KeepKey

As a longtime bitcoin enthusiast, KeepKey first caught my attention in 2016 after I heard about some of its unique features on a bitcoin-related podcast. I didn't consider buying one at the time as I already owned a Trezor and I assumed KeepKey would be redundant and unnecessary. That assumption turned out to be wrong. Fast forward to today and KeepKey is now my favorite hardware wallet, hands down. I would recommend KeepKey to both new and advanced users alike. The KeepKey Client currently supports bitcoin, litecoin, dogecoin, ethereum, and dash. All of your accounts are visible in an intuitive, user-friendly interface, and for each coin you can create as many accounts as you wish. What separates KeepKey from Trezor is not only the lineup of alt-coins it supports, but the built-in ShapeShift integration which allows you to exchange/trade coin pairings within the app itself. This streamlined process allows you to effortlessly shift between coins with confidence, knowing your KeepKey secures your funds on both ends of the transaction. More PROS: --the device is sturdy and robust; large enough that you won't forget it's in your pocket. --KeepKey has a larger display screen with a more readable font (as compared to trezor's smaller screen and little font that can be difficult to read). --KeepKey looks sharp. It has a sleek design; yet it's inconspicuous from the layman's point of view (resembles a new external hard drive). --simplicity of navigating the user interface makes it a great device for beginners; the multitude of features available makes it a great device for advanced users. CONS: --the KeepKey launcher extension should be included with KeepKey client app, so users only have one item to download. --BTC balance should also show the USD equivalent, so the present value of one's holdings is clear. --cannot remove old accounts from view. In my opinion, KeepKey is the best hardware wallet on the market to date. It has something for everyone. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one for a tech-challenged baby-boomer parent who wants to buy and hold, then secure and forget. Nor would I hesitate to buy one for a tech-savvy friend who holds several different alt-coins and trades them frequently. KeepKey is a steal at $99 and offers tremendous value at that price point. Get yours while you still can. You'll be happy you did!

You really should worry about storing you crypto-currency at a third party, i.e. any online wallet, or a wallet on your connected laptop or device. The KeyKeep is the perfect solution, a secure hardware wallet for your bitcoin. The product is well made, robust, and works flawlessly. The "leather" slip-case that ships with it, btw, is not for the device. It is the place you store the card onto which you must write the secure phrase that you are give when the device is initialized. Write it down by hand, out of sight of cameras of any kind, and find a secure place to store it. This security phrase is essential for you to recover the coins on your KeyKeep if you loose it or it is stolen. You will almost certainly be asked to update the software on the device immediately. You should do all firmware updates as they become available. I have a few constructive comments, but I will limit myself to one just now. I understand that integration with other wallets may be helpful, I don't care, but it would be nice if you could plug the device into your smartphone or tablet so that you may use it on the go. Install the simple application in the Chrome browser, the installed app will be on the right side of your browser address toolbar. The wallet is very simple and easy to operate. Appropriate links take you to a variety of block chain and bitcoin services.

I originally loved my KeepKey (even kept my original review below), but since they migrated to ShapeShift as the only means to manage one's device, they have become terrifyingly unreliable and do not allow easy and consistent access to your crypto. I logged on to ShapeShift this morning and it showed that my wallet had been disconnected. I went through the process of reconnecting the device, but when I did it showed my entire BTC wallet empty. This platform does not make recovery easy, but when I finally figured out where to go, this buggy platform wouldn't even allow me to input my recovery words; they just won't populate no matter if I try to use their on screen keyboard or my hardware one. I even tried 3 different browsers and get the same issue in all of them. As of now, I have no access to my crypto, the buggy platform that is required to use this hardware wallet will not allow for recovery, and now I am worried that I will have to go to Exodus or something to recover my former KeepKey wallet, then spend MORE money to buy a Trezor or other hardware wallet to transfer it all into to actually have a reliable wallet. I never had any of these issues when we still had a KeepKey desktop client, but now it is so severely unreliable that I have no way to access my coins despite having my recover words readily available. DO NOT buy a KeepKey if you want to have reliable and consistent access to your cryptocurrency. ORIGINAL REVIEW: Great so far. I use mine to store Bitcoin and Ethereum. It has a very user friendly interface, set up is incredibly easy, it feels sturdy, and so far I have had no problems at all. Transfering coin to and from the device is very easy via that software or browser extension interface on my PC. I invested in a steel passphrase hardwallet for a safe back-up just in case this fails, but that is smart to do with any electornic wallet, as technology is far from infallible or invincible. This thing is incredibly secure, basically serves as multi-factor authentication, as you ahve to be able to see the outbut on the KeepKey screen, know your pin, and be able to input the pattern associated with your pin on the PC interface. It also does not require a technicaly background to operate, so I am not sure were the negative reviews come from saying that it is difficult to use or confusing. Bottom line: This is a perfect wallet for storing the compatible crypto currencies, it is very very secure, and worth every penny.

I was so excited when I bought the keepkey because of the big digital display and sleek look. I guess I assumed it accepted erc20 tokens since it accepts etherium tokens but I was wrong :( which suprised me because it is considered one of the better hardware wallets. Even my trezor has my ether wallet connection and that was HALF the price. I decided to keep it because when I contacted keep key they said they are planning on up grading to accept erc 20 tokens eventually but couldn't give me a date. Like I said it looks really cool and I like the layout, but if it can't hold basically any alt coins then it's pretty useless for most people (like me).. so I gave it to my dad who just owns the big 3 cryptos.

Unit works well. It feels well made. Set up was a breeze. The only draw back is that it does not link directly with mobil devices. However this is not a huge inconvenience because you can simply take a screen capture of the QR Code from Chrome, transfer that picture to your phone and use that for all of you BTC purchases..That means there is no need for a software wallet on the phone. It is unfortunate that it is browser dependent (Chrome), but that seems to be a necessary evil. Overall it is a great product and much safer than a software wallet.

8/15/23 - If anyone stumbles upon this review, buy a Trezor or Ledger Nano X. The keepkey was a bad product, that probably why it's not for sale anymore. I have used Keepkey, Trezor, Non S, Nano S+, and Nano X. I quit using the Keepkey years ago. My recommendation is the Nano X. It hold many cryptos in its memory without having to "swap out" cryptos. Also almost every wallet works with Ledger Nano, not so much with Trezor. I am new to Bitcoin so I am not familiar with all the intricacies of blockchain technology, nor do I want to be. (I don’t need to know how the watch works in order to tell time). What I do know about crypto currencies is that they can be hacked / stolen. Knowing that, I searched for a “cold vault” that would store my Bitcoin offline, and offer some extra protection when transferring Bitcoin. I chose the Keepkey because it was simple, and had a large display. I also preferred the shape over Trezor. I also thought that a product that was priced at $236 and was now $99 had to be a better product. (sarc) The setup process is fairly straightforward. Install Chrome, download the Keepkey app, plug in the Keepkey, write down the 12 words, then do a mandatory firmware update. The firmware update did have me going in circles for a minute. When doing an update, the Keepkey tells you all your info will be lost. I wasn’t sure I was supposed to do this, since I just wrote down the 12 words used for backup. I found nowhere on the Keepkey site that clarified this, and of course it was after hours so I could not call. After searching online I found a message board that addressed my problem. Yes, just go ahead and do the update. That warning message is basically for once you have your Keepkey up and running. (Hey Keepkey, how about a line or two of programming code so the warning message does not appear on initial startup?) After finishing the setup, I did a small transfer to my Keepkey (did not want to do a larger transfer, just in case). It worked just fine. I also learned a little bit about blockchain technology by watching what happens when you click the “details” button. So now I have my Bitcoin sitting safely offline in my Keepkey, which is sitting safely in an EMP proof container. Overkill? Maybe, but if there’s one lesson I’ve learned the hard way, it’s better safe than sorry!

Pros: Sturdy aluminum case, braided usb cable, simple 1 button design and top notch security, no software installation, complete plug and play (no drivers needed), and built in support for more than just 'Bitcoin', excellent customer support. Cons: Current KeepKey extension only supports 'Bitcoin' although other currencies are expected to be added within the next few weeks according to a support desk response. Which is more of an inconvenience that a con. Other currencies can be stored by locating different supporting wallet clients. I held out for this over cheaper flimsier junk out on the market which reviews have shown to be a problem with constant use. This hardware wallet is built around a rock solid aluminum case with a single micro-usb port and a 1 button. The LED screen is bright and easy to read. The braided usb cable that comes with it is also of high quality. You get what you pay for, and I opted for the best. Installation is simple, plug in the cable, plug in the KeepKey and follow a few short steps. Remember to keep your password recovery sentence in a safe place NOT with your KeepKey device. Each time you use it, you'll be asked for your pin, only the method for keying it in (read this part as clicking spaces on a 9 spaced square) changes randomly every time you use it. Making it virtually impossible for malware or keyloggers to get this information. That's it, you plug it in when you want to send or receive coins, and put it away safely when you're done. Your bitcoin, litecoin, doge or other supported currencies are safe. Lose your device or oh; I don't know, run over it with a steam roller?, and you can use your recovery sentence to access your coins once a new device is ordered. Currently if you want to store anything besides bitcoin you need to find another wallet client like Electrum or Multibit-HD that support the KeepKey device. I have a friend with a more flimsy usb stick hardware wallet who after only a few weeks is having issues with the device showing signs of wear and impending damage. Did I mention this thing is built like a tank? It can handle multiple wallets as well as multiple currencies, it's the device for people serious about crypto-currencies and keeping them secure. Nothing is stored on your computer so that once you unplug it, there's nothing left behind where someone snooping through histories or files will find anything. While the price may seem steep to some, it's a better overall value than anything like it on the market currently. I had high expectations for this when I ordered it, and I was NOT disappointed. If you're serious about securing your own bitcoin, quit playing games with that other crap and get the real deal.

I have purchased both the Keepkey wallet and Trezor at the time of review. Note that this was the first bitcoin wallets I have purchased. The setup of the Keepkey wallet was very simple and intuitive. The screen is easy to read and I actually like the size more relative to the Trezor. Feels well made. UI on the app is good but for windows there was an issue where you would have to minimize it for it not to overlay your screen. Reported to the developers who fixed it quickly. Overall very easy to use and on par with the Trezor. I think I will return the Trezor and stick with Keepkey.