Ledger Nano X review
Our verdict
The top-tier Ledger Nano X lets you go mobile and do more with your cryptoThe Nano X is one of the most secure and feature-rich hardware wallets on the market today. If you invest in a broad range of crypto assets, you'll appreciate the device's 2MB of storage and the Bluetooth-enabled convenience of being able to manage your crypto on the go. And you can use your Nano X in conjunction with Ledger Live to buy and sell crypto with and for fiat or to swap one crypto asset for another.
But if you're not an iPhone user and don't need significant storage, the more affordable Nano S Plus will likely give you everything you need.
Keep in mind that Ledger's staking UI has never been its strength, but this is a small trade-off for safely storing the private keys to your digital assets offline while you put your assets to work.
Before purchasing the Nano X — or any crypto wallet for that matter — do your research on other crypto wallets before deciding which is best for you. It bears remembering, though, that hardware wallets like the Nano X are still widely considered one of the safest ways to store your crypto, particularly if you're a high-volume investor or plan on holding for the long term.
Pros
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Large screen size (128 x 64px)
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Supports 5,500+ tokens
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Runs up to 100 apps simultaneously
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Highly secure; CC EAL 5+ rating
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Native support for NFTs
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Bluetooth enabled
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Android and iOS compatible
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Can buy and sell crypto directly from your wallet
Cons
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No touch screen
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Buttons can be slow to use
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Can't stake many cryptos via Ledger Live
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Inputting PIN repeatedly can be tedious
Estimated reading time: 2 min
Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk.
What are the key risks?
1. You could lose all the money you invest
- The performance of most cryptoassets can be highly volatile, with their value dropping as quickly as it can rise. You should be prepared to lose all the money you invest in cryptoassets.
- The cryptoasset market is largely unregulated. There is a risk of losing money or any cryptoassets you purchase due to risks such as cyber-attacks, financial crime and firm failure.
2. You should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong
- The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) doesn't protect this type of investment because it's not a 'specified investment' under the UK regulatory regime – in other words, this type of investment isn't recognised as the sort of investment that the FSCS can protect. Learn more by using the FSCS investment protection checker.
- The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) will not be able to consider complaints related to this firm or Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA regulated firm, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here.
3. You may not be able to sell your investment when you want to
- There is no guarantee that investments in cryptoassets can be easily sold at any given time. The ability to sell a cryptoasset depends on various factors, including the supply and demand in the market at that time.
- Operational failings such as technology outages, cyber-attacks and comingling of funds could cause unwanted delay and you may be unable to sell your cryptoassets at the time you want.
4. Cryptoasset investments can be complex
- Investments in cryptoassets can be complex, making it difficult to understand the risks associated with the investment.
- You should do your own research before investing. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
5. Don't put all your eggs in one basket
- Putting all your money into a single type of investment is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on any one to do well.
- A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments.
If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA's website here.
For further information about cryptoassets, visit the FCA's website here.
The Ledger Nano X is an advanced hardware wallet from Ledger, a reputable name in the world of crypto asset security.
Ledger brought the Nano X to market in 2019, and it remained the flagship Ledger wallet until the introduction of the Ledger Stax in 2023.
The Nano X enables you to store the private keys to over 5,500 digital assets as well as your NFTs offline. You can also buy, sell and swap your digital assets using nothing more than the Nano X in conjunction with Ledger Live.
The Nano X is also Bluetooth-enabled and iOS compatible, unlike Ledger's newer Nano S Plus or discontinued Nano S model.
While the hardware wallet has some of the most advanced features on the market, the one area in which it lacks is its staking capabilities via the device's desktop and mobile Ledger Live interface.
Our Ledger Nano X unboxing
What's in the box?
⚠️ Must read
Before using your Ledger Nano X, carefully check the shrink wrap and box for any evidence of tampering.
If someone has accessed your device, it may be vulnerable to hacking and theft of funds.
Contact Ledger support if you have any concerns about the integrity of your device.
You'll find the following items inside the box for your Ledger Nano X:
- Ledger Nano X device
- USB-C cable used to connect the device to your computer
- A cardboard "Getting started" envelope containing
- Directions.
- A use, care and regulatory statement.
- Three recovery phrase sheets.
- A Ledger sticker
Nano X plus price
The Ledger Nano X sells for US$149 through Ledger's official website.
This price point makes it the mid-range hardware wallet in the Ledger line, which also includes the Nano S Plus (US$79) and the newly released Ledger Stax (US$279).
While the Nano X is more expensive than some other hardware wallets, it's cheaper than comparable hardware wallets from competitors, like the Trezor Model T, which retails for US$179.
Where to buy the Nano X in the UK
Purchase the Nano X directly from Ledger's website - and not from a third party - to reduce the chances of someone tampering with your device before it reaches you.
If you decide to buy from a reseller, the authorised retailers listed on Ledger's site are the only ones you should consider.
Nano X supported coins
The Nano X can store private keys to more than 5,500 digital assets, just like the Nano S Plus and original Nano S.
If being able to manage a wide range of coins is important to you, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better cold storage wallet outside of Ledger's line. Trezor's range of wallets comes in next best with support for around 9,000 assets.
The Nano X is superior to Ledger's other devices in terms of asset storage because it has 2MB of storage capacity compared to the Nano S Plus's 1.5 MB and the Nano S's 320KB. This means that the device has more capacity to run crypto apps and store the keys to more crypto assets simultaneously.
Managing NFTs on the Nano X
You can also store the private keys to your NFTs on your Ledger Nano X.
With native support from the Ledger Live app, you can view and manage your NFTs on the Ethereum and Polygon blockchains.
You can also store the private keys to NFTs on other blockchains like Solana and Cardano on your device, but you'll have to sync your Nano X with a third-party app like MetaMask.
Ledger Nano X security
All Ledger hardware wallets, including the Nano X, benefit from the same top-level security rating.
As a French company, Ledger has The National Cybersecurity Agency of France conduct a range of evaluations to verify device security.
All Ledger devices use Secure Element chips, which are also used in credit cards, passports and SIM cards. This level of chip isn't a requirement for hardware wallets, but Ledger opts to use it for added security.
Ledger devices pass the Common Criteria security evaluation, an international standard for state requirements and banking cards, and earn an Evaluation Assurance Level (EAL) 5+ certificate.
An EAL 5+ certificate indicates that a device offers:
- The highest level of defense against penetration — or hacking — attempts.
- Protection from both remote and physical attacks.
Ledger states on its site that "going beyond EAL 5+ doesn't provide a higher assurance against attacks anymore."
Does the Nano X's Bluetooth functionality make it susceptible to a hack?
Ledger has denied concerns that the Nano X's Bluetooth functionality makes it vulnerable to data interception.
Its website states, "Only public data is transmitted via Bluetooth; critical data such as private keys and recovery phrases never leave the device."
The website also explains that critical data on the Nano X is protected by its Secure Element chip, which has never been hacked on a Ledger device.
Ledger Nano product specs compared
| Ledger Nano X | Ledger Nano S Plus | Ledger Nano S | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Finder rating
★★★★★ |
 Finder rating
★★★★★Read full review |
 Finder rating
★★★★★Read full review |
|
| Dimensions | 72 x 18.6 x 11.75mm | 62.39 x 17.40 x 8.24mm | 56.95 x 17.40 x 9.11mm |
| Weight | 34g | 21g | 16.2g |
| Screen size | 128 x 64px | 128 x 64px | 128 x 32px |
| Coin support | 5,500+ | 5,500+ | 5,500+ |
| Apps that can run simultaneously | Up to 100 | Up to 100 | Up to 6 |
| Storage capacity | 2MB | 1.5MB | 320KB |
| Bluetooth | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Battery life | 8 hours | No battery | No battery |
| Connection type | USB-A to USB-C | USB-A to USB-C | USB-A to Micro USB |
| Native NFT support | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Security rating | CC EAL5+ | CC EAL5+ | CC EAL5+ |
| Mobile phone compatibility | Android, iOS | Android | Android |
| Supported desktop OS | Windows 8+, macOS 10.10+, and Linux | Windows 8+, macOS 10.10+, and Linux | Windows 8+, macOS 10.10+, and Linux |
| Price (USD) | $149 | $79 | $59 |
Nano X vs. Nano S Plus
The Nano X and the Nano S Plus have many of the same functionalities. They both:
- Support over 5,500 digital assets.
- Manage NFTs.
- Allow you to run up to 100 apps simultaneously.
But the two devices differ in the following ways:
- The Nano X has Bluetooth functionality while the Nano S Plus doesn't.
- The Nano X is iOS compatible and the Nano S Plus isn't.
- The Nano X can operate on a battery — without being plugged into a computer or mobile device — while the Nano S Plus must be plugged in to operate.
From bottom to top: Nano S, Nano S Plus, Nano X
How to set up the Nano X
Make sure that the box's shrink wrap hasn't been compromised before setting up your Nano X. If it has, your device may be susceptible to a hack, and you should not proceed with setup.
Follow these steps to set up your Nano X device:
- Download Ledger Live software to your desktop computer. Once it's installed, open the Ledger Live app.
- Read and accept the terms and conditions.
- Select Nano X, then choose the Set up a new Nano X option.
- Review the educational slides. Hit OK, I'm ready in the bottom right corner of the app, then connect your Nano X to your computer.
- Scroll through the welcome message on the Nano X using the button at the top right.
- Select both buttons at the top of the device simultaneously after you arrive at the message Set Up As New Device.
- Create a four- to eight-digit PIN code. Write down and store this PIN in a safe place.
- Write down your 24-word recovery seed phrase at the prompt and store it in a secure place. Confirm the phrase.
How to use the Ledger Nano X
To use your Nano X, you'll need to set up the Ledger Live app on your desktop computer or phone.
Connecting with Ledger Live:
- Open the Ledger Live app on your desktop.
- Input your Ledger Live password if you created one.
- Plug your Nano X into your computer.
- Input the PIN code for your Nano X.
You'll see your digital asset balances via Ledger Live after following these steps.
Ledger Nano X alternatives
Nano X FAQs
Hardware wallet ratings methodology
We full rate cryptocurrency hardware wallets by scoring each wallet out of 10 for 3 components: security, functionality and cost. Each component is weighted based on importance, as follows:
- Security: 50%
- Functionality: 40%
- Cost: 10%
These scores are aggregated and visualised as a total score out of 5 stars.
- "Bluetooth protocol vulnerability,"Ledger,Apr. 1,2022
- "Set up Bluetooth connection,"Ledger,Apr. 20,2022
- "Install, uninstall, and update apps,"Ledger, Apr. 25,2022
- "Set up and use Polkadot.js to access your Ledger Polkadot (DOT) accounts,"Ledger, Apr. 22,2022
- "How to migrate crypto from a Ledger Nano S to a Ledger Nano S Plus,"Ledger, Apr. 20,2022
- "Set pin lock and power off,"Ledger,Jun. 7,2022
- "How to buy crypto through Ledger with Moonpay?", Ledger, July 6, 2022
