The Ledger Nano X remains one of the best-selling hardware wallets on the market, and at $149 through Ledger’s official store it sits squarely between the entry-level Nano S Plus ($79) and the premium touchscreen Ledger Stax ($399). Launched in 2019 as a mobile-friendly upgrade to the original Nano S, it’s built around a CC EAL5+ certified Secure Element chip, pairs over Bluetooth with iOS and Android, and supports 5,500+ coins and tokens through Ledger Live and connected third-party wallets. Ledger Nano X reviews online tend to agree on the fundamentals but split on value for money — this hardware wallet review breaks down what the device actually gets you for the price, where it falls short, and who should buy the cheaper Nano S Plus instead.
Key Takeaways
- The Ledger Nano X costs $149 and is Ledger’s mid-range hardware wallet, positioned between the Nano S Plus ($79) and the Ledger Stax ($399).
- It’s the only Ledger device that combines Bluetooth connectivity with a built-in battery, letting it pair directly with iOS and Android through Ledger Live.
- Ledger advertises support for 5,500+ coins and tokens, though native Ledger Live app support is narrower — the larger figure includes coins reachable only through third-party wallets like MetaMask.
- Security is built around a CC EAL5+ certified Secure Element chip; the chip itself has never been compromised, though a 2020 customer-data leak and the optional 2023 Ledger Recover service remain points of criticism.
- The Nano S Plus is the better buy for anyone who doesn’t specifically need Bluetooth or mobile pairing.
What Is the Ledger Nano X?
The Ledger Nano X is a cold-storage hardware wallet — a small physical device, roughly the size of a USB stick, that stores the private keys controlling access to a user’s cryptocurrency. Those keys never leave the device: transactions are signed on the Nano X itself, so the wallet stays secure even when connected to a compromised computer or phone. Ledger launched the Nano X in 2019 as a premium successor to the original Nano S, and it has remained one of the company’s flagship models since, thanks to broad coin support and Bluetooth-based mobile use.
Key Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | $149 |
| Security chip | CC EAL5+ certified Secure Element (ST33K1M5) |
| Coin support | 5,500+ coins/tokens across 100+ chains via Ledger Live and connected wallets |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth + USB-C |
| Battery | Up to ~8 hours standby |
| App storage | Up to 100 apps (real-world capacity is smaller for larger apps like Bitcoin or Ethereum) |
| Dimensions | Approx. 72mm x 18.6mm x 11.75mm, 34g |
Security
The Secure Element Chip
The Nano X’s private keys are generated and stored on a CC EAL5+ certified Secure Element chip — the same class of certification used in passports and payment cards. This chip has not been compromised in Ledger’s history, and the design means keys never touch an internet-connected device during a transaction.
The Ledger Recover Controversy
In 2023, Ledger introduced an optional subscription service called Ledger Recover, which allows users to split and back up an encrypted version of their recovery phrase across third-party custodians. It’s opt-in and disabled by default, but its existence changed the trust model some long-time users expected from a fully offline device, and it continues to draw criticism from parts of the Bitcoin community.
The 2020 Data Leak
In July 2020, Ledger disclosed that roughly 270,000 customer records — names, emails, phone numbers, and shipping addresses — were exfiltrated from a marketing database. No funds or private keys were affected, but the leak fuels phishing campaigns against Ledger customers to this day. Anyone using a Ledger device should treat unsolicited emails or calls claiming to be from Ledger with default suspicion.
Setup and Ledger Live
Setting up the Nano X follows Ledger’s standard flow: unbox the device, initialize it, set a PIN code, write down the 24-word recovery phrase on the included cards, then install the Ledger Live app on desktop or mobile to add coin apps. Ledger Live also supports buying, swapping, and staking assets directly, though swap fees through Ledger Live tend to run higher than going through a dedicated DEX aggregator.
Bluetooth and Mobile Use
The standout feature separating the Nano X from the cheaper Nano S Plus is Bluetooth. The Nano X pairs with iOS and Android through Ledger Live, letting users check balances, sign transactions, and install apps without a cable. It’s genuinely useful for anyone who manages crypto primarily from a phone, though some users report occasional Bluetooth pairing issues — worth factoring in if wireless reliability matters more to you than the convenience itself.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Broad coin support across major chains and thousands of tokens
- Only Ledger device with both Bluetooth and a battery for mobile use
- Chip-level security with no history of compromise
- Works with major third-party wallets, including MetaMask, Phantom, and Rabby
Cons:
- Real-world app storage is smaller than the “100 apps” figure suggests once larger coin apps are installed
- $149 is a meaningful step up from the $79 Nano S Plus for buyers who don’t need Bluetooth
- Closed-source firmware
- Setup can feel clunky for first-time hardware wallet users
Ledger Nano X vs. Nano S Plus vs. Trezor Model T
| Ledger Nano X | Ledger Nano S Plus | Trezor Model T | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 | $79 | $219 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No | No |
| Screen | Small monochrome | Small monochrome | Color touchscreen |
| Coin support | 5,500+ | 5,500+ | 1,800+ |
The Nano S Plus supports essentially the same coin range as the Nano X for nearly half the price — the Nano X’s premium is almost entirely the Bluetooth and battery. The Trezor Model T costs more and adds a touchscreen but supports fewer coins natively.
Who Should Buy the Ledger Nano X?
The Nano X makes the most sense for holders with diversified, multi-chain portfolios who want to manage crypto from a phone as often as a desktop. Active Solana, Ethereum, or multi-chain traders who pair a Ledger with software wallets like Phantom or MetaMask for daily use get the most value from the mobile flexibility. Anyone holding one or two coins long-term and rarely needing mobile access is better served by the cheaper Nano S Plus. For readers still deciding between cold storage and a software wallet, our Trust Wallet review breaks down the hot-wallet side of that trade-off.
Bottom line for this Ledger review: the Nano X earns its higher price through Bluetooth and mobile flexibility, not through better security or wider coin support than the Nano S Plus — both run the same certified chip.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct independent research before purchasing hardware or managing your own crypto security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ledger Nano X safe?
Yes. Its CC EAL5+ certified Secure Element chip has never been compromised, and private keys are generated and stored on the device, never touching an internet-connected computer or phone during a transaction. The real risks are user-side rather than hardware-side — phishing attempts tied to Ledger's 2020 customer-data leak remain the most common threat, not any flaw in the device's chip security.
How many coins does the Ledger Nano X actually support?
Ledger advertises support for 5,500+ coins and tokens, but that figure includes assets reachable only by connecting the device to third-party software wallets like MetaMask, Phantom, or Rabby. Native support inside the Ledger Live app alone is narrower, covering major chains like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana directly, with broader altcoin access requiring an external wallet.
Ledger Nano X vs Nano S Plus — which should you buy?
Both devices run the same certified Secure Element chip and support essentially the same range of coins, so security isn't the differentiator. The Nano X costs $70 more but adds Bluetooth connectivity and a built-in battery for managing crypto from a phone. If you mainly use a desktop and don't need mobile access, the $79 Nano S Plus offers the same protection for less.
Has the Ledger Nano X ever been hacked?
The Secure Element chip itself has no history of being compromised, and no Ledger device has had funds stolen directly through a chip-level exploit. Ledger's one major security incident was a 2020 leak of customer contact information — names, emails, and addresses — from a marketing database, which did not expose private keys or wallet funds but has fueled ongoing phishing campaigns.
Is the Ledger Nano X worth $149?
For users who hold a diversified, multi-chain portfolio and want to manage it from a phone as often as a desktop, the Bluetooth and mobile flexibility justify the price. For users who only need to secure one or two assets long-term and rarely need mobile access, the $79 Nano S Plus provides nearly identical security for significantly less money.
