Offline Wallets
Hardware wallets, steel backups, and vaults for secure Bitcoin cold storage.
Trezor Safe 7
Hardware wallets, including a Bitcoin-only version
Unchained Vault
Sleep soundly with your bitcoin savings secured in multisig cold storage. 10% off with code BITBO10.
Blockstream Jade
Affordable Bitcoin-only hardware wallet (10% off with code BITBO)
BitBox
Hardware wallet to store, protect, and transact with ease
Billfodl
A secure Bitcoin steel wallet, in business since 2017
River Wallet
Buy, sell & auto-buy BTC with low fees (USA only). 3.3% BTC interest on cash.
Coldcard Mk4
Bitcoin-only hardware wallet for security-focused users. Dual secure elements, air-gapped operation.
An offline Bitcoin wallet keeps your private keys disconnected from the internet, dramatically reducing the risk of hacks and theft. Cold storage is essential for securing larger Bitcoin holdings.
💡 Key insight: More bitcoins are lost due to user error than from hackers. Hardware wallets protect against both threats by keeping keys offline and preventing mistakes.
Compare Offline Wallets
| Wallet | Type | Price | Coins | Custody |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unchained Vault
|
🏦 Vault | $250/year | Bitcoin only | Collaborative (2-of-3 multisig) |
|
River Wallet
|
☁️ Custodial | Free | Bitcoin only | Custodial (proof of reserves) |
|
Trezor Safe 7
|
🔐 Hardware | $249 | Bitcoin + 9,000+ coins | Self-custody |
|
Billfodl
|
🛡️ Steel | $99 | Any (backup device) | Self-custody |
|
Coldcard Mk4
|
🔐 Hardware | $157 | Bitcoin only | Self-custody |
|
BitBox
|
🔐 Hardware | $149 | Bitcoin-only or Multi edition | Self-custody |
|
Blockstream Jade
|
🔐 Hardware | $65 | Bitcoin + Liquid | Self-custody |
Wallet Details
Unchained Vault
🏦 VaultUnchained Vault provides institutional-grade Bitcoin security through collaborative multisig. You hold 2 of 3 keys while Unchained holds 1, meaning you maintain control but have recovery assistance if needed.
- Collaborative multisig — you hold 2 of 3 keys
- Professional support for setup and recovery
- Inheritance planning included
- No single point of failure
- Borrow against your holdings (0% rehypothecation)
- Buy/Sell directly into cold storage
- IRA support with key control
- Concierge 1-on-1 setup available for beginners
- 10% off with code BITBO10
- $250/year fee
- Better suited for larger Bitcoin holdings
- Requires purchasing hardware wallets separately
River Wallet
☁️ CustodialRiver is a Bitcoin-only platform with an integrated wallet, Lightning Network support, and automatic withdrawals to self-custody. Full reserve custody with public proof of reserves.
- 100% proof of reserves — verify yourself
- Lightning Network support
- Automatic withdrawals to self-custody
- Zero-fee recurring buys
- US-based human support
- Tax lot tracking and beneficiary planning
- Custodial — River holds your keys
- US residents only
- Requires identity verification
- Not suitable for maximum privacy
Trezor Safe 7
🔐 HardwareTrezor Safe 7 is the world's first quantum-ready hardware wallet. Trezor invented the hardware wallet in 2014, and the Safe 7 features a vibrant color touchscreen, haptic feedback, wireless connectivity, and supports thousands of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin-only firmware available.
- World's first quantum-ready hardware wallet
- Invented the hardware wallet category
- 2.5" high-res color touchscreen (520x380 px)
- Wireless Bluetooth connectivity
- IP67 water and dust resistant
- Fully open source
- Bitcoin-only firmware option
- EAL6+ Secure Element
- Excellent beginner experience
- Premium price point ($249)
- Quantum-proof requires blockchain upgrades too
- Wireless features may be unnecessary for some
Billfodl
🛡️ SteelBillfodl is an indestructible steel backup for your seed phrase. Protects against fire (up to 1,200°C), flood, and corrosion. Essential companion to any hardware wallet.
- Fireproof up to 1,200°C (2,192°F)
- Waterproof and corrosion resistant
- Tool-free tile system (no hammering)
- Reusable — easy to update
- Proven in real house fire
- Only stores seed phrase (not a signing device)
- No tamper evidence included
- Requires secure physical storage
Coldcard Mk4
🔐 HardwareThe Coldcard Mk4 is the gold standard for Bitcoin-only hardware wallets. Features dual secure elements, fully air-gapped operation via MicroSD or NFC, and advanced security features like duress PINs and brick PINs. Made in Canada by Coinkite.
- Dual secure element chips (2 vendors)
- Fully air-gapped operation — never needs to touch a computer
- NFC chip for tap-to-sign PSBTs
- Advanced security (duress PIN, brick PIN, decoy wallets)
- MicroSD backup and transaction signing
- Tamper-evident supply chain (numbered bags)
- Fully open source
- USB-C connection
- Steeper learning curve
- Small 128x64 OLED screen
- Bitcoin only (no altcoins)
- More expensive than basic hardware wallets
BitBox
🔐 HardwareBitBox02 is a Swiss-made hardware wallet with a minimalist design. Available in Bitcoin-only and Multi editions. Features secure element, microSD backup, and fully open-source firmware.
- Swiss quality and privacy standards
- Bitcoin-only edition available
- Fully open source
- Secure element chip
- Simple touch-slider interface
- Smaller screen than competitors
- Less brand recognition
- Limited third-party wallet support
Blockstream Jade
🔐 HardwareBlockstream Jade offers excellent value with a color screen, camera for air-gapped QR signing, and fully open-source design. Supports Bitcoin and Liquid Network.
- Best value hardware wallet ($65)
- Fully open source
- Built-in camera for QR code signing
- Air-gapped operation possible
- 10% off with code BITBO
- No secure element (uses virtual secure element)
- Limited to Bitcoin and Liquid
- Smaller company than competitors
Our Methodology
We evaluated offline Bitcoin wallets based on security, ease of use, and value for money. Our goal is to provide a balanced overview of hardware wallets, steel backups, and custody solutions at various price points.
Security First
We prioritize wallets with proven security track records, open-source code where possible, and features like secure elements, air-gapped operation, and multisig support.
Price Transparency
We clearly list prices and ongoing costs so you can compare options. From $65 budget hardware wallets to $250/year vault services, we show the full range of what's available.
Balanced Coverage
We include hardware wallets for signing, steel backups for seed phrase protection, and vault services for those wanting professional support — because a complete security setup often needs multiple tools.
Real-World Testing
We've personally used these products and evaluated their setup process, daily usability, and recovery procedures. We only recommend wallets we'd trust with our own Bitcoin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hot wallet: A wallet connected to the internet (mobile apps, browser extensions, exchange accounts). Convenient for daily transactions but more vulnerable to hacks.
Cold storage: Any wallet that keeps private keys completely offline. This includes hardware wallets, paper wallets, and steel backups. Much more secure for long-term holdings.
Your Bitcoin is safe! Hardware wallets use standard BIP39 seed phrases. If Trezor or Ledger shut down tomorrow, you could restore your wallet using any compatible software (like Electrum, Sparrow, or BlueWallet) with your 24-word seed phrase.
This is why backing up your seed phrase on steel is so important — it's your ultimate recovery tool.
Yes, we recommend both. A hardware wallet secures your daily signing operations, but the seed phrase is the master key to your funds.
If your hardware wallet is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can recover everything from your seed phrase. A steel backup protects that seed from fire, flood, and corrosion — threats that would destroy paper.
Self-custody: You hold all the keys. Full control, full responsibility. If you lose your seed phrase, your Bitcoin is gone forever.
Collaborative custody (multisig): Multiple keys are required to move funds (e.g., 2-of-3). Services like Unchained hold one key while you hold two. This provides recovery assistance without giving up control — you can always move your Bitcoin without their permission.
Custodial wallets mean someone else holds your keys — "not your keys, not your coins." However, reputable custodians like River offer proof of reserves so you can verify they actually hold your Bitcoin.
Custodial options can be a good starting point for beginners not yet comfortable with self-custody. River specifically offers automatic withdrawals to self-custody, making it easy to transition when you're ready.
For most beginners, we recommend Trezor Safe 5 or Blockstream Jade:
- Trezor Safe 5 ($169) — Beautiful touchscreen, intuitive setup, excellent documentation
- Blockstream Jade ($65) — Best value, fully open source, great for Bitcoin-only users
Both are open source and have strong track records. Jade is the budget pick; Trezor offers a more premium experience.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or security advice. Hardware wallets and cold storage solutions involve technical complexity — always follow manufacturer instructions carefully and test your backup recovery process before storing significant funds. Prices and features may change without notice. We recommend purchasing hardware wallets directly from manufacturers to avoid tampered devices. Some links on this page may be affiliate links, which help support our research at no extra cost to you.