Product test

Review: The Ledger Nano X crypto wallet tested

13.11.2019

Translation: machine translated

Cryptocurrencies are in vogue - as are hardware wallets on which you can store your bitcoins and co. The Ledger Nano X is the successor to the Nano S and offers interesting new features.

The Nano X is delivered in modern, high-quality packaging. In addition to the device itself, the box contains a USB cable, a set of instructions and three recovery sheets. It is immediately noticeable that the Nano X is slightly larger and heavier than the Nano S. This is due to the internal 100mAh battery, which is now also installed for mobile use via Bluetooth. The OLED display is also slightly larger. The buttons have been moved from the top to the front: A black button on the left and a silver button on the right. There is also an eyelet for the key fob on the right-hand side and a USB port on the left-hand side. All in all, a very nice design.

Ledger Nano X - Onyx black (Litecoin, Zcash, Dash, Bitcoin, Vertcoin, Neo, Ether, Ubiq, Ethereum Classic, Bitcoin cash, Stellar, Komodo)

Crypto wallets

CHF164.–

Ledger Nano X - Onyx black

Litecoin, Zcash, Dash, Bitcoin, Vertcoin, Neo, Ether, Ubiq, Ethereum Classic, Bitcoin cash, Stellar, Komodo

Easy to set up and quickly ready for use

The instructions for installing the device and setting up the accounts are clearly formulated and easy to follow. The interface is controlled by an application called Ledger Live. This can be used to set up the Nano X on an iOS or Android device, or with a 64-bit laptop or desktop. A PIN can be set during initialisation. The 24 passphrases to be transferred to the supplied cards are then displayed. Each word must then be selected from a list and confirmed. This process can be a little tedious, but it ensures that the passphrases have been written down correctly.

The device is now ready for use and the PIN code can be entered to unlock the device. Ledger Live will ask a few security questions to ensure that the setup process has been completed correctly. The Nano X can then be connected to the corresponding device. For a computer, use the USB cable supplied. For mobile devices, the Bluetooth connection must be set up first.

The top 100 cryptos are supported

According to the manufacturer's website, the Nano X currently offers support for over 1100 cryptocurrencies, and this number is constantly growing. However, only 22 digital assets are offered directly via the Ledger Live app, while the rest of the cryptocurrencies are only supported through the use of wallets from third-party suppliers. Overall, the Nano X offers almost all of the top 100 cryptocurrencies and plans to implement more, which are currently not yet available. A current list can be found here.

The battery of the Nano X cannot be replaced. As the device is designed to last for five years, it can only be used with the supplied USB cable after this time. In order to optimise the battery life as much as possible, the manufacturer recommends fully charging the Nano X from time to time on the support page and not storing it for long periods with a very low charge. The battery status can be displayed in the Control Centre.

Safety is a top priority

Like the Nano S from Ledger, the Nano X also offers state-of-the-art security elements: The private keys are securely isolated within the device. The same chip is installed that is also used in high-security applications such as credit cards and passports. The Bluetooth connection is only used as a transport layer for the public information and therefore does not represent an attack vector. The private key therefore never leaves the device. Even if the Bluetooth connection is compromised, the security of the Nano X depends on the chip, which obtains authorisation for every action. In addition, Bluetooth can be deactivated at any time in the settings so that it can only be used via cable.

The main difference between the Nano X and its predecessor models is its Bluetooth connectivity. It allows it to be controlled via a mobile phone and not just a desktop computer. The previous version was only controlled via the Ledger Live desktop software. The Nano X can also be controlled via the Ledger Live mobile app. Pairing the device should be fairly simple and straightforward. However, it didn't work for me straight away when I was setting it up. Once paired, however, it is easy to use after some familiarisation.

Conclusion

The Ledger Nano X is not cheap. But for advanced users, the extra cost is worth it: the Nano X supports more currencies and has a Bluetooth connection. The larger screen is also a welcome improvement. The Nano X thus eliminates the major shortcomings of the Nano S. For some user groups, wireless operation could even make the decisive difference compared to other hardware wallets. <p

20 people like this article

Raphael Rotondari

raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.ch

Develops positive scenarios for the digital society of tomorrow. Think Tank - Future Experiments - dezentrum.ch.

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