Ledger Nano S Review 2024: Features, Pros and Cons

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Product Name: Ledger Nano S

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3.5

Summary

The ledger team has stopped production of Ledger Nano S and released a new refined model called Ledger Nano S Plus for $79. It offers all the existing features of Ledger Nano S + more colors and some extra features. 

 

Pros

  • Budget-friendly
  • Multi crypto wallet

Cons

The product is about to be discontinued. You should better buy Ledger Nano S plus , which is the new version by the Ledger team.

  • Where should I store bitcoins for maximum safety?
  • Is a hardware wallet like the Ledger Nano S worth buying?
  • Is Ledger Nano S Safe?
  • How does Ledger Nano S work?
  • Why can’t I leave my bitcoins on an exchange? 

December 2022 update: Ledger Nano S Plus has replaced Ledger Nano S. Alternatively you can order a Ledger Nano X. Read a detailed Ledger Nano X review here.

These are just some of the many questions that we all go through when deciding to purchase a hardware wallet. Last year, I was also facing the same dilemma, and I wasn’t sure if I should be investing close to $69 to buy the Ledger Nano S.

Ledger Nano S

This detailed and extensive review is designed so you can answer the very important question: “Should I buy the Ledger Nano S?”

But before anything else…

The backstory of how I evolved as a Bitcoin wallet user:

I always liked Bitcoin as a piece of technology, but I never intended to invest in or purchase any bitcoins. However, later on, after I discovered a few Bitcoin exchanges and became even more interested in technology, I finally decided to buy my first bitcoins. Initially, I stored them on exchanges.

But later, I learned that this is risky as there is no guarantee that they will still be there when I want to use them.

At that time, I started using the MyCelium mobile wallet to store these bitcoins. However, we all know how easy it is to hack a mobile phone. Being from the information technology field and having a keen interest in information security, I knew it was not wise to trust my mobile phone for holding large amounts of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

That is when I discovered paper wallets, which sounded like the best option for holding Bitcoin for a long period of time, but it still seemed a little too inconvenient.

After spending countless nights learning about different types of crypto wallets and which methods would keep my Bitcoin most secure, I discovered a simple hardware wallet: The Ledger Nano S.

Based on my research, this sounded like a solid wallet, but I didn’t want to believe in another’s words until I saw it being valuable myself. By that time, I held 2 bitcoins (each worth of $1200 at the time), and my investment on that Bitcoin had already doubled, so spending $59 was no problem at all.

I was like, “What the heck… Let me order this. In the worst-case scenario, I will be sharing a review and telling the world not to waste their money.” But oh boy, I was so far away from that worst-case scenario…

One fine day, I received my Ledger Nano S.

That same day, I transferred all of my bitcoins onto this newly purchased wallet.

It was very easy.

Within an hour, I was able to secure all of my bitcoins on my brand new Ledger Nano S.

  • “Hey, Harsh! Should I buy Ledger Nano S?”

My answer is: Definitely.

Go ahead and order it right now.

While this wallet gives you complete security, it also gives you something even more priceless: Peace of mind.

Surprising Things About The Ledger Nano S

So what’s so special about the Ledger Nano S?

Aren’t all hardware wallets secure in an offline environment?

Well, here’s the difference:

  • You can use the Ledger Nano S to store ETH, ETC, Dash, Ripple, Stratis, ZCash, Litecoin, NEO, Bitcoin Gold, Bitcoin Cash, Viacoin and a few other alt currencies (including BTC). You can see a complete list here.
  • Because it’s an HD wallet, you control many accounts for all supported cryptocurrencies. This means that all cryptos stored here will be secure with the same backup key. So let’s say you are storing Bitcoin for your friends or family, you can label those account for them and keep them safe as if they were your own.
  • Ledger supports all ERC tokens when used with MyEtherWallet. I have already tested this.
  • Ledger is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS. It can also connect to your Android device using an OTG cable.
  • To receive Bitcoin, your Ledger Nano S doesn’t need to be connected to a computer. You can receive Bitcoin even if your Ledger is offline.

Fine points based on our reader’s questions:

  • You can store unlimited coins.
  • When you update your wallet, you don’t need to transfer coins to anywhere. After updating and restoring, all the coins will reappear automatically.
  • Ledger Nano S works with Windows, Linux, Mac, Android phone.

The simple act of being able to store other cryptocurrencies on this wallet has, for me, made the whole purchase completely worthwhile.

Ledger Nano S Features

They keep adding in support for newer cryptos for their customers, including the new Bitcoin Cash. This shows that they really do put their customer’s interests first and are not just looking to sell you things.

How About The Security Of The Ledger Nano S?

Now, let’s talk about the security of the Ledger Nano S and why it is so trustworthy. Note: For even more security options, check out its more sophisticated counterpart- Ledger Blue.

How Does The Ledger Nano S Ensure Security?

Your computer and mobile can be hacked easily. When hackers can hack multi-million dollar servers (essentially big computers), then our smaller systems should also be seen as equally vulnerable.

The Ledger has a separate chip and screen to mitigate the potential security flaw of certain apps taking random screenshots of mobile and laptop screens.

When dealing with any Bitcoin wallet, one important thing we all need to do is note down the seed key/recovery phrase. When this recovery phrase is shown on a mobile or computer screen, it becomes susceptible to hacking.

Ledger Nano S Security

When you are using the Ledger Nano S, the seed word is displayed on the OLED screen which only you can see. And it’s no exaggeration to say that this security feature alone makes your Bitcoin holdings secure.

Moreover, most of the work like checking Bitcoin balances and account management happens through a desktop app while your Ledger Nano S is still connected to the computer via a USB cable.

Ledger Nano S

When you are sending Bitcoins to someone, you need to allow the transaction by tapping certain buttons on your Ledger. So even if your computer is hacked, a hacker won’t be able to transfer those bitcoins because they don’t have physical access to your Ledger Nano S

More Security Features:

  • Your Bitcoin private key is stored in a secured section of the device itself. It doesn’t ever leave the device, and hence, there’s no way for a hacker to get to it.
  • The Ledger Nano S is HD wallet. This means that every time you receive funds, you get a new receiving address. This enhances your privacy to a great extent.
  • You can also sign a message using the Ledger Nano S to prove your ownership of the address. You may use this feature in the future when you advance in your Bitcoin and cryptocurrency usage.

There are more advantages of using Ledger Nano S that you will discover as you become more comfortable with the device.

If you are deciding between whether or not to buy, recognize that it’s going to enhance the way you interact with cryptos by a large degree.

I highly suggest you get one now.

A few more important things to know before ordering the Ledger Nano S:

  • Due to high demand, delivery is not instant. That’s why you should order it ASAP to get ahead in the queue.
  • Order Ledger only from the official site over here.
  • Ledger offers the Ledger Nano S and the Ledger Nano X, and both are great. Ledger Nano X comes with more memory and offers Bluetooth connectivity features, which works well on mobile phones. If pricing is not an issue, I would always recommend buying the modern version which is Ledger Nano X. However, if you wanna do budget shopping, then Ledger Nano S does the job well.

If possible, you should order two. You can use one as a backup in case you travel a lot. This will also allow you to have even more security when dealing with cryptos.

How Does Ledger Nano S work?

Here is a short video series that will help you learn everything about the Ledger Nano S from scratch. Just watch them and you will know about how to take backups of seed words, connecting to your Android device, sending/receiving coins, etc.

I have been using Ledger the Nano S for the past 4 years, and I can confidently recommend this. Most of my friends are already using this wallet, and they are using it for just one purpose:

Keeping their Bitcoin secure.

If possible, you should order two. You can use one as a backup in case you travel a lot. This will also allow you to have even more security when dealing with cryptos.

FAQs About The Ledger Nano S

Q. What will happen if you lose your Ledger Nano S?

A: You can order a new one and restore your funds using your seed key. You can also restore your seed on any other popular Bitcoin wallet like MyCelium, GreenBits, Electrum, and CoPay.

Q. If Ledger supports a new cryptocurrency token (Ex: Monero), do I need to order a new Ledger?

A. No, you can store newly supported cryptocurrencies on your existing Ledger. This part is easy, and you can learn this from watching the above video playlist.

Q. How many cryptocurrencies do the Ledger Nano S support?

A. Ledger supports BTC, BitcoinCash, ETH, ETC, LTC, Dash, Stratis, Komodo, Ripple, and zCash. They keep adding support for new cryptocurrencies every few months.

Supported-Cryptocurrencies-Ledger

Update: Now there more than 700 cryptocurrencies/tokens right now supported by Ledger Nano S.

Q. Will the recovery phrase recover all of the additional cryptocurrencies?

A. Yes. A single recovery phrase supports all cryptocurrencies. You can restore any cryptocurrencies (that you are using on your Ledger device) using the same recovery phrase.

Q. What if you forget the Ledger Nano S pin code?

A. You can reset your Ledger Nano S to its factory settings by entering the wrong pin 3 times. You will then need to restore your wallet using the 24-word backup key.

Q. Ledger Nano S or Ledger Nano X: Which one should I buy?

A. Ledger Nano X is the modern version of the Ledger Nano S, and it is costlier. Both versions are portable and work well to store multi cryptocurrencies. I would any day recommend you to buy Ledger Nano X over Ledger Nano S, as it offers more memory, and let you connect with phone via Bluetooth feature. However, if your purpose is only to store 1-2 coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ledger Nano S works just fine and is cheaper. You can also order both devices and use the same seed key to configure both of them. This way, one device can be used as a backup device.

Ledger Nano S Review: Is It Worth It?

Obviously, you can tell that I’m a huge fan of this little device. It has completely changed the game for me as I no longer have to worry about my coins becoming hacked or stolen.

Unlike a normal wallet that stores cash, even if someone steals this wallet, they won’t be able to get the funds because they won’t know my pin or seed key. This makes it truly secure.

All in all, if you’re looking for the best hardware wallet, there’s nothing better than the Ledger Nano S.

Do you own a Ledger Nano S? Are you satisfied with your experience? What’s your review? Share your experience with me in the comments below!

Know someone who could benefit from a Ledger device? Share this post with them!

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143 thoughts on “Ledger Nano S Review 2024: Features, Pros and Cons”

  1. Mike

    What if the Nano hardware fails ? what can you do then ?
    Can you buy a new Nano S and recover your other assets somehow ?

    1. Harsh Agrawal

      Yes, you can always buy a new one and recover your assets. Also, it is a rare thing to fail and you can even recover your funds without buying a new one.

  2. neil

    If i lose a Ledger Nano and get a new one and restore with my password phrase, will the new Ledger Nano have the private key of the old Ledger Nano and will it have new or same receiving addresses ?

    1. Harsh Agrawal

      everything will remain same, the balance, the keys and the address.

  3. paul

    please help. I was new to thew blockchain and did not know about getting change back. when the address to give me my change showed up on my Ledger nano wallet I hit the x instead of the check mark. I don’t think I got my change. Can I go up to the same transaction on the blockchain and try again. I noticed there is a button to receive payment would that work. Does it see that it is my wallet and send the address again.

  4. Chris

    HI THERE i am after investing in XRP and looking to secure it in a wallet …Does the Nano S Work with Chromebooks ? In my business I use a few different Chromebooks( Acer, HP )
    Thanks Chris

  5. Lewis Johnson

    I didn’t know that cryptocurrency could be stored on a flash drive. It is very interesting.

  6. MidGe

    Unfortunately, after buying a Nano Ledger son the strength of its Linux capabilities, I found out that it only work on some Linux architectures. Pity it is to small to use as a door-stopper which is the only use I have for it now.

  7. AZMiningCo

    While it says the Nano Ledger S supports up to 700 coins presently, how many of those coins can be used at one time? An example, can I have 25 different major/alt coins on one Nano? ie BTC, ETH, XRP, Stellar, Cardano and some like Komodo, HyperCash, QASH etc.

  8. Kim Ikabupini

    Is Ledger Nano S compatible with all crypto exchange wallets for fund transfers or just select wallets like Mycelium or Coinbase?

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