A memory card reader is an indispensable tool both for transferring your photos to your PC and for storing data on your various memory cards. There are many varieties of memory cards available. A good card reader should be compatible with both the memory cards you use and the most popular formats available today (SD cards, micro SD, USB keys, etc.).
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Our selection
"The Zedela memory card reader supports more than 95% of existing cards. It also recognizes all brands and can detect 2 cards at the same…"
"This card reader at a mini price is mainly aimed at Samsung Galaxy devices. Apple product owners please do not use it."
"Still from Amatage, here is a 5 in 1 card reader exclusively for iOS devices. Very discreet, it guarantees high speed readings and transfers."
"Apple smartphone or tablet owners, this memory card reader is made for you. You have the possibility to connect another smartphone directly to it."
The Zedela memory card reader supports more than 95% of existing cards. It also recognizes all brands and can detect 2 cards at the same time!
See priceThis very small multi-card reader uses USB 3.0 connectivity, which suggests high copy, read or transfer speeds. 7 in 1 device, it supports the majority of existing memory cards. We can notably quote the SD, the SDHC, the SDXC, the Memory Stick, the micro SD, the micro SDXC, the micro SDHC, the CF I, the T-Flash and many others.
We thank the manufacturer for the supplied cable, longer than what we are used to see on this kind of product. Its compactness avoids it to occupy too much space on the desk and facilitates its transport. For reading files, the Zedela 7 in 1 does very well. Sandisk, Lexar and Transcend were recognized immediately. A red light comes on when the computer recognizes the drive. It turns purple after inserting the card if everything was done correctly.
This card reader at a mini price is mainly aimed at Samsung Galaxy devices. Apple product owners please do not use it.
See pricePhilonext's card reader is a small but powerful device that could be of great use if you frequently transfer data to or from your mobile devices. It supports SD, Micro SD cards and is equipped with a micro USB. It is compatible with smartphones and tablets running Android 4.0 or later operating system with OTG feature.
Users of iOS, skip it. This card reader is not compatible with Apple mobile devices. However, it can be connected to a Mac OS computer for data exchange with memory cards.
Still from Amatage, here is a 5 in 1 card reader exclusively for iOS devices. Very discreet, it guarantees high speed readings and transfers.
See priceThis 5 in 1 Amatage card reader is equipped with a USB 2.0 OTG interface. This interface allows you to connect a smartphone or a tablet. Another curiosity is that it has a 3.5 mm jack port to connect headphones or earphones. Apart from that, there is a power port, an SD port, a TF port and a PD port. It should be noted that this product only supports Apple's software environment.
Intended for tablets and smartphones of the brand, the Amatage 5 in 1 quickly becomes essential for the transfer of photos, music or videos. It must be said that its speed of extraction, reading and copying is amazing. Plug and play, it is quickly detected. In short, a practical, discreet and perfectly versatile card reader for Apple mobile devices.
Apple smartphone or tablet owners, this memory card reader is made for you. You have the possibility to connect another smartphone directly to it.
See priceIt's a fact: Apple products are very selective. So it's not surprising to find card readers specially dedicated to the Apple brand. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, XD, TF, CF, and M2 SD, this ultra-fast card reader adapter is recognized by the iPhone X, 8, 6, 6S, 6 Plus, 7, 7 Plus, iPad Mini and iPad Air.
The Amatage All in One is therefore a very practical solution to view or transfer your photos and videos from a tablet or an Apple smartphone. Despite the very short Chinese/English instructions, the product is easy to use. No program to download and the detection is done almost instantly! Finally, you have the possibility to connect another iPhone and import your files directly.
Any specific needs?
The best memory card / SD / micro SD reader in 2021
The best entry-level memory card / SD / micro SD reader
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In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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| OUR SELECTION |
Zedela 7 in 1 USB 3.0 Card Reader
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Philonext card reader
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5-in-1 Amatage card reader with 1 USB 2.0 OTG interface
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Amatage All in One
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The Zedela memory card reader supports more than 95% of existing cards. It also recognizes all brands and can detect 2 cards at the same time!
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This card reader at a mini price is mainly aimed at Samsung Galaxy devices. Apple product owners please do not use it.
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Still from Amatage, here is a 5 in 1 card reader exclusively for iOS devices. Very discreet, it guarantees high speed readings and transfers.
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Apple smartphone or tablet owners, this memory card reader is made for you. You have the possibility to connect another smartphone directly to it.
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Reads most existing memory cards
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Micro USB for connection with mobile devices
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Supports most iOS devices
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Compatible with all existing iPhones and iPads
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The cards move a bit in the slots. But the locking is excellent
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Not iOS compatible
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Only for iOS devices
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Notice not in French and succinct
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Before you decide to buy a memory card, be sure to check which types of cards are compatible with it and make sure they match what you use. Many minimalist readers only offer SD and Mini SD card reading. It's always better to get a more versatile card reader that supports multiple types (SD, MMC, CF, Memory stick, MS PRO, Microdrive...).
Apart from storage, memory card readers are used to transfer data from one device to another. The read/write speed of memory cards is highly variable. To provide the best transfer speed, the reader should have a throughput greater than or equal to that of your card. In general, the performance of the memory card reader is related to the version of its USB interface. USB 3.0 are the fastest.
The most common connector types on memory card readers are standard USB Type A and micro USB Type C. All computers have USB Type A ports. But you may also want to read or transfer the contents of your memory cards to your smartphone. Then your external reader must have a micro USB connector that will go with the smartphone's OTG system.
Is the memory card reader that caught your attention compatible with the operating system of your computer, tablet or smartphone? It's very important to check its datasheet to find out. And to avoid possible difficulties, please also check if you need to install a specific driver before using your card reader.
The size of the external memory card reader sometimes depends on its versatility. In general, the more card slots the reader has, the larger the size. But it all depends on how you want to use it. If you carry it around a lot, choose the one that's smaller, but reads your main types of cards. But if you're buying one for permanent use, size won't be an issue.
Of course, the memory card reader / SD / micro SD does not work without SD card. You must therefore have at your disposal an SD card that is inserted inside the reader for it to work. The memory card reader comes in two forms, internal and external. The internal or external card reader is essential to transfer your files to your computer, whether it is a laptop or a desktop.
For the internal SD card reader, it must be put inside the computer. To do this, it will have to be connected to the motherboard of your computer. In order to do this correctly, it will be necessary to disassemble your computer and provide yourself with all the materials you will need.
For the external SD card reader, you will have to connect it to your computer through a USB cable that must be delivered with this device. External memory card readers simply plug into a USB port. You must therefore establish a connection between the USB cable and your computer. So it is of utmost importance that you connect these two devices. It doesn't take much time at all. Once this is done, the card reader driver will activate and install itself correctly, automatically.
Once the installation is done, you will be able to see and identify your SD card reader among the devices connected to your computer in the workstation space thanks to this driver. You will then have access to the different existing files. When you have finished using your SD card reader, simply disconnect it from your computer.
Generally used to read images on a card or transfer them to a computer, the SD/micro SD card reader comes in 2 types: those intended for a single type of memory card and those with 2 or more slots accepting different types of cards. Its advantage is that it requires no USB cable and offers a good reading speed. In addition, you can copy important files in a few minutes.
However, the SD/micro SD card reader also has a negative side. The capacity is often limited to 64 GB. This means that it cannot read large digital documents. On the other hand, the SD/micro SD card reader can malfunction when it comes into contact with water. It would no longer be able to read your card
USB OTG stands for USB On The Go. This device easily connects USB drives to a smartphone. It's a better solution if you're trying to make a more precise placement on a touchscreen, or if you're tired of tapping on your phone screen for too long. It also allows you to control everything with one device. By the way, there's no limit to the number of devices you can connect using USB OTG.
Good to know, it's already supported by several printers and digital cameras. You can even use it to directly exchange music from an mp3 player to a phone. It also easily connects a camcorder to a DVD burner. However, it is not compatible with older phones or tablets. In other words, it only supports recent models of devices with micro-USB 2.0 or USB-C (USB 3.1) connectors.
If you want to have more flexibility in managing USB connections, a USB OTG reader will meet your expectations. However, we recommend an SD/micro SD card reader to easily synchronize data between 2 media.
To read data with flexibility
As the name suggests, reading data written to a memory card is the primary function of a card reader. Most computers do not have a built-in memory card reader. An external card reader will save you from having to disassemble your phone battery each time to insert the memory card you want to read.
To transfer data from different devices
The external memory card reader is especially useful when you use various devices such as a camera, a GPS or a smartphone. Indeed, they usually use different types of cards. So even if your display or storage device only has USB ports, a suitable card reader is the solution to transfer your data to it.
To make file transfer faster
Transferring data from a storage device via Bluetooth can take forever. This is especially true when you are sharing large files. This is often the case for HD photos and videos in general. Using a memory card reader adapted to the speed of your card will then allow you not to waste your time.
Because it's easy to carry
You can't imagine carrying your computer everywhere to transport your data. A memory card is often enough to store the essentials when you go on a mission for example, or to carry a file to print. This is where an external memory card reader is necessary and preferable, especially for important trips. It allows you to travel light.
Because it is compatible with the most common OS
Sometimes you may have trouble connecting your camera or other device to your computer. But you want to free up its memory card for future use. Often, the reason is that some devices don't work without you having installed a driver on your computer. Using a memory card reader is sometimes the best solution for this.
Store your memory card reader in a case
Since your memory card reader is a device that you will take with you everywhere, it is likely to be exposed to all kinds of dirt that could affect its operation. That's why it's a good idea to always store it in a case or a small pocket. Of course, you won't find these items on the market. You will have to make them yourself.
Optimize your reading speed
Generally, the problem of slow reading does not come from the reader itself, but rather from the memory card. In this case, you have two solutions. First, try to convert the memory card from FAT32 to NTFS using EaseUs Partition Master software. Second, consider updating your memory card drivers.
Consider the drivers
Under some operating systems, such as Windows 95, 98, and 2000, installing a memory card reader also involves installing a driver. If this happens, the reader may refuse to read the memory card on your PC. So, to avoid any risk of incompatibility, always install the latest drivers available for your reader.
Handle the memory card with care
It is important to handle your memory card carefully, because if it slips out of your hands, it can be lost easily (especially micro SD cards). Also, avoid removing the memory card from the reader right after inserting it or during a data transfer, as this could freeze your PC.
Beware of viruses
It is important to know that memory cards are very susceptible to viruses. Therefore, make sure you never plug your card reader into any computer. Ideally, you should only use the reader on your own PC. So if you want to transfer files to another computer, use the smartphone.
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