UGREEN's $6.50 USB-C SD Card Reader Is the Cheap Utility Accessory Photographers Need

What it is

The UGREEN 2-in-1 USB-C SD Card Reader is a dual-interface USB-C and USB-A card reader with slots for both full-size SD and microSD cards. It supports USB 3.0 at up to 5Gbps, reads both cards simultaneously (no swapping needed), and works with iPhone 15/16/17 Pro and Pro Max (which expose USB 3 over USB-C), Android phones, iPads, MacBooks, and Windows PCs. It supports SDXC, SDHC, SD, MMC, Micro SDXC, Micro SD, and Micro SDHC cards. Plug and play; no drivers required.

Pricing is $6.50 on Amazon Prime sale (MSRP $10), per 9to5toys.

What's interesting

Dual USB-C and USB-A connectors make this a universal accessory. Most card readers ship with one connector type, forcing users to carry adapters. The UGREEN has both ports accessible, so it works equally well with a MacBook Pro, an iPhone 15 Pro, a Windows laptop with USB-A, and a Chromebook.

Simultaneous SD + microSD reading is the workflow win. Photographers shooting on cameras with SD cards and vlogging on action cameras or DJI gear with microSD can transfer both to a laptop without swapping cards. For multi-source content creators, this eliminates significant friction.

At $6.50 sale price, this is a no-brainer pickup. Even Apple's own SD card reader is $39. For photographers who have lost or damaged their primary card reader, this is a cheap insurance purchase.

UGREEN is a major accessory brand with a decade of track record. The company is not the cheapest option (generic readers exist at $3-$5) but has meaningfully better quality control and faster support channels than no-name competitors.

Compatible with iPhone 17 Pro Max specifically, iPhone 15 and later Pro models support USB 3 over USB-C, which means the card reader achieves full 5Gbps speeds. Pre-USB-3 iPhones (older Pro models) are limited to USB 2 speeds at ~480Mbps.

What's missing or unverified

USB 3.0 is not USB 3.2 Gen 2. Transfer speeds cap at 5Gbps; a newer reader supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2 at 10Gbps could double the sustained transfer rate. For most consumer cards (UHS-I), the 5Gbps cap is not the bottleneck; for UHS-II SD cards, a Lexar or OWC reader with dedicated UHS-II support delivers 2x the speed.

Build quality at this price is basic plastic. The housing is functional but not premium. For heavy professional use, a metal-housed reader is more durable.

No lanyard loop or keychain attachment. For photographers who want the reader on a lens bag or keyring, the UGREEN requires a DIY solution.

The reader does not support CFexpress or CF cards. For photographers using newer CFexpress Type B cards (Canon R5, Sony A1), this is the wrong tool.

Who it's for

Photographers, vloggers, and mobile content creators who need a cheap always-available card reader. iPhone 15/16/17 Pro users who shoot photos on external cameras and want to transfer directly to the phone. Students who process camera-shot photos on laptops or tablets. Anyone whose previous card reader has gone missing.

Not for: professional photographers with CFexpress cards, users needing UHS-II sustained transfer speeds, or anyone who already owns Apple's pricier SD reader.

Verdict

At $6.50 on sale the UGREEN 2-in-1 USB-C SD Card Reader is an easy universal-utility accessory purchase. Dual connector types, simultaneous SD + microSD reading, and plug-and-play compatibility across all major platforms make it the right generic card reader to keep in every laptop bag. Against the Apple USB-C to SD Card Reader at $39 and Anker USB-C 2-in-1 SD Reader at $18, the UGREEN wins dramatically on price; it loses on premium build. For casual photo and video workflows, this is the right pick.