8 best card readers

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Nowadays, almost all portable devices save data to a memory card. Such a drive is used in most smartphones, absolutely all cameras, action cameras cannot do without it, even game consoles mean installing a memory card. Well, how to interact with the information on such a card using a computer? Using a card reader! And if you are counting on fast data transfer, then it is better to purchase one of those copies that fell into our selection.

Selection recommendations

Perhaps the choice of a card reader can be called as simple as possible. It's even easier than deciding on a specific drill or hammer drill model. Virtually any card reader has only a few basic characteristics. The most important of these is the form factor:

1. The internal card reader is designed to fit into the appropriate 2.5- or 3.5-inch bay of a computer case. Such a device connects directly to the motherboard.
2. An external card reader is connected to any computer via a USB cable. Some of these card readers have a micro-USB or USB Type-C connector at the end of their cable – this device should be connected to a smartphone or tablet.
3. Strictly speaking, it is the connector that is the second main characteristic. The fact is that the most modern models have a USB 3.0 plug. It is thanks to him that they provide the maximum data transfer speed, squeezing absolutely everything out of the memory card.
4. Another difference between different card readers is the number of types of cards supported. The simplest devices are designed only for microSD memory cards. More advanced card readers support interoperability with SD, Memory Stick, CF and other card formats.
5. Perhaps we can stop at this. However, one cannot fail to mention the price. But it entirely depends on what characteristics the card reader has. It is logical that variants with USB 3.0 are much more expensive than others.

Finally, we note that you can easily do without a card reader. Nowadays it is not difficult to interact with the information contained on a portable device via a USB cable. But it must be a good wire supporting more than just power transmission. Alas, not all users have it. And this is not to mention the fact that now portable devices can have a variety of connectors: Lightning, USB Type-C, micro-USB, and even more outdated.

Rating of the best card readers

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Best external card readers	1	SANDISK ImageMate All-in-One USB 3.0	RUB 2,490
	2	Kingston FCR-HS4	RUB 1,530
	3	HAMA H-39878	RUB 910
	4	GINZZU GR-336B	775 RUB
	5	ORICO CRS31	RUB 1,199
	6	Kingston MobileLite G4	RUB 970
Best Internal Card Reader	1	GINZZU GR-166U	RUB 920
Best OTG Card Reader	1	GINZZU GR-325B	338 r

Best external card readers

SANDISK ImageMate All-in-One USB 3.0

Rating: 4.9

The main advantage of this model lies in its name. It connects to your computer via a high-speed USB 3.0 interface. And not even by the 'top three', but by its version 3.2, if your computer has one! This means that data from the memory card will be copied at the maximum speed it supports. However, this is the main advantage, but by no means the only one!

This model has a unique design. Most of all, the device is similar to the early PlayStation 2, only in a significantly smaller size. It also uses a vertical arrangement on the table. At the same time, the product received a neat stand that makes the accessory slightly higher.

In total, the card reader has four slots. All of them are tailored for different formats of memory cards. To be precise, these are SD, miniSD (via an adapter), microSD, CompactFlash and MemoryStick. Perhaps the only thing missing is the slot for special cards developed by the company Huawei. But who will notice his absence? By the way, each of the slots has its own light indicator, symbolizing its work.

It is one of the fastest card readers at the moment. Now tests show that it is capable of copying files from a memory card at speeds up to 160 MB / s. And if memory cards become even faster in the future, then the card reader will catch up! Well, the main disadvantage of the device is its price. Whatever one may say, but not everyone will dare to spend 2,500 rubles on its purchase.

Advantages

• Comes with a USB 3.0 cable;
• Supports most memory card formats;
• Unique and interesting design;
• Each slot has a light indication.

disadvantages

• Very high cost;
• Difficult to find on sale.

Kingston FCR-HS4

Rating: 4.8

Another card reader that stably supports USB 3.2. However, its cost is noticeably less – usually in Russian stores they ask about 1400 rubles for it. This price tag is due to the fact that the creators of the accessory did not bother with its design. This is a regular 'block' with rounded corners, laid flat on the table. This is the case when it is unlikely that it will be located next to the monitor on a permanent basis – much more often you will put it somewhere in a desk drawer.

This card reader has four slots. They are designed for CompactFlash, SD, microSD and MemoryStick memory cards. If you have a miniSD card, you will need an adapter to read it. Well, if you have even more atypical memory cards, then you will have to forget about using the Kingston FCR-HS4.

The body of this model is made of plastic. But you may get the impression that metal was used – here it is used imitation of brushed aluminum. The product can also boast an activity indication. As for the rest, this is a familiar card reader with very modest dimensions. If you need to work with a memory card at maximum speed, then this is a very good option. And not the most, I must say, dear!

Advantages

• Supplied with USB 3.0 cable;
• All the most popular card formats are supported;
• Modest size;
• There is an indication of activity;
• Nice design.

disadvantages

• The price is still high.

HAMA H-39878

Rating: 4.7

Another rectangular card reader with a removable USB cable. The difference between this model is that its corners are much less rounded. The product also has a less prominent design. But the boring appearance had a positive effect on the price tag – in many cases HAMA H-39878 can be bought for only 900 rubles!

This model also supports USB 3.2. This means that you will have some groundwork for the future. No matter how fast memory cards get, you will squeeze everything out of them!

Unlike the examples discussed above, HAMA H-39878 has five slots. Therefore, the product supports more memory card formats. You can be sure that most often you will insert SD and microSD cards here. Professional photographers will benefit from the option of installing a CompactFlash card – the largest slot is designed for it. If you have old Sony equipment at your disposal, then the MemoryStick slot will not hurt. This card reader also accepts removable xD-Picture and MMC drives. The latter were once used in push-button phones and the same smartphones, now they are practically forgotten.

In a word, HAMA H-39878 is intended for those who regularly deal not only with modern technology, but also with all kinds of retro devices. It is not surprising that the card reader is in high demand, which is why it is less and less common on store shelves.

Advantages

• Even older memory card formats are supported;
• Supplied with high speed USB cable;
• Modest size;
• Not very high cost.

disadvantages

• It is found on sale less and less;
• The design will not suit everyone.

GINZZU GR-336B

Rating: 4.6

Do you often copy data from one memory card to another? In this case, the GINZZU GR-336B card reader may come in handy. It features an incredibly large number of slots. Seven slots allow you to place even several cards of the same type inside! In particular, there are two slots for SD cards and the same number for microSD.

Outwardly, this accessory is nothing special. Its body is made of non-marking plastic. It is felt that the manufacturer decided to save on design. However, this is typical for the GINZZU company. But the product supports the USB 3.2 standard. The device comes with a detachable cable with the famous blue “tongue” sharpened for USB 3.0. It's nice that the card reader also has an activity indication. Surprisingly, some manufacturers of such devices usually forget about this little thing.

Above, we talked about the four slots that will be used most often. What memory cards do the rest of the slots support? Well, there will be no surprises here. These are CompactFlash, MemoryStick and xD-Picture. In a word, photographers and videographers will be satisfied. It's nice that the data will be read at the speed that the existing card can give. And this despite the fact that this model was announced in 2012! This clearly shows how much the development of removable drives and card readers intended for them has slowed down.

Advantages

• Includes 80cm USB 3.0 cable;
• A very large number of slots;
• The price is not extremely high;
• There is an activity indicator;
• Miniature dimensions.

disadvantages

• Simplest design.

ORICO CRS31

Rating: 4.5

The closer the end of the rating, the more often boring devices are mentioned in it. This rule is true for most reviews, including the one you are reading right now. ORICO CRS31 has a square shape, the body of the accessory is made of ordinary black plastic. The slots for memory cards are located here on different sides of the device. And there are only four of them. They should be looked for on three sides, while the fourth is dedicated to a non-detachable cable intended for connecting to a computer. There is also a place for an activity indicator on the case.

The high cost of this model is due not only to its durability, but also to support for the USB 3.2 standard. Therefore, you can squeeze the most out of any memory card, whichever one is at your disposal. Four formats are supported here. Basically, ORICO CRS31 owners use slots for SD and microSD, located one above the other. Photographers will love the CompactFlash slot – as you know, these cards are commonly used in professional SLR cameras. Well, the MemoryStick slot will come in handy for owners of PlayStation Portable and some other devices from Sony.

This is one of the smallest card readers in our selection. It differs from analogs in that you cannot lose the USB cable intended for it, because it simply cannot be disconnected. The rest of the product is not surprising. The only thing that causes amazement is the price, which is too high. It seems that the manufacturer himself understood this – apparently, the production of this model has been discontinued, which makes it increasingly difficult to find it on sale.

Advantages

• Uses USB 3.0 and faster interface;
• The wire will definitely not get lost;
• All major memory card formats are supported;
• There is an indication of activity.

disadvantages

• Rarely on sale;
• The price seems too high;
• I would like more slots;
• In terms of design, it is not of any interest.

Kingston MobileLite G4

Rating: 4.4

The smallest card reader in our collection. It does not require any wire – the device has its own USB plug. A blue 'tongue' indicates that it is a USB 3.0 standard. Therefore, you will be able to squeeze data from the memory card at the highest available speed.

It is clear that such a miniature card reader could not find a place for any large number of slots. There are only two slots on the back of the device. The former is for the SD card, while the latter is for the microSD. As expected, you can use both cards at the same time by copying data from one to the other.

The length of this crumbs is only 52 mm. And this is not the smallest card reader! There are even tinier specimens. But we do not recommend considering buying them, unless you take a similar copy for use in tandem with, for example, a car radio. Firstly, they are not particularly durable. Secondly, they only support microSD memory cards. What will you do if you need to copy the photos contained on a card inserted into a DSLR?

Kingston MobileLite G4 will serve you almost forever. It's nice that nothing will happen to this model, even if you sit on it. The fact is that it uses a solid aluminum body. This is partly due to the price tag, which is about 600 rubles.

Advantages

• Built-in connector is used;
• Supports USB 3.0 standard;
• Tiny size;
• The case is very durable.

disadvantages

• No light indication;
• There are no slots for not very popular memory cards;
• The price cannot be called particularly low;
• May block access to an adjacent connector.

Best Internal Card Reader

GINZZU GR-166U

Rating: 4.9

Our rating could not do without at least one internal card reader. This is the name of a device that is installed inside a computer case. Previously, such accessories replaced the disk drive. As for the GINZZU GR-166U, it fits into a 3.5-inch bay. Most computer owners use this bay for a DVD drive. Most importantly, you don't have to get rid of your optical drive – many computer cases have two, three, or more.

This card reader connects to the high-speed USB bus located on the motherboard. Moreover, he is able to become its continuation! The fact is that the device has a place for a full USB 3.0 connector. Do I need to say that such a nest is never superfluous?

As for the slots for memory cards, there is absolutely everything you need. Most often, in modern realities, a microSD slot will be used. The full-size SD card slot will be used less frequently. The rest of the slots are designed for CompactFlash, MemoryStick, xD-Picture and even MMC cards. In a word, with such a card reader you can successfully interact with any portable devices – even with some already forgotten Siemens S75 mobile phone. And it's not worth talking about more modern devices.

It remains to add that there is an activity indication here, as on most CD drives. You can buy GINZZU GR-166U in those online stores that sell computer components. Alas, now this model is found less and less on virtual counters. Firstly, its production has already been discontinued. Secondly, now fewer and fewer people use desktop computers – many make their choice in favor of a laptop or even a tablet.

Advantages

• Will complement your home PC well;
• Supports all popular memory card formats;
• Connects to a high-speed USB bus;
• Slots for cards are supplemented with a USB 3.0 connector;
• The price is not particularly high;
• There is an activity indicator.

disadvantages

• It is rarely found on sale;
• If there is no PC, then the purchase will be pointless.

Best OTG Card Reader

GINZZU GR-325B

Rating: 4.9

Nowadays, many people do without a desktop PC or even a laptop. But what if you, for example, need to copy materials from the SD card that was in the camera? You will not be able to insert it into a smartphone or tablet. For this purpose, you will either have to use a regular card reader by connecting it via an OTG adapter, which is always lost, or get a full-fledged OTG card reader. We recommend the second option. You should not be afraid of financial costs, since usually only 500 rubles are asked for such accessories. In particular, this is the price tag of the GINZZU GR-325B.

This device is a kind of transformer. Its creators have tried to ensure that their creation can be connected to a variety of devices. There is a USB Type-C connector on one of the ends. It serves to connect the card reader to a modern smartphone equipped with a corresponding port. On the other side, there is a micro-USB plug, which is necessary for owners of devices that were not released yesterday. With a simple operation, this connector can be turned into a full-size USB plug. This allows you to insert the card reader into a traditional USB port on a desktop or laptop computer.

Please note that this model only supports USB 2.0. This means that copying and writing files will take a long time – you will not be able to squeeze the maximum out of the cards even if the card reader is connected to the computer. This is why such a low price follows.

As for the card slots, there is room for SD, microSD and, suddenly, MMC. It seems that such a set will be enough for the absolute majority of owners of modern smartphones.

Advantages

• There are three different plugs at once;
• Very low cost;
• There are no wires at all;
• There are slots for both SD and microSD cards;
• Convenient design.

disadvantages

• No slots for MemoryStick and CompactFlash;
• Supports only not very high-speed USB 2.0 standard;
• The lifespan is questionable.

Conclusion

Now you know which card readers are the best. You also understand how you should choose such a device. In short, you should focus on the form factor of the memory cards you use, as well as on the presence or absence of a high-speed connector on your computer. You may also consider buying an internal card reader, which will be a great addition to your CD drive or even replace it.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.