Custom URLs: Wallet Comparison

Our impressions

Trezor Safe 5

Coldcard Mk4

Pros

Small form factor and portable
Touchscreen with Gorilla® Glass 3
Excellent value at a reasonable price point

not reviewed yet

Cons

Requires constant USB connection to operate
In our tests touch input was not as accurate as with the older Model T. We experienced situations that felt like lag, where we had to press multiple times, and adjacent letters to the ones we tried to enter. It is not a deal-breaker, but hopefully something that can improve with future firmware updates.

not reviewed yet

Verdict

The second product in the first line of Trezor products incorporating a secure element. The Trezor flagship model with touchscreen and successor of the Model T. Main difference being, that it lost the convenient magnetic dock, gained a Gorilla® Glass 3 front , snappier hardware, and a minimally sleeker form factor.

Is it worth it?
If you are in the market for a new hardware wallet this seems one of the most secure, versatile, and portable options.Trezor is the most veteran and one of the biggest players in the hardware wallet market for a reason. Their newest products belong to the best products you can get currently.

If you already have a Model T and use wallets with long custom 25th word there is not really a compelling need for the upgrade.

Even if you don’t have a Model T and are looking for a new hardware wallet, the Trezor Safe 3 is a very strong competitor. It too has a Secure Element, is even a tiny bit smaller and easier to carry, and has a phenomenal alternative text input method with two buttons – which does not feel much inferior to touchscreen input TBH. Given that it boasts almost the same feature-set, coin support, and costs less than half the Trezor Safe 5 we feel like the Trezor Safe 3 is the logical choice.

We recommend you go for the Trezor Model 5 only if you prefer touch input, want to make use of the advanced SD card feature, or need to have the latest and shiniest gadget.

not reviewed yet

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 Safe 5

Coldcard Mk4

Release year

2024

2022

Supported 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

Supports only Bitcoin

Open source

Firmware
Companion software

Firmware
Companion software

Seedphrase support

BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
SLIP-39 (Shamir backup)
Passphrase

BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
Passphrase

Security protections

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+

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

Platform compatibility