9 Best Cold Storage Wallets 2025 (Expert Recommended)

In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the best cold storage wallets that can help you keep your cryptocurrency secure for the long-term. Our panel of experts reviewed dozens of options on the market, and created this list based on user experience, security features, design, price, and ease of use.

Best Overall

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Tangem

Tangem is ideal for those who want top-tier cold storage but hate dealing with seed phrases. Its air-gapped design, simple backup system, and multi-chain support make it a reliable and user-friendly solution for securing digital assets.

If you want peace of mind, affordability, and convenience, Tangem is one of the best cold storage wallets on the market today.

Price: 2-card set starts at $54.90, 3-card set: $69.90

Pros & Cons

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  No seed phrase required – secure backups with physical cards.
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  End-to-end encrypted key exchange with EAL6+ certified security.
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  Truly air-gapped – no USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi connections.
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  Supports 16,000+ cryptocurrencies.
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  Easy backup & restore using extra cards.
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  Affordable pricing compared to other hardware wallets.

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  Requires a smartphone with NFC (no desktop app).
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  Firmware is not open-source, but it’s independently verified.
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  Backup can only be done once.

Best for Beginners

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Ledger Nano X

The Ledger Nano X is one of the most popular cold storage wallets on the market. The wallet is known for its ease of use and support for a wide range of cryptocurrencies — offering Bluetooth connectivity and support for more than 5,500 cryptocurrencies!

Price: $149

Pros & Cons

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  Supports over 5,500 cryptocurrencies and tokens.
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  Control your wallet from Android or iOS via Bluetooth.
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  Stores up to 100 applications.
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  Private keys stored securely within a hardware chip.
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  Compatible with all major operating systems.

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  Closed source.

Best for Design & User Experience

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Ledger Stax

The Ledger Stax brings a sleek, modern design to cold storage wallets, featuring a large touchscreen and a curved E Ink® edge. It's ideal for users who value aesthetics and ease of use, and are looking to store their crypto and NFTs in one place.

Price: $399

Pros & Cons

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  Innovative design with large touchscreen and curved edge.
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  Supports over 5,500 coins and tokens.
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  Leading security features and NFT storage support.
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  Intuitive user interface.
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  Wireless charging capability.

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  Expensive.
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  Unique design may not appeal to all users.
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  Closed source.

Best for Affordability

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Trezor Safe 3

The Trezor Safe 3 strikes a fantastic balance between security and affordability. Its EAL6+ certified Secure Element chip protects against brute-force attacks, while its open-source code makes it a fantastic option for users who value transparency.

Price: $79

Pros & Cons

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  EAL6+ certified Secure Element chip for enhanced security.
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  Supports over 7,000 digital assets.
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  Open-source code for transparency.
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  Affordable pricing.
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  Easy setup.
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  Bitcoin-only wallet and multi-coin wallet available.

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  Design may not be appealing for all users.
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  Plastic screen prone to scratches.

Best for Bitcoin Security

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COLDCARD

COLDCARD is a Bitcoin-only wallet known for its air-gapped feature—meaning that it’s never connected to the Internet and immune to online hacking attempts. COLDCARD is a great choice for Bitcoin investors looking for maximum security.

Price: $177.94

Pros & Cons

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  Air-gapped (no Internet connectivity).
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  Open-source.
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  Multi-signature support (set up co-signers to approve transactions).
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  Enhanced security features including "brick pin" (automatically ‘bricks’ after 13 failed PIN attempts).
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  MicroSD card backup.

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  COLDCARD is considered more difficult for daily use than more popular hardware devices like Ledger.
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  Limited to Bitcoin, does not support other crypto-assets.

Best for Multisig Security

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Cypherock X1

The Cypherock X1 is designed with decentralized key storage to enhance security — allowing you to split the private key into multiple components. This approach ensures no single device holds all the data, minimizing the risk of a hack!

Price: $199

Pros & Cons

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  Support for more than 9,000 assets.
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  OLED display.
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  USB-C support to connect to your PC.
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  Allows you to split private keys into 4 different locations using X1 cards — with EAL 6+ security for each card!
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  Open source.

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  High price compared to other wallets.
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  Can be complex to set up — not recommended for beginners.

Best for Security & Recovery

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NGRAVE Zero

The NGRAVE Zero wallet is designed for users who want air-gapped, 100% offline security. It features biometric authentication and can come with durable, fireproof graphene plates that can be used to store your recovery phrase safely.

Price: $398

Pros & Cons

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  Fully offline design for air-gapped security.
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  EAL-7 certification (highest security certification).
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  Biometric and PIN authentication.
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  Can be paired with NGRAVE Graphene — optional durable steel plates that can be used to recover your private keys.
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  Supports over 3,500 assets and NFTs.

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  Expensive (graphene plates cost an extra $100).
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  Limited support for niche tokens and cryptocurrencies.
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  Inconvenient for everyday use.

Best for cryptocurrency selection

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BC Vault One

BC Vault is a great option for those looking for a wide selection of assets, supporting millions of cryptocurrencies. While it lacks Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capability, it offers encrypted backups for security!

Price: $182.50

Pros & Cons

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  Support for millions of coins and tokens.
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  Team has 20 years of experience in cybersecurity.
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  SD card & QR code backup.
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  Ferroelectric RAM can last 200 years.
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  Affordable.

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  Additional import costs for customers outside of EU.
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  Dated interface design.
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  Manual transactions required (no Bluetooth/Wi-Fi).
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  Inconvenient for everyday use.

Best for Biometric Security

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D'CENT

D'CENT features a biometric fingerprint sensor for an added layer of security. It supports over 3,600 cryptocurrencies and is compact, easy to set up, and offers customer support!

Price: $139

Pros & Cons

• 
  Biometric fingerprint sensor for added security.
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  EAL5+ certified security chip.
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  Supports over 4,600 cryptocurrencies.
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  Compact design and quick setup.
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  Customer support available.

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  Not open source.
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  Users have reported difficulties with firmware updates.

Why do I need a cold storage wallet? 

Cold storage wallets are considered the best option for long-term security — especially compared to ‘hot wallets’ (software wallets connected to the Internet). Let’s walk through some of the advantages of cold storage wallets: 

• Strong storage: Because cold storage wallets store your cryptocurrency offline, they’re considered the best choice to prevent hacks. 
• Hardware-based security measures: Many cold storage wallets use Secure Element chips to protect against tampering and brute-force attacks.
• Support for multiple cryptocurrencies: Most cold wallets support a wide range of digital assets, allowing you to securely store all the cryptocurrencies you own. 
• Backup and recovery options: Seed phrases (usually 24 words) are provided as backups, allowing users to recover their wallets in case of an emergency. 
• Integration with software interfaces for transactions: Many cold storage wallets can interact with hot wallets to allow you to easily make transactions. 

Cold wallets vs. Hot wallets 

Cold wallets offer different benefits than ‘hot wallets’ (software wallets like Coinbase Wallet and MetaMask that are constantly connected to the Internet). Let’s walk through them: 

Cold wallet security features

Want to choose a wallet with the best security features? Here’s what you should look out for. 

• Secure Element chips: These chips securely store private keys and handle cryptographic operations, offering a higher level of protection against attacks.
• PIN protection and optional passphrases: Many cold wallets come with PINs and additional passphrase options for increased security. 
• Air-gapped functionality: Some wallets (e.g., COLDCARD) are air-gapped, meaning they are never connected to the internet — essentially making your crypto immune to online attacks. However, air-gapped wallets may be more difficult to use for transactions.
• Open-source software: Software transparency allows the community to audit, review, and fix potential vulnerabilities.
• Physical tamper-evident design: Many cold storage wallets are designed with tamper-evident features, so unauthorized individuals cannot access your holdings. 

How to set up and use a cold wallet 

Let’s walk through 5 steps to help you get started using your cold storage wallet. 

1. Purchase a reputable cold storage device: Buy directly from an authorized retailer to avoid counterfeit devices.‍
2. Follow the setup instructions: When you set up your wallet, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This may include verifying your device, updating to the latest firmware, and confirming your PIN. Being cautious during setup ensures your wallet is configured correctly and reduces the risk of mistakes that could compromise your crypto.‍
3. Generate and securely store the recovery phrase: Write down your recovery phrase (usually 24 words) and store it in a safe place. Remember, this phrase can help you recover access to your wallet in the event of an emergency. ‍
4. Transfer cryptocurrencies to the cold wallet: Use the wallet address to transfer your assets to your cold wallet. ‍
5. Verify transactions on the device: To protect yourself against hacks, carefully review and verify transactions you make on your wallet.

What are the disadvantages of cold storage wallets? 

• Higher initial cost: While software wallets are free to use, you need to pay for a cold wallet. 
• Less convenient for frequent trading: Cold wallets are best for long-term storage, so they may not be as convenient for frequent transactions.
• Risk of physical damage, loss, or theft: If your device is damaged, lost, or stolen, you could lose access to your assets unless you have a backup of your recovery phrase.
• Potential for user error: Incorrect setup or failure to securely store the recovery phrase could mean losing access to your assets. 
• Firmware updates may require additional steps: Unlike software wallets that automatically update, cold wallets sometimes require manual action for firmware updates.
• Limited functionality: Cold storage wallets generally don’t support features like direct crypto purchases or built-in exchanges.

Should I use a paper wallet? 

In the early days of crypto, paper wallets were one of the most popular ways to store crypto offline. These days, investors have turned mostly towards modern hardware wallets. 

A paper wallet is simply a physical printout (or handwritten note) of your public and private keys. In theory, it’s completely offline and immune to online attacks. However, paper wallets can be difficult to use and easy to lose. 

Fragile: If your paper gets damaged or smudged, your crypto could be gone forever.

‍No built-in security features: Unlike hardware wallets, paper wallets don’t have PINs, biometric security, or recovery mechanisms.

How long do cold wallets last? 

The lifespan of a cold wallet depends on various factors, including the build quality of the hardware and how well it’s maintained. On average, a well-maintained cold wallet can last between 5 to 10 years. 

Technological advancements in cryptocurrency and security standards may make older wallets obsolete, so it’s a good idea to regularly check for updates and consider upgrading devices every few years. 

Remember, it’s important to backup your cold wallet to make sure that you can recover your assets in any scenario. 

Conclusion

The best cold storage wallet depends on your specific needs, whether it’s versatility, security, or design. Before you make a purchase, be sure to understand exactly what you’re looking for.