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 or your new Android smartphone; everyone expects a USB-C connector or port on every new device. Naturally, you’d want your SD card reader or hub to feature a USB-C port, too. If that’s the case, check out the top options available below.
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, such as MacBook Pros 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 into the reader, thereby reducing cable clutter.
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.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Compact design
What We Don’t Like
- May cover adjacent ports on the laptop
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; as you may have guessed, this design keeps the adjacent ports free on your laptop when you plug it in.
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. In addition, it has slots for both, a microSD card and an SD card. As noted above, it boasts a simple design and comes in an elegant grey colorway.
What We Like
- Can house a microSD card and an SD card simultaneously
- Affordable
What We Don’t Like
- N/A
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. Here too, you’ll get theoretical speeds up to 5Gbps.
It also comes with a 1.5-ft-long cable. While the adjacent ports will be kept free, you may have to cable-manage the wire’s extra length. As for the rest of the design, the device takes the shape of a small square box with the necessary slots, and it will complement the looks of the connected phone or your laptop.
What We Like
- Elegant design
- Can house up to four cards
What We Don’t Like
- Lengthy cable may add to the desk clutter
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 is a good choice. It’s a simple SD card reader with no extra frills. It 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 can 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 supports SDHC and SDXC cards in addition to the standard SD cards.
What We Like
- USH-II compliant
- Sports robust metal housing
What We Don’t Like
- Can only accommodate one card
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 is a slim and sleek adapter that is quite portable. It bundles several ports, including an SD card reader. This is the perfect device for extending 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. The hub ships with a lengthy wire that ensures the device doesn’t block adjacent ports either.
What We Like
- Comes with a host of connectors
- Aggressive price
What We Don’t Like
- Basic design
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, it does offer several advantages. For one, it supports Power Delivery Pass-Through up to 60W. This means it can use compatible devices while your MacBook is being charged.
Other than that, you get six different connections, including USB-A and USB-C ports, SD card readers (up to 2TB), and an HDMI port. Since it’s designed for newer USB-C laptops, it has a slim and sleek build that matches the look and feel of present-day laptops. The compact design means you can slip it inside your laptop bag when traveling.
What We Like
- Elegant design
- Offers pass-through charging
What We Don’t Like
- Somewhat expensive
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A Windows Hello USB fingerprint reader can make the mundane task of logging in to your Windows PC an easy and convenient affair. If you want to save time, here are some of the best external fingerprint readers you can buy for your PC.
Arcanite USB Fingerprint Reader
Arcanite USB Fingerprint Reader
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The Arcanite fingerprint reader is small, compact and resembles the dongles for wireless mouse or keyboard. It plugs into a USB-A port and protrudes slightly with the scanner on top. The sensor is positioned at the top of the reader, so it’ll work best only on vertically oriented USB ports.
Registering the device with Windows Hello allows you to store up to ten fingerprints. So, if multiple users access your PC, each can log in using their biometrics. While the Arcanite fingerprint reader works straight out of the box, you may have to download the device driver from Arcanite’s website if prompted.
What We Like
- Small and tiny
- Affordable
- Stores up to 10 fingerprints
What We Don’t Like
TEC Mini Fingerprint Scanner
TEC Mini Fingerprint Scanner
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While Arcanite’s fingerprint reader should work fine for most people, it only unlocks your PC. TEC’s mini fingerprint, thanks to its proprietary software, goes one step ahead by allowing you to unlock locked files and folders.
The TEC fingerprint reader draws parallels to the one from Aracnite in the design department. It has a sensor on the top portion of the dongle for easy access. However, it has an ordinary build quality and may disintegrate after a few months. As such, we’d recommend against repeatedly plugging the dongle in and out of the USB port to extend the scanner’s life. On the upside, it’s affordable and won’t drain your pocket.
What We Like
- Small and portable
- Unlock files and folders
- Affordable
What We Don’t Like
- Poor build quality
Yoidesu Fingerprint Reader
Yoidesu Fingerprint Reader
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Yoidesu’s offering comes with a side-mounted scanner, unlike the fingerprint readers from Arcanite and TEC. This design makes it a better choice for those who use a laptop over a PC. You can leave it plugged into a USB port on the side and use it like a built-in scanner.
Above all, it has a better build quality, thanks to the metal construction. At the same time, the Yoidesu fingerprint reader has a larger footprint compared to the devices above. At the same time, you can register up to ten fingerprints. Moreover, the scanner boasts snappy unlocking speeds, so you should be able to unlock your laptop in the blink of an eye.
What We Like
- Faster response time
- Excellent build quality
- Larger footprint
- Stores up to 10 fingerprints
What We Don’t Like
- N/A
Verifi P2000
Verifi P2000
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The Verifi P2000 is also compatible with some popular apps and password managers. So, if you use LastPass or 1Password, you can access all your credentials using just your fingerprint.
What We Like
- Reliable
- Works with apps and password managers
What We Don’t Like
- Works with older versions of Windows
Kensington VeriMark
Kensington VeriMark
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Kensington is synonymous with security. So, if you’re looking for a reliable, secure solution for Windows Hello, the VeriMark fingerprint reader is the best option. In fact, it’s being deployed in U.S. Federal Government institutions and organizations, and has some of the best acceptance rates for a fingerprint reader.
That said, it doesn’t work on a plug-and-play basis with Windows 11. As such, you may need to download the drivers manually. But, if you can get past this step, we highly recommend VeriMark for professional users who want to keep their accounts secure.
What We Like
- Reliable
- Able performer
- Practical design
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
- Not plug-and-play
A fingerprint reader is arguably more secure while a webcam is more convenient since you just have to look into it. You can pick either of them depending on your preference.
A long and difficult password can be harder to crack and might just be safer than using a fingerprint reader. But most of the time, a fingerprint reader is good enough since it’s both secure and convenient.
You can use Windows Hello on Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers.
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