Multi-Party Computation (MPC): New cryptographic techniques may eventually eliminate traditional seed phrases entirely.
• Institutional Features: Advanced multi-signature and governance capabilities for organizations and DAOs.
• Clear Signing Evolution: Better transaction decoding will make complex DeFi interactions safer for everyone.

Conclusion

Choose based on your priorities: Ledger Flex for premium mobile integration, Trezor Safe 5 for open-source transparency, GridPlus Lattice1 for DeFi transaction analysis, or Tangem for pure simplicity.

The most important step is getting your crypto off exchanges. Hardware wallets are a solid investment that will protect your assets for years to come.