Trezor Safe 3 vs. Safe 5
Is the $90 Price Difference Worth It?
If you’re deciding between Trezor’s latest hardware wallets—the Safe 3 and Safe 5—you’re in the right place. After extensively testing both models, I can confirm they represent significant upgrades from their predecessors (Model T and Model One). While they share the same security foundations, they cater to different usage patterns and preferences. Let’s dive deep into what that $90 price difference really means for daily use.
Price and Market Context
At $79, the Safe 3 enters the market as an affordable yet fully-featured hardware wallet, while the Safe 5 positions itself in the premium segment at $169. While the $90 price difference might seem substantial, it’s worth noting that the Safe 5’s price remains competitive compared to other premium hardware wallets like the OneKey Pro or Ledger Stax. The Safe 3, on the other hand, offers exceptional value in the entry-level segment, especially considering its security features that match those of more expensive competitors.
Design and Usability
Trezor Safe 3
Having used the Safe 3 extensively, I can say it represents Trezor’s most refined take on minimalist, functional design. At its heart is a 0.96-inch monochromatic OLED screen that, while small, provides remarkably bright and clear display of transaction details. The device uses a two-button interface that’s intuitive but can be time-consuming for certain operations. You’ll particularly notice this when entering a 24-word seed phrase or setting up a long PIN code, as each character requires multiple button presses.
The two-button confirmation system, where you need to press both buttons simultaneously to confirm transactions, is secure but can occasionally be finicky in daily use. Sometimes you might press one button slightly before the other, causing the device to move to a different screen instead of confirming your action. While this isn’t a major issue for occasional transactions, it’s worth considering if you plan to use your wallet frequently.
Trezor Safe 5
The Safe 5 takes a more premium approach that you’ll appreciate every time you use it. Its standout feature is the 1.54-inch colored touchscreen protected by Gorilla Glass 3. This larger display isn’t just about aesthetics—it fundamentally changes how you interact with the device. Instead of navigating with buttons, you get a full numerical keypad for PIN entry and a 12-button keypad for seed phrases and passphrases. In my testing, this makes the Safe 5 approximately six times faster for basic tasks compared to the Safe 3.
The touchscreen’s responsiveness is enhanced by haptic feedback, providing tactile confirmation of your actions. While users with larger fingers might occasionally mistype, the screen’s accuracy is generally good despite its compact size. The Gorilla Glass 3 protection might seem like overkill for a device that spends most of its time in storage, but it adds peace of mind regarding the screen’s durability.
Security Features
Security is where both models truly shine, starting from the moment you receive the package. Each device comes in shrink-wrapped cardboard with a tamper-evident seal, ensuring the package hasn’t been compromised. Inside, you’ll find the wallet with its USB-C port protected by Trezor-branded security tape, a quick-start guide, seed phrase backup cards, and a USB-C cable.
Both models share robust security foundations:
- NDA-free EAL 6+ secure element chip that prevents physical attacks and protects your PIN
- Support for standard 12/24-word seed phrases
- New SLIP39 backup option with 20-word phrases
- Optional hidden wallets through passphrases (essentially a “25th word”)
- Protection against physical brute force attacks
The Safe 5’s unique security addition is the microSD card slot, which adds an extra authentication layer. When enabled, both the microSD card and your PIN are required to access the device—particularly effective against sophisticated physical attacks.
Your passphrase can include letters, numbers, and symbols, creating a separate wallet with its own private key. This feature is especially useful for creating a decoy wallet in case of physical threats.
Shamir Backup: Next-Level Security
Think about your recovery seed as the master key to your crypto kingdom. Losing it means losing everything, and if someone steals it, they can take everything. That’s where Shamir backup comes in—it’s like having a key that can be split into multiple pieces, where you decide how many pieces are needed to reconstruct it.
For example, with a “2-of-3” setup, you create three unique shares, but any two of them are enough to recover your wallet. This means:
- If one share is stolen → your funds are still safe
- If one share is lost → you can still recover with the other two
- If two shares are stolen → attacker gets access
- If two shares are lost → you lose access
The beauty of this system is its flexibility. You can create up to 16 shares and set your own threshold (like 3-of-5 or 7-of-10). Each share is a sequence of 20 words (or 33 for extra security), and you can distribute them among trusted friends or secure locations.
Important: Never make digital copies of your shares or store them online. The whole point is to have them physically separated.
Both Safe 3 and Safe 5 support Shamir backup, making it a powerful tool for those who want to go beyond single-point-of-failure security. Just remember: if you lose so many shares that you can’t meet your threshold, your wallet becomes unrecoverable. Choose your setup wisely!
Power and Connectivity
Both models:
- Use USB-C for power and connectivity
- Don’t include a battery (which is actually a plus for longevity)
- Connect directly to your computer for transactions
Design Options
Both models come in several color variants (like Black, Silver, or Gold for Safe 3, and Black Graphite or Violet for Safe 5), though these only affect the back plate and don’t significantly impact the device’s appearance. There’s also a Bitcoin-only version available in orange for both models, which limits the device to Bitcoin transactions only—a feature some users prefer for enhanced security through reduced attack surface1.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Both Safe 3 and Safe 5 come in two versions: Bitcoin-only and multicoin. The Bitcoin-only version is designed specifically for Bitcoin users who value maximum security through a reduced attack surface. The multicoin version supports hundreds of cryptocurrencies and tokens, including all major networks and their tokens. Both versions offer identical security features—the only difference is in the firmware and supported assets. Keep in mind that once you choose a version, you can’t switch between Bitcoin-only and multicoin firmware later.
TL;DR: Which One Should You Choose?
Trezor Safe 3: A Practical Choice
The Safe 3 excels in its simplicity and value proposition. At $79, it delivers all the essential security features you need in a hardware wallet without the premium price tag. Its compact size makes it highly portable, and the straightforward two-button interface, while not the fastest, is reliable and gets the job done.
Advantages:
- Excellent value at $79
- Same core security features as Safe 5
- Compact and portable design
- Simple, reliable interface
- Perfect for occasional use
Limitations:
- Slower input methods
- Small screen can be limiting
- Two-button interface can be tedious
- Basic monochrome display
- No microSD card support
Trezor Safe 5: Premium Experience
The Safe 5 represents Trezor’s vision for a premium hardware wallet experience. While it comes with a higher price tag of $169, it offers significant quality-of-life improvements that frequent users will appreciate. The touchscreen interface and additional security features make it a compelling choice for those who interact with their crypto assets regularly.
Advantages:
- Large, colored touchscreen
- Fast and intuitive input methods
- Additional microSD security
- Gorilla Glass 3 protection
- Satisfying haptic feedback
Limitations:
- Significantly higher price
- Larger physical size
- Touchscreen can be finicky with large fingers
- Premium features may be overkill for occasional users
- Higher price doesn’t mean better security
Comparison Table
| Feature | Trezor Safe 3 | Trezor Safe 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79 | $169 |
| Screen Size | 0.96" | 1.54" |
| Input Speed | 2 | 5 |
| Setup Time | 3 | 5 |
| Portability | 5 | 4 |
| Extra Authentication | 3 | 5 |
| Screen Visibility | 3 | 5 |
| One-handed Usage | 4 | 3 |
Final Verdict
The choice between Safe 3 and Safe 5 ultimately comes down to your usage patterns and preferences. If you’re an occasional user looking for secure cold storage, the Safe 3 offers excellent value with all the essential security features. However, if you frequently interact with your hardware wallet or appreciate a premium user experience, the Safe 5’s touchscreen and faster input methods make it worth the extra investment.
Remember: Whichever model you choose, always purchase directly from Trezor’s official website to ensure authenticity and security.
Footnotes
-
If you’re specifically interested in Bitcoin-only hardware wallets, check out my detailed comparison of Trezor Safe 3 vs. Coldcard, Jade, and BitBox02. It covers how the Safe 3 stacks up against other Bitcoin-focused options and might help you make a more informed decision if you’re planning to use your wallet exclusively for Bitcoin. ↩︎
FAQ
What's the main difference between Trezor Safe 3 and Safe 5?
The main differences are the screen and interface. Safe 5 features a larger 1.54-inch Gorilla Glass 3 colored touchscreen, while Safe 3 has a smaller 0.96-inch monochromatic OLED screen with button controls. Safe 5 also includes a microSD card slot for additional security.
Is Trezor Safe 5 worth the extra money?
If you frequently interact with your hardware wallet or value a more premium user experience, the Safe 5’s touchscreen and faster input methods make it worth the investment. However, if you’re looking for basic secure cold storage and occasional use, the Safe 3 offers the same core security features at a more affordable price.
Do Safe 3 and Safe 5 support the same cryptocurrencies?
Yes, both models support exactly the same tokens and networks, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Polygon. The only exception is if you choose the Bitcoin-only version, which is available for both models in orange color.
Which one is more secure?
Both models share the same core security features, including an NDA-free EAL 6+ secure element chip. The Safe 5 offers one additional security feature: an optional microSD card slot that can be used as an additional authentication factor.
Is it safe to buy Trezor on Amazon?
No, you should always buy directly from Trezor’s official website (trezor.io). While there are legitimate resellers, buying from third-party marketplaces like Amazon carries risks of receiving tampered or counterfeit devices. The small savings aren’t worth risking your crypto security—always prioritize the official source.
Are Trezor wallets safe?
Absolutely. Trezor has been a pioneer in hardware wallet security since 2014. Both Safe models feature state-of-the-art security elements, are fully open-source (allowing community audits), and have never been remotely hacked. The only successful attacks required physical access and sophisticated equipment, which both new models protect against with their secure element chips.
—
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investing involves risks, including the possible loss of principal. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.