Hardware Wallet Comparison: Ledger vs Trezor (2026)

A hardware wallet keeps your private keys on a separate device and makes you approve every transaction on its own screen. For most people the Trezor Safe 3 ($79 list) is the best value; choose the Ledger Nano Gen5 ($179) or Trezor Safe 7 ($249) if you want Bluetooth for an iPhone. Below: every current Ledger and Trezor model side by side, what changed recently, and how to set one up safely.

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Current Ledger and Trezor models compared

US list prices, cheapest first. Manufacturers often discount older models, so check the official store.

Specifications of current hardware wallets
ModelList priceScreenConnectivitySecure elementOpen-source firmwareBitcoin-only firmwareReleasedWhere to buy
Ledger Nano S Plus$79Small monochrome screen, two buttonsUSB-CYes (certified secure element)NoNo2022Ledger store (opens in a new tab)
Trezor Safe 3$79Small monochrome OLED, two buttonsUSB-CYes (EAL6+), used alongside open-source firmwareYesYes2023Trezor store (opens in a new tab)
Ledger Nano X$149Small monochrome screen, two buttonsUSB-C, BluetoothYes (certified secure element)NoNo2019Ledger store (opens in a new tab)
Trezor Safe 5$169Colour touchscreen with haptic feedbackUSB-CYes (EAL6+), used alongside open-source firmwareYesYes2024Trezor store (opens in a new tab)
Ledger Nano Gen5$179TouchscreenUSB-C, Bluetooth, NFCYes (certified secure element)NoNoOct 2025Ledger store (opens in a new tab)
Ledger Flex$249Large E Ink touchscreenUSB-C, Bluetooth, NFCYes (certified secure element)NoNoJul 2024Ledger store (opens in a new tab)
Trezor Safe 7$249Larger colour touchscreenUSB-C, Bluetooth, Wireless chargingYes: TROPIC01 (auditable) plus a certified secure elementYesYesOct 2025Trezor store (opens in a new tab)
Ledger Stax$399Curved E Ink touchscreenUSB-C, Bluetooth, NFC, Wireless chargingYes (certified secure element)NoNoMay 2024Ledger store (opens in a new tab)

Ledger vs Trezor: the differences that matter

Ledger

  • Every model has a certified secure element; the firmware running on it is closed source.
  • Bluetooth on Nano X, Nano Gen5, Flex and Stax; NFC on Gen5, Flex and Stax. The Nano S Plus is USB only.
  • Managed with the Ledger Wallet app (renamed from Ledger Live in October 2025); widest coin support.
  • Ledger Recover (2023), an optional paid seed-backup service, showed the firmware can export key shares if you consent.
  • A 2020 customer-data leak still fuels phishing; a 2023 dApp library attack affected users of some websites, not the devices.

Trezor

  • Open-source firmware on every model, so independent researchers can audit it.
  • The Safe 3, 5 and 7 add a secure element; the Safe 7 adds TROPIC01, an openly auditable secure element.
  • Only the Safe 7 has Bluetooth, so it is the only Trezor that signs with an iPhone.
  • Managed with Trezor Suite; ETH, SOL and ADA staking are built in. Bitcoin-only firmware is available.
  • Older Model One and Model T have no secure element: seeds can be extracted with physical access unless you use a passphrase.

Which hardware wallet should you buy?

Discontinued models

  • Trezor Model T: Discontinued: removed from Trezor's shop on 2026-01-08. Existing devices keep receiving security updates. Buying new? Look at the Trezor Safe 5 or Safe 7.
  • Trezor Model One: Discontinued: removed from Trezor's shop on 2026-01-08. Supported with maintenance until at least 2031 and critical security fixes until at least 2036. Its successor is the Trezor Safe 3.

Other hardware wallets worth knowing

Not yet in our detailed, dated comparison, so no prices here; check each maker's site.

  • Coldcard (Coinkite)

    Bitcoin-only, designed for air-gapped use with a microSD card. Popular with advanced Bitcoin savers and multisig setups.

  • BitBox02 (Shift Crypto, Switzerland)

    Open-source firmware with a secure chip, sold in multi-coin and Bitcoin-only editions.

  • Keystone

    Air-gapped device that signs via QR codes, with a large touchscreen; works with many software wallets.

  • Blockstream Jade

    Low-cost, open-source Bitcoin (and Liquid) wallet with a camera for QR-code air-gapped signing.

How to buy and set up a hardware wallet safely

  1. Buy directly from the manufacturer or an authorised reseller, and check the packaging for tampering.
  2. Set it up from scratch: the device must generate a new recovery phrase. Never accept one that came in the box.
  3. Write the recovery phrase on paper or a metal backup plate. Never type it into a phone, computer, cloud note or photo.
  4. Install the official app only (Ledger Wallet or Trezor Suite) from the official website, and update firmware only through it.
  5. Send a small test amount, then practise a restore before you move your savings.
  6. Always check the receiving address and amount on the device screen, not just on your computer.
  7. Consider a passphrase (a "25th word") for extra protection, but only if you can store it as safely as the phrase itself.
  8. Expect phishing: past customer-data leaks mean scammers email, text and even post fake "replacement" devices to owners.

More background: crypto wallets explained, all wallets compared and the scam database.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ledger or Trezor better?

Neither is better for everyone. Trezor publishes its firmware as open source, so outside researchers can check it, and its Safe models now also have a secure element. Ledger keeps its secure-element firmware closed but has had certified secure elements for years and offers Bluetooth and NFC on more models. If you value auditability, choose Trezor; if you want the widest phone support and coin list, choose Ledger.

What is the best budget hardware wallet?

The Trezor Safe 3 ($79 list price) gives you open-source firmware and a secure element for the least money. The Ledger Nano S Plus ($79 list price, often discounted) is the Ledger alternative, but has no Bluetooth.

Do I need a hardware wallet?

If you hold more crypto than you would be comfortable losing from a hacked phone, computer or exchange account, yes. A hardware wallet keeps the private keys on a separate device and asks you to confirm every transaction on its own screen, so malware cannot quietly send your coins away.

What happens if I lose my hardware wallet?

Your coins are not on the device; they are on the blockchain. You can restore them on a new device (any brand that supports the same standard) using your recovery phrase. That is why the recovery phrase must be written down offline and stored safely, and why anyone who finds it can take your coins.

Are the Trezor Model T and Model One still sold?

No. Trezor removed both from its shop on 2026-01-08. They still receive security updates (the Model One gets critical fixes until at least 2036). The Safe 3, Safe 5 and Safe 7 replace them.

Is it safe to buy a hardware wallet from Amazon or eBay?

Buy from the manufacturer or an authorised reseller. Tampered and "pre-configured" devices sold second-hand are a known scam. Never use a device that arrives with a recovery phrase already printed or set up: a genuine wallet always has you create a new one.

Sources

Facts on this page were checked on against these public pages. Fees and product lineups change often; always confirm on the provider's own site.