6 Best USB-C SD Card Readers That You Can Buy

It’s safe to say that USB-C is the new charging/transfer medium for majority of gadgets. Be it laptops like the MacBook Pro, your new Android smartphone, or the new Power Delivery-powered wall adapters, everyone expects USB-C connector or port on every new device. It’s natural that you’d want even your SD card reader or hub to feature a USB-C port as well. That’ll award you with faster transfer speeds with appropriate cards and easily compatibility across your devices.

So what are we waiting for? Let’s have a look at some of the best USB-C SD card readers that you can buy this year. But before that,

• Looking to connect a monitor? Here are the best HDMI adapters for the MacBook Pro
• Take a look at these USB‑C to HDMI cables for the Apple MacBook

1. Anker Quick-Sync SD Card Reader

• Card Support: SDXC, SDHC, SD, MMC, RS-MMC, Micro SDXC, Micro SD, and Micro SDHC Card in UHS-I mode

Anker Quick-Sync SD Card Reader

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The Anker Quick-Sync SD Card Reader is a simple card reader compatible with most phones and laptops like MacBook Pro and Chromebooks. This device packs two slots for Micro SD and conventional SD cards. There is no cable, and the USB-C port is built right in the reader, thereby freeing you from managing the cable when not in use.

However, this design also has a flaw. For instance, when you insert the card into the reader (and plug the unit into the laptop), you won’t be able to use the adjacent ports.

Nevertheless, it works well both on Android phones and laptops. Simultaneously, the compact size means you can stow it away easily when not in use.

So far, it has received around two thousand reviews on Amazon, with users liking it for its size and performance. And as per Fakespot’s estimates, you can trust about 90% of the reviews.

2. uni Thunderbolt 3-Compatible Card Reader

• Card Support: SD, SDHC, SDXC, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, MicroSDXC cards and UHS-I mode

uni Thunderbolt 3-Compatible Card Reader

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The uni SD card reader addresses the issue associated with the reader above. It bundles a braided wire, and as you have guessed, this design keeps the adjacent ports free on your laptop when you plug it in. The one above has two slots, one each for SD cards and micro SD cards. The design is simple and straightforward.

It’s a USB 3.2 Gen 1 device (USB 3.0 formats can be confusing, I tell you), and theoretically, you will get speeds up to 5Gbps. The company also claims it to be Thunderbolt-compatible (see Thun­der­bolt-compatible 4K Mon­i­tors).

As noted above, the design is simple. It is colored grey and will sit well with your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air.

The uni SD card reader is quite popular on Amazon and has received around four thousand reviews on Amazon, with users vouching for its durability, easy-to-use nature, and of course, the speed.

Alternatively, you can also check out the Unitek USB C SD Card Reader.

3. UGREEN Card Reader

• Card Support Type: SDXC, SDHC, SD, Extreme I III SD, Ultra II SD, MMC, Micro SD, TF, Micro SDXC, Micro SDHC, UHS-I, CF I 3.0/4.0, Extreme I III CF, Ultra II CF, HS CF, XS-XS CF, CF Elite Pro, CF Pro, CF Pro II, MS, MS PRO, MS PRO-HG, MS XC DUO and it supports UHS-I

UGREEN Card Reader

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The UGREEN SD Card Reader takes it to the next stage and bundles not two but four card slots. Apart from bundling the standard SD card and micro SD card slots, this device also packs in two slots for Compact Flash(CF) and MS. Quite naturally, this gives you the flexibility of switching between the different formats as per your convenience. Here too, you’ll get theoretical speeds up to 5Gbps.

Here also, a cable links the reader and the actual reader. The cable is around 1.5-ft long and has its own pros and cons. While the adjacent ports will be kept free, you will need to have proper cable management to manage the wire’s extra length.

The device in question has been cleverly designed. It’s just a small square box with the necessary slots, and it will complement the looks of the connected phone or your laptop.

People have had good things to say about the performance and durability of this card reader. The best part is that it combines great pricing along with great features.

4. HAMA Type-C Card Reader

• Card Support: Cards with UHS-II

HAMA Type-C Card Reader

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If you are looking for a fast and durable card reader that can transfer photos and high-resolution videos to your PC, the one from Hama looks like a good choice. It’s a simple SD card reader with no extra frills. It just has a single slot for SD cards and supports USB 3.2 Gen 1, meaning it can push 5 Gbps of data at a time if it finds all the right parts. However, the feature that pushes it ahead of the others is that it’s one of the rare UHS-II card readers. USH-II compatibility means you will be able to achieve faster read and write speeds with compatible cards.

Though it’s a UHS-II card reader, it’s backward compatible with UHS-I cards as well and also supports SDHC and SDXC cards apart from the standard SD cards.

There are no extra frills like cables and the likes. You stick it to your phone’s charging port or top your laptop and when done, take it off.

5. MOKiN Store USB-C Hub HDMI Adapter

• Card Type: SD, SDHC, SDXC, Micro SD, MMC with UHS-I

MOKiN Store USB-C Hub HDMI Adapter

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Mokin Store’s USB-C Hub and HDMI Adapter (see best USB‑C to HDMI cables) is a slim and sleek adapter which makes it easily portable. Apart from the SD card reader, it bundles several ports. This is the perfect device for you if you want the extend the functionality of your USB-C laptop beyond the four ports of your MacBook Pro. For one, you can connect an HDMI cable and stream 4K at 30fps, and hook a duo of USB-C devices to it.

This USB-C card reader can push data up to 5Gbps, and the SD card reader works with standard SD cards, SDHC, SDXC, Micro SD, and MMC cards.

Wired connectivity between the hub and the port means you do not have to worry about jamming the adjacent ports.

6. Kingston Nucleum USB-C Hub

• Card Support: SD, SDHC, SDXC with UHS-I or UHS-II and microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC with UHS-I

Kingston Nucleum USB-C Hub

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Last but not least, we have the Kingston Nucleum USB-C Hub. It is slightly more expensive than the products above. However, you do get several advantages. For one, you get the advantages of Power Delivery Pass-Through up to 60W. This means it can use compatible devices while your MacBook is getting charged. Cool, right? Other than that, you get 6 different connections, including USB-A and USB-C ports, SD card readers (up to2TB), HDMI port.

Since it’s designed for newer USB-C laptops, you will get a slim and sleek build and one that matches the look and feel of present-day laptops. The compact design means you can slip it inside your laptop bag when traveling.

It bundles a SuperSpeed USB, and you will get speeds up to 5Gbps. Other than that, you get your hands on a 4K HDMI port (30Hz). Do note that it doesn’t support UHS-II cards.

The bottom line is if you want a USB-C hub that can transfer your adat and adds a ton of flexibility to your devices, this is the one you should definitely get.

Transfer Like a Pro

With photos and videos hogging space in several GBs, you must be able to transfer them in the shortest time possible. But at the same time, your card, card reader, and the medium should be compatible with reaping the full advantage of the newest USB standards.

The good news is that the USB-C standards are backward compatible, and even if your computer or phone has an older port, the transfer will proceed just fine, albeit at a slower pace.