Overall, they are all great devices. My rating based on above is:
Favorites
1. Coldcard Mk4
2. @SeedSigner
3. @foundationdvcs Passport
Followed by
- Trezor One & Model-T
- Specter DIY & Shield
- BitBox02
Least preferred
- @Blockstream Jade
Not recommended
- Ledger
Ledger devices
I just cannot recommend their devices. While I have used several in the past (Nano S), the company not aligned with the values of the Bitcoin community, instead focusing on altcoins. In addition the company continuously discredits itself by (just to name a few):
- Promoting horrible security https://twitter.com/Ledger/status/1648657754834325504
- Making deceptive claims https://twitter.com/Ledger/status/1592551225970548736 and then the now deleted tweet "Technically speaking it is and always has been possible to write firmware that facilitates key extraction. You have always trusted Ledger not to deploy such firmware whether you knew it or not."
Good @SeedSigner
+ Full-fledged software and great UI
+ Built with off the shelf components
+ Just feels good putting together your own device
+ Great community
+ Dice rolls for entropy, though limited to 99
Bad @SeedSigner
- In an era of government-imposed lockdowns impacting supply chains, it can difficult or expensive obtaining a Raspberry-Pi
Neutral @SeedSigner
~ Stateless, requires importing seed every time it is used
~ Best if used with a 3D printed case as the buttons and joystick on the waveshare hat can be rough edged
~ If not experienced, best get a Raspberry Pi with pins, as adding them can be difficult
Good Specter DIY & Shield (1 of each tested)
+ Built with off the shelf components
+ Just feels good building your own device
+ Large screen which makes it is easier to read and display information
+ Dice rolls for entropy with additional app https://github.com/xavierfiechter/specter-diy-app-dice-rolls
Bad Specter DIY & Shield
- Screen seems too reactive. If used with a 3d printed case, need to be careful with the case edges touching the screen
- (Shield only) Cannot remove battery without disassembling the device
Neutral Specter DIY & Shield
~ Large device
~ Stateless though with the Shield version you can use a smartcard
~ Specter Shield is probably more of a collectors item, difficult to obtain
Good BitBox02 (1 device tested)
Good
+ Solid product
+ Good for multisig
Bad BitBox02
- Not air-gapped
- Bitcoin-only firmware available, but also supports altcoins
- No dice rolls for entropy
- Wallet setup requires software
Good Trezor One (3 devices tested) & Model-T (1 device tested)
+ No closed source elements
Bad Trezor One & Model-T
- Not air-gapped
- Bitcoin-only firmware available, but also supports altcoins
- No dice rolls for entropy
Good @Blockstream Jade (2 devices tested)
+ QR signing
+ Price
+ Bitcoin only
Bad @Blockstream Jade
- Wheel feels flimsy, on first device, it often got stuck
- Built-in battery that cannot be removed. Impractical for long-term storage
- Wallet setup requires software
- No dice rolls for entropy
- Poor camera
Neutral @Blockstream Jade
~ Build quality
Good Coldcard Mk4 (5 devices tested)
+ Many security features such as duress pin and keypad scramble
+ Might seem complicated or overwhelming, but it is great for learning, and you quickly find your way around
+ Bitcoin only
+ Dice rolls for entropy
+ Overall good build
Bad Coldcard Mk4
- Initially the SD card got stuck, rubbing on the plastic casing. Of the 5 devices tested, had the issue on 2. After some usage it seems to no longer be an issue
- When using the magnetic USB adaptor, you cannot slide the protective cover on the back
- Controversial topic, but the code is not open source. Though not an issue for me, and they are free to choose the license they want, the discourse with the FOSS community often seems misleading and aggressive; unnecessary
Neutral Coldcard Mk4
~ Seems with firmware updates, menu items often move around, creating confusion
Good @foundationdvcs Passport (2 devices tested)
+ Solid build (except keypad)
+ Camera and QR signing
+ Removable battery
+ Bitcoin only
Bad @foundationdvcs Passport
- Hard to remove the SD card, sometimes need to remove the back panel
- Lack of security functions like keypad scramble
- The keypad feels cheap and looks like it will wear out after some usage. Sometimes had to press keys more than once
- "Security Words" experience poor, often found myself continuing to type when it was paused on the words
- No dice rolls for entropy, though may be available in future
Neutral @foundationdvcs Passport
~ Color display, but really brings no additional value at the moment
~ Might be too simple. Understand KISS and the device works, but seems to be bare minimum in security features
~ Though accounts are in separate tabs, you do not need to be in a specific account to sign a transaction. Unexpected behavior but can avoid a heart attack if a transaction was rejected
~ Slightly larger than other devices and does not fit in "standard" faraday bags
Over the past months I've tested various #bitcoin hardware wallets / signing devices using Sparrow Wallet and Specter Desktop multisig setups. Without going into their security models, here is the good, bad, and neutral of the devices in no particular order
Upgraded to 1.5 beta #nerdminer #bitcoin
Nerdminers up and running with cases by nostr:npub1l5pxvjzhw77h86tu0sml2gxg8jpwxch7fsj6d05n7vuqpq75v34syk4q0n 💪 #bitcoin #nerdminer
Bitcoin themed fabric for a dog banana 😁 #bitcoin
The current fiat system. #bitcoin
