Crypto hardware wallet comparison Trezor Model T vs Trezor Safe 3
Our impressions
Trezor Model T
Trezor Safe 3
- Very high usability through the touch-screen
- Future-proof USB-C port
- Uses the BIP-39 standard, which allows wallet recovery even without hardware
- Open source firmware that can be audited by the community
- Can be used as a secure key, providing additional value outside crypto use-cases
- Also includes unique features for highly advanced users, like Shamir backup
- Small form factor and very portable
- Excellent value at an affordable price point
- Phenomenally intuitive and efficient on-device recovery, PIN and seedphrase entry
- Requires constant USB connection to operate
- Key extraction vulnerability (if an attacker with the right tools and knowledge has physical access to the hardware wallet)
- Requires constant USB connection to operate
In our opinion currently one of the best hardware wallets on the market. We especially love the usability that comes with the touch screen. Make sure to use a passphrase if you are worried about key extraction attacks. Read more about the vulnerability
Finally the first line of Trezor products incorporating a secure element has arrived. In our opinion it easily takes the lead in the current Trezor product lineup – in terms of security and portability. Even with the launch of the newer Trezor Safe 5 it’s easily our price/performance winner.
Even though the device uses only two buttons for input, like the Model One did, and does not offer a touch-screen, like the Model T and Safe 5, its on-device recovery, PIN and seedphrase entry are phenomenal. Trezor really did something truly special with the way they handle user input despite the minimalist form factor. At less than half the price of the Trezor Safe 5 it is an easy recommendation.
Read more about the new generation of Trezor Safe 3 products.
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
Trezor Model T
Trezor Safe 3
2018
2023
Supports multiple coins, Bitcoin-only mode available
- BTC, ETH, ADA, XRP, LTC, XLM, DOGE, DASH, XMR
- and a thousand others. See a full list at trezor.io/coins
Supports multiple coins, Bitcoin-only mode available
- BTC, ETH, LTC, XLM , DOGE, DASH, ZEC, NEM,
- and a thousand others. See a full list at trezor.io/coins
- Firmware
- Companion software
- Firmware
- Companion software
- BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
- SLIP-39 (Shamir backup)
- Passphrase
- BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
- SLIP-39 (Shamir backup)
- Passphrase
- On device PIN entry
- Factory reset with wrong PIN
- Factory reset with decoy PIN
- On device passphrase entry
- On device recovery
- Secure element
- On device PIN entry
- Factory reset with wrong PIN
- Factory reset with decoy PIN
- On device passphrase entry
- On device recovery
Secure Element protected Certified Chip EAL6+
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
- ChromeOS
Chrome OS is not officially supported and relies on WebUSB in the Chrome browser. This means that, i.e., it’s not possible to set up a freshly unboxed Trezor T, you need to perform the first-time firmware installation on a PC or Mac.
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
- ChromeOS
iOS view only, ChromeOS is not officially supported, but it should work via Google chrome WebUSB protocol.
- FIDO U2F
- FIDO2 Webauthn
- SSH
- FIDO U2F
- FIDO2 Webauthn
- SSH
- supports GPG encryption
- microSD card slot
- Password Manager
Technical specifications
Trezor Model T
Trezor Safe 3
64 mm x 39 mm x 10 mm
2.52 in x 1.54 in x 0.39 in
59 mm x 32 mm x 7.4 mm
2.32 in x 1.26 in x 0.29 in
16 g
0.56 oz
14 g
0.49 oz
- Color
- Touchscreen
Full color LCD touchscreen
240 x 240 px
- Monochrome
- OLED
Monochrome display
128 x 64 px
- USB-C
- USB-C
- microSD card
SD card can be used to secure PIN (device can not be unlocked unless the correct SD card is present)
SD card not yet used in any other capacity, other than protecting PIN
168 MHz Cortex-M4
180MHz embedded ARM processor (Cortex M4)
CE and RoHS certifications
Airplane and X-ray safe
CE and RoHS certifications
Airplane and X-ray safe
Robust plastics
Available in black
Silicone protection case in multiple colors available
Robust plastics
Available in black and multiple colors