If you’re considering buying Ledger’s newest hardware wallet, the Ledger Stax, you might be wondering if it’s really worth the near $300 price tag. To find out, I did a ton of research to compile this extensive list of pros and cons.
Ledger Stax Pros
E-Ink Touch Screen
The Ledger Stax is the first ever device to utilize a curved e-ink touch screen. The screen is 3.7 inches (672x400px) and displays 16 scales of gray.
The increased screen size and touch capability are a huge step up from Ledgers’ previous models like the Ledger Nano X that I own, and the Nano S Plus, which both have a screen about as large as your thumb and only two buttons to navigate the entire device.
As a result, the Stax provides a better user experience as it’s easier to navigate and verify transactions.
If you’ve never used an e-ink screen, it’s important to note that it has a different look and feel from your phone’s LED screen.
Often referred to as digital paper, e-ink screens reflect ambient light which makes it easier on your eyes, provides better readability, and reduces battery consumption.
Customizable Lock Screen
With the Stax’s innovative screen comes the ability to customize it to your liking. You can set it up to display your name on the side of the screen and even set your favorite picture or NFT as your lock screen.
This tiny bit of customization enables you to enjoy a more personalized experience when using your device and takes away from the complexity and often boring experience of using a crypto wallet.
Although this might seem like a small feat, I believe this to be a step in the right direction if we’re ever going to see crypto gain mainstream adoption.
Portable and Sleek Design
You can tell that Ledger and Tony Fadell put a lot of thought into Stax’s design. It’s about the same size as a credit card and is roughly 5 cards thick, plus it only weighs 45 grams which is equal to 10 sheets of paper.
Its size combined with its tough aluminum shell makes for an overall portable and sleek design that is surely better looking than any hardware wallet you can find on the market today.
Embedded Magnets
Lending to its name, every Stax wallet comes equipped with internal magnets that can be used to stack your Stax together (that’s a mouth full), assuming you own more than one device.
Bluetooth Connectivity
Similar to the Nano X, the Ledger Stax utilizes Bluetooth to enable you to wirelessly connect to the mobile version of Ledger Live on your iOS or Android device.
That means you can easily manage your crypto portfolio even when you’re on the go, without worrying about connecting to your computer using a cord.
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Even Stax’s internal and rechargeable lithium-ion battery is an upgrade from all previous Ledger models. This 200 mah battery will last for days if being used and up to several months if left unused and fully charged.
Now you don’t have to worry about your battery dying, allowing you to access your digital assets whenever, wherever, and as often as you want.
Wireless QI Charging
To complement its upgraded battery, the Stax can be quickly charged using QI (chee) wireless charging. If you don’t have a QI wireless charger, no worries, a standard USB-C cable works too.
EAL5+ Secure Chip Element
Ledger didn’t sacrifice any security when making the Stax. In fact, it’s equally secure as all of Ledger’s other cold-storage wallets.
It comes equipped with the same EAL5+ Secure Chip Element found in the Nano X and Nano S Plus, which is used to prevent both physical and digital attacks on your wallet.
In order for the chip to achieve the EAL5+ rating, the device must be shown to have the highest possible level of security against penetration testing, which is an authorized simulated attack performed on the system to measure its security.
Basically, the Ledger Stax is a brick wall in terms of security. Just as all Ledger devices are almost impossible to hack.
Enables Clear Signing
When you sign for a transaction using your Ledger Stax and a supported dApp like Ledger Live, you can verify the transaction details through the clear signing process.
All Ledger wallets allow for this “clear signing” method which ultimately helps keep your digital assets safe from hackers and various types of scams when interacting with a platform that requests access to your wallet.
On the flip side, most software wallets like MetaMask use a “blind signing” method which means you sign a transaction without knowing all the details. This puts you and your assets at risk.
That said, you can use a software wallet like MetaMask in conjunction with the Ledger Stax to enable clear signing and avoid getting scammed.
Ledger Stax Cons
Price Tag
Let’s get straight to the biggest con of the Ledger Stax, and that’s its $279 price tag! By no means is it cheap. Plus, by the time you add in taxes and shipping you’re paying $300 to own a Ledger Stax crypto wallet.
For half the price, you can buy the Nano X ($150) or even the S Plus ($80) for a quarter of the cost—both of which offer the same level of security.
So basically, you’re paying a premium for the larger touch screen and a sleek look with virtually no security enhancements.
It’s Too Fancy
Don’t get me wrong, the Stax wallet is super cool with all its innovative features, but the luxurious elements are just that.
In my opinion, there’s very little reason for a crypto wallet to be portable or even good-looking. Most smart crypto enthusiasts keep their wallets locked away in a safe.
I’ve pulled my Nano X out of storage maybe three times in the years that I’ve owned it, and each time it’s for an hour at most, and out of public view.
Plus, Ledger and other third-party manufacturers will soon offer protective cases for the Stax wallet, which means you’ll have to spend even more money to protect all the fanciness.
I mean come on, do you really think this iPhone-esque device isn’t going to have tons of different cases to choose from? You just wait.
The Stax Magnet is Unnecessary
“The click you hear when stacking your Ledger Stax devices, that’s the sound of security.” Uhm, no. That’s the sound of two pieces of aluminum smacking together, not security.
That’s right, Ledger is using Stax’s magnetic capability as a marketing ploy. I pulled that sentence straight from Ledger’s website. And to be honest, it’s somewhat deceiving.
The magnet has zero to do with the overall security of the Stax crypto wallet. It’s nothing more than a “cool” feature used to market the device.
There’s really no reason for wallets to be able to stack together. Unless Ledger wants you to buy more wallets? Hmm.
What’s in the Box?
The Ledger Stax comes with the following items:
- 1 Ledger Stax Hardware Wallet
- 1 USB-C to USB-C Cable
- 1 Recovery Phrase Sheet
- 1 Ledger Stax User Guide
Ledger Stax Coin Support
The Ledger Stax wallet is capable of supporting over 500 different cryptocurrencies and tokens as well as Ethereum and Polygon NFTs, using the Ledger Live app. In total, the Stax supports more than 5,000 types of crypto, tokens, and NFTs when using a third-party wallet.
How Much Is the Ledger Stax Wallet?
The Ledger Stax hardware wallet costs $279 if you buy it directly from the manufacturer. The price does not include shipping, tax, or duties which would total over $300.
This makes the Stax the most expensive hardware wallet that Ledger has ever offered. Even the Trezor Model T—a comparable touchscreen crypto wallet—only costs $215.
Where to Buy the Ledger Stax
The Ledger Stax wallet is available to pre-order on Ledger’s website. Note that Ledger will not begin shipping the Stax until May 2023.
I highly recommend only purchasing Ledger wallets from their official website. If you order one from another online reseller, you run the risk of buying a compromised wallet.
Ledger Wallets Compared
| Features | Ledger Stax | Ledger Nano X | Ledger Nano S Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallet Dimensions | 85 x 54 x 6mm | 62.39 x 17.40 x 8.24mm | 72 x 18.6 x 11.75mm |
| Weight | 45.2g | 34g | 21g |
| Screen Size | 3.7in curved screen (672 x 400px) | 128 x 64px | 128 x 32px |
| Screen Type | E-ink | OLED | OLED |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No | No |
| Coin Support | 5,500+ | 5,500+ | 5,500+ |
| App Capacity | Up to 100 | Up to 100 | Up to 100 |
| Storage Capacity | 1.5 MB | 2 MB | 1.5 MB |
| Bluetooth Equipped | Yes | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | Days to Several months when left unused with no charge | 8 hours | No battery |
| Connection Type | USB-C to UCB-C; Bluetooth | USB-A to USB-C; Bluetooth | USB-A to USB-C |
| Native NFT Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Security Rating | EAL5+ | EAL5+ | EAL5+ |
| Mobile Phone Compatability | Android, iOS | Android, iOS | Android |
| Supported Desktop OS | Windows 10+, macOS 12+, Linux Ubuntu LTS 20.04+ | Windows 8.1+, macOS 10.10+, and Linux | Windows 8.1+, macOS 10.14+, and Linux Ubuntu LTS 16.10 |
| Life Expectancy | Up to 5 years | Up to 5 years | Up to 5 years |
| Price (USD) | $279 | $149 | $79 |
Ledger Stax Wallet Alternatives
Below are some hardware wallet alternatives I’d recommend if you’re looking for a crypto wallet comparable to the Ledger Stax.
| Wallet | Supported Assets | Price | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ledger Nano X | 5,500+ | $149 | Ledger.com |
| Ledger Nano S Plus | 5,500+ | $79 | Ledger.com |
| Trezor Model T | 1,450+ | $215 | Trezor.io |
| Trezor Model One | 1,285+ | $69 | Trezor.io |
My Verdict: Is the Ledger Stax Worth It?
The Ledger Stax is a good choice for those seeking a secure hardware wallet with a large touch screen and personalization options for a premium user experience. If budget is a concern, the Ledger Nano X is a cheaper option offering the same security.
Overall, I think the Ledger Stax is an exciting and innovative hardware wallet. I’m going to buy it just for the bigger screen and better UI.
Alex Gomez, founder of Cyber Scrilla
That said, if you own NFTs or other digital assets and you aren’t using a hardware wallet then you really need to check out my 3-step guide to learn exactly how I keep my digital assets safe from scams and hackers using both hardware and software wallets like Ledger.
1 thought on “Ledger Stax Wallet: Pros and Cons You MUST Know Before Buying”
Comments are closed.