Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
BitBox vs CoolWallet
BitBox
CoolWallet
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | BitBoxReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | CoolWalletReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €149 to €175 | $39 to $149 |
| Coins supported | 1,500Higher | 35 |
| Secure element | Dual-chip design with EAL6+ certified secure chip | CC EAL 6+ secure element |
| Connectivity | USB c, BluetoothCovers more | Bluetooth |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Wallet type (Hardware), Custody (Self custody), Backup options (Seed).
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Key differences
- CoolWallet scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.0.
- Founded is lower at CoolWallet: 2014 vs 2015.
- Coins supported is higher at BitBox: 1,500 vs 35.
- Connectivity: only BitBox offers USB c.
- Support channels: only BitBox offers Community.
Our verdict on each
BitBox
BitBox suits readers who want their own keys on a hardware device with open-source firmware and self custody, not an account balance. It is a Swiss build from Shift Crypto AG, covering 1,500 coins, and the trade-off is a higher ticket price with support on email, help centre and community.
CoolWallet
CoolWallet suits you if you want a hardware wallet that keeps keys on your own device and pairs over bluetooth without a cable. It is priced at $39 to $149, which sits higher than Trezor at $79, and it covers 35 coins.
Score breakdown
| Area | BitBox | CoolWallet |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.5Paid once at €149 to €175, above Trezor at $79 and the €69.28 hardware median. | 9.1HigherA hardware wallet you buy once at $39 to $149, with seed backup and no account or platform fees listed. |
| Offer | 9.2HigherSelf-custody, open-source firmware and 1,500 coins, ranked 12 of 108 on coins. | 8.6Custody sits with you through self custody, coins cover runs to 35. |
| Trust | 9.3 | 9.6Higher |
Side by side, item by item
| Connectivity | BitBox | CoolWallet |
|---|---|---|
| USB c | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Backup options | BitBox | CoolWallet |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | Yes | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | BitBox | CoolWallet |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto wallets | 60 of 156 | 37 of 156 |
| Hardware and cold wallets | 11 of 58 | 6 of 58 |
A third option
Trezor has coins supported at 8,000, against 1,500 for BitBox and 35 for CoolWallet.
Trezor reviewWhat we checked
BitBox
- bitbox.swiss: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- shop.bitbox.swiss: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
CoolWallet
- coolwallet.io: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- coolbitx.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BitBox | CoolWallet |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Self custody | Self custody |
| Legal entity | Shift Crypto AG | CoolBitX Ltd. |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Taiwan |
| Founded | 2015 | 2014Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BitBox | CoolWallet | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coins supported | 1,500highest quarter | 35below the median | 75 |
Median across 85 listed providers.
Pros and cons
BitBox
Pros
- A Dual-chip design with EAL6+ certified secure chip keeps signing on the device.
- Self-custody with open-source firmware, so you can inspect what holds your keys.
- usb c and bluetooth lets you pair by Bluetooth or plug in.
Cons
- The device costs €149 to €175, above the €69.28 median for hardware wallets, so you pay for coin reach rather than value.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, with no phone line or live chat.
- Recovery leans on a seed phrase you store yourself, and self-custody means nobody can reset it for you.
CoolWallet
Pros
- Keys stay with you, since custody is self custody
- A CC EAL 6+ secure element keeps the signing work inside the device
- Pairs over bluetooth, so no cable is needed
Cons
- The hardware price runs higher than the Trezor model at $79
- Support runs on email and help centre only
- The range of coins supported is narrower than the hardware-wallet median of 345
Who each suits
BitBox
Who it suits
- Holders of long coin lists who want their own keys rather than a custodial balance.
- Readers who value open-source firmware and a Dual-chip design with EAL6+ certified secure chip over the lowest ticket price.
- Trezor users who want usb c and bluetooth and can stretch past $79.
Who should look elsewhere
- Bit2Me readers who would rather use a mobile app wallet with no device to buy.
- Anyone happier in a custodial account than managing a seed phrase themselves.
- Trezor buyers on a tight budget, since Trezor is priced at $79.
CoolWallet
Who it suits
- Holders who want custody of keys on their own device
- People who already back up a seed phrase and can keep it safe
- Smartphone users who prefer signing over Bluetooth to a cable
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers set on the lowest hardware price, since Trezor lists $79
- Anyone wanting a mobile wallet app, since Bit2Me is a mobile wallet
- People who want a provider to hold the coins, as bynex is custodial
Country by country
| Country | BitBox | CoolWallet |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Liechtenstein | Yes | No |
| Switzerland | Yes | No |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
BitBox
How much does a BitBox cost?+
BitBox hardware costs €149 to €175 for the device itself, above the €69.28 median across hardware wallets. Trezor sits lower at $79. That gap puts BitBox in the dearer part of the field, so the wide coin list and the open-source firmware are what you pay for. The outlay is a one-off hardware cost.
Who holds my coins on a BitBox?+
You do. BitBox is a hardware wallet built on self custody, so your keys never sit with an operator and no account balance is held for you. Recovery depends on a seed phrase you write down and store, which puts the responsibility for access squarely with you.
CoolWallet
How much does a CoolWallet cost?+
CoolWallet is a hardware wallet, so the cost is the device price of $39 to $149. There is no account or monthly charge attached to holding coins on it, and the keys stay with you. Expect to pay for the hardware once rather than per year.
Does CoolWallet hold my coins for me?+
No, custody is self custody, and self-custody also appears in the listed features under self custody. You hold the wallet and the seed phrase, so losing either one means losing access. That is the trade for keeping control.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
BitBox
CoolWallet