Crypto hardware wallet comparison Trezor Safe 5 vs Trezor Model T
Our impressions
Trezor Safe 5
Trezor Model T
- Small form factor and portable
- Touchscreen with Gorilla® Glass 3
- Excellent value at a reasonable price point
- 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
- 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.
- 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)
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.
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
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
Trezor Model T
2024
2018
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 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
- Firmware
- Companion software
- Firmware
- Companion software
- BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
- SLIP-39 (Shamir backup)
- Passphrase
- BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
- SLIP-39 (Shamir backup)
- Passphrase
- 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+
- On device PIN entry
- Factory reset with wrong PIN
- Factory reset with decoy PIN
- On device passphrase entry
- On device recovery
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
- ChromeOS
iOS view only, ChromeOS is not officially supported, but it should work via Google chrome WebUSB protocol.
- 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.
- FIDO U2F
- FIDO2 Webauthn
- SSH
- FIDO U2F
- FIDO2 Webauthn
- SSH
- supports GPG encryption
- microSD card slot
- Password Manager
Technical specifications
Trezor Safe 5
Trezor Model T
65.9 mm x 40 mm x 8 mm
2.59 in x 1.57 in x 0.31 in
64 mm x 39 mm x 10 mm
2.52 in x 1.54 in x 0.39 in
23 g
0.81 oz
16 g
0.56 oz
- Color
- Touchscreen
Color touchscreen with haptic feedback
240 x 240 px
- Color
- Touchscreen
Full color LCD touchscreen
240 x 240 px
- USB-C
- USB-C
- microSD card
- 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
160MHz embedded ARM processor (Cortex M33)
168 MHz Cortex-M4
CE and RoHS certifications
Airplane and X-ray safe
CE and RoHS certifications
Airplane and X-ray safe
Durable PC-ABS plastic, tamper-evident casing, anodized aluminum backplates, and intricate laser engraving
Available in black and multiple colors
Robust plastics
Available in black
Silicone protection case in multiple colors available