Trezor Model One Review
The original hardware wallet
The Trezor Model One started it all in 2014. Credit where it's due. But the hardware is showing its age. No secure element means known physical extraction vulnerabilities. The tiny screen struggles with modern address formats. At $49, it's cheap, but you get what you pay for.
Multi-Coin Warning
Every altcoin this wallet supports is code that could compromise your bitcoin keys. More tokens means more attack surface. The firmware is bloated with logic for assets that most users don't need.
About SatoshiLabs
Security Architecture
Software security without dedicated secure element. The pioneer.
| Secure Element | None |
| Connection Methods | USB |
| Display | 0.96" OLED monochrome |
| Passphrase Support | Yes |
| Multisig Support | Yes |
Security Incidents & Controversies
Every company makes mistakes. What matters is how severe they are and what they reveal about priorities. Here's SatoshiLabs's track record:
Seeds can be extracted with physical access via voltage glitching.
Trust Assessment
Reasons to Trust
- The original hardware wallet
- Open-source pioneer
- Affordable
- Long track record
Concerns
- No secure element
- Known physical vulnerabilities
- Multi-coin support
- Dated hardware
- Small screen
The Strengths
Pioneer Status
The first commercial hardware wallet. Started the industry.
Affordable
At $49, one of the cheapest brand-name hardware wallets.
Open-Source
Fully open-source firmware established the standard.
What Could Be Better
- No Secure Element: Physical extraction attacks are possible. Mitigated only by passphrase.
- Outdated: Hardware design is dated. Better options exist at every price point.
- Multi-Coin: Supports altcoins, increasing complexity.
- Tiny Screen: The 0.96" display makes address verification difficult.
Best For
- Budget buyers who want brand recognition
- Collectors of Bitcoin history
- NOT recommended for significant holdings
Frequently Asked Questions
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Specs Overview
$49
2.2/10
Multi-Coin
Budget, Pioneer, Multi-coin
0.96" OLED monochrome
USB
The Verdict
The Trezor Model One has decent hardware. That part isn't the problem.
It has budget and pioneer. Some people will like that.
Not Recommended
Multi-coin wallets aren't what I recommend for bitcoin storage. More code means more risk. At $49, you can get a Bitcoin-only device with a smaller, more auditable firmware.
Bitcoin-only, dummy.
I'm not going to help you buy a multi-coin wallet. Check out my Bitcoin-only recommendations instead.
How Trezor Model One Compares
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