5 best Bitcoin wallets and crypto wallets in 2021

2021-12-16 07:49:21 By : Mr. Zheng Huang

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(Pocket-lint)-If you are interested in buying and storing Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, you may be looking for the best Bitcoin wallet. For this, you will need an investment application that supports cryptocurrency transactions, and you will also need a "wallet" to store and protect your key codes in order to access your assets.

Bitcoin has gained widespread acceptance and its popularity continues to grow. In contrast to the stock of a brokerage company, you can remove your cryptocurrency from the cryptocurrency exchange and store it in an external wallet. The best Bitcoin wallets make it easy (and a bit fun) to safely store and manage your cryptocurrency assets.

Because Bitcoin is so popular all over the world, everyone knows that Bitcoin is a digital currency. However, most people lack sufficient information about the safe use and storage of Bitcoin. Bitcoins are kept in specially designed digital wallets to protect them from hacker attacks. There are many kinds of wallets, but you have to consider several factors to choose the best.

Cryptocurrency wallets store your private encryption keys online or offline, and are usually classified as "hot" or "cold" wallets. Hot wallets are used for online storage, while cold wallets use hardware and external devices to provide offline storage.

We have collected a list of some of the best Bitcoin wallets to safely store your private key codes. However, many of these Bitcoin wallet recommendations also support Litecoin, Ethereum, and various other cryptocurrencies.

The following are our selected detailed comments:

In our opinion, Ledger Nano X is the best crypto wallet on this list. It has high-standard security features and can handle more cryptocurrencies than other wallets. Ledger Nano X is a hardware wallet (also known as a "cold wallet" for offline storage) that you can connect to your smartphone via USB or Bluetooth.

Nano X is the most popular encrypted wallet on the market. It saves your private key locally, allowing you to access your encrypted assets even when you are offline. The gadget has a large screen and can hold up to 100 applications. This space is very suitable for experienced Bitcoin and crypto enthusiasts who need a multi-process cryptocurrency wallet.

Ledger Nano X is the second generation hardware wallet released by Ledger in 2014. Ledger Nano S is Ledger's initial cryptocurrency device, one of the earliest hardware wallets on the market, and has dominated the field for many years.

Convenience: Nano X looks like a USB drive and can be connected to your phone or tablet via USB or Bluetooth. This means you can connect your wallet to an iPhone or Android smartphone and use it without a computer. It accepts more than 1,800 different cryptocurrencies. Every year, the Bitcoin community asks to support their favorite cryptocurrency, and the list is still growing.

Compatibility: Although the device is a cold storage hardware wallet, the Ledger team has developed the Ledger Live software, which acts as a user interface for all your cryptocurrency assets. This allows users to manage their investment portfolios and add different wallets of various cryptocurrencies to their devices. Ledger's hardware wallet has been and will continue to be the most popular wallet in the industry. Ledger also includes 1 USB-C to USB-A connection, which may allow it to connect to a desktop computer or smartphone instead of Bluetooth.

User-friendly interface: Using Ledger Nano X is very simple. Just access two buttons and there will be no mistakes. When the gadget is open, the buttons are used to move left and right in the menu, and you can confirm your decision by pressing both buttons at the same time.

However, this method can sometimes seem awkward, especially when returning to the previous menu, making us crave the touch screen, or at least the third button.

Easy to use: You must connect your device to the Ledger Live desktop or Ledger Live mobile app to manage your encryption. The former can use USB-C to USB-A connection, the latter can use Bluetooth. Provide native clients for all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Thanks to its simple design and neat interface, both the desktop and mobile applications are easy to use. On the desktop, many functions are organized into self-explanatory tabs in the sidebar and arranged in the bottom navigation bar of the mobile device.

Security: Connecting Nano X to the Ledger Live app is easy, just follow the instructions strictly. For example, failing to record your 24-word recovery phrase may bring disaster, but this is all part of the encryption process with a hardware wallet.

When creating a Bitcoin account through the app, we only saw one obstacle. The program requires you to choose between two different address types. Even if the subject is discussed in detail on the Ledger website, the app may better clarify the difference from cryptography newbies.

=> Click here to visit Ledger Nano X official website

In terms of encrypted cold wallet storage, Trezor is a familiar brand like Ledger, and its Model T is the company's second-generation hardware wallet. Trezor Model T is similar to Ledger, except that it also allows users to use third-party exchanges such as Changelly and CoinSwitch directly from Trezor's Internet interface.

Although this is very convenient, the $190 price tag does not seem reasonable.

Beginner-friendly: The T-generation has a touch screen, which is more direct for novices than the buttons on the previous model. Trezor also includes a MicroSD card port, which allows you to encrypt your PIN and better protect your device from attacks by using a MicroSD card.

Supports multiple cryptocurrencies: Trezor Model T, like Ledger Nano X, has a USB Type-C connection, which can be used to connect to your smartphone or desktop computer. It also now supports more than 1,600 different coins. 

Due to X's Bluetooth connection, some users believe that Model T is more secure than Ledger Nano (although Ledger's Bluetooth is optional).

Security: Trezor Model T is an ideal cold wallet for newbies who want to buy large amounts of bitcoins that need good protection. If you are a novice, it is one of the most straightforward hardware wallets. This cold storage wallet is easy to set up and only takes about 10-15 minutes in total.

Open source: Trezor Model T is also open source, which means that third-party users can regularly check the code of the device. This makes it easier for the crypto community to spot defects and errors that can be corrected quickly. This cold wallet also has a large touch screen that looks great.

Simple setup process: If you have ever used a hardware wallet, you may know that the setup process can be very long and laborious. In most cases, you need to complete the backup phrase setup procedure, install and perform any necessary Trezor firmware upgrades, and then continue to store real coins on your device. 

Based on user evaluations, the company has simplified the entire setup process, from the moment you open the box containing the device to the moment you can start using it for actual storage. One of the most prominent features that proves this is the ability to change your recovery phrase at any time (if you lose the device, the 12-24 letter and numeric code required to recover the password).

=> Click here to visit Trezor Model T official website

Ledger Nano S is Ledger's first-generation hardware wallet and one of the earliest hardware wallets in history. For example, Nano S is compatible with more than 1,500 coins. However, since it does not include a USB Type-C connection, customers who have updated smartphones may experience connection issues.

Supports multiple cryptocurrencies: Nano S is almost the same as its predecessor Nano X, with some improvements. Both can access the Ledger Live software and support the same cipher set. However, unlike Nano X, Nano S does not have a Bluetooth connection. In addition, it can only hold three applications at the same time, while Nano X can hold 100 applications.

Nano S hardly has enough capacity to create a wallet for a few coins at a time. Their web guide claims that removing the mobile app to add another cryptocurrency will not affect your assets. The cryptocurrency in the deleted wallet will still be visible on Ledger Live, but the wallet will not be visible on the Ledger device itself. This means that if you want to send or receive funds to your destroyed wallet, you may need to delete another wallet to free up space.

Reasonable price: The Ledger Nano S is priced at $59 and is an excellent wallet for individuals who want to store Bitcoin safely at a reasonable cost. It is also relatively simple to use with Ledger Live, making it a perfect choice for novices looking for a safe and transparent way to store some coins.

Ledger Nano S is a smaller and cheaper version of Nano X, but it is still one of the best Bitcoin hardware wallets. Although it has only 18 apps compared to X's 100 apps, it can store large amounts of Bitcoin in a safe and offline manner.

High security: When your private key is stored on a USB-style hardware device, even the owner does not know what your private key is. Since the gadget is also a cold storage wallet, it is difficult to steal from it.

If your Nano S is stolen or damaged, you can create a PIN and a 20-word recovery seed, which is very suitable for experienced encryption users. Although it is not as complicated as its larger siblings, there is no doubt that Nano S is one of the best crypto wallets for mid-level users.

=> Click here to visit Ledger Nano S official website

Exodus is a desktop and mobile wallet with a simple user interface and built-in exchange. The option to switch between more and more cryptocurrencies is one of Exodus' most popular features, and it now supports more than 100 different cryptocurrencies for trading.

Beginner friendly: This wallet is very suitable for cryptocurrency newbies because it is so simple. It also provides excellent help, which is essential for newcomers entering an industry that many consider to be confusing.

Exodus is first of all a closed source wallet. Although it is ideal for novices, it may lack specific features for experienced users. This goes against the spirit of Bitcoin and blockchain, and may cause security issues because the public cannot access the code. On the contrary, consumers believe that the Exodus team can ensure that the security of the wallet is not compromised.

Low-cost fast transactions: Exodus provides the option of creating custom fees to reduce costs, as well as automatically setting fees to ensure the possibility of fast transactions. This wallet is one of many online software wallets you can test, and it is a good suggestion for individuals who are not familiar with Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. It is a free and non-custodial wallet that allows you to quickly and easily access Bitcoin on the move. Overall, it is ideal for daily Bitcoin spending.

Supports more than 100 cryptocurrencies: Exodus has a built-in cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to trade and conduct bitcoin transactions from within the program. Supports more than 100 currencies, including popular currencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). This is one of the few cryptocurrency wallets that includes 24/7 online chat customer service, which is a breeze for cryptocurrency newbies who want to get involved. Like other hot wallets, Exodus is susceptible to virus infection, but it is still one of the most acceptable cryptocurrency choices for novices.

User interface and usability: Exodus is a cross-platform program for Windows, macOS and Linux. Because it is not a registered application, you only need to download and install it to start using it. The creators of Exodus stated that they took all reasonable precautions to ensure the security of the application. However, the wallet lacks two-factor authentication capabilities and only relies on passwords.

In addition, unlike some competitors, Exodus does not support relatively new multi-signature address authentication methods. Before starting any transaction, this method requires authorization from multiple devices.

Straightforward design: After entering the program, you will see an attractive and fairly simple design. The software aims to provide cryptocurrency exchange and portfolio management services. Considering its many features, the user-friendliness of the program is a considerable achievement.

=> Click here to visit the official website of Exodus 

Mycelium is an open source Bitcoin wallet specifically for mobile devices. Currently, Mycelium only supports Bitcoin, Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens. Mycelium is comparable to Electrum wallet in many aspects. However, it is only available for mobile devices, has a newer user experience than Electrum, and has integrated exchanges.

Mycelium is a pioneer in the field of cryptocurrency wallets. You can configure a custom transaction fee, allowing you to choose the length of time you are ready to wait for the transaction to complete.

Hardware wallet compatibility: Mycelium also has some other interesting features, such as hardware wallet compatibility, which enables users to store their bitcoins on offline storage devices while still being able to access their assets through the Mycelium user interface.

Mycelium is an online hot wallet that allows you to save a variety of popular digital currencies on your mobile device for easy access in daily situations. The user interface is intuitive and Mycelium has an integrated cryptocurrency exchange for trading and buying coins.

In addition, there is the possibility of hardware wallet integration. Since the system is compatible with Trezor and Ledger cold wallets, there are many ways to protect your Bitcoins. In addition, Mycelium enables you to configure custom transaction fees, which is a benefit for many customers.

Did we mention that it is open source?

We have different views on the Mycelium interface. Certain elements of the program, such as sending and receiving bitcoins, are relatively simple. However, the software contains several features that may confuse users who use cryptocurrency for the first time.

Simple layout: The program has a tabbed layout for quick access to many functions. By default, the balance tab will display the number of bitcoins in your wallet and the current BTC exchange rate. There are also buttons for sending and receiving BTC.

In addition, you can change your Bitcoin exchange by selecting one from the drop-down menu in the balance tab. The advantage is that the list shows the current exchange rates offered by each exchange. In addition, Mycelium comes with an integrated address book for commonly used Bitcoin addresses, which is a nice little bonus.

High security: The program has some basic privacy features, such as address rotation. You can set it to connect to the server through the Tor anonymous network through the settings area.

Mycelium has many things to like. However, it is worth noting that it can only be accessed on networked mobile devices, which is not secure. However, if you are looking for an easy way to store the right amount of digital currency, then this is one of the most acceptable free alternatives.

=> Click here to visit the official website of Mycelium

You must exercise caution when choosing a Bitcoin wallet, because the wallet is where your private and public keys are stored. If it is compromised, you may lose all your bitcoins.

For each type of wallet you intend to use for any purpose, these are just a few notes. Therefore, we will share with you how to choose the Bitcoin wallet that best suits your needs.

When choosing a trustworthy Bitcoin wallet, whether it is software or hardware, we have considered the following criteria:

Many wallets and exchanges enable you to handle various cryptocurrencies from the comfort of your home. Before verifying your account or opening a new wallet, we recommend that you become familiar with cryptocurrency exchange support.

When you buy your first bitcoin, you must decide where to store it. Bitcoin wallets can be used not only as an ultra-secure digital vault, but also as an application for managing Bitcoin. 

The best Bitcoin wallets allow you to send and receive Bitcoin (and other cryptocurrencies) and trade between them. You can also find new uses for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, get market and news updates, and even participate in smart contracts. We will guide you through the key things to consider when choosing a Bitcoin wallet.

If your smartphone is compromised, your wallet software must have the first protection. This means that by default, your wallet should require you to unlock it every time you use it. Although unlocking your wallet with a PIN is great, it can be troublesome if you use it frequently. Bitcoin.com wallets include facial or fingerprint recognition, which simplifies access while maintaining maximum security.

The reputation of the wallet manufacturer is also important. It is perfectly feasible that the wallet has built-in security holes (either intentionally or unintentionally) to put your Bitcoin and other encrypted assets at risk.

If you cannot access the "private key" of Bitcoin, then theoretically you cannot control it. Therefore, please make sure that your wallet allows you to access your private key.

The best wallets allow you to easily adjust the fees paid to public blockchain validators/miners. Consider buying a wallet with convenient settings (such as fast, medium, and slow). For example, if you choose fast, you will pay a higher fee, but your transaction will be completed faster. In addition, you can easily choose to customize the fees you pay for each transaction.

The best wallet makes managing (backing up) all your private keys a breeze. Although access to Bitcoin's private keys is vital, maintaining them can be a tedious task. There are many reasons for this difficulty.

First of all, for most people, the safest way to keep private keys is to write them on paper and keep the paper in a safe place. Second, you may need to carry multiple wallets. For example, you might want a savings wallet and a consumer wallet, each of which requires its own private key to operate.

Finally, if you have several cryptocurrencies in your wallet, you must have at least one private key. When you start trading multiple cryptocurrencies, keeping track of all your keys can take a lot of effort.

However, a wallet with a private key management function (often called a backup function) can significantly simplify the process.

The user interface defines the operations and functions of the wallet and the simplicity with which they can be used. The user interface varies from Bitcoin wallet to Bitcoin wallet, as each wallet has its own interface and feature set. 

Choosing an overly complex and modern wallet may cause complications because you may have difficulty understanding its functions and user interface. Therefore, you must choose a Bitcoin wallet that has an intuitive user interface and is easy to use.

There are many Bitcoin wallets available, and each wallet is unique. Therefore, if you want to choose the best user interface and accessibility, you have to test many alternatives, compare them, and make the best hardware wallet choice.

Bitcoin wallet is a software application that saves your digital bitcoins and verifies your transactions as you use them. The wallet stores confidential information called private keys or seeds. You use keys to verify and "sign" transactions, which allows you to use Bitcoin to buy or exchange other digital assets. This prohibits others from using your Bitcoin or third parties to modify transactions.

Generally, when individuals talk about Bitcoin wallets, they are referring to a cryptocurrency exchange that includes wallets that are part of their account services. In this sense, a wallet is just a place to store all your cryptocurrency or fiat currency for future use.

The blockchain is a decentralized public database that records all bitcoin transactions through bitcoin wallets. When value is transferred between multiple Bitcoin wallets, transactions occur. 

Your wallet can safely store unlimited bitcoins. Usually, a single participant uses another Bitcoin wallet to exchange some value of Bitcoin for another item or service. When this happens, the confidential data of each Bitcoin wallet will be used to sign and verify transactions, providing mathematical evidence that the buyer or seller is the owner of their Bitcoin wallet.

If you just keep your bitcoins in your wallet, using a bitcoin wallet is completely free. However, if you try to complete the transaction, the owner of the exchange or device that holds your wallet will charge you a fee based on the type of transaction. The price of a wallet may range from $0 to $200 or more. If you use your wallet as part of a transaction, you will almost certainly pay a fixed fee of a few dollars or a percentage of the total value of the transaction.

Although you cannot convert Bitcoin into cash immediately, you can sell it anonymously on the blockchain in exchange for the fiat currency of your choice. Cryptocurrency exchanges can facilitate transactions and find buyers on your behalf, which allows you to quickly convert the value of Bitcoin into the cash you need.

Each crypto wallet has its own set of restrictions and time limits for transferring your fiat currency to your bank account. However, most of them may be completed within one to three days after the Bitcoin sale ends.

It depends on the crypto wallet you use and its reputation. In general, every encrypted wallet connected to the Internet is vulnerable to attack. Some systems are more secure than others, depending on how the private service is configured. However, the most secure encrypted wallet is a wallet that operates independently of the Internet.

Generally speaking, mobile Bitcoin wallets are not particularly secure. This is because they are connected to the Internet through your smartphone, which makes them friendly to hackers. In addition, your mobile phone contains a lot of sensitive personal data and geographic location information (and other information). If this data falls into the wrong hands, the consequences will be disastrous. The best hardware encryption wallets are those stored on a desktop or cold storage location.

When you click the receive button, Exodus will display your Bitcoin address. As with a bank account, you can provide this cryptocurrency receiving address to the individual you wish to receive. Adding a currency or token to your Exodus wallet is easy, but you must first activate it in the settings.

Exodus software wallets are easily hacked, and users may suffer losses if their devices are infected with keyloggers or spyware. It lacks key security features, such as multi-signature support and two-factor authentication.

Most cryptocurrency exchanges operate on a cryptocurrency-to-cryptocurrency basis, which means you often need to use entry or exit ramps to convert your fiat currency to Bitcoin, and vice versa. In addition, some platforms and services do all of this in one place, but these are relatively uncommon.

How can this be? Well, this is a simple business choice. Some vendors focus on a single stage of travel, while others strive to be a one-stop shop. Both of these methods are completely acceptable, and just like any company, each method has its advantages and disadvantages. But let us explain how it usually works.

Usually, you need to transfer bitcoins from your crypto wallet to a fiat currency exchange or bank account to transfer bitcoins into it. After that, it was sold and withdrawn. Most people have to go through many procedures to deposit their Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies into their bank accounts.

The procedure usually starts with the transfer of your currency from the cold storage to the trading facility. If cryptocurrency is more exotic, you need to convert it to Bitcoin or Ethereum. Then, you can convert the cryptocurrency to the currency of your choice. After the transaction is completed, you can withdraw funds from the bank account of your choice.

Yes. Depending on the route you choose, there may be a variety of charges. If you must use multiple providers to cash out your bitcoins to a bank account, you will be charged for each service. In addition, when transferring cryptocurrencies between wallets, you may face blockchain transaction costs, which vary from cryptocurrency to cryptocurrency.

Therefore, you can save money by using as few intermediaries as possible. However, for more complex cryptocurrencies, this is not always feasible. For example, if you buy a relatively new cryptocurrency that is not yet listed on an exchange, you might use peer-to-peer trading to exchange it for another cryptocurrency and then convert it into cash. When demand is low, things can get complicated.

When buying a Bitcoin wallet that meets your requirements, there are many factors to consider, from two-factor authentication to security features and pricing. We compared more than a dozen Bitcoin wallets from around the world, and selected the best hot and cold wallets based on security, pricing, and user ratings.

However, if safety is your top priority, Ledger Nano X and Trezor Model T are highly recommended. Both are offline crypto wallets with security features and compatible with more than 1,500 different types of cryptocurrencies.

We also explained some criteria that you can use to search for and choose the Bitcoin wallet that best suits your needs. Therefore, choose wisely, because when the price starts to rise, you want all your tokens to be safely stored in a user-friendly crypto wallet.