While there are a number of things to take into account when choosing a crypto wallet, security should always come first.
Let's look at a few secure crypto wallets:
1. The Ledger Hardware wallet, also referred to as "cold storage," is generally accepted as the most secure method of keeping cryptocurrency. It keeps your private keys offline and has the backing of security professionals. To ensure that only those with specified access codes may access your crypto, it generates a set of private keys that you should store securely offline.
It generates a recovery phrase and not a bunch of private keys as you say, which must be safely backup and to tighten up the security, you should add a seed extension or passphrase.
2. Depending on the security layers it uses, a digital software wallet is known to be secure, just like a cryptocurrency exchange. In order to protect themselves from all forms of attacks that could leave them susceptible or result in irreparable loss, an exchange that places a higher priority on security than user funds will typically hold 90% of its assets in an offline cold wallet.
A cold storage or hardware wallet and exchange are two different, when you use hardware, you are safe if you properly manage it the way it should be but using an exchange is like giving bitcoin to your trusted friend to keep for you, you give him the custody of your bitcoin, you can't spend it unless you see him and with that, it could end well or go south
Not all hardware wallets are created equal, it is crucial to remember this. It is important to research your provider to make sure you are happy with the level of security and control offered. Alternatively, to save time and money, you should use a highly secure exchange like [https://www.quidax.com/]. A hardware wallet's features determine the specific level of security it offers.
Hopefully, you will be able to make a good decision.
Your first paragraph doesn't contradict this statement, Quidax is a centralized exchange, not a software or hardware wallet that you can use to communicate with the bitcoin network.