5 Best Cardano Hardware Wallets: Top Cold Storage Picks for ADA in 2023

As the adoption of Cardano continues to grow, the need for secure storage options for ADA has become crucial. Hardware wallets are considered one of the safest ways to store cryptocurrencies, as they offer a high level of security against hacking and theft.

In this article, we will discuss some of the best hardware wallets for Cardano. We will take a closer look at their features, security, ease of use, and other factors to help you choose the right hardware wallet for your needs. Whether you're a seasoned Cardano investor or just starting, this guide will help you make an informed decision on the best Cardano hardware wallet to keep your ADA safe and secure.

The selection of the best wallets for Cardano overlaps quite significantly with our list of best crypto hardware wallets, as what makes a great ADA wallet is not much different from a top BTC or ETH wallet, for instance. With that in mind, here are the best hardware crypto wallets for Cardano in 2023:

1. Ledger Nano X – The best overall hardware wallet for Cardano
2. Trezor Model T – A flagship option for Cardano investors
3. Ledger Nano S Plus – The best budget option for storing Cardano
4. CoolWallet Pro – A uniquely designed Cardano hardware wallet
5. KeepKey Hardware Wallet – The cheapest option for secure ADA storage

The 5 best Cardano hardware wallets: Examining top cold storage options for ADA in 2023

All wallets featured on our list work seamlessly with Cardano and offer an extra layer of protection against theft and hacks. They come from reputable brands, so you shouldn’t have any problems with built quality or customer support.

1. Ledger Nano X – The best overall hardware wallet for Cardano

Ledger Nano X is a state-of-the-art hardware cryptocurrency wallet that ticks all the right boxes – it supports more than 5,000 crypto assets (with Cardano obviously included), offers Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity, and has native support for non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Ledger Nano X comes in three colors: Onyx Black, Blazing Orange, and Cosmic Purple.

Ledger’s top-of-the-line hardware solution is not exactly cheap – at $149 it is more expensive than some other options on the market. However, the robust build quality, easy-to-use Ledger Live software, and native support for both iOS and Android devices more than make up for it. For an extra layer of physical protection for your Nano X’s seed phrase, you can use Cryptotag Zeus, which is one of the best metal crypto wallets on the market and arguably the best ADA wallet kit.

2. Trezor Model T – A flagship option for Cardano investors

Trezor Model T is the most premium wallet option for holders of Cardano and other supported cryptos (at least until Ledger Stax comes out later this year). “Model T” has a 1.54-inch touchscreen LCD, which makes entering your PIN a breeze – and in turn, makes accessing your crypto quicker and more user-friendly.

Trezor Model T comes in a box with a USB-A to USB-C cable, two recovery seed cards, some stickers, and a magnetic dock. The wallet integrates seamlessly with the Trezor Suit software suit, which allows you to manage crypto wallets and crypto via a unified interface on desktop, browser, and Android. As of April 2023, Trezor Model T retails for $219.

3. Ledger Nano S Plus – The best budget option for storing Cardano

Ledger Nano S Plus is one of the most popular and best ADA hardware wallets. Over the years, Nano S Plus has become a staple among crypto traders and investors that are searching for the best ratio between quality and price. The main difference between Nano S Plus and Nano X is that the former lacks an in-built battery, has no Bluetooth connection, and is not compatible with iOS.

With 1.5 MB of onboard storage, users can install up to 100 applications, while its slim profile and weight of just 21 grams mean you can easily carry it around wherever you go. With a price tag of just $79, it’s hard to beat Ledger Nano S Plus’ combination of features, build quality, and affordable price.

4. CoolWallet Pro – A uniquely designed Cardano hardware wallet

CoolWallet Pro is one of the most interesting cryptocurrency hardware wallets in the market. With a rectangular shape and just 0.8 mm in width, the device borrows its design cues from credit cards. This brings an added layer of functionality, as CoolWallet Pro’s slim profile means it can be easily carried in a wallet, or even in a pocket.

CoolWallet Pro is a great option for those wanting to buy, sell, transfer, and trade crypto on the go, as it can be easily connected to iOS and Android devices via the in-built Bluetooth connection. It can also be used for various DeFi, dApp, and NFT use cases. CoolWallet Pro retails for $149.

5. KeepKey Hardware Wallet – The cheapest option for secure ADA storage

KeepKey Hardware Wallet is a minimalistic and sleek cryptocurrency hardware wallet that supports the Cardano blockchain and dozens of other coins and tokens. KeepKeey uses a very rudimentary code, which means that it is less susceptible to viruses and malware. 

The KeepKey wallet can be managed on macOS, Windows, and Linux using the recently released KeepKey Client, which is similar in functionality to Ledger Live and Trezor Suit. At $79 (and oftentimes found on sale for just $49) KeepKey Hardware Wallet is an inexpensive option for holding your ADA holdings. 

What are the best Cardano wallets for staking?

If you are looking to earn passive income by staking your ADA coins, we suggest you use either Ledger’s Nano X or Nano S Plus, or Trezor’s Model T. These wallets offer a great mix of software and hardware and are some of the best options for delegating ADA in exchange for staking rewards.

The bottom line: Cardano investors looking for a Cardano hardware wallet have plenty of choices

There are several worthy hardware wallet candidates for storing Cardano available in 2023. You can’t go wrong with either of them, but keep in mind that (at least in our opinion) Ledger and Trezor provide the best software experience of the bunch. While this isn’t as important if you plan to access your funds very infrequently, it can become an important factor if you’re planning to make transactions on a regular basis.