SanDisk SD UHS-I Card Reader, Black

Product Information

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. At least the USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) interface is speedy, equating to a maximum transfer speed of 1250 megabytes per second. However, even this is still some way short of the 1700+MB/s read speed that the best CFexpress cards can manage. even this can't let the fastest CFexpress Type B cards run at max speed. 5 things to look for in a card reader CFexpress card readers aren’t all that common, or in this case, cheap. Doubly frustrating, as Sony doesn't even include an SD slot to at least give you a little extra versatility (XQD compatibility is included, though that's due to XQD cards being physically interchangeable with CFexpress Type B).

One important thing to note is that the workflow station does need external power. This makes it ideal for people who always work from the same location. Looking at the features, due to the size means you’re only going to be fitting a micro SD card into this thing which is a downside for some individuals who are still using legacy memory cards but with the devices of today almost exclusively using micro SD cards as their expandable storage, it’s a little less likely you’re going to run into the need for a number of different slot formats. It also uses USB 3.0 tech, making it fast both in terms of read and transfer speeds. 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.

How We Picked The Best SD Card Readers

If you’re looking for an SD card reader that has the speeds to keep up with your impatience, this Kingston SD card reader is the one to go for. Like the rest of the selections on show, it has USB 3.0 architecture, allowing for up to 5.0Gb/s transfer speeds but where it differs is the minimal loss of speeds in relation to how fast your SD card can go. With other options out there, when your SD card says that it supports up to 90mb/s read/write speeds, you might only get half of that on poor quality SD card readers. However, with this Kingston variant, you’ll lose little to no speeds meaning the internals are of high quality. One notable feature worth highlighting is the aluminum enclosure. It pulls heat and prevents overheating during periods of intense use. Lexar, usually known for their printing devices, also produces a number of memory card related devices that are stellar both in build quality and functionality. The Lexar Professional SD card reader details two slots for a standard SD card and CF memory cards, a little different than the rest of our selections, especially as it doesn’t include that micro SD functionality.

Speed wise, we could only extract a max video read speed of 223MB/s and 198MB/s write rate from our UHS-II SD card - not awful, but some way shot of some other readers we've tested. Image transfer performance is worse still, with 152MB/s read and 98MB/s write speeds being slower than average. However, with most, if not all micro SD cards you get an SD card adapter so less of a worry than you’d expect. You can also read both cards simultaneously which is a useful feature, especially if you use a number of devices requiring both SD cards and CF cards. Again, it uses USB 3.0 architecture so data transfer speeds aren’t an issue and because you’re getting the Lexar brand, you know you’re getting a product made from quality materials. The biggest departure from the rest of the SD card readers we’ve shown up to now is the design. The Lexar variant sports a popup-like design for hiding those slots away when not in use, potentially helping them avoid the dust that will surely accumulate over time. This and the design as a whole makes it slightly more cumbersome than a lot of SD card readers but not hugely affecting its portability. On the other hand, it does use a USB cable for connecting it to your machine, again, with pros and cons depending on your setup and how much you’re using it on the go. The Apple USB-C to SD card reader is an excellent choice for all Mac devices. It is inexpensive and has a simple design. But it also features the same signature, high-quality look, and feel as all Apple products.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. 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. Looking at the design, we can see that it is compact with dimensions of 55mm(L) X 68mm(W) X 15mm(H) therefore allowing you to carry it around without any worries. However, what it does come with is a pesky cable, slightly frustrating as most compact SD card readers have the USB plug built into the body of the device. On the other hand though, a cable could be handy if you want the SD card reader on your desk rather than plugged directly into your machine for ease of access, especially if you’re interchanging your cards.