Coldcard Mk5 Review
Same security model as the Q at a lower price
of 10
Coldcard lists the Mk5 at $189 with the same two-vendor secure element design and reproducible open-source firmware as the Q, but without the QR camera — air-gapped signing runs over microSD instead.
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Price
$189 list
Secure elements
Microchip ATECC608 and Maxim DS28C36B
Air-gap
microSD, NFC, USB
Open source
Firmware, reproducible builds
Assets
Bitcoin only
Scores
Each criterion carries equal weight. The overall score is the average of these 5 scores — (7.0 + 10.0 + 10.0 + 8.0 + 4.0) ÷ 5 = 7.8.
Pros
- Same dual secure elements as the Coldcard Q
- Reproducible open-source firmware
- $100 below the Q at list price
- microSD air-gapped signing
Cons
- No QR camera, so air-gapping depends on microSD
- Bitcoin only
- Smaller screen than the Q
The Q's security at a lower price
Coldcard lists the Mk5 at $189 against $289 for the Q, with the same pair of secure elements from Microchip and Maxim and the same open-source, reproducible firmware. On the two criteria that matter most in this category, the cheaper device is not the weaker one.
What the $100 buys on the Q
The difference is connectivity and form factor. The Q adds a QR camera and a keyboard; the Mk5 offers microSD, NFC and USB. Air-gapped signing is still possible over microSD, it is simply less convenient than scanning a code.
Bitcoin only
As with the Q, Coldcard supports Bitcoin alone by design.
How it compares
Ledger Nano Gen5
Named, certified chip and the widest app ecosystem
Blockstream Jade Plus
Fully open-source air-gapped signing for Bitcoin
BitBox02
Swiss-made simplicity with fully open firmware
Coldcard Q
Maximum-paranoia Bitcoin-only signing
Trezor Safe 5
Best balance of price, certification and asset support
Keystone 3 Pro
Air-gapped signing with the widest asset support
Sources
Scored from published primary sources rather than hands-on use. Every figure above comes from one of the pages below, on the date shown. Manufacturers change prices and specifications without notice — if something here no longer matches the source, tell us and we will correct it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Coldcard Q and Mk5?
Coldcard's pages show the same two secure elements and open-source firmware on both. The Q adds QR-code connectivity and a keyboard and lists at $289 against $189 for the Mk5.
Can the Mk5 be used air-gapped?
Yes — Coldcard lists microSD alongside NFC and USB, so transactions can be moved without a data connection.
Nothing here is financial advice. Editorial policy · How we score · How we're funded.