Ledger Wallets Review – A Comprehensive Guide To Choosing The Best Cryptocurrency Hardware Wallet

5 min read

Security must always be at the top of any crypto holder’s priority list. Safeguarding these assets is essential for everyone, including those who only have a few coins to those who have invested billions of dollars in the market. With the rising trend of cryptocurrency scams, many people are removing their private keys from the web and storing them in a cold wallet.

A hardware wallet is the best thing for you if you are serious about digital currencies. A crypto wallet is like the wallet you keep in your pocket, but it stores all your digital currency safely. It protects it from hackers and makes it easily accessible when needed.

Ledger is a French company that was created in 2014. Today, it has become one of the most famous cold wallet manufacturers in the crypto world. These wallets typically have a sleek USB-like gadget look, with a small screen and versatile capabilities.

Today, we’ll look at two well-known wallets: the Ledger Nano S Plus and the Ledger Nano X. Both of these wallets strike an excellent balance of simplicity and safety. Let’s take a closer look at their features, pros, and cons.

Ledger Nano S Plus

The Ledger Nano S Plus is a reliable wallet intended for offline cryptocurrency storage, including NFTs. It is aimed at individuals who wish to secure their digital assets. The Nano S Plus is ideal for people who have already taken their first steps in crypto and want to hold virtual currencies as a solid investment.

The Nano S, the predecessor of the Nano S Plus, was released in 2016 and quickly became a best-seller. However, most current mainstream cryptocurrencies did not exist when the Nano S was introduced, and few people focused on NFTs that year.

In the present day, the new Nano S Plus has caught pace with the trends. As cryptocurrency has become more mainstream, the market has diversified to include new wallets for consumers of all skill levels, from newbies to professional investors.

The Ledger Nano S Plus is secure and sturdy and has a sleek look. It feels like a steady piece of equipment that can withstand knocks and bumps thanks to the metal covering. This wallet is DeFi and NFT compatible, has a larger screen and ample memory, and is prepared for the upcoming transformation to Web3. The wallet, Micro USB-C Cable, sheets to jot down your 24-word recovery phrase, and an extensive setup handbook are all included in the box.

The wallet is 62.39 x 17.40 x 8.24mm in size and weighs 21 grams. The display has a resolution of 12864 pixels, which is an upgrade over the original. The device’s outer layer is sturdy stainless steel, and the internal structure is plastic. Moreover, the ST33K1M5 CC EAL5 certified safety chip is used in the Nano S Plus.

Conveniently, the Ledger Nano S Plus can be used on a Mac, PC, or Linux computer via the renowned Ledger Live app or with an Android phone. This device can only be utilized when it is plugged in. Hence, you will need to purchase the necessary cable if you wish to operate it on the go.

The Ledger Nano S Plus is compatible with over 5,500 cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, Solana, Avalanche, and others. Furthermore, the wallet can support up to 100 apps, allowing users to retain up to 100 different crypto assets from various chains.

Features

  • Possesses a certified chip
  • Large bright display
  • Enables NFT transactions with complete transparency
  • 100 apps can be installed at a time
  • Compatible with over 50 wallets

Pros

Ledger is well-known for producing products with superior safety, and this is one of the biggest benefits of the Nano S Plus as well. This wallet ensures that the private keys are generated safely and stored offline on the device.

Cons

One of the most significant disadvantages of the Ledger Nano S Plus is that it lacks a Bluetooth connection and is incompatible with iOS devices. As a result, many users are hesitant to use and implement it.

Final Verdict

The innovative Ledger Nano S Plus is a good option if you want to get started with cold storage. With a price tag of $79, it’s an economical option for a first-time consumer. Of course, more high-tech wallets are available, but their prices are also higher. The Nano S Plus does a decent job of keeping things simple and convenient for crypto enthusiasts. The user interface is easy to navigate, and there are no confusing options. Check best Ledger Nano S Plus deals here.

Ledger Nano X

The Ledger Nano X is a popular hardware wallet that securely holds your private keys. It successfully outperforms other hardware wallets on the marketplace currently. The enhanced coin capacity and Bluetooth technology make it a crypto asset management powerhouse.

The Nano X is powered by Ledger’s BOLOS operating system and has two distinct chips. The BOLOS system is controlled by the STM32WB55, while private keys are encoded, and transactions are approved by the ST33J2M0.

It resembles a spinning USB stick with a tiny screen on the front. The first step that your Ledger Nano X will take is to guide you through the process of accessing the application – Ledger Live. This app permits you to safely purchase cryptocurrency via collaborations with Coinify and MoonPay and manage the tokens and coins stored on your device.

Ledger Live is accessible as an application on Google Play and the App Store and a desktop version for users who do not always handle their portfolios. With regard to system requirements, you’ll need Android 7 or higher or iOS 9 or higher.

After you’ve arranged your Nano, you should transfer your cryptocurrency from any exchange accounts you have used. You will need to use the Ledger Live app to create an account for every currency you own. This generates a public key that can be used to transfer your cryptocurrency. Once you’ve obtained the public key, you can visit the exchange you’ve been using to purchase your cryptocurrency and submit it to the address you created in Ledger Live.

The Nano X safeguards your private keys by generating a unique seed phrase of 24 words that are double-checked and verified with you to ensure there are no chances of tampering or any misconduct.

The Nano X comes in a package that includes the gadget, a USB-C cable, essential guidelines, and recovery seed cards. The misshaped buttons present in the older version are now incorporated into a clean design. Over 1000 coins and tokens are supported by the wallet, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Gold, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, Stellar, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and DASH.

The Nano X is larger and has a premium-feeling folding metal cover. Furthermore, the screen is clear with a huge display, making it much easier to manage apps and interpret transactions. This wallet’s battery life lasts up to 8 hours in power-saving mode and allows you to use it when you’re on the move. This implies that you can link the X to your phone without using a USB cable each time.

Features

  • Works with iOS and Android
  • Built-in battery
  • Many coins and tokens are supported
  • The Ledger live app works seamlessly
  • Certified by ANSSI
  • Can store almost 100 apps
  • Allows storing NFTs
  • Strong encryption
  • Deters hackers from gaining access to personal data

Pros

The Ledger Nano X has several benefits. For starters, it enables you to take sole control of your digital money and keep your private keys hidden. With the unique Ledger Live app, you can easily handle and develop your cryptocurrency portfolio. Furthermore, you can increase your assets directly by staking Polkadot, Tezos, Cosmos, Tran, or Algornd in Ledger Live.

Selling BTC via Coinify is also accessible via Ledger Live. Using this feature, you can quickly sell your Bitcoin and seal it in profits without leaving the app, which is pretty cool and handy. The company emphasizes that even if an individual were to hack your Bluetooth connection, the Secure Element feature on the Nano X would request your approval before changing anything.

Furthermore, the company created a one-of-a-kind operating system called BOLOS, which incorporates a safe chip for the Ledger wallet series. Ledger exists as the only wallet in the industry with this technology.

Cons

The main disadvantage of using the Ledger Nano X wallet is its cost. Before taxes, the Ledger Nano X tends to cost more than $100. Moreover, hackers stole information from some customers of Nano X in 2020. Although the data did not jeopardize devices, it contained personal information such as names and home addresses. Some critics have suggested that such data should not be required at all. 

We recommend the Ledger Nano X if you wish your crypto to be safe and secure. Just maintain your 24-word recovery phrase concealed at all times and buy the wallet from a reputable vendor.

Final Verdict

The Ledger team has done an excellent job of developing the ecosystem that has elevated their platform and equipment to the forefront of cryptocurrency safety. It will be interesting to discover what they have in store for us in the long term, but for now, the Ledger Nano X is a great investment. Check best Ledger Nano X deals here.