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Yubico YubiKey 5 NFC vs Yubico YubiKey 5C NFC

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against security keys at a similar price

The Yubico YubiKey 5C NFC scores 8.1/10 overall, ahead of the Yubico YubiKey 5 NFC at 7.3/10.

The Yubico YubiKey 5 NFC leads on passkey storage.

The Yubico YubiKey 5C NFC leads on protocols and connectivity.

They score the same on security certification and firmware and durability and value.

The biggest difference is connectivity, where the Yubico YubiKey 5C NFC scores 8/10 to the Yubico YubiKey 5 NFC's 5/10.

Yubico YubiKey 5 NFC

Yubico YubiKey 5 NFC

7.3/10verdict: buy

The Yubico YubiKey 5 NFC is for people who want one hardware key to cover FIDO2 passkeys plus older sign-in methods such as OTP, PIV smart card and OpenPGP. It suits those whose computers have USB-A ports and who also want tap-to-authenticate over NFC. Buyers who need USB-C on the key itself or FIPS certification should look at other models.

Typically about £54.40 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Yubico YubiKey 5C NFC

Yubico YubiKey 5C NFC

8.1/10verdict: buy

The YubiKey 5C NFC is for people who want one key that covers FIDO2 passkeys, smart card, OpenPGP and OTP. It suits anyone who moves between USB-C laptops and NFC phones. Buyers who need FIPS certification or USB-A ports should look at other options.

Typically about £60 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightYubico YubiKey 5 NFCYubico YubiKey 5C NFC
Protocols30%9/1010/10
Connectivity20%5/108/10
Security certification and firmware20%6/106/10
Passkey storage15%9/108/10
Durability and value15%7/107/10
Overall7.3/108.1/10

Specifications

SpecYubico YubiKey 5 NFCYubico YubiKey 5C NFC
ProtocolsFIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO CTAP 1, CTAP 2 and 2.1, U2F, PIV smart card, Yubico OTP, OATH-HOTP and TOTP, OpenPGP, static passwordsFIDO2 L2, CTAP 2.1, FIDO U2F, smart card (PIV), OpenPGP, OATH-HOTP, OATH-TOTP, Yubico OTP, challenge-response, static password
Connectors (USB-A, USB-C, NFC)USB-A and NFC (ISO 14443-3 Type A); no USB-CUSB-C 2.0; NFC (ISO 14443-3 Type A); no USB-A
Passkey slots100 slots on firmware 5.7 and later; 25 on firmware 5.0 to 5.6100 discoverable FIDO2 credentials on firmware 5.7 and later; 25 on firmware 5.0 to 5.6; unlimited non-discoverable credentials
Firmware (open, updatable)Version 5.8Current listed firmware 5.8
Certification (FIDO level, FIPS)FIDO2 Level 2, CTAP 2.1, FIDO U2F; not FIPS (separate FIPS 140-3 product)FIDO2 L2; AAL3 yes if FIPS not required by the environment; NIST validation N/A; standard model not FIPS-certified (FIPS 5C NFC is a separate variant)
Water and crush resistanceIP68 water and dust rated, crush resistant up to 25 N·m, operating 0 to 40 °C, storage −20 to 85 °CIP68 water and dust resistance; crush resistance; glass-fibre reinforced plastic body with no batteries or moving parts

Strengths and weaknesses

Yubico YubiKey 5 NFC

  • + Wide protocol list including PIV, OpenPGP and OATH
  • + 100 passkey slots on firmware 5.7 and later
  • + IP68 rated and crush resistant
  • − USB-A and NFC only; no USB-C connector listed
  • − Not FIPS certified
  • − One-year warranty on perpetual purchases

Skip it if:

  • Buyers whose devices only have USB-C ports and want a key that plugs in directly
  • Organisations that need FIPS 140-3 certification
  • People who only want basic passkeys and will not use PIV, OTP or OpenPGP
Read the full Yubico YubiKey 5 NFC review ›

Yubico YubiKey 5C NFC

  • + Wide protocol list including PIV, OpenPGP and OTP
  • + USB-C and NFC on a single key
  • + IP68 rating with no batteries or moving parts
  • − Standard model is not FIPS-certified
  • − USB-C 2.0 only, no USB-A
  • − Reported MacBook sleep problems, from one secondary source

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need FIPS certification, who should look at the separate FIPS 5C NFC variant
  • People whose machines only have USB-A ports
  • Anyone who only needs basic FIDO2 passkeys and no PIV, OpenPGP or OTP
Read the full Yubico YubiKey 5C NFC review ›

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