The best Bitcoin wallets to safely send, receive, store, and pay with your Bitcoin BTC cryptocurrency!
Bitcoin is the first blockchain and cryptocurrency with a ticker symbol BTC, created in 2009 by an anonymous individual using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto.
The Best Bitcoin Wallets
- Ledger Nano X – Best Hardware Wallet for Bitcoin
- Trezor Model T – Best for Security
- BitBox02 – Best Bitcoin-Only Hardware Wallet
- Ellipal Titan – Best Air-Gapped Hardware Wallet for Bitcoin
- Atomic – Best Bitcoin Desktop Wallet
- Exodus – Best Multicurrency Wallet for Bitcoin
- ZenGo – Best Biometric Authentication Wallet
- SimpleHold – Best Bitcoin Browser Extension Wallet
- Mycelium – Best Bitcoin Wallet for Android
- BitPay – Best Wallet For Bitcoin Payments
- BlueWallet – Best Bitcoin-Only Mobile Wallet
- Trust Wallet – Best Bitcoin iOS Wallet
- TokenPocket – Best Bitcoin Transaction Accelerator Wallet
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the largest cryptocurrency by market cap.
The Bitcoin blockchain uses the proof-of-work consensus protocol. The Bitcoin miners compete to get the “block rewards” by completing blocks of verified transactions which are then added to the blockchain. This is how new Bitcoins are created or “mined”. Bitcoin has a total supply of 21 million bitcoins that can be mined, with around 19 million already in circulation.
What is the Bitcoin wallet?
The Bitcoin wallet s a tool that interacts with the Bitcoin blockchain and enables you to receive, store, send BTC, and do other transactions.
When you create a Bitcoin wallet, a pair of keys is generated – private and public keys. From the public key, you get the public address that you use to receive Bitcoin. As the name suggests, the private key should be kept safe as it is used to sign transactions confirming the ownership of the Bitcoin.
If you lose the private key (wallet/device hack, somebody gets your recovery phrase), you lose access to your cryptocurrency. New public keys and addresses can be generated from the private key but not the other way around. That’s how we are going to differentiate the types of wallets.
Bitcoin Hot Wallets vs Bitcoin Cold Wallets
The main difference is in security, which comes to managing your keys.
Bitcoin hot wallets are all free Bitcoin wallets. By definition, all “wallets that are connected to the internet”. You will be provided (unless using exchanges or custodial wallets, which have full control over your keys) with a recovery phrase, usually a 12-24 word phrase called recovery phrase or seed. It is, in fact, the form of your private key and should be written down as recommended and kept safe. You can recover the Bitcoin wallet anytime using it.
Bitcoin cold wallets are hardware wallets, physical devices made to secure your private keys in a safe chip.
The most popular are the Ledger Nano X or Trezor Model T hardware wallets. You can use your public address to receive Bitcoin; however, to send/spend it, you need to confirm it on your physical device, which is signed internally using your private key.
So there is no way anyone can steal your Bitcoin (press buttons on your physical device, which is also protected with a pin code or fingerprint authentication), while all other wallets and exchanges are susceptible to hacking and theft.
When you are setting up the hardware wallet the recovery phrase is shown on your physical device – offline. You will write it down on a recovery phrase sheet you get with the hardware wallet and keep it in a safe place. You can also order and use specially-made accessories to protect your recovery phrase.
You will never keep it on any of your devices like a PC or a mobile phone cause there is no point in using the hardware wallet in the first place. Hackers can easily snatch it, just like the recovery phrase of all free software wallets (hot wallets) that are shown to you through your internet service provider and on your desktop or mobile device – online.
The Types of Bitcoin Wallets
Bitcoin desktop wallet is the software you install and run on your PC/Laptop.
Bitcoin mobile wallet can be used on Android and iOS devices.
Bitcoin browser extension wallet is a small software application – a wallet you install and run in your browser
Bitcoin web wallet is a browser-based Bitcoin wallet you can use without having to download or install anything. Still, it is usually the least secure unless the hardware wallet integration is made available for the users by the developers.
Bitcoin hardware wallet is a specially developed physical device and the best way to keep your Bitcoin safe.
What is the best Bitcoin wallet?
These are the 13 best Bitcoin wallets in 2022, including both software and hardware wallets.
1. Ledger Nano X – Best Hardware Wallet for Bitcoin
Ledger Nano X is a great hardware wallet to keep your Bitcoin safe. You can use Ledger Nano X on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices (using a Bluetooth connection or USB-C cable).
In addition, many software wallets offer a Ledger connection to provide security for their users. Ledger Nano X has big storage space (up to 100 apps) and a nice design and screen.
All transactions are clearly visible on your device screen for you to confirm them. It is very easy to use, with navigation using just two buttons. Ledger hardware wallets use a custom-made sophisticated highly secure BOLOS operating system. Despite supporting over 5,500 cryptocurrencies, BOLOS isolates each application/wallet (like the Bitcoin app you install using Ledger Live) from each other.
When adding a Bitcoin account you have two options SegWit (P2SH) and a SegWit Native (bech32) account. Segregated Witness – or SegWit protocol allowed faster transactions and decreased fees while Segwit bech32 went even further by lowering the fees and decreasing the risk of errors when sending and receiving Bitcoin.
The Ledger Nano X uses the Ledger Live software (desktop or mobile version). Using Ledger Live (a fully safe environment) you can buy, sell, and exchange Bitcoin. You are also able to buy gift cards and much more.
Ledger Nano X price is: 149,00 €
2. Trezor Model T – Best for Security
Trezor Model T is also a great option that fully matches Ledger Nano X’s ability to secure your Bitcoin. One of the nice features is a built-in color touchscreen which gives a great user experience.
You can use Trezor Model T on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android devices. The iOS, however, is not yet supported.
Trezor hardware wallet and software specifications are released as open-source, meaning it’s transparent and that one programmer among thousands can notice a bug or vulnerability.
Trezor Model T supports more than 1800 coins and tokens. You can switch to a Bitcoin-only firmware designed to tackle Bitcoin operations exclusively. Trezor is very popular despite being more expensive than Ledger Nano X among Bitcoin holders.
The password manager is a great feature. You can generate and store complex passwords so that Trezor can be utilized and used as a fully encrypted password manager for hard-to-remember passwords.
Trezor Model T hardware wallet uses the Trezor Suite (desktop or web version) software. Using the Trezor suite safe environment you can buy, sell, exchange, and spend Bitcoin. You are able to purchase gift cards for the hundreds of most popular brands like Hotels.com, Airbnb, Amazon, Macy’s, Uber, The Hope Depot, Skype, Viber, Fortnite, Roblox, PlayStation, and so on!
Trezor Model T price is: 219.00 €
3. BitBox02 – Best Bitcoin-Only Hardware Wallet
BitBox02 is a native Desktop (Windows, Linux, Mac) hardware wallet. You insert it into your PC USB port and the microSD card which comes with it serves for instant backup and recovery. It also now supports Android devices using a USB-C connector.
All USB communication between the BitBox02 and the PC is fully encrypted using the noise protocol. It is easy to use with the BitBox02 app and the touch screen.
Developed since 2015 by Bitcoin core developers, BitBox pioneered the “dual chip” security concept. The microcontroller chip allows running the open-source security code while the separate chip hardens access to your wallet.
BitBo02 supports the SegWit Bech32 protocol Bitcoin address, which lowers the fees and reduces the chance of errors when sending and receiving Bitcoin.
BitBox02 can hold Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum (including Ethereum ERC20 tokens). BitBox02 has the Bitcoin-only edition with limited firmware that only supports Bitcoin. The lack of additional code further improves security.
With the ‘463D9’ discount code you get $5 OFF on all products in the BitBox shop using our link!
Both BitBox02 Multi Edition and BitBox02 Bitcoin-only edition price is: €129.00
4. Ellipal Titan – Best Air-Gapped Hardware Wallet for Bitcoin
Ellipal Titan is using the air-gapped state of security. It means it uses only the QR code transmission (generated by both the hardware wallet and Ellipal app) to sign transactions. This way, it protects your hardware wallet from all connections such as USB, Wifi, or Bluetooth by blocking them. You can see how it works in the review.
Besides protecting your hardware device from remote and network attacks, it also protects it from offline attacks. With its anti-tamper self-destruct mechanism, if it detects a try of a forceful breach, it will delete all private keys stored inside. You can of course, always recover your coins and wallets using the recovery seed you get when setting up the wallet.
Ellipal Titan has a 4 inches color touch screen so you can set it up easily and see all transactions you are signing clearly (the QR codes).
With the ‘cadanews’ discount code you get $5 OFF on all products in the Ellipal shop using our link!
Ellipal Titan price is: 119.00 €
5. Atomic – Best Bitcoin Desktop Wallet
Atomic is one of the oldest multicurrency wallets. It is available for all major operating systems: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian.
Besides Bitcoin, the Atomic wallet supports over 300 other coins and tokens. You can buy Bitcoin but also exchange it for other cryptocurrencies.
You can stake 9+ cryptocurrencies that use the proof of stake consensus algorithm and earn passive income like Cardano, Solana, Zilliqa, Icon, Cosmos.
6. Exodus – Best Multicurrency Wallet for Bitcoin
Exodus is a good wallet for Bitcoin and safe in a way you can use it with the Trezor Model T hardware wallet through the Trezor bridge.
It is available for Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. You can even sync the wallets on these multiple devices and access your Bitcoin from anywhere.
It has an integrated exchange and supports over 200 cryptocurrencies and the ability to earn additional coins by staking.
Great help center with videos. Exodus allows you to set custom Bitcoin transaction fees when sending i
7. ZenGo – Best Biometric Authentication Wallet
ZenGo wallet supports iOS and Android devices. No private keys and seed phrases but the keyless backup with your Google Drive and biometric quite innovative face recognition.
You can manage and buy Bitcoin with Credit Card and Google Pay. You can also earn passive income daily in your wallet by lending Bitcoin and stablecoins with the ability to withdraw anytime. You can sell it and receive FIAT money (USD, GBP, EUR) in your bank account. You can trade, and exchange Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. ZenGo is also developing a CryptoCard, which you will be able to order and use soon. With the referral code, you earn every time your invites purchase Cryptocurrency in the app. Cancel or speed up your sent transactions before they are confirmed on the blockchain with one tap! There is 24/7 live chat support.
8. SimpleHold – Best Bitcoin Browser Extension Wallet
SimpleHold is a mobile (iOS, Android) and browser extension wallet that supports all major browsers Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Opera. You can receive, send, and store Bitcoin but also exchange it with many other coins and tokens with low exchange fees.
If you own a hardware wallet, you can easily connect it to a SimpleHold. For example, I have my Trezor Model T, and Ledger Nano X connected to SimpleHold, which works like a charm.
SimpleHold also supports many other blockchains, and the wallet is super functional, fast, and easy to use.
9. Mycelium – Best Bitcoin Wallet for Android
Mycelium is only available for Android users but quite popular for Bitcoin holders. You can buy Bitcoin using Credit Card, SEPA (bank transfers), and Mycelium Marketplace.
Your Bitcoin wallet is SegWit (SegWit is a Bitcoin protocol update that allows Bitcoin block to hold more transactions, increasing the network scalability.) compatible and contains three private keys. You can set the proposed transaction fee and recipient address when sending Bitcoin by scanning a QR code, using My Addresses, clipboard, or manual entry. Multiple languages to choose from. It also enables the NFC connection.
Mycelium enables the Trezor and KeepKey hardware wallets integration in order to keep user’s crypto assets safe.
10. BitPay – Best Wallet For Bitcoin Payments
BitPay is an easy-to-use Bitcoin wallet. You can use it on Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. It supports Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, XRP, and Dogecoin wallets.
You can create multiple Bitcoin wallets. The wallet charges fees for the instant and automatic exchange of Bitcoin. Payment with the wallet is available for over 40 merchants. The mobile version allows you to scan the QR code of the wallet you wish to send Bitcoin to.
You can also connect it with Coinbase. BitPay has its own Visa card, for which you will have to fill KYC form.
11. BlueWallet – Best Bitcoin-Only Mobile Wallet
BlueWallet is a Bitcoin-only wallet for Android and iOS users. You can create a classic Bitcoin wallet, Lightening one for faster transactions, or “Vault” which is, in fact, a multisig wallet. You can open multiple wallets of different types.
You can also buy Bitcoin on a peer-to-peer trading platform powered by HodlHodl. For security, you can turn on the fingerprint sensor for making transactions, unlocking, exporting, or deleting a wallet. You can also turn the TOR on to add more privacy and anonymity.
12. Trust Wallet – Best Bitcoin iOS Wallet
Trust wallet is a very popular wallet for iOS and Android devices with excellent reviews in the stores.
You can use it to store Bitcoin but it also supports over 40 blockchains and 160k+ crypto assets.
It has an integrated WalletConnect feature, dApps explorer, and decentralized exchange.
13. TokenPocket – Best Bitcoin Transaction Accelerator Wallet
You can use TokenPocket on iOS and Android devices to manage Bitcoin and 15+ other blockchain cryptocurrencies. When you create a Bitcoin wallet, you have a couple of options.
It has a Bitcoin Transaction Accelerator which is a neat option (when your transaction gets stuck due low transaction fee, for example). You can buy Bitcoin, but it goes through the LocalBitcoins website, which needs registration and more, so not a useful feature.
The SWAP option enables you to swap Bitcoin with other cryptocurrencies.