In practice, however, this can be difficult, and sometimes simply pulling the card out is the easier option. There are numerous USB card readers available. Some are small, about the size of a USB flash drive, and are priced accordingly; in fact, you can get a good card reader for very little money. Alternatively, there are larger readers that serve as desktop docking stations. These can be a great way to streamline intensive workflows, especially because they have such fast transfer speeds. It’s an unquestionably excellent way to ensure you’re getting the most out of your card speeds, especially if you’ve paid a premium for one of the best memory cards. We made sure to include best memory card readers that range in price but are all of high quality on this list.
Here is the list of Best Memory Card Readers
Anker 2-in-1 USB 3.0 SD Card Reader
The need for a card reader has grown as many devices have eliminated standard car reader slots. The first item on the list is from a well-known brand, Anker. Anker, a pioneer in charging devices and peripherals, has a diverse product line that meets market demands. The Anker 2-in-1 USB SD Card Reader is a versatile card reader. The card reader’s body is made of high-quality polycarbonate. Because of the dual slots, it can read and write on two different cards at the same time. The best Memory card readers has a USB 3.0 connector, which allows the car reader to transmit data at a rate of 5 GB per second. Because the USB connector is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports, it can be used on older ports with ease. The card reader accepts a variety of cards, including SDXC, Micro SD, and UHS-1 cards. In terms of software compatibility, the card reader can be used on a Windows 10 or MAC OS 10.2 system without the installation of any drivers. It is also powered by the USB port, eliminating the need for an external power source.
Lexar Professional USB 3.0 Dual-Slot Reader
The Dual-Slot Reader from Lexar is a versatile option aimed at photographers. It was released in 2015 and has dual card slots that accept both CF and standard SD cards, as well as UHS-I or UHS-II cards. It also connects to a Mac or Windows computer via a USB 3.0 cable with a data rate of 500 Mb/s. It, like competitors, can write to cards at the same time. However, it can also transfer data between cards, which is a useful feature. Lexar also offers a longer-than-average five-year warranty and an intelligent pop-up design to keep the cards safe when not in use. Overall, Lexar’s Dual-Slot reader is a great choice for those who need on-the-go security and fast speeds.
Apple USB-C to SD Card Reader
Easily one of the best Memory Card Readers available on the market, The Apple USB-C to SD Card Reader is a great option. It is inexpensive and has a straightforward design. However, it has the same distinctive, high-quality look and feel as all Apple products. It is also extremely portable. With dimensions of 2.57 x 0.66 x 6.05 inches, it fits easily into any camera bag or backpack. It is compatible with Mac computers as well as newer generation iPad Pros, Airs, and Minis thanks to the USB Type-C connection. It’s a dream come true for iPad users to be able to download photos and videos directly to their tablet. Check out the Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader if you need an SD card reader for your iPhone.
Unitek USB C SD Card Reader
The model’s name isn’t exactly memorable. However, if you need a universal card reader for a device with USB-C ports, this Unitek card reader is the best option. The Unitek provides consistent read speeds and performed best in our write speed tests. We transferred 30GB in less than eight and a half minutes. It includes a one-foot cable with room for your laptop and supports SD, microSD, and CF cards. It’s also available in two other colours if you’re picky like that. Professionals and casual users will both appreciate its low price point.
Sony MRW-G2 CFexpress Type A SD Card Reader
Sony’s CFexpress Type A/SD Card Reader was released concurrently with the Sony a7S III, which was the first camera to use the CFexpress Type A memory card format. With such a new CFexpress variant and so few manufacturers producing Type A cards or readers, it’s no surprise that this reader is exorbitantly priced. At the very least, it employs a fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface with a maximum theoretical transfer speed of 1250MB/s – more than enough to allow an 800MB/s CFexpress Type A card to transfer at full speed. Currently, this is one of the best Memory Card Readers that you can buy right now.
Beikell USB 3.0 SD Card Reader
Beikell is a forward-thinking company whose products are sold all over the world. It specializes in high-quality smartphone accessories, charging cables, and other related items. Beikell can provide high-performance card reader options due to continuous product development. According to the manufacturer, the Beikell USB Card Reader is a high-speed card reader. And the claims are supported by actual specifications, such as a faster 3.0 USB connector. It can boost data transmission speeds to up to 5 GB per second. This speeds up the loading and writing of data. The card reader accepts a wider range of cards, from SDHC to Micro SD. The card reader ensures that data is transmitted safely and that it is not lost. The card reader’s body includes a keychain ring that can be attached to almost anything. The card reader requires no additional driver installations and works with both Windows and Mac OS. The protective lid protects the metal connector from damage.
SanDisk Extreme PRO CFexpress Type B Card Reader
If you shoot with a digital camera that records to CFexpress Type B memory cards, the SanDisk Extreme Pro CFexpress best Memory Card Readers is a powerful and fast option (such as the Canon EOS R5 or Nikon Z7). It is designed in the same manner as a standard computer mouse. Despite its small size, it is better suited for stationary users. It comes with a 1.6-inch USB Type-C connector cable and transfers video and images quickly. It outperforms even the fastest UHS-II memory card readers, with a maximum data transfer rate of 1250 MB/s. The spring inside the card slot, which quickly and easily ejects the memory card when finished, is a cool feature.
Transcend TS-RDF5K SD Card Reader
USB 3.0 isn’t as fast as USB Type-C, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck in the past. This type of connector still has a plethora of accessories available, including our top pick from Transcend. The affordable Transcend USB 3.0 card reader is a fantastic deal if all you need is a simple little adapter to keep on hand. It is available in three colours and supports SD and microSD cards. The only disadvantage is that if your USB ports are crowded, the Transcend card reader may cause some crowding. Also, keep in mind that it has a removable cap that can fall to the ground and wedge itself under furniture.
Kingston Nucleum USB Type C Hub
Kingston’s Nucleum Hub is a premium hub that focuses on value and versatility rather than speed. It was released in 2017 and has seven total ports, one for SD cards and one for MicroSD cards. There are also two standard USB A ports, a full-sized HDMI port, and two USB C ports. The HDMI output also supports 4K resolution, so you can connect the device to a large monitor and keep the resolution high. All of this is housed within a sleek aluminum casing that is both durable and lightweight. Kingston created this hub to improve the functionality of both Mac and Windows devices, and it comes with a two-year warranty. This hub connects via a USB Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen1) cable with data transfer speeds of up to 5 GB/s. Furthermore, it is backward compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0. Overall, the Nucleum is an excellent travel companion that divides a single USB-C port into seven useful connections. And with this single hub, you can connect up to seven devices at the same time. As a result, it’s ideal for increasing productivity and streamlining your workflow across multiple devices. Thus, this product is one of the best Memory Card Readers available right now.
ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B & SD Reader
With many high-end cameras now supporting both the CFexpress and SD card formats, it makes sense to get a card reader that supports both. This Prograde Digital offering is a high-quality option that is an excellent match for today’s mirrorless and DSLR cameras. It measures 68x68x19mm and comes with a handy stick-on metal plate for attaching to your computer, as well as a magnetic base for keeping it safe. The CFexpress slot is located on top of the reader, while the SD slot is located on the bottom. The readers use a fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, and we measured CFexpress read/write speeds of 687MBs/645MBs, which is a respectable result. In addition to a USB Type-C connector cable, the box includes a Type-A cable for connecting to older computers.
Final Words
Many of the Best Memory Card Readers now connect to your computer via a USB-C plug, but adapters to convert to standard USB are readily available. Larger memory cards are being developed to meet the ever-increasing demand for digital data handling. The data on these memory cards can be transferred from one device to another using an SD card reader. Choosing an SD card reader is simple if a few key considerations are kept in mind. Today, we discussed these factors in order to select the best SD card reader.
