Crypto hardware wallet comparison GridPlus Lattice1 vs Coldcard Mk4
Our impressions
GridPlus Lattice1
Coldcard Mk4
- Very high usability through the 5-inch touch-screen
- Does not require USB connection
- Uses the BIP-39 standard, which allows wallet recovery even without hardware
- Open source software that can be audited by the community
- Supports SSH access to control the Linux environment of the device (ideal for advanced users / tinkerers)
- Not very portable (yet… there are hints from the GridPlus team that they might work on a portable version that supports SmartCards)
- Supports only one non-mainstream wallet app on smartphones
- Requires it’s own power supply and Internet connection (supports Ethernet and WLAN)
The GridPlus Lattice1 features a very unique SmartCard concept. The base station stays on your desktop and you just carry your wallet on a SmartCard that has the same dimensions like any other credit card. In our mind this seems like the perfect setup in professional workplace environments. The 5-inch touch screen will also appeal to private users, as it really makes interactions much more comfortable in comparison to other hardware wallet products.
Support of Ethereum and EVM based chains is very good, especially on Desktop PCs and Notebooks on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Smartphone support is a bit lacking as there are not yet a lot of apps to choose from. Bitcoin support is limited to the Lattice Manager application, which does support sending and receiving BTC. Also portability might be an issue, if you do not own multiple devices. It seems like the GridPlus is already working on a product addressing this though.
In conclusion: In terms of security the device features many thought-through anti-tempering and security features. Integration into the Ethereum / EVM ecosystem is very mature and offers a very high level of usability. Depending on your use-case this might be the perfect form factor for you.
Disclaimer: Our impressions are based on a compilation of factors tailored to the average user’s perspective. It is also important to note that whether a feature is a “pro” or “con” can depend on your situation and preferences. What may be an advantage in one scenario could be a challenge in another, and vice versa. Therefore, while reviewing these points, it’s essential to consider your unique requirements and circumstances when making decisions. This list aims to provide an idea of what to anticipate, but it is not the ultimate guide to determining whether something will work for you or not.
Key features
GridPlus Lattice1
Coldcard Mk4
2020
2022
Supports multiple coins
Supports Bitcoin and Ethereum (including EVM based blockchains and ERC-20 tokens)
Supports only Bitcoin
- Firmware
- Companion software
- BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
- Passphrase
- Multiple seedphrases on one device
- BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
- Passphrase
- Secure element
- On device PIN entry
- On device passphrase entry
- On device recovery
One seedphrase per SafeCard
The security architecture of the Lattice1 combines two separate hardware environments within a single device and features many different protections (CLDS Tamper Detection Mesh, Internal Secure Enclave, Secure Computing Environment, Secure Mailbox, Integrated PCB Security Mesh, Compressed Elastomer Intrusion Detection, Logic Power Isolation, Read-Only Partition, Security Battery). Learn all about the security features: Official Documentation
- Secure element
- On device PIN entry
- Factory reset with wrong PIN
- Factory reset with decoy PIN
- Fake wallet with duress PIN
- On device passphrase entry
- On device recovery
Dual Secure Element
Multiple Trick PIN features
– Duress PIN
– Countdown to Brick (or Reset) PIN
– Brick Me PIN
– Login Countdown
On device recovery requires a previous SD Card backup or XPRV private key file on SD Card
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
Very limited app choice for smartphones
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Technical specifications
GridPlus Lattice1
Coldcard Mk4
88 mm x 52 mm x 10 mm
3.46 in x 2.05 in x 0.39 in
30 g
1.06 oz
- Color
- Touchscreen
5-inch TFT Display
480 x 800 pixels
Multipoint Capacitive Touch Panel
- Monochrome
- OLED
128 x 64 pixels
- WiFi
- USB-C
- NFC
64GB Internal Storage
- microSD card
120 MHz CPU
Black plastics
Plastics