Ledger Stax Crypto Wallet Review for October 2024

Ledger’s latest model, Stax offers a new take on its secure hardware wallet. It’s a credit-card-sized device with an intuitive touchscreen, which increases usability and makes sending transactions even more seamless.

However, Ledger Stax is priced at $399, which is a lot pricier than previous models. Is the price tag justified, or are there better alternatives in the market?

Read on for my extensive Ledger Stax review. Learn how the Stax compares for security, user-friendliness, supported coins, and other important factors.

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Ledger Stax Pros and Cons

My Ledger Stax review found the wallet comes with the following benefits and drawbacks:

Ledger Stax Supported Coins?

Ledger states that 500+ coins are supported by the Stax. This covers the best cryptocurrencies to buy, including BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, BNB, ADA, TRX, AVAX, LINK, BCH, DOT, and DOGE. Ledger Stax also supports custom tokens. This means it’s compatible with thousands of other cryptocurrencies, provided their respective networks are supported.

Custom tokens with the following blockchain standards can be added to Ledger Stax:

• Ethereum (ERC-20)
• BNB Chain (BEP-20)
• Solana (SPL)
• TRON (TRC-20)
• Polygon (ERC-20)

For example, suppose you’re holding a Solana meme coin that’s just launched on a decentralized exchange. The Ledger Stax wallet won’t support that token by default. Instead, you’d need to get the token’s unique contract address and paste it into Ledger. You can then transfer the tokens to the Ledger wallet, meaning its balance will be displayed thereon.

Supported NFTs

My Ledger Stax review found that the wallet also supports NFTs. Just two blockchains are compatible; Ethereum and Polygon. If you own NFTs from other network standards, you can connect Ledger Stax with a third-party wallet.

Crucially, unlike other Ledger wallets, the Stax enables users to view NFTs on the touchscreen. This premium feature can also be used as the device’s lock screen.

How Much Does Ledger Stax Cost?

The Stax retails for $399, making it one of the most expensive wallets around, and the priciest model offered by Ledger. This includes free global shipping. In contrast, the Ledger Nano X and Nano S Plus retail for $149 and $79 respectively.

Ledger doesn’t charge any fees when storing and receiving digital assets, like most other wallets. What’s more, users simply cover the network fee when transferring funds. This is quoted in real-time and comes without markups.

Ledger also charges fees for additional services found on the Ledger Live app. For instance, swapping tokens or buying cryptocurrencies with fiat money. However, these fees are determined by the third-party provider, and they’re often built into the spread or exchange rate.

For example, suppose you’re buying Bitcoin with a debit/credit card. The transaction will likely go through MoonPay or Simplex, which charge around 3-5% of the purchase size. Ultimately, you’ll only know the fee when setting up the transaction.

Is Ledger Stax Safe?

Ledger Stax is one of the most secure crypto wallets in the market. However, it’s important to stress that its safety features align with other Ledger models, including the Nano X and Nano S Plus. This means you’re paying a premium price for the same security controls.

Nonetheless, the Ledger Stax is a cold storage wallet, meaning its private keys are encrypted on the device. It leverages certified secure element chips, which never connect to the internet. This ensures the Ledger Stax is practically immune from remote hacking attempts.

What’s more, outgoing transactions must be confirmed on the touchscreen device. Users enter a 4-8 digit PIN, which is chosen when setting up the wallet. The Ledger Stax connects to the Ledger Live app via USB-C or Bluetooth. This means even outgoing transactions don’t expose the wallet to live servers.

The Ledger Stax also comes with a 24-word backup passphrase, which is shown on the touchscreen when requested. This ensures the wallet can be recovered if it’s lost, stolen, or damaged. This can be done on virtually any wallet, with or without a Ledger device.

Like other Ledger hardware wallets, the Stax also comes with anti-tampering protection. This verifies the device’s authenticity, ensuring it hasn’t been tampered with on its way to the user. All in all, the Ledger Stax is super-safe, meaning investors can store their cryptocurrencies without worrying about remote hacks.

Ledger Stax User Experience?

One of the Ledger Stax’s key offerings is increased user-friendliness. This is because of its 3.7” touchscreen device, meaning it’s about the same size as a credit card. This makes it considerably easier to execute and view transactions. For instance, before confirming an outgoing transfer, the touchscreen displays key transaction details.

This includes the destination wallet address, amount, and fees. In contrast, while the Nano X and Nano S Plus can display these details, it’s on a much smaller screen. This means users must scroll through each metric, offering a sub-par user experience. This is also the case when viewing wallet balances.

The Ledger Stax enables users to view their portfolios seamlessly and clearly, all visible on the touchscreen. Other Ledger models require users to scroll through each coin or token. Once again, this increased convenience comes at a hefty cost. After all, portfolio management tools are available on the Ledger Live app, which is compatible with all models.

Top Features of Ledger Stax

In this section of my Ledger Stax review, I take a closer look at what exclusive features are available.

Curved E Ink Touchscreen

The main feature is the 3.7″ curved E Ink touchscreen. Users can navigate the device via touchscreen navigation, rather than the clunky buttons found on other devices.

As mentioned, this is ideal for confirming transactions and viewing portfolio balances.

View NFTs

Those into NFT investing or trading will like the Stax’s gallery feature. This means NFT holdings can be viewed directly on the wallet’s touchscreen. This feature isn’t available with other Ledger models.

Custom NFT Lock-Screen

Similar to smartphone devices, the Ledger Stax comes with a customizable lock screen. Users can choose an image or an NFT stored within the Ledger device.

Wireless Qi Charging

Another unique feature is support for wireless Qi charging. This means users can charge their devices without using cables. You’ll need a wireless charging pad that’s Qi-compatible.

In contrast, other Ledger models must be charged with a USB cable.

Embedded Magnets

The Ledger Stax is built with embedded magnets. This means users can stack multiple devices collectively, resulting in easier wallet management and storage.

The device comes with a Magnet Shell for increased protection.

Longer Battery Life

Users will also like the Ledger Stax’s longer battery life. It can last for 10 hours of standard use or about 150 transactions. In contrast, the Ledger Nano X lasts for 5 hours.

Ledger Stax Specifications

The Ledger Stax hardware wallet comes with the following specifications:

How to Use Ledger Stax Crypto Wallet: Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough on how to get started with the Ledger Stax.

Step 1: Purchase Ledger Stax From the Official Website 

First, you’ll need to purchase the Ledger Stax, which retails for $399. Crucially, you must order the wallet directly from the Ledger website. Using an unauthorized merchant can be costly; the device could be tampered with.

Ledger accepts debit/credit cards and PayPal. It also accepts Bitcoin and some of the best altcoins, including Ethereum and Bitcoin Cash.

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Step 2: Download Ledger Live 

Next, charge the device fully before switching it on. Then download the Ledger Live app to your preferred device.

Options include:

• iOS
• Android
• Windows
• Mac
• Linux

The Ledger Live app is needed to send transactions. It’s also required when swapping tokens or buying/selling cryptocurrencies with fiat money.

Once installed, Ledger Live will explain how to pair the app with your Stax device. This will be done via Bluetooth or USB-C for mobiles and desktops, respectively.

Step 3: Secure the Wallet

Next, create a new wallet via the Ledger Stax device. You’ll need to create a 4-8 digit PIN. This is needed when verifying outgoing transfers. The touchscreen will then display the wallet’s backup passphrase. This is 24 words that must be written down.

Never share this with anyone. The backup passphrase provides immediate access to the wallet from any device. Finally, re-enter the 24 words on the touchscreen. This confirms that they’ve been written down correctly.

Step 4: Install Apps

‘Apps’ must be installed for each blockchain network you want to add. You can do this by clicking on ‘Manager’ in the Ledger Live app.

For example, install Bitcoin if you want to store BTC. And Ethereum if you want to store ETH or secondary ERC-20 tokens. Once installed, you’ll be provided with a unique wallet address for each blockchain.

Step 5: Send or Receive Funds 

You can then transfer the coins or tokens to the provided wallet address, meaning they’re safely stored by the Ledger Stax. The funds should arrive in seconds or minutes, depending on the blockchain.

Sending funds is also straightforward. Click the ‘Send’ button within Ledger Live and paste the destination address. Type in the address and confirm. Ledger Live then sends the transaction request to the Stax device via Bluetooth or USB-C. You can verify the transfer by entering the device’s PIN.

Ledger Stax Review: My Verdict

In summary, the Ledger Stax offers the same robust security features and supported networks as other Ledger models. At $399, it’s a premium option for those seeking increased convenience via a 3.7″ touchscreen, wireless Qi charging, and the ability to view NFTs.

However, those simply looking to store cryptocurrencies might find that the Ledger Nano X and Nano S Plus are sufficient, considering the cheaper price. Just like the Ledger Stax, these models support the Ledger Live app, meaning staking, fiat payments, and swaps are still accessible.

What’s more, the Stax doesn’t include Ledger Recover, an optional custodian service at $9.99 per month. Ultimately, users must assess whether the price tag is justified, based on the additional Ledger Stax features.

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FAQs

Is Ledger Stax safe?

Yes, Ledger Stax is a secure hardware wallet offering cold storage solutions. However, its security features align with other Ledger models, which come with a cheaper price tag.

What are the benefits of Ledger Stax?

The main benefit of Ledger Stax is increased convenience and usability, considering its 3.7″ touchscreen. It also supports wireless Qi charging and the ability to view NFTs.

What coins does Ledger Stax support?

Ledger Stax supports over 500 cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, and BNB. Custom tokens can also be added.

How much is the Ledger Stax?

The Ledger Stax retails for $399, including shipping.

Is Ledger Stax a hardware wallet?

Yes, Ledger Stax is a hardware wallet. It comes as a credit-card-sized device with a 3.7″ touchscreen.

References

1. Ledger Stax Product Specs (Ledger)
2. How Does Public Key Cryptography Work? (Cloudflare)
3. Crypto Wallet Hardware: Hardware Wallet vs Cold Wallets (Kaspersky)