Ledger Nano S Plus Review

The Nano S Plus is the Ledger model to consider when Bluetooth would add cost but not much value. It is battery-free, works by USB-C, and keeps the small two-button format of the Nano range. The trade-off is clear: it works well at a desktop or with a compatible Android phone, but it does not connect to an iPhone.

For this update, we checked Ledger's current Nano S Plus specifications, security documentation, recovery guidance, Ledger Recover terms, and authorized-reseller advice. We did not claim a funded test transaction. Our view is that the Nano S Plus remains a sensible wired hardware wallet, but only for someone prepared to manage a 24-word recovery phrase and inspect transaction details on a small screen.

What You Get With Ledger Nano S Plus

The device has a 1.1-inch monochrome OLED display with a 128 × 64 resolution, two physical buttons, USB-C, and no battery. Ledger lists an ST33K1M5 Secure Element certified to CC EAL6+. The device is powered by the computer or Android phone to which it is connected.

Ledger Wallet, previously called Ledger Live, is the main desktop and mobile companion app. It handles setup, firmware and device-app installation, account management, and transaction preparation. The Nano S Plus can also sign through compatible third-party wallets. This matters when an asset, network, or function is not managed directly in Ledger Wallet.

App memory is not the same as coin support

Ledger says the Nano S Plus can hold up to about 100 device apps, although the actual number depends on their size. These apps let the device derive keys and sign for particular networks. Uninstalling an app does not delete assets from the blockchain. Reinstalling the app gives access to the same accounts as long as the device is restored from the same recovery phrase.

We avoid a fixed “supported coins” total because Ledger's own pages use different counts and support changes. Check the exact asset and network before buying. Also check whether it works directly in Ledger Wallet or requires a third-party wallet. An asset name alone is not enough when the same token exists on several networks.

USB-only: a strength and a limitation

No battery means there is nothing to charge or age while the device sits unused. A cable also makes the connection method obvious. For a wallet kept at home and used occasionally, that simplicity is useful.

The downside is phone support. The Nano S Plus can connect to a compatible Android phone by cable, but it does not work with iPhone. It also cannot sign wirelessly. If phone-first use matters more than price, compare it with the Nano X or a different hardware wallet.

Ledger Nano S Plus vs Ledger Nano X

The Nano S Plus wins on simplicity and price when it stays beside a computer. The Nano X earns its extra cost through Bluetooth, a battery, and iPhone support. The displays are the same size and resolution, so the Nano X is not an upgrade for readability.

For the full wireless model breakdown, read our Ledger Nano X review.

Ledger Nano S Plus vs Trezor Safe 3

Both are wired, battery-free devices with EAL6+ Secure Elements and small two-button screens. The larger difference is the software and backup model. Trezor publishes its design and firmware as open source and supports SLIP39 Multi-share Backup. Ledger uses a partially closed Ledger OS and has wider integration across Ledger Wallet and third-party wallet apps. Read our Trezor Safe 3 review before deciding, or use the broader Ledger vs Trezor comparison.

Security, PIN, and transaction checks

Private keys are generated and kept inside the Secure Element rather than on the connected computer. Ledger OS isolates device apps, and the PIN protects access to the physical device. The trusted display is controlled by the secure hardware so you can compare the destination address and transaction details before pressing both buttons to approve.

That design reduces exposure to malware on a computer, but it does not make every approval safe. Smart-contract interactions can still be malicious, and some transactions are difficult to interpret on a small screen. Do not approve a prompt merely because it appears on the Ledger. Check the address, network, amount, and the action being authorized. Avoid blind signing unless you understand why it is required.

Ledger OS is not fully open source. Ledger Wallet, device apps, and several development tools expose more source code, but the secure operating system includes proprietary parts. This is a real trade-off against Trezor's more open design, not proof that either approach removes all risk.

What the 2020 Ledger data breach means here

Ledger's 2020 breach exposed customer contact and order information, not private keys stored on devices. The practical consequence was phishing: attackers could target customers with convincing Ledger-branded messages. Treat any email, call, or message asking for a recovery phrase as a theft attempt, even if it contains real personal details.

Recovery phrase, passphrase, and Ledger Recover

During normal setup, the Nano S Plus generates a 24-word Secret Recovery Phrase on the device. Those words are the backup for the accounts derived from it. Write them down in order, keep them offline, and make sure nobody else can see them. A photo, cloud note, password-manager entry, or typed copy on an internet-connected device defeats the purpose of the hardware wallet.

A passphrase is optional. It creates a different set of accounts on top of the recovery phrase and is sometimes called a “25th word,” although it can contain more than one word. Every character matters. If you forget it or enter it differently during recovery, the original phrase alone will not reveal those passphrase-protected accounts. This is useful for an experienced owner and risky for someone who has not rehearsed the recovery process.

Ledger Recover is separate from the paper recovery phrase. Ledger describes it as an optional paid, identity-based service that encrypts and splits recovery material between three providers, with two fragments required for restoration. Nano S Plus support is desktop-only. You do not need to subscribe, and installing current firmware does not enroll you automatically. Read Ledger's current terms before considering it because eligibility, price, and service conditions can change.

Who Should Use Ledger Nano S Plus?

Choose it when most signing happens at a desktop, or on Android with a cable, and you are comfortable handling a 24-word backup. It is also practical as a second compatible Ledger device because the same recovery phrase can restore the same accounts. If you do this, the second device becomes another physical access point and needs its own secure PIN and storage plan.

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

• iPhone or wireless users: the Nano X adds Bluetooth, a battery, and iOS support.
• People who prioritize open-source firmware: compare the Nano S Plus with the Trezor Safe 3.
• People who prefer a card-and-phone workflow: the Tangem Wallet review explains its different backup choices and mobile model.
• Anyone unwilling to manage recovery details: a hardware wallet transfers responsibility to its owner. Start with our hot wallet vs cold wallet guide before buying.

Common setup mistakes to avoid

• Accepting a preset phrase or PIN: a genuine new device should generate the recovery phrase during setup. Do not use words supplied on a card, in the box, or by a seller.
• Downloading a fake companion app: obtain Ledger Wallet through Ledger's official website and run the Genuine Check before using the device.
• Typing the recovery phrase into a computer or phone: normal Ledger use does not require this. Enter recovery words only on a legitimate hardware wallet when restoring.
• Sending on the wrong network: confirm that the sending platform, receiving account, and token use the same network. A USDT address can exist on several incompatible networks.
• Skipping the address check: compare the full address shown on the Ledger screen with the intended destination, not only the first and last characters.
• Moving everything in one transfer: send a small test transaction first. Confirm it arrives in the expected account and network before transferring a larger amount.
• Using a passphrase without a recovery plan: one wrong character opens a different wallet. Record the process securely and understand it before moving funds into passphrase accounts.

For a broader checklist, see common crypto wallet mistakes and our guide to seed phrase safety.

Related Pages

• Ledger Nano X review
• Trezor Safe 3 review
• Ledger vs Trezor comparison
• Compare the best hardware wallets
• Compare hardware and software wallets
• Use the wallet finder