The simplest way to save time and speed up your workflow is using a fast SD card reader. Photography and videography are time-consuming activities. And one of the slowest parts of the process can be transferring the files from your digital camera to your computer.
Luckily, there are so many fantastic card reader options out there. And we’ll help you choose the best SD card reader for you. Our top choice is the Anker 2-in-1 USB 3.0 SD Card Reader. It’s small, affordable, and allows you to read and write from two cards at once. It’s a must-have for any photographer.
What is the Best SD Card Reader?
The best SD card reader is the Anker 2-in-1 USB 3.0 SD Card Reader — compact, affordable, and able to read two cards at once with no external power needed. Here is a quick overview of the full lineup, followed by more in-depth reviews.
The Best SD Card Readers
Below are the best memory card readers compatible with several memory card formats (SD, microSD, CompactFlash, CFexpress, XQD, etc.). And they work with most of the popular operating systems (Windows, macOS, etc.) and digital devices (i.e., iPad). There’s something here for you, no matter what gear you use.
Let’s dive into the list and find out where each camera card reader excels and where they could improve. We’ll find the one that works best for you!
1. Anker 2-in-1 USB 3.0 SD Card Reader
| Size |
Size
1.2 x 3.3 x 6.5 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
13 g
|
| Connection |
Connection
USB 3.0
|
| Supported Card Formats |
Supported Card Formats
UHS-I SD, SDXC, SDHC, microSDXC, microSDHC, microSD, MMC, RS-MMC, and SD
|
| USB Speed |
USB Speed
USB 3.0, 3.1 Gen 1 (5.0 Gbps)
|
| Operating System Compatibility |
Operating System Compatibility
Windows and macOS
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photographers looking for a small and affordable SD card reader
|
The Anker 2-in-1 USB 3.0 is the ultimate low-cost SD memory card reader. It’s for photographers and videographers who use SD and microSD cards.
As well as being affordable, the Anker SD card reader is also tiny. This makes it an excellent choice for both landscape and travel photographers, as it takes up zero space in your camera backpack.
Despite its low cost, it does not feel cheaply made and has a solid and durable design. The built-in USB 3.0 enables fast data transfer rates of up to 5 Gbps.
The two slots speed up your workflow by allowing you to read and write on two separate cards simultaneously.
And it is 100% powered by the attached device. So you never have to worry about finding a power source or running out of battery.
2. ProGrade Digital Card Reader
| Size |
Size
7 x 7 x 1.8 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
204 g
|
| Connection |
Connection
USB Type-C and USB Type-A
|
| Supported Card Formats |
Supported Card Formats
CFexpress Type B, UHS-I, UHS-II SD, SDHC, SDXC, and SD
|
| USB Speed |
USB Speed
USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps)
|
| Operating System Compatibility |
Operating System Compatibility
Windows, macOS, and iOS (iPad Pro)
|
| Best For |
Best For
Professionals who need a reliable card reader
|
The ProGrade Digital is the best of all memory card readers. It boasts one CFexpress Type B slot and one UHS-II SDXC slot. These are the two most common camera card formats used by DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
On top of that, it uses a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C interface. And it comes with both USB Type-C and USB Type-A connectors. They work together to deliver astonishing data transfer speeds of up to 1250 Mbps.
The experts at ProGrade made this camera card reader portable and durable. Its rugged body is extra tough. And thanks to the metal mounting plate, it can be attached to a laptop or a cinema camera.
Everyone will free up valuable extra time by using this card reader. But it is particularly helpful for travel, event, sports, and outdoor photographers.
But you will be delighted by the results of this card reader, no matter what type of content creator you are. It’s for photographers, YouTubers, vloggers, filmmakers, or influencers. And if you need more convincing, it also comes with a best-in-class two-year, full money-back guarantee.
3. Lexar Professional USB 3.2 Reader
| Size |
Size
6.4 x 2.7 x 9.9 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
136 g
|
| Connection |
Connection
USB Type-C
|
| Supported Card Formats |
Supported Card Formats
CFexpress Type B
|
| USB Speed |
USB Speed
USB 3.2 Gen 2 2x2 Type-C (20 Gbps)
|
| Operating System Compatibility |
Operating System Compatibility
Windows, Mac, and iOS (iPad Pro)
|
| Best For |
Best For
Only CFexpress Type B cards
|
The Lexar Professional USB 3.2 is the fastest card reader on this list. The only thing holding it back from the top spot is that it’s only compatible with CFexpress Type B cards. But if you primarily use that format, you will be blown away by the speed of this card reader.
Thanks to its advanced USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 technology, it can fully maximize the transfer speed of CFexpress Type B cards. And it moves files at a blazing speed of 1700 Mbps. But be aware that just because this card reader is extremely fast doesn’t mean your computer will be.
At the moment, only a select few PC desktop computers support this generation of USB ports. It still works with other devices, but the transfer speeds will be slightly slower. (But still very fast!)
4. UGREEN 4-in-1 USB 3.0 Card Reader
| Connection |
Connection
USB-A 3.0
|
| Supported Card Formats |
Supported Card Formats
SDXC, SDHC, SD, MMC, RS-MMC, microSDXC, microSDHC, microSD, CompactFlash, MS PRO, MS PRO-HG, and MS XC DUO
|
| USB Speed |
USB Speed
USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)
|
| Operating System Compatibility |
Operating System Compatibility
Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS
|
| Best For |
Best For
Reading multiple card formats simultaneously
|
The UGREEN 4-in-1 USB 3.0 is a practical multi-format card reader. It has separate slots for SD, microSD, CompactFlash, and Memory Stick cards. And it can access all four cards simultaneously.
That flexibility makes it useful for photographers who work with both current SD cards and older camera formats. You can offload several types of media without carrying separate readers or constantly swapping cards.
Its USB-A 3.0 connection supports transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps. The reader is bus-powered and plug-and-play, with support for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS.
But its card interface tops out at UHS-I, so it cannot deliver the full speed of a UHS-II SD card. The USB-A plug may also require an adapter on newer USB-C-only laptops. If your workflow centers on UHS-II or CFexpress cards, choose a faster dedicated reader instead.
5. Kingston Nucleum 7-in-1 Hub
| Size |
Size
12.7 x 4.5 x 1.4 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
99 g
|
| Connection |
Connection
USB Type-C
|
| Supported Card Formats |
Supported Card Formats
UHS-I, UHS-II SD, SDXC, SDHC, microSDXC, microSDHC, microSD, and SD
|
| USB Speed |
USB Speed
USB 3.0, 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
|
| Operating System Compatibility |
Operating System Compatibility
Windows, macOS, and iOS (iPad Pro), and Chrome OS
|
| Best For |
Best For
Multiple card formats
|
The Kingston Nucleum 7-in-1 hub is the perfect solution for people with newer laptops lacking ports (like the 2020 MacBook Air or 2021 MacBook Pro). It boasts SD and microSD memory card readers, two USB-C ports, and two USB 3.1 ports.
You can plug SD and microSD cards directly into the hub. And you can also attach a different card reader to a USB-C port if you need to transfer files from other memory card formats.
Also, it has a high-quality feel and a built-in USB-Type C connector cable. Its transfer speed of 5 Gbps won’t break any records. But its multi-function versatility makes it an excellent option. It’s for casual and beginner photographers, kids, and even people who don’t own a camera.
6. Sony MRW-G3 CFexpress Type A Card Reader
| Size |
Size
5.5 x 9.5 x 1.2 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
95 g
|
| Connection |
Connection
USB Type-C and USB-C Type A
|
| Supported Card Formats |
Supported Card Formats
CFexpress Type A, UHS-I, UHS-II SD, SDXC, SDHC, and SD cards
|
| USB Speed |
USB Speed
USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps)
|
| Operating System Compatibility |
Operating System Compatibility
Windows, macOS, and iOS (iPad Pro)
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photographers with Sony cameras
|
The Sony MRW-G3 CFexpress Type A memory card reader transfers files at a lighting-fast max speed of 1250 Mbps. When paired with a CFexpress Type A card, it transfers data up to 2.8 times faster than traditional SD card readers.
CFexpress Type A card slots are still not standard in most cameras. But they are the future of memory cards.
Even if you only use this reader with traditional SD cards, more and more cameras will use CFexpress Type A cards every year. And if you own a Sony camera like the Sony a7R V, this is undoubtedly the best memory card reader.
Buyer’s Guide for the Best SD Card Reader
An SD card reader is often called a memory or camera card reader. It’s a device that reads, writes, and transfers files directly from your digital camera’s memory card to your laptop, tablet, or phone.
In the past, most computers had built-in SD card readers. But now, it’s increasingly common (especially in laptops) to omit them. Because of this, we have seen a rise in the popularity of portable card readers. And mobile memory card readers are usually much faster than built-in ones.
What is a good card reader?
Good SD card readers have a few crucial traits. The two most important are that they are fast and reliable. The SD cards covered in this article meet those requirements, so you can’t go wrong with any of them!
How do I choose an SD card reader?
The most critical step in selecting a reader is to ensure it’s compatible with your camera card format (or multiple card formats). Other features to consider are size, portability, durability, and price.
What is the best SD card reader app?
Depending on which operating system you use, I recommend choosing one of the following apps. The highly-rated EXIF Viewer app by Fluntro is a terrific choice for iPhone users. But Android users will see great results using File Manager Master.
Conclusion
Every one of these card readers will speed up your workflow, reduce the time you spend transferring files, and give you more time to do the things you love. But some work better depending on what type of memory card you typically use. Let’s quickly recap the best SD card readers we covered.
The Anker 2-in-1 USB is our favorite SD card reader because it’s small, affordable, and reliable. The ProGrade Digital is a more professional option with incredible read/write speeds, if that’s what you need. The Lexar Professional USB is another top-rated SD card reader for photographers.
