Ledger Nano Review 2025: Is It Still the Best Hardware Wallet?

If you hold a meaningful amount of cryptocurrency, keeping it on an exchange is one of the riskiest decisions you can make. Exchanges have been hacked, collapsed, and frozen withdrawals throughout crypto’s history. Hardware wallets — physical devices that store your private keys offline — are the most effective protection available to retail investors. Ledger is the market leader in consumer hardware wallets, and its Nano range represents the most widely used cold storage solution in the world. This review compares the two main options: the Nano S Plus at $59 and the Nano X at $149.

What Is a Ledger Hardware Wallet?

A Ledger hardware wallet is a small physical device that generates and stores your cryptocurrency private keys entirely offline. When you want to send crypto, you confirm the transaction on the device itself — the keys never leave the hardware and are never exposed to the internet. Even if your computer is completely compromised by malware, a hacker cannot access your funds without physical possession of the device and your PIN.

Ledger has been manufacturing hardware wallets since 2014 and has sold over 6 million devices. The company is headquartered in Paris, France, and its devices are widely distributed including through Amazon UK and direct from Ledger’s website. The Ledger Live software application connects to the device and allows you to manage your portfolio, send and receive assets, and access third-party apps including DeFi integrations and NFT management.

The Ledger Nano S Plus — £47 ($59)

The Nano S Plus is Ledger’s entry-level hardware wallet. It connects via USB-C and supports over 5,500 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and all major ERC-20 tokens. The device has no battery and no wireless connectivity — it must be plugged into a computer or Android phone to operate.

The security chip used in the Nano S Plus is the CC EAL6+ certified secure element, which is the same high-grade security chip used in biometric passports and high-security smart cards. This chip is attack-resistant and certified to withstand sophisticated physical and side-channel attacks. The CC EAL6+ certification is a significant step above the EAL5+ chips used in some competing devices.

The Nano S Plus display is small but functional — 128×64 pixel monochrome screen — and the two-button interface allows you to navigate menus and confirm transactions. The device can store up to 100 apps simultaneously, significantly more than the original Nano S, making it practical for users with diverse portfolios. Desktop and Android compatibility is full. iOS is not supported on the Nano S Plus — if you use an iPhone as your primary device, this is a significant limitation that pushes you toward the Nano X.

The Ledger Nano X — £115 ($149)

The Nano X is Ledger’s premium hardware wallet and the most popular model overall. The main differences from the Nano S Plus are Bluetooth connectivity, an internal battery, iOS support, and a larger screen. These additions expand what you can do with the device significantly.

Bluetooth allows the Nano X to connect to Ledger Live on iOS and Android without a physical cable, making mobile management of your portfolio practical for everyday use. The internal battery means the device can be used portably without needing to be plugged into a computer — relevant for users who want to verify wallet balances or confirm transactions while away from their desk.

The Nano X also supports over 15,000 token types versus the Nano S Plus’s 5,500, though in practice this difference is rarely relevant for most users who hold mainstream assets. The storage capacity for apps is 100, matching the Nano S Plus update. The same CC EAL6+ secure element is used in both devices — the security chip itself is identical between the two models.

Security Comparison

Both devices use the same CC EAL6+ certified secure element and implement the same cryptographic processes for key generation and transaction signing. From a pure security standpoint, they are equivalent. The key security difference between the two is that the Nano S Plus has no wireless connectivity — it cannot be attacked remotely via Bluetooth because Bluetooth does not exist on the device. For users who consider wireless attack surfaces a meaningful risk, the Nano S Plus’s wired-only architecture offers a theoretical security advantage.

In practice, Ledger’s Bluetooth implementation on the Nano X is designed to transmit only public data — private keys never leave the secure element and are not transmitted over Bluetooth. Ledger’s security architecture means the Bluetooth channel is low-risk in the company’s own threat model. Both devices require physical button confirmation for every transaction, meaning remote transaction approval is not possible regardless of connectivity method.

Ledger Recover — Controversy and Opt-In

In 2023, Ledger launched a controversial subscription service called Ledger Recover, which offers an optional key backup service that encrypts and splits your seed phrase across three custodians. The announcement caused significant backlash in the crypto security community because it demonstrated that Ledger’s firmware could, in principle, extract key material from the secure element — something previously assumed to be impossible by design.

Ledger clarified that Recover is entirely opt-in, requires user consent on the device, and does not affect users who do not activate it. The service remains available as an optional paid feature (approximately $9.99 per month) for users who want a recovery option if they lose their seed phrase. Users who are security-focused and do not want cloud backup simply do not activate it. The backlash was significant but did not change the fundamental security model for non-Recover users.

Pros

• CC EAL6+ secure element: highest-grade certified security chip in any consumer hardware wallet
• 5,500+ and 15,000+ token support: comprehensive coverage for Nano S Plus and Nano X respectively
• Ledger Live software: clean, regularly updated portfolio management with DeFi and NFT integrations
• Nano S Plus battery-free design: reduced attack surface, lower failure modes for long-term storage
• Nano X Bluetooth and iOS: convenient mobile management for iPhone users and on-the-go portfolio access
• Widely available in UK: sold on Amazon UK and Ledger’s direct website with GBP pricing

Cons

• Nano S Plus has no iOS support: iPhone users must use the Nano X or a cable-to-lightning adapter
• Ledger Recover controversy: 2023 backlash highlighted that firmware can theoretically extract keys — opt-in but trust concern remains
• Small screens on both models: verifying long addresses on the Nano S Plus display requires patience
• USB-only on Nano S Plus: less convenient for mobile users who prefer wireless portfolio management
• Ledger Live required: some advanced features require the desktop app, limiting standalone device use

Which Should You Buy?

The Nano S Plus is the right choice for most UK investors who store Bitcoin, Ethereum, and mainstream altcoins and primarily manage their portfolio from a desktop or Android device. The security architecture is identical to the Nano X, the cost is significantly lower, and the absence of Bluetooth and a battery removes two potential failure modes for a device you may store for years. Security purists who want the simplest, most attack-surface-minimal option should choose the Nano S Plus.

The Nano X is the right choice for iPhone users who need iOS compatibility, for users who actively manage their portfolio on the move and want wireless convenience without cables, and for those who hold a large variety of tokens across many different networks. The $90 premium over the Nano S Plus is fully justified if Bluetooth and iOS support directly benefit your day-to-day workflow. If neither feature is relevant to how you use the device, save the money and buy the S Plus.

Pricing and UK Availability

The Ledger Nano S Plus retails at $59 (approximately £47) and the Nano X at $149 (approximately £115). Both are available directly from Ledger’s website and from Amazon UK. Ledger ships to UK addresses and provides a two-year warranty on all devices. Only purchase Ledger devices from authorised retailers — buying second-hand or from unofficial sources risks receiving a tampered or pre-configured device.

Verdict

Ledger’s Nano range remains the most trusted hardware wallet option for UK crypto investors. The CC EAL6+ secure element, broad token support, and well-maintained Ledger Live software make both models reliable choices for cold storage. The 2023 Ledger Recover controversy raised legitimate and serious questions about firmware trust, but it does not alter the fundamental security model for the majority of users who do not opt in to the service.

Choose the Nano S Plus for simplicity, cost, and battery-free reliability. Choose the Nano X for Bluetooth, iOS, and mobile convenience. Either device provides a level of security that is vastly superior to leaving funds on any centralised exchange long-term.

Nano S Plus: 9/10 — Best value hardware wallet available. Excellent for desktop and Android users who prioritise simplicity and cost.

Nano X: 8.5/10 — Premium experience with iOS and Bluetooth. Justified for iPhone users and active mobile managers.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always purchase hardware wallets from official sources only.