As a crypto user who always prioritizes security and convenience, I recently tested the Tangem wallet and the Ellipal X Card — two of the most talked-about cold wallets in the market. Both promise strong protection for your crypto assets, but which one delivers in real-world use? Here is my detailed experience breaking down the technical specs, security features, and usability of these devices.

Tangem’s standout feature is its smartcard design. It looks and feels just like a credit card, which makes it super easy to carry in your wallet. There’s no battery, no screen, and no cables involved. Instead, it uses NFC (Near Field Communication) to interact with your phone. You just tap the card to your smartphone, and transaction signing occurs instantly through an app.

• The wallet’s private keys never leave the chip, which is a certified secure element (CC EAL5+).

• Supports multiple blockchains including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many ERC-20 tokens.

• Public key and signed transactions transmit wirelessly via NFC, enabling quick and contactless crypto management.

• Self-powered by the NFC field — there’s no need to charge or replace batteries.

• Built with tamper-resistant hardware; any physical tampering voids the device.

For me, the contactless operation felt futuristic and convenient. Signing transactions was as easy as tapping my phone to the card, which beats fumbling with cables or entering PINs. However, the lack of a screen means you must trust your phone app to display accurate transaction details.

medium.com

Ellipal X Card takes a different approach to cold storage security. It’s a hardware wallet designed to be completely air-gapped, meaning it never connects to the internet or other devices directly. Instead, it uses QR codes to transfer signed transactions between the wallet and your phone.

• Equipped with a secure element chip and a fully isolated OS to prevent remote hacking.

• The device is completely offline and sealed inside a rugged metal case, designed to withstand physical damage.

• Transmission via QR codes eliminates any wireless or USB connection, reducing hacking risks drastically.

• Supports over 40 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and many altcoins.

• Includes a color touchscreen to verify transaction details safely on-device.

Using QR codes to move data between the phone and wallet felt secure but a bit slower than NFC tap payments. Still, the touchscreen allowed me to confirm transaction details independently from the phone, which gave a reassuring layer of security.

medium.com

If you value ultra-portability and the coolest contactless experience, Tangem’s smartcard is a game-changer. It blends security with unmatched convenience, especially for those who want to sign transactions quickly on the go with minimal fuss.

On the other hand, if you want hardened security with maximum transparency, Ellipal X’s air-gapped architecture and on-device confirmation make it extremely difficult for hackers to compromise your keys. It’s bulkier but trades off size for peace of mind.

Choosing between these two depends on your priorities: Tangem offers sleek simplicity and NFC ease, while Ellipal X Card delivers rugged, isolated protection with offline verification.

In 2025, both are excellent hardware wallets — but for me, the deciding factor was how often I trade and how much I want to interact directly with the cold wallet screen. Either way, both devices raise the bar for cold wallet tech this year.

Thank you for reading!

As a crypto user who always prioritizes security and convenience, I recently tested the Tangem wallet and the Ellipal X Card — two of the most talked-about cold wallets in the market. Both promise strong protection for your crypto assets, but which one delivers in real-world use? Here is my detailed experience breaking down the technical specs, security features, and usability of these devices.

Tangem’s standout feature is its smartcard design. It looks and feels just like a credit card, which makes it super easy to carry in your wallet. There’s no battery, no screen, and no cables involved. Instead, it uses NFC (Near Field Communication) to interact with your phone. You just tap the card to your smartphone, and transaction signing occurs instantly through an app.

• The wallet’s private keys never leave the chip, which is a certified secure element (CC EAL5+).

• Supports multiple blockchains including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many ERC-20 tokens.

• Public key and signed transactions transmit wirelessly via NFC, enabling quick and contactless crypto management.

• Self-powered by the NFC field — there’s no need to charge or replace batteries.

• Built with tamper-resistant hardware; any physical tampering voids the device.

For me, the contactless operation felt futuristic and convenient. Signing transactions was as easy as tapping my phone to the card, which beats fumbling with cables or entering PINs. However, the lack of a screen means you must trust your phone app to display accurate transaction details.

medium.com

Ellipal X Card takes a different approach to cold storage security. It’s a hardware wallet designed to be completely air-gapped, meaning it never connects to the internet or other devices directly. Instead, it uses QR codes to transfer signed transactions between the wallet and your phone.

• Equipped with a secure element chip and a fully isolated OS to prevent remote hacking.

• The device is completely offline and sealed inside a rugged metal case, designed to withstand physical damage.

• Transmission via QR codes eliminates any wireless or USB connection, reducing hacking risks drastically.

• Supports over 40 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and many altcoins.

• Includes a color touchscreen to verify transaction details safely on-device.

Using QR codes to move data between the phone and wallet felt secure but a bit slower than NFC tap payments. Still, the touchscreen allowed me to confirm transaction details independently from the phone, which gave a reassuring layer of security.

medium.com

If you value ultra-portability and the coolest contactless experience, Tangem’s smartcard is a game-changer. It blends security with unmatched convenience, especially for those who want to sign transactions quickly on the go with minimal fuss.

On the other hand, if you want hardened security with maximum transparency, Ellipal X’s air-gapped architecture and on-device confirmation make it extremely difficult for hackers to compromise your keys. It’s bulkier but trades off size for peace of mind.

Choosing between these two depends on your priorities: Tangem offers sleek simplicity and NFC ease, while Ellipal X Card delivers rugged, isolated protection with offline verification.

In 2025, both are excellent hardware wallets — but for me, the deciding factor was how often I trade and how much I want to interact directly with the cold wallet screen. Either way, both devices raise the bar for cold wallet tech this year.

Thank you for reading!