With Bitcoin, Alt Coins and STEEM values exploding higher this month I thought it would be a great time to review the Ledger Nano S Cryptocurrency hardware wallet.

I am a strong advocate for using hardware wallets for their security and peace of mind.

Introduction

I have read several "reviews" of hardware wallets that are more setup tutorials or a list of specs.

This is not a tutorial!

If you would like a tutorial let me know in the comments. If you would like a more thorough breakdown of why I like hardware wallets let me know that too.

I intend to have this review be short and concise, listing some specs and features but focusing on my judgement of the device on 7 criteria

Design - The overall design of the device 

Construction - Is the device well built, durable?

Ease of use - How easy is the setup and operation of the device?

Compatibility - How many and what cryptocurrency can be used with the device?

Security - What security protocols are put in place to protect your keys?

X Factor - Does the device have any unique features that set it apart from the competition?

Price - Value for cost

The device ships with the following...

• Ledger Nano S
• USB cable
• Instruction Sheet
• Recovery Sheet
• Accessories - Lanyard & Key Ring

Specifications

DIMENSION & WEIGHT

Size: 98mm x 18mm x 9mm.
Weight: 16.2g. 

COMPATIBILITY

Windows (7+), Mac (10.8+), Linux or Chrome OS. Requires Google Chrome or Chromium, and one USB port to plug your Ledger Nano S. 

MATERIALS

Brushed stainless steel and Plastic. 

MICROCONTROLLERS & CONNECTOR

Connector: USB Type Micro-B.
Certification level: CC EAL5+.
Chips: ST31H320 (secure) + STM32F042. 

Design

Overall I really like the design of the Ledger Nano S. It is simple and functional. The brushed metal is a very nice touch. The device comes shipped in a box very similar to an Apple product, good presentation.

Construction

The device is lightweight and has a similar feel to any USB device. The brushed metal outer shell is well built. The plastic feels a bit too light weight and I would question it's durability as compared to its competitors. The USB cable also seems to be lower quality. I have not had an issue with the USB but have read that several others have. I believe Ledger will replace your USB cable if it shipped with a faulty USB.

Ease of Use

The Ledger Nano S is extremely easy to setup and use. The directions on their website are very clear making setup a breeze. The Google Chrome apps needed to use the device are simple and elegant. You can download an app for Ethereum and Bitcoin, Alt coins can be setup using the Ledger Manager app and used through the Bitcoin app. Out of the wallets I have used thus far I prefer the Ledger's operation and Chrome Extensions. The clear directions are a big plus for this product!

Compatibility

The Ledger Nano S comes setup to use Bitcoin and Ethereum. You can easily enable wallets for the following Alt coins...

Dash

Dogecoin

Litecoin

Zcash

Stratis

Security

SECURE ELEMENT

Ledger Nano S is based on a dual chip architecture (ST31/STM32). The firmware integrity is guaranteed by cryptographic attestation. 

PIN CODE

Ledger Nano S ensures only you can access your accounts by requiring a 4 digit PIN code each time it is plugged to your computer. (I believe the newest firmware allows for a longer PIN code)

MALWARE PROOF

Initialization or restoration of your configuration is fully done on the secure environment of the Ledger Nano S. Your cryptographic secrets are never exposed to the outside world. 

Overall the security features of the device are good, especially if they will be updating to allow for longer PIN codes. In order to access your wallet you need physical confirmation from the device.

X Factor

The Ledger Nano S  supports the FIDO® Universal Second Factor authentication standard on Google, Dropbox, GitHub or Dashlane. I think this is a cool extra feature to have and is a nice addition to the device.

Price

The Ledger Nano S retails for $89.99 and and can be purchased through Amazon or their Website. I believe the price is fair for the product. Most of it's competitors retail for around $99.99.

Conclusion

I really like the Ledger Nano S overall. It has a great look, great features and is easy to use. I prefer their chrome extension interface to that of other wallets.

The ledger is great if you want a hardware wallet to carry around with you, although I would remember that the main body is made with light weight plastic and that there is a reason for the lower cost.

I would note that on a few occasions the device caused some issues with my USB ports. "Could not identify USB". The problem was easily fixed but annoying. I cannot say if it was the device or my personal computer causing the issue. (Firmware updates may resolve)

For the price the Ledger Nano S is a great option!

If you are considering buying your first hardware wallet I think this is a great product to start with!

Ledger also sells other products I just have not been able to test them.

https://www.ledgerwallet.com/products/ledger-nano-s

Photos direct from Ledger Website

If you have any questions about the Ledger Nano S that were not covered in the review comment below and I will do my best to answer them.

Please upvote and resteem if you found this post interesting!

Follow my blog @digicrypt if you want to learn more!

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