The Ledger Nano X Review: Compact Cold Storage

Storing crypto safely has become one of the biggest priorities for both new and experienced investors. Ledger has been one of the few companies that has consistently delivered devices, built for long-term and offline protection. Meant for those looking for an alternative to software only storage. The Ledger Nano X is the company’s flagship model. It was designed to offer stronger mobility, expanded storage and a smoother experience compared to earlier devices. In this review, we take a closer look at how it performs in day-to-day use. What it improves over the Nano S and S Plus, and whether it’s still worth choosing in today’s rapidly evolving crypto ecosystem.

Hardware & Build Quality

The Ledger Nano X feels like a strong and compact device, designed for long term use. A device that can withstand some wear and tear, without compromising much on functionality. The body of the unit combines brushed stainless steel with durable plastic. It gives off a compact feel without making it too big. Like the Nano S and S Plus. It’s small enough to fit on a keychain, but not easily identifiable as a hardware cold storage wallet.

The buttons on this device are firm and responsive. Which gives users more confidence when clicking and navigating menus, or approving a transaction. They sit higher and feel more precise than the Nano S, which helps compensate for the device’s simple two button layout. The OLED screen is a great upgrade as well. It’s still monochrome but twice as tall (128×64 px vs. 128×32 px). Which allows for more readable menu items and clearer transaction details.

Internally, the Nano X uses a dual-chip architecture:

• Secure Element (CC EAL5+) chip: this chip stores your private keys, PIN, and recovery phrase in an isolated environment.
• MCU (microcontroller unit): this unit handles communication between Ledger Live, Bluetooth, and the device interface. However, it never has access to your private keys.

The above separation helps ensure that sensitive information never leaves the Secure Element. Even when the device is connected via USB-C or Bluetooth. Additionally, the Nano X also includes an internal battery.

The physical design of the wallet is simple, compact and functional. There’s no touchscreen or biometric sensor, but the focus seems to be about durability, security and reliability. Rather than flashy hardware features. Overall, the build quality is quite strong, the materials feel premium for the price point, and the device maintains Ledger’s recognizable compact form factor.

Connectivity & Security

One of the biggest differences between hardware wallets and software wallets, is where your private keys actually live. Software wallets store keys in device memory or on a platform’s servers, which makes them more exposed. With the Ledger Nano X. Your private keys are stored inside the device on a dedicated Secure Element chip. It’s isolated from Bluetooth, USB, your phone and even the Ledger Live app (now Ledger Wallet).

That Secure Element is CC EAL5+ rated. The same certification level used in passports, banking cards and high security industrial hardware. The device also separates its components: the Secure Element stores the sensitive data (PIN, private keys, 24-word recovery phrase). While the microcontroller (MCU) handles display, navigation, USB and Bluetooth communication. No private information ever touches the MCU. In other words, the outside world never sees your keys.

The Ledger Nano X wallet supports two connection methods, USB-C and Bluetooth. Bluetooth functionality is fully optional and when enabled it uses end-to-end encryption. This essentially means that only public information travels between your phone and the device. Even if someone somehow intercepts the signal, they wouldn’t get anything useful. This is mostly because the actual signing of the transaction happens inside the Secure Element.

The internal 100mAh battery powers both Bluetooth and on-the-go use. This way you can approve transactions or view accounts without being plugged in. The Nano X does not include a touchscreen or fingerprint reader. Instead, it keeps Ledger’s two-button system for approving actions. A design choice that focuses on predictable security, not so much complexity.

With this combination of secure hardware, encrypted connectivity, and an isolated signing environment. The Ledger Nano X gives you full control over your private keys, without exposing them to the devices or apps you interact with. ^{(1, 2)}

Build Quality & Display

The Ledger Nano X has a very similar external design structure to the S series, although with a few improved design elements and a little more weight. The device uses a brushed stainless steel swivel cover, paired with a quite durable plastic body. It gives the wallet a pretty solid feel without adding unnecessary bulk. The metal housing (or casing) protects the screen and buttons when folded. This makes it safer to carry in a pocket or even on a keychain.

The dual button layout is fairly firm, responsive, and consistent with Ledger’s straightforward navigation style. Each press is deliberate, which helps prevent accidental clicks or confirmations. While a touchscreen might seem more modern. The physical buttons provide predictable and somewhat tamper resistant input. Which is crucial for a device that handles private keys.

A quite noticeable upgrade over the Nano S, is the 128×64 px OLED display. This is roughly twice the height of the earlier 128×32 screens. The extra vertical space makes addresses, transaction details, and menus easier to read. Essentially reducing the number of scrolls needed to verify information. It also provides more display room, when approving transactions. Which is important for accuracy and security.

Compared to the Ledger Nano S and S Plus, the Nano X model is slightly larger and heavier. Weighing near 34 grams versus 21 grams for the S Plus. We believe the additional weight is mostly due to the built-in battery and Bluetooth components. Even with the added hardware, the device is still compact enough to carry around everyday, and small enough to remain discreet.

Overall, the build quality feels quite premium and consistent, when comparing the Ledger products we have purchased in the past. Nothing seems to rattle, the buttons don’t wobble, and the casing offers fairly sturdy protection. Combined with the larger screen. The Nano X’s design feels like a meaningful step up, rather than an unwanted feature design request. ⁽¹⁾

 

Software & User Experience

The Ledger Nano X uses a simple on-device interface combined with the Ledger Live app. Together, they create an experience that is far easier than what most hardware wallets offer. The screen and two-button layout are still used for setup, PIN entry and approving transactions. However, almost all day-to-day management happens inside Ledger Live.

Ledger Live is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. It basically acts as the main control center for your entire portfolio. From within the app, you can install or remove wallet apps, add accounts, view balances in real time, stake supported assets, swap tokens through partners and even manage NFTs. For beginners, the Ledger Live app is what makes the Ledger feel accessible. Experienced users appreciate the unified ecosystem. Where everything works together cleanly and keeps multi-asset management organized.

The UI itself is modern and easy to understand. Sending and receiving assets is straightforward; select an account, verify the address on your Nano X, and approve the transaction. Ledger adds small but important built in safeguards (eg. manual confirmations). To help slow down mistakes and protect users, who may be moving large amounts for the first time.
The Nano X device can store up to 100 apps at once, which is similar to the S Plus. A major upgrade from the original Nano S, which often forced users to uninstall and reinstall apps just to make room. This makes the Nano X a little more practical for users, who hold a diverse portfolio across multiple chains.

Bluetooth support is integrated directly into Ledger Live. This feature allows fully wireless use on both iOS and Android. For those wondering, all Bluetooth communication is end-to-end encrypted. Which means no private data leaves the device, only public data used to construct transactions.

On-device, the OS remains minimal by design. Navigation is simple: left, right, and both buttons to validate. The display is crisp and clear, but still limited to basic text and icons. For the record, you won’t find a touchscreen or fingerprint sensor on this device.

Overall, the software experience on the Nano X is fairly clean, consistent and reliable. Ledger Live provides the convenience you’d expect from a modern portfolio app, while the hardware maintains a security first design. For most users, the combination strikes the right balance between usability and safety.

 

Ledger Live Experience (now Ledger Wallet)

Ledger Live is the control center for the Nano X, and it’s arguably one of Ledger’s biggest selling points. While hardware wallets all do the same core job (store keys offline). Ledger Live is what makes day-to-day usage feel smooth, instead of “cold-storage clunky” or technical and old school.”

Clean Interface + Strong Device Sync

The app has a modern layout that works consistently across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. You can view balances in real time, track your portfolio, send / receive assets, and approve transactions directly from the Nano X.

Syncing between desktop and mobile is reliable, and while Bluetooth pairing can feel slow the first time. Ledger Live does a good job at preventing accidental clicks or rushed transactions.

Crypto Management + App Store

Within Ledger Live you can:

• Install / remove crypto apps on the Nano X
• Create sub-accounts for different tokens
• Stake supported assets
• Swap crypto through Ledger partners
• Manage NFTs (Ethereum + Polygon)
• Purchase crypto directly through integrated on-ramps

The internal App Catalog is also pretty straightforward. Simply search the coin, install the app and you’re ready. The expanded storage on the Nano X, means you rarely need to delete apps to make space (unlike the Nano S).

Security Focused Workflow

Ledger Live always forces you to confirm actions physically on the device. Even something as simple as viewing a receiving address, requires syncing with the Nano X. This way you can visually verify the address displayed on your phone or computer, matches the address on the hardware screen.

This drastically reduces the chance of:

• Clipboard malware
• Fake receiver addresses
• Hidden transaction edits

Additionally, since private keys never leave the Secure Element. Ledger Live only handles public data and interface tasks.

NFTs, Staking & Portfolio Tracking

NFT handling is simple compared to many hardware wallets. You can browse collections, track metadata, and see image previews inside Ledger Live. Mostly for supported blockchains.

Staking (with SOL, ETH, ADA, etc.) can be set up directly through the app and gives you passive rewards without transferring to a third-party service.

The portfolio tracking tab gives a clean breakdown of assets, value changes and allocation percentages. Broken down in a way that’s easy even for beginners to absorb.

Reliability & Common Complaints

When it comes to most users, their issues aren’t really with the wallet, they’re with Ledger Live:

• Occasional Bluetooth lag
• Slow recognition of the Nano X after firmware updates
• Sync pauses when installing multiple apps
• Occasional bugs after new version releases

But overall?

The experience is far smoother than most competitor hardware wallets, that rely exclusively on browser extensions or fragmented third-party software. ⁽³⁾

Coin Support & App Capacity

One of the biggest advantages of the Ledger Nano X. Along with a major reason it’s still relevant years after release. Comes down to its broad asset support, combined with large internal storage. For most users, this is the deciding factor between the Nano X and older Ledger models like the Nano S.

Supports 5,000+ Assets (Native + Third-Party)

Ledger Live natively supports a long list of major cryptocurrencies, such as:

• BTC, ETH, LTC, XRP, ADA, SOL, DOGE, XLM
• Most major ERC-20 tokens
• Popular NFT collections across Ethereum & Polygon
• Staking assets (SOL, ADA, ETH, etc.)

For coins not supported natively, the Nano X still works through third-party wallet integrations, including:

• MetaMask
• Rabby
• Yoroi
• Keplr
• TronLink
• Solflare / Phantom (via Ledger support)

This means almost every relevant blockchain can be managed through the device, one way or another.

Up to 100 Apps Installed Simultaneously

This is one of the biggest upgrades from the Nano S.

• Nano S → ~3 to 6 apps
• Nano S Plus → ~100 apps
• Nano X → ~100 apps

The Nano X and Nano S Plus share the same general storage class. However the Nano X includes Bluetooth + battery, making it far more mobile.

This matters because each blockchain requires its own app. Many ERC-20 users still install multiple apps (ETH, Polygon, Binance Smart Chain, Avalanche, etc.). On the Nano X, the days of uninstalling and reinstalling apps to free space, are basically gone.

Secure Element Isolation for Each App

Every crypto app is isolated inside Ledger’s BOLOS operating system, meaning:

• Bugs in one app don’t affect another.
• A compromised token app cannot access other wallets.
• The Secure Element enforces strict permissions between apps.

This layered design makes the Nano X significantly harder to compromise. Especially when compared to a browser based hot wallet, or a device relying entirely on a shared OS.

NFT Compatibility

The Nano X supports:

• Ethereum NFTs (ERC-721 / ERC-1155)
• Polygon NFTs
• Third-party tools for Solana NFTs

NFTs appear directly inside Ledger Live, including:

• Artwork previews
• Metadata
• Collection grouping

This is still one of Ledger’s strongest advantages over Trezor and BitBox.

Who This Level of Support Is Ideal For

The Nano X is especially suited for:

• Active traders with large multi-chain portfolios
• NFT collectors
• DeFi users rotating between apps (ETH, BNB, Arbitrum, Polygon)
• Anyone wanting everything in one place without juggling storage

If someone only holds a handful of coins, the Nano S Plus works fine. Although for anyone managing dozens of assets. The Nano X’s expanded capacity becomes a major convenience. ⁽⁴⁾

Note: Ledger Nano X supports up to 100 apps, not 100 coins. Each app represents a blockchain, and many blockchains (like Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Solana) support thousands of tokens and NFTs without taking extra app space.

Ledger Nano X vs. Nano S Plus & Others

Nano X vs. Nano S Plus

Both of these hardware devices support 5,000+ assets via third-party wallets. The Nano X uses the Secure Element chip (CC EAL5+), while the Nano S Plus uses the Secure Element chip (CC EAL6+). Essentially, the main differences between the two devices is their Secure Element chips and their mobility. The Nano X adds Bluetooth with a built-in battery and full iOS support. Basically making it better for users, who want to manage their crypto on the go. The Nano S Plus is the cheaper option. Although, it must stay wired and only connects via desktop and Android.

Nano X vs. Nano S (Original)

The original Nano S hardware wallet is actually a lot more limited in comparison. For instance, the Nano S can only store a handful of apps at a time (approx 5). It also doesn’t have Bluetooth or a rechargeable battery. The Nano X has a larger screen and an easier setup process. The cold wallet can also store up to 100 apps. Overall, it’s simply more versatile for most users. Especially users with their crypto portfolio spread across multiple blockchains.

Nano X vs. Trezor (Model One / Model T)

Trezor devices are known to offer touchscreen capabilities (Model T) and open-source firmware. Two features some advanced users prefer. However, Trezor lacks a Secure Element chip and does not support wireless use. Nano X users get Bluetooth, iOS compatibility and a more compact form factor. They also get access to one of the most functional companion apps available (Ledger Live).

Nano X vs. BitBox02

The Bitbox02 is a security focused cold wallet. It has a minimalist design and strong open-source credibility. However one drawback is the device connects through a wired interface only. It also does not support iOS. In contrast, the Nano X provides more user mobility, broader application support and a larger ecosystem through Ledger Live. Essentially making it more suitable for active multi-chain users.

Summary

If you want a cheaper and wired-only cold wallet. The Nano S Plus or BitBox02 are good picks to consider. If you’re looking for a wallet that offers almost full mobility and Bluetooth support. Along with the ability to manage many assets, without juggling app installs. The Nano X is still one of Ledger’s strongest all around options.

Strengths & Limitations

Before weighing the Nano X against alternatives, it’s important to look at where the device stands out and where it falls short. Below is a clear breakdown of its main strengths and the limitations you should be aware of before buying.

Strengths:

• The Ledger Nano X has become one of the most widely adopted hardware wallets for a reason. It solves several pain points that older devices and software wallets struggle with. Its biggest strength is the balance between security, mobility and usability. You’re getting a true cold-storage device with a Secure Element chip, PIN protection, a 24-word recovery phrase, and completely offline private key storage. Even with Bluetooth enabled, sensitive data never leaves the device. Which preserves the core purpose of a hardware wallet; keeping your keys out of reach from remote attackers.
• The added 100 app capacity is also a significant upgrade, from older devices like the Nano S. This allows you to install multiple blockchain apps (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, XRP, etc.) at the same time, without constantly uninstalling and reinstalling them. For anyone holding a diverse portfolio, this is a huge quality-of-life improvement.
• From a usability perspective. The Nano X feels like a noticeably more modern wallet, when compared to earlier hardware models. The battery, Bluetooth, USB-C port and larger OLED screen. Make it far easier to manage crypto on the go using Ledger Live. The Live app itself remains one of the strongest, most polished wallet interfaces on the market. Letting users buy, sell, stake, swap, track NFTs, manage tokens, and monitor multiple accounts. Without jumping between third-party tools.
• The build quality is also a strong selling point. The stainless steel swivel cover, the sturdier hinge and the compact design. Make it a fairly durable wallet that still feels premium in hand. Moreover, since it looks like an ordinary USB stick. It doesn’t attract unwanted attention when carried around in public.

Limitations:

• Despite the improvements, the Nano X does have its flaws. One of the most common complaints is the device’s two-button navigation system. It can become slow during setup, especially when entering long PINs or verifying a full 24-word recovery phrase. It is usable, but not as fast or responsive as a touchscreen device.
• Battery longevity is another concern. While the Nano X includes a rechargeable battery for mobile use. Many users report battery degradation over time, and it cannot be replaced. At least not that easily. This doesn’t stop the device from working through USB-C connection. Although it does remove the convenience of wireless usage.
• It’s also worth noting that the Nano X relies on an older Secure Element chip (CC EAL5+). This chip is still highly secure. However newer devices like the Ledger Stax, use more advanced components. For buyers who want the absolute newest hardware, the Nano X might feel slightly dated.
• Lastly, while Bluetooth communication is encrypted and secure. Some users remain hesitant about wireless connectivity on a hardware wallet. When compared to budget devices like the Nano S Plus. The Nano X is on the higher end of the price spectrum. This makes it less appealing for small holders or casual users, who only need basic cold storage.

Final Thoughts

The Ledger Nano X remains one of the strongest all around hardware wallets, available on the market today. It isn’t the newest device available and it isn’t the cheapest. However it blends security, mobility, storage capacity and usability. In a way that still makes sense for a wide range of crypto holders. The upgraded memory, Bluetooth support, larger display and overall build quality. Make it a meaningful step up from the Nano S and S Plus. Especially if you manage multiple assets or use mobile devices daily.

While the lifespan of the battery has been a recurring complaint. The two-button navigation can feel dated, and the lack of a touchscreen or biometric features shows the units age. Still, the Nano X delivers what most users genuinely need. A secure cold-storage device backed by a well established company, an easy-to-use companion app and broad support for multiple assets.

If your goal is long term crypto storage with optional on-the-go access, that values a balance of convenience and security. The Ledger Nano X is an excellent choice to consider.

For more information on the Ledger Nano X and how to purchase, click here. Or, navigate here if you’re interested in what the Nano S Plus has to offer.

If you are interested in a Nano that is more modern and includes a touchscreen. Be sure to read our Ledger Nano Gen5 review.

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FAQ

1. What happens if I lose or break my Ledger Nano X?

If your Ledger device is lost, damaged or even stolen. Your cryptocurrency is still safe. The device itself doesn’t hold your coins. Your assets actually stay on the blockchain. As long as your secret recovery phrase is backed up and accessible only to you. Restoring your entire wallet on a new Ledger device to regain full access to your accounts. Is entirely possible. Without that phrase, no one (including Ledger) can recover your funds.

2. What coins does a Ledger Nano X support?

Currently, the devices available from Ledger support over 5,500 coins and tokens. This includes major assets such as; BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL and most ERC-20 tokens. Each blockchain runs as its own app on the device, and the Nano X can hold up to 100 apps at the same time. This gives you fairly wide coverage for everything from basic cryptocurrencies to NFTs and staking assets.

3. Why are Ledger devices now called “signers” instead of “hardware wallets”?

Ledger uses the term signer to better describe what the device actually does. Technically the Nano X doesn’t store your crypto. Your assets live on the blockchain. The signer securely holds your private keys and signs transactions. This way you can prove ownership and intent. It’s a more accurate name for a device that authenticates you, verifies actions, and protects your identity during every transaction.

Page Last Reviewed / Updated: 26-November-2025