Best USB 3.0 Memory Card Readers 2020 Latest Review.
SD, MicroSD and other types of cards are a great, cheap way, to save your important data, such as videos or photos. Of course, for their easier handling, it is advisable to get yourself a proper card reader
Overview
In today’s world, it’s rare to see a modern laptop house an SD card reader, even more so considering the ongoing quest for portability.
It’s interesting; SD card readers used to be a thing of the past. Now, they’re suddenly returning to fashion and are a necessary tool in a creatives arsenal.
But, there’s no shortage of card readers online. And with so many budget-friendly and portable options, it may be challenging to separate options while shopping.
In this post, we’ve summarized the top ten best options in today’s market. And we’ve also created a guid so you’ll be properly equipped to assess various options on your own.
What to look for in a card reader?
Let’s cover a few essentials to consider when looking at a card reader. In total, you’ll want to look at five factors before picking one up.
Connection Type
How will the reader connect to your computer? What kinds of ports does your computer have? Every reader has a connection point or interface that it uses to connect to the device it supports.
Sometimes these are cables, sometimes it’s a built-in connector. If you have a computer, tablet, or phone that uses USB-C, get a USB-C reader, as they’ll provide a seamless connection and faster speeds.
Otherwise, get a reader that offers USB 3.0, as these tend to be backward compatible with all other USB formats. And they provide the next level of speed.
Don’t waste energy on USB 2.0 readers. They’re outdated and much slower than other options.
Card Formats
Card readers come in a variety of different supporting formats. So, what kinds of cards do you use?
Does your camera use a full-sized Secure Digital card (SD, SDXC or SDHC)? Or does it use MicroSD? Or maybe Compact Flash (CF) or XQD?
Only get a reader that supports the formats you use. There’s no need to get an option with unnecessary slots.
Read & Write Speed
This refers to how fast data transfers between your computer or device and the card. The higher the read/write speeds, the quicker data transfers.
Some of the standards here are 500 Megabytes /second or 5 Gigabytes /second, but these vary based on the connection type.
Extra Ports
Do you need only a single port? Or do you want multiple ports for more than one card? This will also be a factor in your decision-making process.
If you have multiple devices, consider getting a reader or hub that supports all devices.
Unitek 3-Slot USB 3.0 C Card Reader
Unitek’s 3-Slot reader offers USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity at an affordable price point. Released in 2017, it provides three slots that support CF, SD, and MicroSD cards.
And it works with Windows, Mac, and offers OTG support to various Android smartphones and tablets.
The device itself connects using a single USB 3.0 Type-C cable, which delivers data transfer feeds of 5 GB/s.
And it uses a sleek and modern design with a neat hassle-free connection along with a two-year warranty.
Overall, Unitek’s USB-C reader is an excellent choice if you have USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 ports. And it brings multi-card storage with fast transfers into a sleek package and affordable price.
SanDisk ImageMate Pro Multi-Card Reader
SanDisk’s ImageMate Pro is a great all-rounder. Released in 2018, it provides three slots that support CompactFlash, SD, and MicroSD cards.
It uses a USB 3.0 Type-A connection for easy compatibility with standard USB devices. However, that compatibility comes with impressive transfer speeds of over 300 MB/s for SD cards or 160 MB/s for CF cards.
The hub is also backward compatible with UHS-I or non-UHS cards and even older USB 2.0 devices.
And SanDisk configures it to work with both Windows and Mac computers and offers a two-year warranty with purchase.
Overall, the ImageMate Pro is a sturdy multi-card reader aimed to speed up workflow. And it’s a straightforward option that’s good if you want broad compatibility and reliability.
Kingston Nucleum USB Type C Hub
Kingston’s Nucleum Hub is a premium hub that aims to provide added value and versatility, rather than superior speeds.
Released in 2017, it has seven total ports, one for SD and another for MicroSD cards. Plus, two conventional USB A ports, a full-sized HDMI port, and two USB C ports.
The HDMI output also supports 4K resolution, meaning you can connect the device to a large monitor and maintain excellent resolution.
And all of this is a sleek aluminum casing that’s both durable and lightweight. Kingston’s designed this hub for both Mac and Windows devices to make them more functional, and they include a two-year warranty.
This hub connects using a USB Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen1) cable, which supports data transfer speeds of 5 GB/s. And it’s also backward compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0.
Overall, the Nucleum is the ideal travel companion that splits a single USB-C port into 7 valuable connections. And with this single hub, you can seamlessly connect up to seven devices at once.
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