Trezor Not for You? Check Out These Top Hardware Wallet Alternatives
Trezor has earned its reputation as a pioneer in hardware wallet security. For over a decade, its devices have helped crypto holders keep their private keys offline and under their full control. But as crypto has matured, so have the risks, and so have user needs.
More people now want options with stronger air-gap security, seedless backups, mobile-friendly features, or broader token support. Fortunately, the hardware wallet market today is packed with fresh alternatives designed to handle modern threats without sacrificing usability.
This guide breaks down where Trezor still shines, where it can fall short, and which wallets step in with stronger protection, new tech, or extra convenience — so you can lock in a setup that fits how you store and use your crypto.
Why Look Beyond Trezor?
Despite its pioneering role and respected reputation, Trezor isn’t perfect, and many users are exploring alternatives for specific needs or preferences. Here are the key issues prompting this shift.
Common Limitations and Concerns
- Limited connectivity & usability pain points: Trezor devices lack Bluetooth or wireless support, requiring tethered USB connections only. This can feel cumbersome, especially when interacting with DeFi or DApps.
- Hardware feels dated: Users describe the hardware as bulky, with the Trezor Model T’s touchscreen reportedly “smaller” and less responsive. The micro‑USB port on older units feels outdated.
- Token & altcoin support gaps: Despite claiming support for thousands of cryptocurrencies, users say Trezor often misses popular chains like ATOM and DOT, and that updates are slow.
- Persistent phishing threats: Trezor’s popularity makes it a prime target for scams (fake emails, phishing websites, vishing), creating ongoing security concerns.
- No true air-gap or wireless isolation: Even with Secure Element chips (EAL6+ in Safe 3/5), Trezor requires a physical USB connection. This falls short compared with fully air-gapped options like NGRAVE, SafePal S1, or ELLIPAL.
What Users Typically Seek In An Alternative
As users weigh alternatives, they’re generally looking for:
- Truly air-gapped solutions (e.g. NGRAVE, SafePal S1, ELLIPAL) to eliminate USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi vulnerabilities.
- Wireless or mobile comfort: Tap-to-use NFC or Bluetooth support (Tangem, SafePal X1, ZenGo) blend secure and convenient.
- Broader asset support and faster updates: Wallets like SafePal, ELLIPAL, and Tangem support thousands of tokens across many networks.
- Seedless backup or MPC architecture: Modern approaches through Tangem’s seedless smartcards or ZenGo’s MPC avoid single-seed vulnerabilities.
- Ultimate BTC focus & provenance: The Coldcard Mk4 is trusted for Bitcoin-only, open-source, air-gapped operation, with advanced privacy features.
By evaluating these gaps — usability, connectivity, asset compatibility, and air-gap integrity — it becomes clear why users diversify beyond Trezor. In the following sections, we’ll explore wallets that excel in these areas, tailoring to different user preferences and threat models.
Key Features to Consider in a Trezor Alternative
Choosing a Trezor alternative isn’t just about jumping brands; it’s about matching your security priorities, usage habits, and asset needs with the proper hardware or seedless solution. Here are the standout features to look for when weighing your options:
- Air-Gapped Operation: If you want to cut off any remote attack surface, consider fully air-gapped wallets like the NGRAVE ZERO, SafePal S1, ELLIPAL Titan, or Coldcard Mk4. These devices isolate private keys from all internet, USB, and wireless connections, relying on QR codes or microSD cards for signing.
- Secure Element Certification: Look for wallets with EAL5+ or higher certified Secure Elements — the industry benchmark for physical and logical tamper resistance. Most modern alternatives like Ledger, SafePal, Tangem, and ELLIPAL meet or exceed this standard.
- Broader Asset Support: Some wallets push beyond Trezor’s supported coins, with SafePal and Tangem covering thousands of tokens across dozens of blockchains. If you hold more than just Bitcoin or Ethereum, check each device’s native compatibility to avoid juggling multiple wallets.
- Seedless or MPC Protection: Seed phrases are convenient but carry risks if lost or exposed. Newer designs like Tangem’s seedless smartcards and ZenGo’s MPC architecture replace this single point of failure with alternative key management methods, giving peace of mind to less technical users.
- Wireless & Mobile Convenience: If you’d rather not plug in a USB cable every time you sign, wallets with Bluetooth (Ledger Nano X, SafePal X1) or NFC (Tangem) simplify pairing with your phone. Paired apps can make portfolio management, swaps, and staking more convenient without compromising security.
- Open-Source & Auditability: Open-source firmware, like that of Trezor, Coldcard, ZenGo’s app, and Tangem’s mobile interface, ensures code transparency. Community-audited wallets give you confidence that what’s promised on paper holds up in practice.
- Backup & Recovery Options: Whether it’s NGRAVE’s GRAPHENE steel plates, Shamir Backup on Trezor Safe 5, or multi-card backup with Tangem, secure recovery matters. To avoid fragile paper phrases, look for robust physical or digital redundancy.
No one wallet nails every feature — the trade-offs come down to how much convenience you’ll accept versus how far you’ll push security. The next section breaks down the top picks, so you can match the right wallet to your storage style and crypto goals.
Top Trezor Alternatives in 2025
You can learn more about the individual wallets in the following sections, but here is a table summarizing the key characteristics, compared against Trezor.
Ledger Wallets
Ledger remains one of the most trusted names in crypto hardware security, offering a family of wallets designed for both beginners and experienced users. All Ledger devices are non-custodial and built with a CC EAL6+ Secure Element chip, one of the highest security certifications in the industry. Whether you choose the Nano S Plus, Flex, or Stax, each model integrates seamlessly with Ledger Live for easy management on desktop and mobile.
Key Features
- Non-custodial devices with full user control over private keys
- Built with CC EAL6+ Secure Element chips for high-level security
- Compatible with Ledger Live for managing 5,000+ assets across desktop and mobile
- Flex and Stax feature E Ink touchscreens, sleek designs, and wireless charging
- Flex supports 2FA and NFT display for Ethereum and Polygon
- Bluetooth and NFC support on higher-end models for wireless use
- PIN protection and Clear Sign-In help prevent unauthorized access
- The hidden wallet feature adds an extra layer of privacy
Price
- Nano S Plus: $79
- Flex: $249
- Stax: $279
SafePal Wallets
SafePal stands out for delivering robust hardware security at a wallet-friendly price. Backed by Binance, it offers the air-gapped SafePal S1 and the Bluetooth-enabled SafePal X1, both packing EAL5+ secure elements and self-destruct features for tamper resistance.
Key Features
- EAL5+ secure element with built-in self-destruct feature for added tamper resistance
- SafePal S1 is fully air-gapped — no USB, WiFi, or Bluetooth; uses QR codes for transactions
- Integrates with SafePal App for DeFi, staking, and NFT management
- S1 supports over 30,000 tokens across 100+ blockchains
- X1 offers Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless mobile access and supports 200+ chains
- Open-source firmware promotes transparency and community trust
- Lightweight and portable — ideal for travel and cold storage scenarios
Price:
- S1: $49.99
- X1: $69.99
Both undercut most premium wallets without skimping on core security.
NGRAVE ZERO
The NGRAVE ZERO pushes hardware wallet security to the limit with its EAL7-certified operating system — the highest certification standard in the industry. Designed in Belgium, the ZERO is entirely air-gapped: there’s no USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, and all interactions run through QR codes, minimizing any online attack surface.
Key Features
- EAL7-certified OS sets an unmatched industry security benchmark
- 100% air-gapped: no USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC
- Uses QR codes for all interactions to eliminate remote attack vectors
- NGRAVE Perfect Key uses biometrics, ambient light, and a TRNG for truly unique private key generation
- Two-part GRAPHENE stainless steel backup protects recovery phrases from fire, water, and tampering
- 4-inch touchscreen with biometric fingerprint scanner for secure, user-friendly navigation
- LIQUID companion app allows portfolio tracking without compromising air-gapped design
- Supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, ERC-20 tokens, NFTs, and integrates with MetaMask for 100+ EVM chains
Price
€398 for the device, or €498 with GRAPHENE backup
Tangem Wallet
Tangem Wallet flips traditional hardware storage on its head with a seedless, card-based design. Each NFC-enabled smartcard generates and stores private keys directly inside its EAL6+ certified secure element, so your keys never leave the card. Forget memorizing or hiding a 24-word phrase — Tangem eliminates that single point of failure by using multi-card backup instead.
Key Features
- Seedless design with private keys generated and stored on-card
- EAL6+ certified secure element ensures robust key protection
- Multi-card backup system replaces traditional recovery phrases
- Tamper-resistant, battery-free cards built to withstand water, heat, X-rays, and bending
- NFC tap-to-transact system works with any compatible smartphone
- Supports 6,000+ tokens across 38 blockchains via the Tangem app
- Audited firmware and open-source mobile app for added transparency
- Lightweight and compact — ideal for minimalist, everyday crypto use
Price
- Packs of 2 cards start at ~$54, with a 3-card setup recommended for secure recovery.
ZenGo Wallet
ZenGo takes a fresh approach to crypto security by replacing traditional private keys with Multi-Party Computation (MPC). Instead of a single point of failure like a 12- or 24-word seed phrase, ZenGo splits control into two secret shares — one on your device, the other on ZenGo’s secure servers. Neither piece works alone, keeping your wallet protected even if your phone is lost or stolen.
Key Features
- No seed phrase or private key; uses MPC for keyless security
- Two secret shares: one stored on your device, one on ZenGo’s server
- 3-Factor Authentication includes FaceLock biometrics, device security, and an encrypted recovery file
- Web3 Firewall scans smart contract interactions in real time for risks
- Guaranteed account recovery via an escrowed master key if ZenGo ever shuts down
- Supports 1,000+ cryptocurrencies and NFTs on Ethereum and Polygon
- Cross-chain swaps and fiat on/off ramps built into the app
- Sleek, beginner-friendly mobile app for managing all assets in one place
Price
- ZenGo Essentials is free; ZenGo Pro adds premium perks like Theft Protection for ~$19.99/month.
ELLIPAL Titan 2.0
The ELLIPAL Titan 2.0 is built like a vault for your crypto — fully air-gapped, metal-sealed, and designed to block every remote attack vector. It never connects to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, or NFC, relying instead on QR codes for signing transactions. Combined with a CC EAL5+ secure element, it offers military-grade protection for sensitive keys and data.
Key Features
- 100% air-gapped: no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, or NFC connections
- Uses QR codes for transaction signing to eliminate remote attack risks
- CC EAL5+ secure element for hardware-level key protection
- 4-inch touchscreen for easy offline navigation and signing
- Tamper-proof design wipes wallet data if forced access is detected
- Supports over 10,000 coins and tokens including BTC, ETH, and ERC-20s
- Works with the ELLIPAL mobile app for portfolio tracking and transaction prep
- Rugged metal casing for physical durability and long-term storage
Price
- Typically ranges around $169 to $189, depending on the retailer.
Coldcard Mk4
The Coldcard Mk4 is the gold standard for Bitcoin-only hardware wallets, developed by Canada’s Coinkite with relentless attention to air-gapped security. Its dual secure elements, transparent case, numeric keypad, tamper-evident LED, and integrated micro‑SD & NFC support make it an ultra-hardened fortress for BTC.
Key Features:
- Fully air‑gapped signing (via micro‑SD / NFC), with USB‑C for optional connectivity.
- Dual Secure Element chips and open-source, reproducible firmware.
- Advanced anti‑phishing words, Brick PIN (self-destruct), and Duress PIN for plausible deniability.
- Tamper-check LED on boot shows firmware integrity (green for clean, red for compromised).
- Compact 128×64 OLED screen and transparent sliding cover for physical verification.
Support
- Bitcoin only, including multisig. Syncs with Sparrow, Electrum, Specter, Wasabi, Bitcoin Core, and BlueWallet.
Price
- Approximately $150–$170. NFC, power cable, and SD card cost extra (~$230 all-in).
Summarizing
Whether you’re new to cold storage, need advanced air-gapped security, or prefer a seamless mobile-first experience, there’s no shortage of Trezor alternatives.
Use Cases: Which Wallet Is Right for You?
Finding the best Trezor alternative depends on how you plan to store and manage your crypto. Here’s how our top picks stack up for different user profiles:
Beginners & First-Time Users
If you’re setting up your first hardware wallet, simplicity and low friction are the most important factors. Tangem is hard to beat for newcomers — its seedless, tap-and-go cards cut out recovery phrase headaches. The SafePal S1 is also a strong entry point, offering true air-gapped security at an affordable price and with intuitive QR-code signing. The Ledger Nano S Plus remains beginner-friendly, too, with solid guidance through Ledger Live.
Mobile-First Users
For everyday portfolio checks, swaps, or sending on the move, wallets that pair well with your phone make life easier. ZenGo is a standout here — fully mobile, seedless, and protected by advanced biometrics and MPC. The Ledger Nano X or Flex add Bluetooth for secure app syncing, while Tangem’s NFC cards pair instantly with your smartphone without the need for charging or cables.
Bitcoin Maxis
If BTC is all you care about, specialized wallets keep things tight. The Coldcard Mk4 is the gold standard for Bitcoin-only cold storage — air-gapped, open-source, and loaded with features like Brick PINs and duress passwords. Power BTC users who want multisig support and maximum self-sovereignty swear by it.
Institutional and High-Security Users
When you’re securing life-changing sums, air-gapped, tamper-resistant hardware is essential. The NGRAVE ZERO leads the pack for maximum cold storage, with an EAL7-certified OS, biometric key generation, and a steel GRAPHENE backup plate. The ELLIPAL Titan 2.0 is another fortress option, offering full air-gapping with robust multi-asset support and an anti-tamper design. Some serious holders also pair a Coldcard Mk4 with multisig setups for ultimate Bitcoin security.
No matter where you fall on the spectrum, matching your wallet to your habits and threat model is what turns good security into practical security. Choose what keeps you comfortable — and your keys out of reach.
Where to Buy These Wallets Safely
When it comes to hardware wallets, where you buy is just as important as what you buy. Counterfeit devices and shady resellers are still a real threat, so it pays to stick with trusted sources.
Official Websites & Verified Resellers: The safest option is always to order directly from the wallet maker’s official site — whether that’s Ledger, SafePal, NGRAVE, Tangem, ZenGo, ELLIPAL, or Coldcard. Many also list verified retail partners on their websites; if you prefer buying through Amazon or a regional shop, double-check that the seller is listed as an authorized dealer.
Avoiding Scams & Counterfeit Devices: Never buy a hardware wallet secondhand or from random marketplaces. It’s too easy for malicious actors to tamper with packaging or pre-load backdoors. Always inspect your device on arrival — look for broken seals, mismatched serial numbers, or signs of prior use. If anything feels off, don’t connect it.
Shipping, Returns & Warranty Policies: Check warranty coverage and return terms before ordering. Some premium wallets like NGRAVE or Tangem offer extended hardware guarantees — Tangem, for example, promises a 25-year replacement warranty. Also, confirm shipping methods and customs fees, especially for international orders. If you’re buying in bulk or for institutional storage, reach out to the manufacturer for added support and tamper-evident packaging options.
Sticking to official sources ensures your wallet arrives untampered and ready to safeguard your keys, exactly how cold storage should be.
Final Thoughts: Is Trezor Still Worth Considering?
Trezor remains a solid bet for anyone who values an open-source approach, a clean user experience, and a decade-long track record with no remote hacks. But some users feel boxed in by its wired-only design, classic seed phrase setup, or occasional gaps in token support.
The good news: today’s market offers specialized alternatives for almost every storage style. Hardcore cold storage users often look to fully air-gapped vaults like the NGRAVE ZERO, ELLIPAL Titan, or Coldcard Mk4. Seedless tech from Tangem and ZenGo removes recovery phrase stress entirely. And for those who still want the mix of usability and broad asset coverage, Ledger and SafePal stay strong picks.
No hardware wallet is perfect — what matters is picking one that aligns with your security habits and threat level, then buying only from trusted sources. Good cold storage should feel boring, simple, and rock solid. When it does, you’ll sleep better at night knowing your keys are staying exactly where they belong.
Frequently Asked Questions
A hardware wallet stores your private keys completely offline, which blocks remote hackers from accessing them. Even if your computer or phone is compromised, your keys stay protected inside the wallet’s secure element chip. A software wallet, by contrast, lives on an internet-connected device, so it’s more exposed to malware and phishing attacks.
Only if the seller is an official, verified reseller listed on the wallet maker’s website. Avoid third-party or used devices — there’s always a risk of tampering. Buying directly from the manufacturer is the safest route.
Whenever the manufacturer releases an official update. Updates patch security vulnerabilities and add new features or token support. Always verify you’re downloading firmware from the wallet’s official site or app.
Yes — many holders use more than one device to diversify risk or manage separate portfolios (for example, keeping long-term cold storage on one and daily spending on another). Just keep backups organized for each.
As long as you still have your recovery phrase (or your seedless recovery method, if your wallet uses MPC or multi-card backup), you can restore your funds to a new device. Without a backup, your crypto is lost permanently — there’s no “forgot password” reset.
Send funds just like any normal crypto transaction. Copy your wallet’s receiving address (generated in its companion app), paste it into the withdrawal form on your exchange, double-check it’s correct, and confirm the transfer. Always verify the address on your hardware device’s screen.
Yes — many newer models do. Ledger, SafePal, Tangem, and ZenGo all support storing and viewing NFTs (mainly on Ethereum and Polygon). Some wallets display NFT images directly on the device screen or in the companion app.
All air-gapped wallets are cold wallets — but not all cold wallets are truly air-gapped. “Cold wallet” just means your keys stay offline. “Air-gapped” means there’s zero physical connection to any network — no USB, no Bluetooth, no Wi-Fi — and all signing happens via QR codes or microSD cards. It’s the strictest form of cold storage.
No. If your wallet supports the blockchain the token runs on (like Ethereum or Solana), it can usually store any new token on that chain. For entirely new blockchains, support may require a firmware update — or, if your wallet doesn’t support it, you might need a compatible wallet.
Yes — many hardware wallets support staking, either natively or through integrations with third-party platforms. Popular coins like Ethereum, Solana, and Polkadot can often be staked directly from the companion app while your keys stay secured offline.
Disclaimer: These are the writer’s opinions and should not be considered investment advice. Readers should do their own research.
