For weeks, the UGREEN CM401 USB-C SD card reader has been my constant companion. I’ve used it to transfer gigabytes of photos from my DSLR, backed up my phone, and even moved large video files between devices. This in-depth review will detail my experience with this compact yet powerful device, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses.

The UGREEN CM401 boasts a sleek, silver design. Its compact size makes it ideal for portability, easily slipping into a laptop bag or even a pocket. The braided nylon cable is a nice touch, preventing the cable from being easily damaged. The dual-slot design allows simultaneous reading from both SD and microSD cards – a significant time saver when dealing with multiple cards.

The advertised “plug and play” functionality is accurate; I experienced no driver issues across various operating systems (Windows 10, macOS Monterey, and a Chromebook). This ease of use is a major selling point for busy professionals or casual users alike.

The claimed 5Gbps transfer speed is impressive, although real-world speeds will vary based on the card’s speed and file size. I consistently experienced significant speed improvements over USB 2.0 readers, transferring large files (several gigabytes) in mere seconds. For smaller files, the difference is less noticeable. I did experience minor transfer rate variances, with speeds often hovering around 80-90MBps when transferring images and other medium size files. While not quite reaching the theoretical maximum, this is still exceptionally fast compared to what I was used to.

I tested this reader with various SD cards and consistently experienced a good read speed with no data corruption. This was particularly important for my workflow involving high-resolution photos.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Fast transfer speeds, dual-slot functionality, compact design, plug and play compatibility, durable braided cable.
• Cons: Transfer speeds did not always reach the theoretical maximum 5Gbps; although this is still significantly faster than USB 2.0. Minor variance in transfer speeds reported across different SD cards and files

Overall, the UGREEN CM401 USB-C SD Card Reader (model CM401) is an excellent addition to any tech enthusiast’s arsenal. Its speed, convenience, and broad compatibility outweigh the minor drawbacks. The slightly slower real-world speed than the maximum 5Gbps is less than a deal breaker considering that the speed is still very impressive compared to alternative USB card readers. While the advertised maximum transfer rate wasn’t always fully achieved, the performance is still markedly superior to older USB 2.0 readers, making this a worthwhile upgrade. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and fast way to transfer data from their memory cards.