With the slew of different types of memory cards nowadays, it is getting more and more difficult to find devices with compatible ports. Fortunately, there are card readers that can help you read and transfer data. With this handy gadget, you can seamlessly share data across different devices.
In this article, we've come up with a buying guide that enumerates some of the important factors to consider before buying a card reader. Following that, we've also included a list of card reader brands that can be purchased on online stores such as Shopee and Lazada.
Quick List - Top Card Readers
llano
Features a Large Reading Capacity for Multiple Memory Cards
Kevin Lee is an educator who specializes in Information Technology (IT). He also has years of experience as a technical support specialist and is well-versed in programming, application development, software testing, and user experience design. Furthermore, his passion for building custom computers and creating electronic devices and systems keeps him up-to-date with the latest trends and information.
Kate joined mybest Philippines in March 2022. She likes exploring and writing about beauty and fashion, but she also loves learning about various topics. Her interest in writing stems from her campus journalism stints in high school and college. In her free time, she mostly fangirls, listens to K-pop, or binge-watch her favorite TV shows.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Some card readers only have a single port, while some can have as many as 6 ports in one card reader. Before buying a card reader, make sure that you know the number of ports, the type of memory cards (or cards), and the kinds of ports they fit in.
There are two common sizes for memory cardsー traditional SD and micro-SD. The former is bigger and is commonly used for mirrorless cameras and DSLRs, while the latter is for smartphones and drones. There are also other more uncommon card types, such as SDHC, SDHC UHS-I, SDXC, SDXC UHS-I, microSDHC, and microSDXC, that are used for more complex and heavier files.
Having multiple ports mean great card format support. Gone are the days of you buying individual card readers for the different storage devices that you have in your bag, reducing bulk.
Are you transferring small-sized documents or large-sized ones? Is the transfer rate important to you or could you settle with the standard speed? These are important questions to ask yourself before purchasing a card reader.
USB 2.0 has a transfer rate of 1.5 to 480 Mbps, ideal for transferring small files from your computer to a memory card. If you’re only transferring small-sized documents and images from your computer, then USB 2.0 would suffice.
This USB system is the most accessible and affordable one you can find in the market. Most card readers, especially the inexpensive ones, still use USB 2.0 as their USB system. Since you'll likely be using a card reader to transfer files, it might be better to upgrade it to 3.0 for faster transfers.
USB 2.0 support should be the baseline for serial connectivity for readers. Even with its age, it still has widespread support despite the push for the better, faster USB 3.0 protocol.
On the other hand, USB 3.0 offers a transfer rate of up to 20 Gbps, a thousand times faster than USB 2.0. This USB system is a better choice for transferring large-sized files from your device to a memory card. These include minute-long videos, photo albums, and e-books or audiobooks.
Almost every modern laptop or PC has a USB 3.0 interface which offers higher speed and a higher power management system compared to USB 2.0. If you need something faster than standard speed, then definitely spring for the USB 3.0 system.
With USB 3.0 and the introduction of the Type C interface, the undeniable transfer speeds see greater adoption not only among card readers, but other devices as well. Featuring backward compatibility, buying one of these despite having a 2.0 card would provide you future-proof support should you buy newer cards in the future.
Lastly, if you're looking for something with a more advanced processor, then consider card readers with USB 4.0 systems. The transfer rate of USB 4.0 can reach up to 40 Gbps, and it has a theoretical speed of 5Gb/s. This impressive transfer rate will allow you to move large files with less waiting time.
This USB system is perfect for transferring heavier files, such as movies, videos, and large databases. While USB 4.0 is pricier and more uncommon compared to other USB systems, it can also be a great investment, especially if your work involves transferring extremely large files from your computer to a memory card.
Though USB 4.0 protocol is still in its infancy, it definitely shows promise through its significant leapfrog in speed gains. USB 4.0 protocol is backward compatible as well. so owners of cards with USB 3.0 and below won't lose device support.
Card readers also vary in terms of shape and sizes. Before purchasing a card reader, consider its size, especially if you're going to carry it around everywhere. If you don't use a wide variety of cards, best to stick with a small one. If you use both SD and micro-SD and your card reader only has 1 SD slot, you can also choose a micro-SD adapter to save space and money.
Another thing to remember before you purchase a card reader is to check whether you have enough space around your USB port. This is because if you're using a laptop, the card reader, depending on its size, can block other USB ports, the charger, HDMI, Ethernet, or another cable.
You should always look at the device before buying and check if the card slots/ports are positioned with utility in mind before aesthetics. There are times when ports and slots are placed in a way that would look good but block or conflict with each other in a usage scenario.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Vention USB Multi-function Card Reader|CCH | ![]() | Has Dual Ends for Various Devices | |
2 | UGREEN USB 3.0 High Speed SD Card Reader | ![]() | Durable and Portable Card Reader With Wide Compatibility | |
3 | llano 5 in 1 OTG Card Reader|LJN-CC1016 | ![]() | Features a Large Reading Capacity for Multiple Memory Cards | |
4 | Transcend USB 3.1 Gen 1 Card Reader|RDF8 | ![]() | A Great Choice for Fast File Transfers | |
5 | Apple Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader | ![]() | A Memory Card Reader for iPhone and iPad Users | |
6 | Kingston USB 3.0 High-Speed Media Reader |FCR-HS4 | ![]() | Transfer All Kinds of Files Using One Device | |
7 | Lenovo Card Reader 4-in-1|D303 | ![]() | Has Broad Compatibility That's Great for Photographers and Videographers | |
8 | UGREEN USB-C SD Card Reader | ![]() | For Devices With USB-C Port | |
9 | Lenovo 2-in-1 Card Reader|D231 | ![]() | A Card Reader You Can Bring Anywhere Without Hassle | |
10 | SanDisk UHS-I Card Reader|SDDR-C531-GNANN | ![]() | A Small Card Reader for UHS-I Cards |
If you need to transmit files and you use different kinds of devices, then this dual-ended card reader is for you. On one end, it has a Type C interface that can be plugged into phones and laptops. The other end has a USB 3.0 interface for computers and also transforms into a plug for micro USBs, which are commonly used in phones and tablets.
Aside from its universal compatibility, what's great about this product is that you can simultaneously read and write on two memory cards using your PC. This, plus the easy-to-use push design for SD and micro SD and the firm fit of the device, is the reason why it's a versatile card reader, and a must-have tech accessory for everyone!
Card readers that have multiple slots tend to be quite bulky and heavy, but not this one from UGREEN! It resembles a simple flash drive, but it can accommodate up to 4 cards and can even read them all simultaneously. Plus, it is compatible with a wide range of memory cardsーfrom micro SD to CF cards.
Like most high-speed card readers, this one also has a USB 3.0 interface that can transfer up to 5GB/s. Moreover, its body is made of aluminum alloy, which not only ensures durability but also prevents the device from overheating. Its users also love how it looks very high-quality at a low cost!
Finding an affordable card reader that can accommodate many memory cards can be a difficult task. However, with this card reader from Ilano, you can look no further as it includes 5 slots for different memory card types: TF, SD, MS, M2, and CF. Plus, it supports simultaneous reading except for an MS and M2 combination.
Another feature that makes this a good card reader is its 512GB-large capacity data reading and transmission. It also works on a wide range of operating systems, such as Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and more. Furthermore, it only weighs 48 grams, so it is lightweight and perfect for on-the-go use.
Do effortless and quick transfers with this card reader from Transcend! The RDF8 card reader sports a USB 3.1 interface, which can transfer up to 10 gigabytes per second. It also has excellent versatility and compatibility as it supports mainstream SD, microSD, and CompactFlash memory cards; plus, it comes with a USB-A connector.
This card reader supports simultaneous reading, so transferring videos, images, music, and other files is a breeze. It is also easy to carry as it is small enough to fit in small bags or purses. Moreover, Transcend offers a free download of RecoveRx software that you can use to recover deleted files when you buy this product.
Transferring files might be quite difficult for Apple device users as they are mostly only compatible with devices of the same brand. Thankfully, Apple has its own dedicated SD card reader for iPhone and iPad users! It is even compatible with 6th and 7th-generation iPod Touch models.
To use, simply insert your card into the reader, and then your device will automatically open the Photos app that will organize your photos. Moreover, this memory card reader supports various photo formats like JPEG and RAW, as well as SD and HD video. However, note that this card reader is only compatible with Apple devices with an operating system of iOS 9 or later.
This card reader from Kingston is a godsend for those looking for a versatile and powerful memory card-reading device. With a speed of up to 5 gigabytes per second, this card reader lets you read and transfer data at a relatively high speed. For maximum performance, it is recommended to use a device that has a USB 3.0 system.
In terms of supported card formats, this card reader is compatible with SD cards, micro SD cards, compact flash, and memory sticks. It also comes with a USB 3.0 cable and a built-in LED indicator. On top of all that, this product is covered by a two-year warranty period, so you are guaranteed that your purchased card reader is of good quality.
Reading and transferring files is a crucial process for professionals who work in photography and video editing. As such, it is important for them to have a powerful and reliable card reader that can read and transfer data in a flash. With this 4-in-1 card reader from Lenovo, photographers and videographers alike can transmit files from their cameras or mobile phones to their laptops or PCs.
One of the key features of this device is its 3.0 speed which can transfer photo albums and video files using a transfer speed of up to 5 gigabytes per second. It can also read and write data from four memory cards simultaneously and is compatible with various devices like phones, tablets, digital cameras, and drones, among others.
Do you want to transfer large files in an instant? If your answer is yes, then consider this card reader with a USB 3.0 interface. This lets you transfer up to 5120 megabytes per second. Plus, it can read cards with up to 2 terabytes storage, and supports simultaneous reading.
This device is most suitable if you're looking for a USB C card reader. It is specifically made for UHS-I cards and has two slots: one for TransFlash (TF) cards and the other for Secure Digital (SD) cards. If you don't mind having only two card slots in your card reader and you want something that has a high transfer speed, then definitely go for this card reader from UGREEN!
If you're looking for high-quality features in a card reader, then this one has a lot of them packaged in a handy device! As with most card readers, this one is able to keep up with the fast USB 3.0 interface, as it can transfer up to 5 gigabytes per second.
To use this card reader, simply plug it directly into the USB port on any laptop or PC. Right away, this compact card reader can seamlessly share files from your memory card to your device, and vice versa. Its users also love how it has a slot for lanyards. Thus, you can bring it anywhere without worrying about losing it!
No more worrying about portability with this compact card reader from SanDisk! With its small size, it can fit just about any bag, purse, or pocket, so you can bring it wherever you have to go. Furthermore, this product has a USB-A and 3.0 interface for great compatibility and speed.
An important thing to note about this card reader, however, is that it is most compatible with UHS-I SD cards. These cards have slower read speeds compared to their UHS-II counterparts but are relatively cheaper than the latter. Nonetheless, this card reader can transfer files up to 170 MB/s instead of the standard 104 MB/s speed of UHS-I cards.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Definitely, especially students with degrees focusing on arts and multimedia. They are the kind of people who would find themselves hot-swapping memory cards often.
In addition to the vital memory card slots, a card reader should at the very least have additional USB ports to compensate for the used-up port while also providing additional device utility.
Yes, if the card inserted into it carries malicious software or a virus, then it could be transmitted to a target device. This is how computer viruses used to proliferate in networks 5 to 10 years ago.
In today's digital age, having a large storage space for your data is important. It allows you to store files and have a digital copy that you can always access by plugging a card reader, a flash drive, or an SD card into your gadget. Listed below are some of our recommendation articles about different devices used for digital storage.
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Vention|USB Multi-function Card Reader|CCH
No. 2: UGREEN|USB 3.0 High Speed SD Card Reader
No. 3: llano|5 in 1 OTG Card Reader|LJN-CC1016
No. 4: Transcend|USB 3.1 Gen 1 Card Reader|RDF8
No. 5: Apple|Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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