Every review on WalletReview.com follows the same process. We buy the wallets ourselves, test them by hand, and only then write our verdict. This page explains how that works, so you can judge our reviews for yourself.
We buy the wallets we review
We buy hardware wallets from the manufacturer’s official store or an authorized reseller, the same advice we give our readers. A device bought from a marketplace can be tampered with before it reaches you, so we never test one. Software wallets are installed only from the official website or the official app store listing.
We test every wallet personally
Before we write a word, each wallet goes through the same hands-on routine:
- Unboxing and setting it up from scratch, including the genuineness check and any firmware update.
- Creating a new wallet and writing the recovery phrase down on paper, offline.
- Receiving and sending small amounts, on more than one network where the wallet supports it.
- Wiping the wallet and restoring it from the recovery phrase, to prove the backup works.
- Connecting it to its companion app and, where supported, to third-party wallets such as MetaMask.
- Using it day to day before we decide what we think of it.
We only ever use test amounts. We never type a real recovery phrase into a computer or phone, and we never share one with anyone.
What we judge
Our verdict is a personal opinion based on five criteria. Each one is weighed for the type of wallet, because a hardware wallet and a browser extension solve different problems.
Security
How the private keys are generated, stored, and protected. We look at the secure element and its certification, whether the code is open source, PIN and passphrase options, and the company’s record on breaches and leaks.
UI and UX
How the device and its app look and feel in daily use. Screen size and readability matter, and so does how clearly the wallet shows what you are about to sign.
Ease of use
How quickly a beginner can set it up and use it without making a costly mistake. Clear instructions, sensible defaults, and helpful error messages all count.
Price
What you pay compared with what you get, and compared with rivals at the same price. We always quote the price from the official store, together with the month we checked it.
Supported cryptocurrencies
How many coins, tokens, and networks the wallet supports. We also check whether the assets most readers hold work natively or only through a third-party app.
Research before we write
Testing shows how a wallet works for us. Research shows how it works for everyone else, so we always do both.
- We read other independent reviews and user feedback, to see whether our experience matches other people’s.
- We search specifically for recent reviews and reports, to catch a drop in build quality, a bad firmware update, or worse support.
- We check for hacks, data breaches, and security incidents involving the wallet or its company, and we mention any we find.
- We read the official documentation, release notes, and firmware changelogs.
- We check security certifications and audits where the company publishes them.
- We verify prices, specifications, and supported coins on the manufacturer’s official site at the time of writing.
How we score
Reviews end with a score out of 10 that reflects the five criteria above. The score is weighed for the kind of person the wallet suits best. A specialist device with a lower score can still be the right choice for you.
Keeping reviews up to date
Wallets change after we review them, through firmware updates, price changes, new coins, and sometimes a security incident. We revisit our reviews when something important changes, and we date every price and figure we update. When a product is discontinued, we say so and point you to its successor.
Affiliate links and independence
Some links on WalletReview.com are affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Commissions never decide a score. We point out a product’s weaknesses whether or not we earn from it.
Who writes our reviews
Our reviews are written by people who have used hardware and software wallets for years. You can read more about the team on our About Us page.
Found a mistake?
If you spot an error, or your experience with a wallet contradicts our review, email us at [email protected]. We check every report and correct the review when we got something wrong.
Our reviews are for general information only and are not financial, legal, or investment advice.