Secure ElementNFC13+ networks
Ngrave Zero vs Trezor Model T
Ngrave Zero offers a 4" color touchscreen. Trezor Model T features open-source code — and costs $269 less.
2 wallets
Open-source vs Closed
No IP rating vs IP55
$269 price gap
Security notice ·
October 2026: suspected implant in a Trezor bought from CryptoBilis
On 28 October 2026 Trezor received a report from a buyer in Indonesia of an extra circuit board inside a Trezor Safe 5 bought in August 2026 from CryptoBilis, the same Southeast Asian reseller whose Ledger devices carried hardware implants. According to the report, the board sits between the main board and the screen, reads what the screen shows, including the recovery phrase, and sends it out over a mobile network. Trezor has not yet examined the device, calls the report credible and is having the unit sent to its lab.
Trezor says it has no reports involving any other reseller and no evidence that any customer has lost funds; the person who reported the implant had already moved their funds. Trezor removed CryptoBilis from its authorized resellers on 9 October 2026.
Trezor’s advice applies to every Trezor model bought from CryptoBilis from March 2026 onwards:
- If the device is not set up yet, do not set it up and never enter an existing recovery phrase on it.
- If you already use it, move your funds as soon as possible to a new wallet with a newly generated recovery phrase. Restoring the old phrase on another device does not help.
- Keep the device and contact Trezor Support: affected buyers can get a new device or a voucher. Do not open it; Trezor says weighing it is not a reliable test.
The report concerns how one device reached a buyer, not the device design, so it does not change our ratings. We will update this notice when Trezor publishes the result of its examination.
Sources
Open-formula rating|40+ criteria analyzed|Last updated November 2026|No sponsored rankingsSee methodology
Key Takeaways
- Ngrave Zero wins in security (61/100)
- Ngrave Zero wins in ease of use (71/100)
- Trezor Model T is more affordable ($129)
- Both support 18+ cryptocurrencies
- Best for beginners: Trezor Model T (easier setup)
Ngrave Zero vs Trezor Model T: Key Differences
Both Ngrave Zero and Trezor Model T can keep your crypto safe — the real question is which one fits the way you actually use it. We've put both through our open-formula scoring on 40+ criteria: Ngrave Zero (Ngrave) lands at 56/100, Trezor Model T (Trezor) at 53/100. The $269 gap between $398 and $129 isn't arbitrary — these are two different bets on what matters in a hardware wallet, and the right pick depends on which bet you'd take.
Winner by Category
Which wallet leads in each area
Security
Ngrave ZeroWinner61/100
Trezor Model T40/100
Ease of Use
Ngrave ZeroWinner71/100
Trezor Model T64/100
Price
Ngrave Zero$398
Trezor Model TWinner$129
Coin Support
Ngrave Zero18+
Trezor Model TWinner52+
Privacy
Ngrave Zero21/100
Trezor Model TWinner83/100
Beginner Friendly
Ngrave ZeroWinner71/100
Trezor Model T64/100
Comparing:
Ngrave Zero
Trezor Model T
Comparison Table
Key specifications for your decision
| Criteria |  Ngrave Zero Ngrave $398 |  Trezor Model T Trezor $129 |
|---|---|---|
Overall Rating | 56 | 53 |
Security | 61 | 40 |
Usability | 71 | 64 |
Price | $398 | $129 |
A secure element is a tamper-resistant chip built to store secrets and resist physical attacks such as side-channel analysis and fault injection. Learn more — Secure Element | Yes | No |
Open Source Firmware refers to firmware in hardware devices, like wallets, where the source code is publicly available, allowing transparency, auditability, and customization. Learn more — Open Source | No | Firmware |
Bluetooth Connectivity enables wireless communication between devices, like hardware wallets and smartphones, using Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for secure data transfer. Learn more — Bluetooth | No | No |
USB | No | Yes |
Networks | 18+ | 52+ |
Wallet apps | MetaMask, Rabby | — |
A passphrase is an additional security layer for cryptocurrency wallets, acting as a 25th word in the BIP39 seed phrase, protecting access to hidden wallets. Learn more — Passphrase | Yes | Yes |
A touchscreen display is a screen that allows users to interact with a device by touching the surface, commonly used in hardware wallets for easy navigation and transaction confirmation. Learn more — Display | LCD Capacitive Touchscreen (480x800, 600 Cd/M²) | Color Touchscreen |
Recovery is the process of restoring access to a cryptocurrency wallet using its seed phrase or mnemonic backup if the original wallet is lost or inaccessible. Learn more — Backup Method | 24-word seed | 20-word + Shamir |
Setup Time | ~20 min | ~15 min |
IP Rating refers to the level of protection a device has against dust and water, often used for hardware wallets to indicate their durability in various environments. Learn more — Water Resist | IP55 | None |
Which other apps each device works with, and how it connects: software compatibility matrix
Our Verdict: Ngrave Zero or Trezor Model T?
Choose Ngrave Zero if...
- You need iPhone (iOS) compatibility
- You need a durable, IP55-rated waterproof device
Skip Ngrave Zero if...
- ×Open-source firmware is non-negotiable for you
- ×Budget is tight — you'd be better served by a cheaper option in this comparison
- ×You want Shamir Secret Sharing for split, geographically distributed backups
Trezor Model T is discontinued
Trezor no longer sells this model. If you already own one, the full review covers how to keep using it; for a new purchase, pick one of the models on this page that are still on sale.
Our pick for most users
Based on the overall rating, Ngrave Zero scores 56/100 and offers the best balance of security, usability, and value in this comparison.
Bottom line: Ngrave Zero is our pick — it leads on both security and ease of use, and the overall score reflects that. If budget is real, Trezor Model T comes in $269 cheaper without giving up the basics.
Price: Ngrave Zero vs Trezor Model T
Ngrave Zero costs $398, while Trezor Model T is priced at $129 — a $269 difference. The extra cost of Ngrave Zero gets you a 3-point higher overall rating. For budget buyers, Trezor Model T offers solid security at a lower price point.
Who Should Pick Which Wallet
Recommendations based on real-world use cases
Ngrave Zero
$398Best for:
Water resistanceBuilt-in batteryAndroid supportiOS support
Pros
- +Air-gapped: transactions move by QR code; USB-C is used only for charging and firmware updates
- +8-digit PIN on a scrambled keypad; the device wipes itself after 10 wrong attempts
- +4-inch 480 x 800 touchscreen, built-in camera, 1200 mAh battery and an IP55-rated metal-alloy body
- +Secure boot, GPG-signed firmware verifiable by hash, no downgrades and a genuine check at first use
Cons
- −Closed-source firmware; WalletScrutiny's verdict is 'no source', so builds cannot be checked
- −No published audit; EAL7 is an NGRAVE claim, and the public EAL7 certificate does not name the ZERO
- −LIQUID collects usage data via Google Analytics/Firebase; its notifications were hijacked in Oct 2026
- −$398, plus $148 for the GRAPHENE steel backup; no WalletConnect, no staking, no multisig documented
Trezor Model T
$129Best for:
Better privacy featuresCoin controlTor supportFull node support
Pros
- +Open-source firmware and hardware, with reproducible firmware builds
- +Colour touchscreen: PIN and passphrase are entered on the device, and transactions are clear-signed
- +Multi-share (Shamir) backup as well as standard BIP39 phrases
- +Software updates promised until at least 2031 and security fixes until at least 2036
Cons
- −No secure element: the seed can be extracted with physical access unless a passphrase is used
- −Discontinued: Trezor no longer sells it
- −No iPhone signing: Trezor Suite on iOS is view-only
- −Plastic body and no haptic feedback, unlike the Safe 5
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Important points to verify regardless of your choice
Every wallet linked here ships from its manufacturer's official store with full warranty.
Ngrave Zero vs Trezor Model T: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about Ngrave Zero vs Trezor Model T
Is Ngrave Zero better than Trezor Model T?
On the numbers, Ngrave Zero comes out ahead — 56/100 vs 53/100 — but 'better' isn't quite the right frame. Trezor Model T is more affordable at $129, which matters more for some buyers than overall score does. If overall rating is what you actually weigh first, take Ngrave Zero. If budget is the constraint that shapes your decision, Trezor Model T is the smarter buy. Either way, both are real hardware wallets — neither is a mistake.
How much do Ngrave Zero and Trezor Model T cost?
Ngrave Zero costs $398, Trezor Model T costs $129. These are list prices for the standard edition from official manufacturer stores. A few things worth knowing: hardware wallet prices barely move during the year, so 'waiting for a sale' rarely pays off — Black Friday is the one exception, with 10–20% off being typical. Avoid third-party listings even if they're cheaper; the supply chain risk on a tampered device wipes out any savings the first time you load funds. And don't buy a 'used' hardware wallet, ever — even if it claims to be reset.
Can Trezor Model T be used on iPhone (iOS)?
No — Trezor Model T has no iOS app today, and there's no public roadmap for one. It works fine with Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux, but iPhone users are out of luck. If your primary device is an iPhone and you don't want a separate computer just to manage crypto, Ngrave Zero is the practical pick: it has a native iOS app and the full feature set works over Lightning or Bluetooth.
Is Trezor Model T waterproof?
No — Trezor Model T has no official water or dust resistance rating, so treat it like any other small electronic. A spilled drink or a rainstorm in your jacket pocket is enough to brick it. Ngrave Zero, by contrast, carries an IP55 rating, which means it's tested against dust and pressurized water — that's the device you'd actually take camping or to a beach. For most people, water resistance isn't a deciding factor, but it matters if you travel light or carry your wallet daily.
Which wallet is better for DeFi and Web3: Ngrave Zero or Trezor Model T?
Ngrave Zero — and the gap is bigger than the spec sheets make it look. Ngrave Zero has WalletConnect built in, which means you sign DeFi transactions directly from a hardware wallet without exposing keys to a hot wallet. Trezor Model T can technically work with DeFi via third-party software, but every extra step is one more place an attacker can intercept the transaction you're approving. If you're going to be clicking 'Sign' on smart contracts more than once a month, the difference compounds fast.
Ngrave Zero vs Trezor Model T: which has better backup options?
Ngrave Zero uses a standard 24-word seed phrase. Trezor Model T uses a 20-word seed phrase with optional Shamir Secret Sharing for split backups. Both work — but they reflect different ideas about what 'backup' should be. The seed phrase approach (BIP-39) is the open industry standard: portable across most wallets, well-documented, and recoverable on any compatible device. The downside is well-known too — it's a piece of paper that's a single photograph or careless moment away from disaster. Card-based backups can't be photographed and don't write themselves down, but they're proprietary, which means you trust one manufacturer to stay in business and keep the format alive. Pick based on which failure mode worries you more.
Is Trezor Model T more secure than Ngrave Zero because it's open-source?
Not automatically — and this is a more nuanced question than the marketing suggests. Open-source (Trezor Model T) lets anyone (researchers, hobbyists, paranoid users) read the firmware and verify there are no backdoors. That's the strongest possible trust signal. Ngrave Zero keeps source code private but compensates with paid third-party audits from and certifications like CC EAL5+/EAL6+ on the secure element. Open-source is the more transparent posture; audited closed-source can still be cryptographically airtight. Our honest take: if open-source is the deciding factor for you philosophically, pick Trezor Model T — but don't dismiss Ngrave Zero as 'less secure' purely on that basis.
Where to buy Ngrave Zero at the best price?
Always buy Ngrave Zero from the official Ngrave store — never from Amazon, eBay, or third-party marketplaces, even if the price looks better. Hardware wallets have been physically tampered with in the supply chain before (compromised devices shipped to unsuspecting buyers, then drained the moment funds were loaded). Buying direct from Ngrave gets you a sealed unit with full warranty, firmware integrity, and a clean chain of custody. Free shipping and occasional discounts at the source make the price difference negligible anyway.
Made your decision?
Check out full reviews or find the best price from official vendors.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more about affiliate links
Not convinced? Consider these alternatives
Secure ElementOpen SourceUSBBT100+ networks
Secure ElementNFC100+ networks
−10%via this link
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more about affiliate links