Verdict
The one whose firmware you can check.
Swiss-made, small and calm to use. Its firmware is fully open source with reproducible builds, so independent people can confirm the device runs the published code. It remembers your multisig once registered, which makes it the strongest address check in this setup, even if its small screen makes you scroll.
Key facts
| Screen | Small OLED, touch sliders on the sides |
| Secure element | Yes, dual-chip design |
| Firmware | Open source, reproducible builds |
| Connection | USB-C (desktop and Android) |
| Backup | microSD card by default; 24 words written down as an option |
| Multisig in Sparrow | Yes, registers and remembers the wallet |
In a multisig
The first time you show an address from your multisig, the BitBox02 asks to register the wallet and keeps that registration. After that it can tell by itself whether an address belongs to your vault. That’s what protects you against a tampered computer: an address the BitBox02 confirms really belongs to your vault.
Buy the Bitcoin-only edition. It leaves out support for other coins, which means less code on the device.
Good
- Fully open-source firmware with reproducible builds
- Remembers the multisig setup after registration
- Simple to use, nothing to get wrong on the device itself
- Bitcoin-only edition available
Watch out
- Small screen: long addresses need scrolling
- Default microSD backup isn’t protected by a password
- Doesn’t work with iPhone or iPad (the newer Nova does)
Skip the microSD backup
The BitBox02 wants to save your seed to the included microSD card. Anyone who finds that card can restore your wallet, no PIN needed. Choose Advanced options during setup and write the 24 words down instead. Details in step 4.
BitBox02 or BitBox02 Nova?
The Nova is the newer version, with a sturdier screen, an EAL6+ certified chip and a wireless connection that works with iPhones. Both are still sold. If you only use a computer, the original BitBox02 does the same job in a multisig.
Compare with
- Trezor Safe 5: bigger color screen, easier to read; doesn’t remember your multisig; costs more.
- Ledger Nano S Plus: cheaper; closed-source secure element code.
Setting it up in a multisig: BitBox02 multisig with Sparrow · the newer model: BitBox02 Nova in a multisig.