The best cold storage wallets: 2025 top picks

Cryptocurrency is revolutionising the financial landscape, offering opportunities for investors to diversify their portfolios and tech enthusiasts to engage with cutting-edge technologies. However, as the popularity of digital currencies grows, so does the need for secure storage solutions. 

Enter cold wallets, the gold standard for safeguarding your investments against online threats. Whether you're a seasoned investor or new to the crypto world, understanding the nuances of cold wallets can significantly impact your financial security. In this post, we'll demystify what cold wallets are and guide you through the best options available in 2024.

What are cold storage wallets?

A cold wallet is crypto storage that operates offline, which you use to store your private keys (a code used to authorise transactions and prove you own an asset). It might be a physical device like a USB stick or a piece of paper with the information printed on it.

Cold wallets are ideal for long-term storage, as they’re not designed for making regular transactions. They’re more secure against cyber threats because they’re offline, which means they can’t be targeted by internet hackers, offering you peace of mind. As the user, you have full control over the storage of the private keys — as long as you keep your wallet stored safely. 

Types of cold wallet

• Hardware wallet — Your private keys are stored on an offline device, which you need a computer and an app to access and make your transactions. They’re waterproof and can’t be infected with viruses. 

• Paper wallet — Your public and private keys are printed on a piece of paper, which may also have a QR code you can scan to receive transactions, although you can’t use it to authorise outgoing transactions. It’s important to store a paper wallet securely to avoid it being stolen, lost or damaged. 

• Sound wallet — A less conventional method of storage, sound wallets encode private keys as a sound file. This file can be saved on a CD or even a vinyl record, or as an audio file on a digital device like a phone or laptop. The file is then decrypted using something called spectroscopy software when you need to access the private key. 

• Deep cold storage wallet — This goes further than simply buying a hardware wallet, and instead refers to any method of storing your cold wallet that makes it incredibly inconvenient to get hold of. For example, you might use a third-party service to retrieve your private keys, instead of having them to hand, or place your cold wallet in a waterproof box and bury it underground. 

The difference between custodial and non-custodial wallets

A custodial wallet is managed by a third party, such as an online crypto platform. Any transactions must be approved by the central exchange before you make them.

A non-custodial wallet is only managed by you and you can complete transactions directly. 

The best cold wallets for 2025

Summary:

• BitBox02

• COLDCARD

• Cypherock X1 

• Ellipal Titan 2.0

• KeepKey

• Ledger Nano X

• NGrave

• Trezor One

BitBox02

• Type of cold wallet: Hardware

• Custodial or non-custodial: Non-custodial

• Number of assets supported: 

  • Over 1,500, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, for the multi-coin version

  • One for the Bitcoin-only version

The basics

There are two versions of BitBox02: multi-coin or Bitcoin-only. Both versions are smaller than most hardware wallets on the market, with an OLED screen and touch sensors on the sides. There’s also an app, BitBoxApp, which is easy to navigate but has advanced features should you want to use them.

The wallet comes with a micro-SD card for back up and a USB-C cable so you can connect it to a phone or computer. They provide a USB-C to USB-A cable for anyone with an older computer. 

Costs

The BitBox02 costs around £125, whether you buy the multi-coin or Bitcoin-only device.

Security

This wallet comes with a microSD card, which you can slot into the back of the device to create a back up. Because of this, you don’t need to write down your seed phrase on paper. You can also randomise the seed phrase.

Compatibility

The BitBox02 is compatible with Mac, Windows, Linux and Android.

COLDCARD MK4

• Type of cold wallet: Hardware

• Custodial or non-custodial: Non-custodial

• Number of assets supported: One (Bitcoin)

The basics

This Bitcoin-only wallet has a heavy focus on security, making it ideal for users who prioritise that above all else. The device is small but durable, with a large screen so you can make transactions easily, and you can use it without a phone or computer. It has support for Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions (PSBT), which means multiple people can sign the same transaction. Back up is done through a microSD card.

Costs

Coldcard MK4 costs around £185.

Security

The device is protected by a customisable PIN, and you can add a passphrase. There’s optional two-factor authentication for transactions if you want an extra layer of security. You can also enable a time lock feature, which delays transactions and gives you time to cancel them if needed. A secure element chip (the ATECC608A) stores your private key away from the main processor. 

This wallet is air gapped, which means it never connects with any wireless communication, and there’s a micro SD card for back up and recovery. You can wipe the device in the event of a security breach, but be aware this is permanent.

Compatibility

The Coldcard MK4 is compatible with other Bitcoin wallet software, such as Electrum and Wasabi. It also connects to the Tor network.

Cypherock X1

• Type of cold wallet: Hardware

• Custodial or non-custodial: Non-custodial

• Number of assets supported: 9,000+

The basics

The Cypherock X1 is set apart from other cold wallets thanks to its method of splitting private keys across four encrypted cards (known as Shamir’s Secret Sharing). This offers an extra layer of security — you must tap one of the cards to the device to confirm any transactions you want to make.

There’s no mobile app, but you can download Cypherock’s desktop and connect your device to the computer.

Costs

The price varies considerably depending on where you buy the wallet, ranging from £99 to just under £200.

Security

The Cypherock X1 consists of a PIN-protected device, which is called the vault, and four cards, called X1 cards, to store your crypto on. The idea is that you keep the vault and each card in a different place, so if one of them gets lost or stolen no one can take your assets or carry out transactions in your name. You can also use two X1 cards to recover your wallet if you lose the vault.

The vault software is open source, which means developers can look at the code.

Compatibility

The desktop app is compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows. This wallet is currently not compatible with Android or iOS.

Ellipal Titan 2.0

• Type of cold wallet: Hardware wallet

• Custodial or non-custodial: Non-custodial

• Number of assets supported: 10,000+

The basics

This user-friendly wallet is a great option for beginners, as the responsive four-inch touch screen and interface are easy to use. The device is also bigger than other models on the market, and feels sturdy enough to carry around. It can scan QR codes with its 5M AF camera.

You use the Ellipal Titan 2.0 with a mobile app, which is as intuitive as the device itself.

Costs

The Titan 2.0 costs around £140.

Security

This wallet has an air-gapped design, which means it never connects to any method of wireless communication, such as the internet, NFC or Bluetooth. There’s also a clever anti-tamper feature, which damages all the device’s internal components if anyone tries to break into it — you can recover your crypto using your recovery phrase.

The mobile app is secure even if your phone is infected or stolen, because you need the device to carry out transactions. 

Compatibility

The mobile app is compatible with Android and iOS.

KeepKey

• Type of cold wallet: Hardware

• Custodial or non-custodial: Non-custodial

• Number of assets supported: 7,000+, including Bitcoin and Ethereum

The basics

Ideal for beginners, KeepKey’s wider-than-standard screen means you can see the entire cryptocurrency address at once. The device only has one button, which you use to turn it on and off, but everything else is done through the mobile app.

The wallet connects to a computer via USB cable, allowing you to access the KeepKey desktop app as well. This is compatible with Linux, Mac and Windows. Once you’ve installed the app and linked it to your device it generates private keys.

Costs

It costs around £50 to buy the KeepKey wallet, which is cheaper than other brands on the market.

Security

You can only access the wallet by entering a PIN, which is switched every so often to reduce the risk of malware copying it. You can also add a 12-word recovery phrase to keep your crypto safe even if the device is lost or damaged. Even if someone manages to hack into your wallet, they won’t be able to steal your crypto because there’s a button on the device that you must press and hold before transactions can be made.

Compatibility

KeepKey is compatible with multiple crypto platforms, including ShapeShift, Electrum and MyCrypto. The desktop app is compatible with Linux, Mac and Windows.

Ledger Nano X

• Type of cold wallet: Hardware

• Custodial or non-custodial: Non-custodial

• Number of assets supported: 5,500+

The basics

The Ledger Nano X supports crypto management apps in addition to thousands of assets, making it easy to keep an eye on everything. There’s also an integrated app called Ledger Live for staking. You can connect the wallet to your desktop using USB and it also connects to mobile (Android and iOS) through Bluetooth.

Costs

The Ledger Nano X costs around £140.

Security

There are multiple security measures, with a PIN and a private key (a seed phrase). The Secure Element chip stores your data, and there’s optional two-factor authentication as well.

Compatibility

The Nano X integrates with other wallets, while Ledger integrates with hot wallets by other providers.

NGrave Zero

• Type of cold wallet: Hardware

• Custodial or non-custodial: Non-custodial

• Number of assets supported: 4,000+

The basics

The pocket-sized but durable NGrave Zero uses QR codes and a mobile phone app (Liquid) to carry out transactions. It’s very similar to using a smartphone, complete with a touchscreen. You can buy the device with a back up set called Graphene, which includes a metal sheet, cover, and hole-punch tool so you can store your seed phrase.

Costs

The NGrace Zero costs £448 with the back up set and £358 without it, making it one of the more expensive options on the market.

Security

Unlike other cold wallets, the NGrave Zero doesn’t come with any pre-installed private keys — they’re randomised when you set up the device. There’s a PIN and also an optional biometric fingerprint scanner, and updates happen in a partition that is isolated from the operating system and the security components. The device is also air gapped. So perhaps it won’t surprise you to learn it has the highest security certification in the world for the blockchain industry: EAL7. 

There’s also a 24-word recovery phrase if the device gets lost, stolen or damaged, so your crypto can be restored to another wallet.

Compatibility

The mobile app is compatible with iOS.

Trezor One

• Type of cold wallet: Hardware

• Custodial or non-custodial: Non-custodial

• Number of assets supported: 9,000

The basics

The Trezor One is small enough to be carried around on a keychain, but large enough that it has a handy touch screen and a slot for its MicroSD card. You can access more using the Trezor Suite desktop app or Trezor website.

Costs

The Trezor One is amongst one of the most affordable cold wallets, with prices ranging from £50 to £70.

Security

You can set a PIN of up to 50 digits for the device, plus a passphrase and a multi-word recovery seed. Each transaction is independently verified. The code is open source, so it can be scrutinised by developers.

Compatibility

Trezor can connect with software such as Exodus, Electrum and MetaMask. The Trezor Suite desktop app is compatible with Linux, Mac, and Windows.

What to think about when you choose a cold storage wallet

When selecting a cold wallet, consider the following factors:

• Security features: Ensure the cold wallet uses encryption standards and includes features like PIN codes, biometric security, and two-factor authentication (2FA) to keep your cryptocurrency safe.

• User experience: Look for an intuitive interface and easy navigation.

• Compatibility: Check if the wallet is compatible with various cryptocurrencies and operating systems you plan to use.

• Back up and recovery: Verify that the wallet provides robust back up and recovery options, such as a seed phrase, to protect your investments in case of device loss or failure.

• Support: Look into the level of customer support available, including access to a help desk or community resources, to assist with issues or questions you might have.

• Reputation: Research the wallet's reputation within the crypto community, focusing on user reviews and expert recommendations.