The Trezor Model One is the oldest hardware wallet still on sale. It invented the category in 2014, and at $49–$69 it remains the cheapest way to buy a name with a decade of scrutiny behind it. The 2026 question is blunt: with Trezor’s own Safe 3 at $79 adding a certified secure element, when does the veteran still make sense? This review answers that honestly.
The market has moved on. Newer hardware wallets like the Trezor Model T and Ledger Nano X offer touch screens, more features, and support for more chains. That raises a fair question: does the Trezor One still meet today’s security expectations for storing private keys, and does it still fit into tools like Trezor Suite?
Trezor Model One
Is Trezor One worth it in 2025? Read our hands-on Trezor Model One review covering usability, security, and whether it's the right wallet.
Product Brand: Trezor
Product In-Stock: InStock
7.5
Table of contents
 Trezor Model One | |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Micro USB – USB-A (wired only) |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android (via USB) |
| Input | Two physical buttons |
| Secure Chip | None (uses general-purpose MCU; security via open design) |
| Display | 0.96″ Monochrome OLED (128 × 64 px) |
| Microcontroller | ARM Cortex-M3 (STM32F205) @ 120 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to +60°C / -4°F to +140°F |
| Authentication | PIN, optional passphrase, two-factor authentication (2FA) support |
| Recovery Backup | 12-word or 24-word recovery seed |
| Privacy Features | Coin control, Tor support via Trezor Suite |
| Security Model | Open-source firmware and hardware, trusted hardware wallet architecture |
| Device Material | PC/ABS thermoplastic blend |
| Colors | White, Black |
| Size | 60 × 30 × 6 mm (2.4 × 1.2 × 0.2 in) |
| Weight | 12 g (device), 44 g (packaged) |
| Certifications | CE and RoHS certified, X-ray safe for air travel |
| Package Contents | Trezor Model One, Micro USB cable, 2× backup cards, user guide, stickers |
What is Trezor Model One?
The decade-old balance sheet, updated for 2026:
The Model One is a two-button, small-screen USB hardware wallet running fully open-source firmware. It is the design every later wallet built on. Keys are generated and stored on the device, every transaction needs a physical button press, and everything runs through the open-source Trezor Suite app on desktop.
What it is not: touchscreen, wireless, secure-element-equipped, or exhaustive in coin support. It is the minimum viable cold wallet, from the company that defined what that means.
It is still sold today through the official Trezor Store and authorized resellers. Plenty of devices have followed it, but its place as the hardware wallet that started secure cold storage keeps it on the shortlist for new users and long-term holders alike.
Trezor Model One Review: Security Architecture
A decade of attacks and patches later, the security picture is well mapped:
1. Microcontroller and Open Design
The Model One runs everything on a general-purpose microcontroller with no secure element. The openness is total, and so is the trade-off: researchers demonstrated physical key-extraction attacks against this chip generation years ago. Those attacks need a thief with your device, plus lab time, and a passphrase defeats them completely. On a Model One, the passphrase is not optional hygiene. It is the security model.
2. Isolated Key Handling
Keys never leave the device in any transaction flow. The computer proposes, the Model One displays and signs, and the buttons confirm. Malware on your computer can lie to your monitor, but it cannot change what the device screen shows or pull keys out of it remotely.
3. Seed Generation and Recovery
The seed is generated on the device using hardware entropy. Recovery uses standard BIP39 phrases (12 or 24 words) that you can restore on almost any compatible wallet ever made, which is the upside of running the industry’s oldest standard. There is no Shamir multi-share backup on this model; that arrived with later devices.
4. PIN Code and Anti-Brute Force Protections
The PIN uses Trezor’s classic scrambled-grid entry. The device shows the digit positions, and you click them blind on the computer, so a keylogger captures nothing useful. Each failed attempt adds a longer delay, which makes brute-forcing the PIN impractical.
5. Transaction Verification and Physical Controls
Every send shows the amount and address on the device screen and needs a physical button press. The screen is tiny, so long addresses scroll in chunks. It is tedious, and it is worth the tedium every single time: this is the step that catches malware swapping the address on your computer.
6. Firmware Security and Updates
Firmware is open-source, signed by SatoshiLabs, and verified at boot. Updates come through Trezor Suite. A decade of public code review is the Model One’s deepest asset: its flaws are the best-understood in the industry, which is a strange but real kind of safety.
Supported Assets
Coverage includes Bitcoin, Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens, Litecoin, and other veterans. The gaps matter in 2026: no Cardano, no Solana, no XRP, and several newer chains are unsupported on this hardware. Check Trezor’s compatibility list against your actual portfolio before buying. Missing chains are the most common reason to spend the extra $10–$30 on a Safe 3.
To be specific about the limits: the Trezor One does not support Cardano (ADA), XRP, EOS, or Monero (XMR). Those need the Trezor Model T or Trezor Safe 5, which run newer firmware with native support for a wider range of assets.
UI/UX
Two buttons, a 128×64 monochrome screen, and menus designed in a simpler era: the Model One is perfectly usable and never pleasant. Trezor Suite carries the experience. It is clean, open-source, and free of upsells, while the device itself does the minimum with complete reliability.
Usability
It works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android over USB. The micro-USB port (cable included) is the clearest tell of the design’s age. No battery, no wireless, no iOS. Setup and daily use are simple precisely because there is so little device to operate.
Trezor Model One Pricing
At $49–$69 from the official store, the Model One is routinely the cheapest brand-name hardware wallet you can buy. The honest math: Trezor’s Safe 3 at $79 adds an EAL6+ secure element, a better screen, USB-C, and modern chain support. For most new buyers the extra cost is clearly worth it. The Model One wins only when your budget is truly fixed, or the missing chains do not matter to you.
Against other top hardware wallets like the Ledger Nano X ($149) or Ledger Nano S Plus ($79), the Trezor Model One remains the lowest-priced entry from an established brand. You get real cold storage and the core Trezor security model for the least money.
How to Set Up Your Trezor Model One
Setup takes about ten minutes through Trezor Suite: verify and install the firmware, generate the seed on the device, write it down offline (steel beats paper), set a PIN, and enable a passphrase. On this hardware the passphrase carries the security load a secure element would otherwise bear. Buy from the official store or an authorized reseller only; a tampered device is the one risk no setting can fix.
- Unbox your device and connect it to your computer with the included USB cable.
- Go to trezor.io/start and install the Trezor Suite app.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to initialize your device.
- Create a new wallet and write down your recovery seed (12 or 24 words) on the backup cards. Never type it into a computer or photograph it.
- Set a PIN code and an optional passphrase for extra protection.
- You can now send, receive, and manage your crypto directly in Trezor Suite.
Pros and Cons of Trezor Model One
Comparison: Trezor Model One vs. Trezor Model T vs. Trezor Safe 5
Against the Model T: the T adds a touchscreen, Shamir backup, and broader coin support for roughly $100 more. That buys comfort, not fundamentally different security, since neither device has a secure element. Against the Safe 3 at $79: the Safe 3 wins on chip, chains, and USB-C, and it is the answer for most people reading this. The Model One’s case is purely price and pedigree.
| Trezor Model One | Trezor Model T | Trezor Safe 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen: 0.96″ monochrome OLED | Screen: Full-color LCD touch screen | Screen: Full-color Gorilla Glass touch screen |
| Input: Two physical buttons | Input: Touch screen with confirmation button | Input: Full touchscreen interface |
| Connectivity: Micro USB-A | Connectivity: USB-C | Connectivity: USB-C |
| iOS Support: Not supported | iOS Support: Not supported | iOS Support: Supported via cable & mobile tools |
| Secure Element: None | Secure Element: None | Secure Element: EAL6+ certified |
| Recovery: 12/24-word recovery seed | Recovery: 12/24-word + Shamir Backup | Recovery: Shamir Backup |
| Features: Basic wallet operations only | Features: NFT support, DeFi access, Shamir backup | Features: Enhanced DeFi, Shamir, native DApp support |
| Mobile: Android only via USB cable | Mobile: Android only via USB cable | Mobile: Android and iOS supported |
| Material: PC/ABS plastic casing | Material: Durable polymer | Material: CNC-machined aluminum |
| Security: Open-source, no secure element | Security: Open-source, same core architecture | Security: Open-source with a secure element & hardened firmware |
| Assets: 1,450+ coins and tokens supported | Assets: Broader support, including NFTs | Assets: Same as Model T with more native integrations |
| UX: Button navigation, basic screen prompts | UX: Touch-first, more visual interaction | UX: Full-touch interface with smoother workflow |
| Backup: Paper cards | Backup: Paper cards & optional microSD | Backup: Shamir Backup & optional microSD |
| Price: $49 | Price: $129 | Price: $169 |
FAQ
Is the Trezor Model One worth it?
Yes, with conditions. It is a dependable, easy-to-use hardware wallet with a proven security model and native Trezor Suite support, at one of the lowest prices among established brands. Run it with a passphrase, and check that it supports the coins you hold.
Is Trezor Model One outdated?
No, not in the ways that matter most. It lacks a touch screen, a secure element, and some newer chains, but it still receives firmware updates and supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, and most of the major assets people hold.
Does Trezor One still work?
Yes. The Trezor One is fully supported in 2026 and works with Trezor Suite and select third-party wallets, so you can manage your crypto the same way you always have.
Is Trezor 1 safe?
Yes. It keeps your private keys offline, protected by a PIN, an optional passphrase, and a recovery seed. Every transaction must be approved with the physical buttons on the device, so malware on your computer cannot sign anything on its own.
What if my Trezor gets stolen?
Your funds stay protected as long as your PIN and optional passphrase stay private. Restore full access on another Trezor or any compatible wallet using your recovery phrase, then move the funds to a fresh seed.
Can Trezor get hacked?
Not remotely, if the device is set up properly. Past issues required physical access to the device and were fixed through firmware updates. Because the design is open-source, anyone can audit the code, which is why those issues were found and patched in public.
What happens to my Bitcoin if Trezor goes out of business?
Your coins stay safe. The recovery phrase follows the open BIP39 standard, so you can restore your funds on any compatible hardware or software wallet, with no dependence on Trezor the company.
Does Trezor know my private key?
No. Your private keys are generated on the device and never leave it. They are never sent online or stored by Trezor or any connected app.
How do you reset a Trezor wallet?
Open Trezor Suite, connect your device, and choose factory reset from the device settings. This wipes the device. You will need your recovery seed to restore your wallets afterwards, so confirm you have it before you start.
Final Verdict: Is Trezor Model One Still Worth It After 10 Years in the Market?
Still worth it? Conditionally. The Model One remains a genuinely safe cold wallet for Bitcoin and the majors when run with a passphrase, and a decade of open scrutiny is something no new device can offer. But at only $10–$30 below a Safe 3 with a certified secure element and modern chain support, its rational audience has narrowed to strict budgets and Bitcoin-only minimalists. It earns its 7.5/10 as an honorable veteran. Buy it knowingly, not by default.
