Ledger Nano S Plus: Easy-to-Use & Affordable Security

Being overwhelmed by the amazing amount of cold storage wallets available in the market at the moment is no way to start your journey into the crypto world. Using a safe, well-known brand is always a good way to go.
The Ledger Nano S Plus is the most affordable way to tap into Ledger's security ecosystem without sacrificing compatibility. It’s the spiritual successor to the original Nano S, with a modern USB-C port, more memory, and full support for NFTs and complex smart contract tokens. But does it offer enough for serious long-term storage in 2025?
I’ve spent the last few days using the Nano S Plus for test transactions, staking flows, and NFT management to see how far you can stretch this budget device.
Pros & Cons
Ledger Nano S Plus Quick Specs

- Manufacturer: Ledger (France)
- Type: Multicoin hardware wallet
- Release Year: 2024 (latest revision)
- Price: $93
- Connectivity: USB-C
- Battery: None (must be powered via USB C Cable)
- Display: 1.09-inch Monochrome OLED display
- Security: Certified Secure Element (CC EAL6+)
- Backup/Recovery: 24-word Secret Recovery Phrase + Ledger Recover (optional subscription)
- Mobile/Desktop Integration: Ledger Live through Desktop + Third Party Apps
- Firmware: Proprietary (Ledger OS)
- Supported Assets: +500 coins (BTC, ETH, USDT, SOL & BNB) with Ledger Live & +5000 other supported assets through Third Party Apps
- Special Features:
- Pin code
- Staking & DeFi natively integrated on Ledger Live (Uniswap $UNI, Aave $AAVE & Lido DAO Token $LDO)
How I Used the Ledger Nano S Plus
I started by setting up a new wallet using Ledger Live. As usual, Ledger prompted me to update the Firmware and after, generated a 24-word seed phrase. The device has no touchscreen, so you will need to confirm your backup is done through its two side buttons. Still, the UI was simple and responsive. You set a PIN, write down your words, and it’s ready.
For my first test deposit, I sent a small amount of $BTC Bitcoin to an address generated by the Ledger Live desktop app. It was displayed clearly on the Nano S Plus screen and verified manually. For Ethereum tokens, I synced my wallet with MetaMask through the Ledger bridge. I tested sending $USDC and staking some MATIC via Ledger Live. It all worked flawlessly.
For reference, my original Ledger Nano S (2018) — my very first hardware wallet — was a major pain to manage. You could only install two or three blockchain apps at a time, which meant constantly uninstalling and reinstalling apps just to view your full portfolio or make a transfer. If you held multiple coins, juggling apps became part of your routine.
With the Nano S Plus, that’s no longer an issue. I was able to load apps for all my main holdings—BTC, ETH, MATIC, LINK, AVAX, Hedera Hashgraph $HBAR, and even exotic tokens like Grass crypto, Based Fartcoin, and Turbo Coin, without hitting that memory wall. It feels like how the original should have worked all along.
When I tried NFTs, the display limitation became obvious. You can’t view the image directly on the device (unlike the Ledger Stax), but the metadata and confirmation prompts were handled cleanly.
Rating (Overall: 4/5)
Ledger Nano S Plus: Budget-Friendly Cold Storage with Pro-Level Support
The Ledger Nano S Plus strikes a rare balance among the best crypto hardware wallets: it’s affordable, secure, and compatible with thousands of crypto assets — all for under $100. If you’re new to self-custody or managing a modest portfolio (under $10,000), this is one of the most compelling entry points available.
Unlike the older Nano S, the S Plus boasts more memory and support for more apps at once. More importantly, it uses a CC EAL6+ certified secure element, making it technically more secure than the pricier Ledger Nano X, which still runs on EAL5+. Both devices require USB to sign transactions — meaning they’re not air-gapped — but in terms of raw security per dollar, the S Plus wins hands down.
This is a great cold wallet for your main portfolio of Bitcoin, ETH Ethereum, and widely supported altcoins such as (Helium Network Token $HNT, Pepe $PEPE & Avalanche $AVAX ). It also supports tokens from ecosystems like Polygon $MATIC, Solana $SOL, and Binance Smart Chain $BNB, plus access to new crypto projects through Ledger Live or third-party apps. It even works with NFTs, DeFi, and staking if you’re ready to go beyond simple holding.
That said, this is a device you’ll likely grow out of. Serious Bitcoin holders — especially those thinking long term with Bitcoin price predictions of $500K to $1M by 2030 — should consider migrating to Bitcoin-only, air-gapped wallets. When that time comes, you can repurpose the Nano S Plus as a cold storage device for altcoins or even set it up as a decoy wallet.
It’s also worth remembering Ledger’s 2020 incident, where personal data of over 270,000 customers was leaked due to a breach at a third-party e-commerce and marketing vendor, not the device itself. While no funds or private keys were compromised, it was a harsh reminder that buying a hardware wallet anonymously — or at least minimizing identifiable information — is just as important as the device you use.
Still, the Nano S Plus remains one of the best beginner cold wallets on the market. It’s not perfect, but it does its job well, is backed by a mature ecosystem, and gives you the foundation to learn self-custody the right way. And if you end up taking Bitcoin more seriously, there’s a clear upgrade path waiting for you. Take a look at these Bitcoin-only hardware wallets as well as other hardware wallets that could benefit your crypto safety and storage needs.
Lukas is your trusted guide for navigating the best crypto hardware wallets of 2025. Their deep dives cut through the noise, empowering you to protect your digital assets. Explore more of their invaluable resources here:
- Best Bitcoin-Only Hardware Wallets of 2025 – For maximalists who value simplicity and sovereignty.
- Best Metal Seed Phrase Backups in 2025 – The only way to protect your seed words from fire, water and time.
- Top 20 Hardware Wallets for Crypto Cold Storage – A complete guide to the most secure and trusted devices available today.
- Best Biometric Hardware Wallets in 2025 – Because privacy and convenience don’t have to be opposites.
- Best Credit Card-Sized Hardware Wallets in 2025 – Perfect for semi-cold storage and covert carry.
- Top 6 Hardware Wallets for NFTs in 2025 – Yes, even your digital collectibles deserve cold storage.
FAQs
- What is the Ledger Nano S Plus?
The Ledger Nano S Plus is one of the best entry-level crypto hardware wallets available today. It offers secure cold storage for over 5,000 crypto assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major chains like Polygon and Avalanche. It’s powered by a USB-C connection and features a certified CC EAL6+ Secure Element; an upgrade over the original Nano S. While it lacks Bluetooth and must be plugged into a desktop or mobile device, its compact design and high token compatibility make it a great starting point for crypto security.
- Does the Ledger Nano S Plus support NFTs and meme tokens like Krypto Pepe?
Yes, the Nano S Plus supports NFTs via ERC-721 and ERC-1155 standards through Ledger Live or when paired with MetaMask. While you can’t view NFT images on the device itself, metadata and confirmation details are displayed before signing. As for Krypto Pepe, the specific token isn’t supported natively, though many PEPE meme tokens on Ethereum or BNB Chain are. Always double-check your token’s contract address and compatibility before transferring.
- Can I store AI crypto tokens on the Ledger Nano S Plus?
The Nano S Plus supports many popular AI crypto tokens, but not all. For example, it works with $NEAR, Internet Computer $ICP, and the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance $FET. However, tokens like Bittensor $TAO and Render $RNDR are currently unsupported through Ledger Live. For a full list of supported tokens, consult Ledger’s official asset list.
- Can I get Monero $XMR on the Ledger Nano S Plus?
Yes, you can store Monero on the Nano S Plus, but not through the native Ledger Live interface. You’ll need to use a third-party wallet like Monero GUI or Feather Wallet to interface with your Ledger device. You can’t buy Monero directly on Ledger Live, but once acquired, it can be securely stored on the device.
Testimonials
Special thanks to Crypto Dad and Unchained for their in-depth tutorials. Their content was invaluable in helping me confidently set up and use my Ledger Nano S Plus the right way:
Subscribe to the Markets Outlook newsletter
Related Posts
