LEDGER NANO S Plus Hardware Wallet - Review & Tips (Update 2023)
Table of contents
Brief introduction to Hardware Wallets
What is a Hardware Wallet?
A hardware wallet is a device that allows you to back up and manage your Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies offline.
You can learn how to buy Bitcoin in our article Buy BITCOIN Online ✏️ Instructions & Rates (2023).
This is where your private keys are stored, with the purpose of creating full isolation between private keys and easily hackable computers or smartphones.
Why should you buy a hardware wallet?
If you own cryptocurrencies, purchasing a hardware wallet is highly advisable.
When buying cryptocurrencies on exchanges (such as Bitpanda), your coins are stored in your account's online wallet. Storing in an online wallet has the following advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages Online Wallet
- You have access to your coins from everywhere
- You can buy or sell your coins directly from the online wallet
- Easy handling of your coins
Disadvantages Online Wallet
- Exchanges are subject to attacks from hackers - if a hack is successful, you can lose all coins
- If an exchange is closed or becomes insolvent, you can lose all your coins.
- If the exchange is overloaded (when a lot of people access it at the same time) the servers often crash and you have no access to your coins during this period.
- You are not the owner of your coins - the exchange is. The fate of your coins is always inextricably linked to the fate of the exchange when using online wallets.
So the disadvantages of using an online wallet clearly outweigh the disadvantages.
So if you want to keep your coins safe, you should get a hardware wallet.
Two of the most successful and best-selling hardware wallets are the Ledger Nano S Plus and the Ledger Nano X.
Ledger Nano S Plus
- Up to 100 apps installable for up to 5,500 compatible crypto assets
- Compatible with 50+ wallets
- Storage space: 1.5 MB
- Certified security element (CC EAL5+)
- Independently certified by ANSSI
- 24-word recovery phrase
Ledger Nano X
- Up to 100 apps installable for up to 5,500 compatible crypto assets
- Compatible with 50+ wallets
- Storage space: 2.0 MB
- Certified security element (CC EAL5+)
- Independently certified by ANSSI
- 24-word recovery phrase
- Bluetooth® compatible with Ledger Live Mobile
- 8 hours standby mode
Ledger Stax
- Up to 100 apps installable for up to 5,500 compatible crypto assets
- Compatible with 50+ wallets
- Storage space: 2.0 MB
- Certified security element (CC EAL5+)
- Independently certified by ANSSI
- 24-word recovery phrase
- Bluetooth® compatible with Ledger Live Mobile
- 8 hours standby mode
- E-Ink touch display with 9.4cm size
- Wireless charging
- Adjustable lock screen
How to store Bitcoin with these devices (actually, how to secure the private keys) is explained in our tutorial on how to Store Bitcoin on the Ledger Nano S Plus (Update 2023).
Important: Never buy a used wallet, because you have to assign a PIN and security words yourself.
This is not possible with a used wallet - the previous owner would have access to your wallet.
Used wallets are not safe!
This page is an information page. The author of these pages makes every effort to keep the documentation up to date. However, due to ongoing software updates from platform providers and device manufacturers, up-to-dateness cannot be guaranteed.
Therefore, no liability is assumed for errors or losses of any kind. The use of this information is at your own risk.
The Ledger Nano S Plus
The Ledger Nano S Plus is one of the most successful hardware wallets - the idea behind it, with its compact design and convenient software, makes for a well-rounded and secure product that you can't go far wrong with.
It is recommended for both beginners and advanced users.
Ledger Nano S Plus Review
What's included
With the LEDGER NANO S Plus you get the following items included.
- Ledger Nano S Plus
- 1 USB-C to USB-A cable
- Quick Start Guide
- 3 Recovery Phrase sheets
- 1 Lanyard
The packaging is also very suitable for permanent storage of the hardware wallet.
Optional - The Ledger On-the-Go Kit (OTG)
To connect your Ledger Nano S Plus Wallet directly to an Android smartphone, an optional Ledger On-the-Go Kit cable is available.
Partial evaluation: What's included
The equipment of the Ledger Nano S Plus is intended for full operation of the wallet on the desktop. If you want to use the wallet with your smartphone as well, you will need the Ledger OTG Kit cable to connect it. A positive feature compared to the previous model is that 3 recovery slips are now included, which contributes to the security of your wallet in case you lose one of the recovery slips.
Product quality
The Ledger Nano S Plus now features the same high contrast OLED display with 128x64 pixel resolution as the Ledger Nano X, housed in a hinged steel case along with 2 push buttons.
The casing as well as the display make a high-quality impression.
The push buttons have a good pressure point, and are a definite improvement over the previous Ledger Nano S model.
The USB cable meets common standards and should be durable due to its plastic coating.
Partial evaluation: Product quality
The workmanship of the Ledger Nano S Plus is much better than that of the predecessor Ledger Nano S and is getting closer to the Ledger Nano X. While the push buttons were a bit small and rickety on the Nano S, they are now pleasantly larger and equipped with a better push button. The display now also has the same resolution as the Ledger Nano X with 128x64 pixels. All in all, the build quality is very good and a clearly noticeable improvement over the predecessor, the Ledger Nano S.
Handling
The two pushbuttons are the only controls on the Ledger Nano S Plus. The individual buttons can be used to select menu items on the device as well as inputs (letters and numbers). Pressing them at the same time confirms an entry.
Entering PINs and words can thus take a bit longer, but is usually not necessary very often (actually only when starting up and setting up the device for the first time).
Most of the entries are made with the Ledger Live software on the desktop and then only need to be confirmed on the Ledger Nano S Plus.
Partial evaluation: Handling
The handling of the wallet is the same for all devices. After connecting to the Ledger Live software, you control the wallet with the two buttons through the menus and confirm an entry by pressing both buttons simultaneously. Simple, proven and understandable to use. Only the entry of the 8-digit PIN when switching on the device takes a bit longer due to only 2 input options - but since this is only needed once for each use, this should not be a problem in handling.
Security
During the initial setup, 24 words (recovery phrase), the so-called seed, are defined. This is where all your information is stored on your device.
The seed is also the only backup of your hardware wallet, so don't lose it!
If you lose your Ledger Nano S Plus or want to run another device like the Ledger Nano X in parallel, simply enter your 24 words of Recovery Phrase on the new or additional Ledger and the new device will be in sync with the other device.
Partial evaluation: Security
Security remains undisputed even with the Ledger Nano S Plus. As long as the recovery phrase is secure, all assets on the ledger are also secured to the maximum.
Compatibility
You can manage the following coins with your Ledger Nano S Plus and Ledger Nano X.
The list of cryptocurrencies compatible with the Ledger Nano S Plus is constantly expanding, you can find the current state of supported coins here.
The Ledger Nano S Plus now has about 1.5MB of storage space and can now install almost 100 apps / wallets simultaneously. Of course, wallets can also be deleted and reinstalled (the information in the wallet is not lost), but the successor model Ledger Nano X with 2MB of memory offers a bit more storage (here, too, up to about 100 wallets can be operated simultaneously).
On the software side, the Ledger and the included Ledger Live software are compatible via the included USB cable to
- Windows
- Apple MacOS
- Android
- Chrome OS
- Linux
On top of that, your transactions can also be exported via CSV file and imported into a crypto tax software like Cointracking, where you can then generate your tax report for your tax return with just a few clicks.
Partial evaluation: Compatibility
Currently, Ledger supports over 5,500 cryptocurrencies, many of which are easily manageable via the Ledger Live software. New coins are constantly added, so a wide support of coins is guaranteed. The Ledger Live management software is provided for all major operating systems and performs a reliable service.
Software - Ledger Live
The Ledger Live software, with which you can receive, manage and send your cryptocurrencies, is offered free of charge for download. Ledger Live is available not only as a desktop version but also as an app for iOS and Android smartphones, and thus offers a good overview of the current status of your crypto portfolio even on the go.
Ledger Live is simple and intuitive to use.
Everything else you need to know about Ledger Live can be found here:
The software is constantly kept up to date and expanded via updates, also an update of the firmware of the Ledger Nano S can be carried out quickly and easily with it.
Partial evaluation: Software
Every wallet is only as good as the software that comes with it. Ledger Live leaves nothing to be desired here. Setting up wallets and accounts is easy, and the availability on smartphones means that the portfolio status can always be checked. Coin transactions can also be carried out on the go via Bluetooth with the Ledger Nano X and via OTG cable with the Ledger Nano S Plus.
Price
The price of the Ledger Nano S Plus is currently 79 EUR (check current price here).
Partial evaluation: Price
No price tag should really be the deciding factor for the security of your coins. At 79.00 EUR, the Ledger Nano S Plus is nevertheless compatible for all wallets - those who want Bluetooth for mobile transactions as well as a bit more memory on the wallet are best served with the Ledger Nano X for 149.00 EUR.
Conclusion & Rating Ledger Nano S Plus
Author: Mag. Tibor Gludovatz
Last update: 02.02.2023
Rating: 4.7
Ledger Nano S Plus is one of the best-selling and most popular hardware wallets on the market. Due to its compact design, high security and last but not least a very good price-performance ratio, more and more buyers choose this device.
Compared to its predecessor, the Ledger Nano S, the Ledger Nano S Plus has improved on all the criticisms and created a near-perfect hardware wallet, surpassed only by convenience features like Bluetooth and more memory from the Ledger Nano X.
The build quality and almost all performance features have been brought into line with the Ledger Nano X, so anyone who can do without Bluetooth for wireless mobile use of the Ledger with their smartphone will be very well served by the Ledger Nano S Plus.
Since the device is only used to display one's assets in the blockchain, a loss or malfunction of the device is also not a problem - as long as you have kept your seed well, which consists of 24 words and which you should not lose. Then restoring the device or transferring the information to a new device is quick and easy.
Overall rating Ledger Nano S Plus
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get support for the Ledger Nano S Plus Wallet?
If you have any problems with the wallet, Ledger Support is available at support.ledger.com. Here you can find all information about technical problems as well as everything about your order and delivery.
Where can I find all the product information about the Ledger Nano S Plus crypto wallet?
You can find all information about the product on https://shop.ledger.com/de/pages/ledger-nano-s-plus
How do I make an update to my ledger wallet?
Open the Ledger Live software on your desktop and connect the Ledger Wallet to your computer via the USB cable. When a new update is available for your wallet, a blue bar will appear with the update information. Click Download Now and follow the instructions.
Where can I download the Ledger Live software?
You can download Ledger Live directly from Ledger's website.