Bank in your pocket-Top bitcoin Hardware Wallets Today
If you want maximum security for your bitcoins, then using a hardware wallet is the way to go.
Hardware wallets allow you to store your private keys, sign transactions and backup your wallet offline eliminating risk.
Here is an overview of the top bitcoin hardware wallets to be aware of.
TREZOR
99$
Trezor is one of the most trusted hardware wallets on the market. The design is simplistic and user friendly. The screen allows you to confirm or deny transactions, directly on the device.
Dimensions
H 2.32’ x L 1.18’ x W .23’
Compatibility: PC/Mac/Linux
The list of wallets that can be used with TREZOR device is constantly growing. These inlude myTREZOR, Mycelium, and Multibit HD. To see the full list, please check out our TREZOR Apps.
Keepkey
$99
This is another quality device which is a great compititor to Trezor. Whats exciting about Keepkey is that it allows you to store the alternative crypto currency, Ether, on the device. The device has a sleek, black touchscreen design, and has similar features to the Trezor.
Dimensions
H 1.5’ x L 3.68’ W .48
Compatibility: PC/Mac/Linux, supported by clients including Electrum, MultiBit, and Mycelium
The KeepKey application executes directly on the hardware, without any supervising application or operating system. KeepKey's large display gives clarity to every bitcoin leaving the device. Each transaction must be manually approved using KeepKey's confirmation button.
Ledger
Ledger has a good variety, now with 4 hardware wallets to choose from, all with the ability of storing wallet keys and signing transactions offline. The higher priced models offer a screen and more funcionality.
https://www.ledgerwallet.com/products
Ledger HW.1
15.00 €
If youre a minimalist then youll like the HW.1, in this compact design the HW.1 stores and signs transactions offline. HW.1 is an abbreviation for "Hardware Wallet": It is a Bitcoin wallet on a small smartcard device, for personal or group use. With a minimalist design and enterprises features, Ledger HW.1 is a secure wallet for low budgets.
Size: 35mm x 15mm x 3mm.
Your bitcoins are secured by a microchip locked by a PIN code. Transactions are verified by an anti-malware second factor.
https://www.ledgerwallet.com/products/3-ledger-hw-1
Ledger Nano
Price: 29.00 €.
Ledger Nano is a Bitcoin wallet on a smartcard device, small format and low weight. Comfortable and simple to use, you connect it directly to a USB port to manage your account, protect your bitcoins and make safe payments.
Size: 61mm x 12mm x 4mm.
Ledger Nano is also available in "Duo edition": 2 Nanos operating on the same account, for a family or group use, or, for example, to have a Nano you use daily and a backup one. The Strap edition works the same way, with one of the 2 Nanos shaped as a silicon wristband.
https://www.ledgerwallet.com/products/1-ledger-nano
Ledger Nano S
58.00 €
A secure Bitcoin and Ethereum hardware wallet. The ledger S is at the forefront of hardware wallets by also enabling you to store the Ethereum token, Ether. It connects to any computer through USB and embeds a built-in OLED display to double-check and confirm each transaction with a single tap on its buttons.
Size: 98mm x 18mm x 9mm.
https://www.ledgerwallet.com/products/12-ledger-nano-s
Ledger Unplugged
Contactless Bitcoin wallet
The Ledger Unplugged is the first contactless Ledger Wallet, a Java Card based wallet you can use on any NFC compatible device, like on Android last generations phones, or with an USB contactless reader.
Size: 85mm x 54mm x 1mm.
You can use it with Mycelium or GreenBits, popular and trusted wallets, or soon with Copay, for multi-users and multi-signatures transactions.
Your Ledger Unplugged can also become a U2F dongle for your Android phone. By installing the free Ledger U2F FIDO app from the Fidesmo store, your Unplugged will act as a secure U2F dongle for Google Authenticator Watch video for instructions:
Conclusion
Choosing a device depends on what functionality and design you prefer. For some people a screen and buttons aren't necessary and something like the HW.1 is perfect, for others the ease of use a screen provides you is worth the money.
The Hardware wallet market has just begun and is quickly evolving. With more competition brings more innovation.
Well see where it goes from here, I foresee this market becoming much more crowded soon.
Let me know what wallet you prefer and why, and if there are any I missed,
Thanks for reading!!!