10 Best USB Fingerprint Scanners
for June 2023

The smartphone and tablet era ushered in an era of biometric identification. Fingerprint scanners, facial recognition and iris scanners replaced traditional passcodes and logins with more secure mechanisms that, over time, have become mainstream. And unlike with passwords, where you inevitably forget them, biometric identification makes you automatically more secure since you can't misuse your biometric information.

Our testing Lab has reviewed hundreds of biometric devices and, over the years, we've tested biometric fingerprint scanners, which use fingerprints to unlock your devices and apps. When testing biometric fingerprint scanners, we look at performance, including how well the device scans fingerprints and the battery life, as well as the convenience of using biometric recognition to unlock your device. Here are the best biometric fingerprint scanners you can buy in 2022:

Different Guide editors select recommendations independently. Purchases made through our links may earn us commissions.

1
9.9
SCORE
Dynon Metrics BulletDrive USB Thumb Drive with Fingerprint Scanner – Precision Machined Alloy USB Flash Drive – Encrypted USB Storage Security – Setup on Windows use with Mac, PC – Fast Data Transfer

Dynon Metrics BulletDrive USB Thumb Drive with Fingerprint Scanner – Precision Machined Alloy USB Flash Drive – Encrypted USB Storage Security – Setup on Windows use with Mac

by DM
What We like

The BulletDrive is one of the few USB flash drives we tested that comes with a fingerprint scanner and a fingerprint reader that's compatible with both Mac and PC.

2
9.8
SCORE
TEC Mini USB Fingerprint Reader for Windows 10 Hello, TEC TE-FPA2 Bio-Metric Fingerprint Scanner PC Dongle for Password-Free and File Encryption, 360° Touch Speedy Matching Security Key

TEC Mini USB Fingerprint Reader for Windows 10 Hello

by TEC
What We like

This fingerprint reader scans fingerprints super fast and gives users free access to encrypted files, passwords, and mobile payments.

3
9.4
SCORE
USB Fingerprint Reader, DDSKY Portable Security Key Biometric Fingerprint Scanner Support Windows 10 32/64 Bits with Latest Windows Hello Features (1-Pack)

DDSKY USB Fingerprint Reader

by DDSKY
What We like

The DDSKY USB Fingerprint Reader provides the most flexible security on a Windows computer, with fingerprint logins up to 10 times faster.

4
9.3
SCORE
USB Fingerprint Reader for Windows 10 Hello Fingerprint Scanner Fingerprint Sensor Multi Finger & 360 Degree Touch Speedy Matching Biometric PC Laptop

Benss USB Fingerprint Reader for Windows 10 Hello Fingerprint Scanner Fingerprint Sensor Multi Finger & 360 Degree Touch Speedy Matching Biometric PC Laptop

by Benss
What We like

The device works as advertised. The fingerprint reader is accurate and quick, and the software has lots of great features. It's the best fingerprint reader we've ever tried.

5
8.6
SCORE
TNP Nano USB Fingerprint Reader for Windows 10 Hello - Security Key Biometric Scanner Sensor Dongle Module for Instant Acess, Password-Free Login, Sign-in, Lock, Unlock PC & Laptops

TNP Products TNP Nano USB Fingerprint Reader for Windows 10 Hello

by TNP Products
What We like

Fingerprint recognition is convenient, but it's not quite fast enough for widespread use. The TNP-NANO clinical instrument's software issues messages such as "Fingerprint Authentication Failed" and its response time to your finger's touch is slow.

6
8.6
SCORE
USB Fingerprint Reader for Windows 10 Hello, Benss Fingerprint Scanner for Laptop, 0.05s Login Windows & PasswordFree

Benss USB Fingerprint Reader for Windows 10 Hello

by Benss
What We like

This device costs less than $20, but it imports fingerprints from a third party, which may be a security concern. It also comes with a tray for marking your fingerprints.

7
8
SCORE
REUMAR USB Windows Hello Fingerprint Reader for PC or Laptop,Windows 10 Key, Windows Fingerprint login Key, Fingerprint Scanner, Windows Security Key, Anti-Spoofing, Speedy Matching Multi Biometric

REUMAR USB Windows Hello Fingerprint Reader for PC or Laptop,Windows 10 Key

by ReeMajor
What We like

This reader is the fastest, most easy-to-use fingerprint scanner we tested, and it's compatible with both Windows and Mac.

8
7.4
SCORE
AUTHENTREND ATKey.Pro USB Fingerprint Reader/Authentification Security Key for PC or Laptop, for Azure AD, FIDO Certified, Safe Account Login, Works with Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook (Type-A)

AUTHENTREND ATKey.Pro USB Fingerprint Reader/Authentification Security Key for PC or Laptop

by AUTHENTREND
What We like

The AUTHENTREND ATKey Pro USB Fingerprint Reader is our favorite of the affordable USB fingerprint readers we tested because of its reliability and ease of use. It's easy to use, doesn't require an app, and is FIDO certified.

9
7.4
SCORE
Zk USB Fingerprint Reader Scanner Comgsa, Sensor Model ZK4500, for PC, Home Office inbio SDK

Zk USB Fingerprint Reader Scanner Comgsa

by Zksofware
What We like

This is a USB 2.0, WEB/FTP, and RS232 interface reader for PC, add into PC or system. It has built-in LED light, you can see clearly. This product comes with inbio SDK. You can develop the fingerprint recognition software by yourself. The SDK offers complete API and sample code. The developer can integrate the hardware into their system.

Fingerprint Scanners - A Smart Way to Open Your Smartphone and Other Devices

The fingerprint scanner has become a necessary device in the smart locks of today. The fingerprint scanners act as a security measure for us. It can unlock our smartphones, tablets, and laptops with just a fingerprint scan. These fingerprint scanners come in different shapes and sizes. They are available in different sizes and they can be mounted easily. The fingerprint scanners are available in different price ranges. You can find cheap fingerprint scanners and premium fingerprint scanners. The fingerprint scanners are reliable and learn your fingerprint quickly. One of the best features of the fingerprint scanners is that they also act as an authentication tool. They can act as an authentication tool in banks, ATM, and other electronic systems.

What is a USB fingerprint sensor?

A USB fingerprint scanner is a type of biometric reader that is designed to be used with desktop computers. A fingerprint scanner is a biometric device that recognizes your unique physical features (e.g., the shape of your fingerprint) and lets you log in to your computer or access other secure resources. The most common types of fingerprint scanner are optical scanners and capacitive scanners. Optical scanners use red light to read your fingerprint and calculate its unique characteristics, while capacitive scanners use capacitance to detect changes in electrical charge on the surface of your fingertip.

Advantages and disadvantages to using USB fingerprint scanners

A USB fingerprint scanner is a security solution that uses your computer's USB port to securely identify users. The main advantages of using a USB fingerprint scanner are the security it provides and the minimal drawbacks. The security it provides is two-fold:
It prevents unauthorized access to your computer. Since USB fingerprint scanners work by inserting your fingerprint, they are safe from hackers who would use malware to infect your computer and fake a fingerprint.
It prevents unauthorized access to your devices. USB devices (USB flash drives, external hard drives, etc.) are often lost or misplaced. Without a fingerprint scanner, these devices can easily be accessed by unauthorized users. The minimal drawbacks to using a USB fingerprint scanner are few:
It's not as fast as traditional biometric scanning. USB fingerprint scanners cannot be as quickly scanned as fingers are, as they require extra steps. However, they are much faster than typing in a PIN or password.
It can't scan fingerprints from wet fingers. If your fingerprint is wet, you might not be able to properly scan it using a USB fingerprint scanner.
It's not suitable for secure environments. USB fingerprint scanners are useless in environments where it is critical that users be identified.

The features you should check when shopping for a USB fingerprint scanner

If you're shopping for a USB fingerprint scanner, there are a few features that you should seriously consider.
The speed and accuracy of the scanner: Some fingerprint scanners are faster than others, while others have more accurate scanning capabilities. The speed and accuracy of the scanner will largely depend on how sensitive the sensor is, as well as how well the device is calibrated.
The software: Most fingerprint scanners rely on third-party software to function. They usually come with drivers that are compatible with most machines. However, the software that comes with your device may not run as well as that of the others. This is why you should personally test the software of your device before making a purchase.
The price: The cost of the scanner should be among your top considerations. Since they're often regarded as a luxury item, most fingerprint scanners are quite pricey. However, if you do your research, you can find a scanner that suits your needs and your budget.

How to set up a fingerprint reader

The USB fingerprint scanner is a quick and easy tool that can be used to unlock your computer. There are many different types of fingerprint scanners on the market, but all of them work the same way. To set up a USB fingerprint scanner, you will first need to install the drivers on your computer. Once you have the driver installed, you will then need to install the software. The software will be installed as a virtual device, which means you will not need to install additional hardware on your computer. You will then need to calibrate the fingerprint scanner. After calibrating the fingerprint scanner, you will be able to use it to unlock your computer.

Conclusion

The fingerprint scanners are handy devices and a must for your smartphone. I hope this article has helped you find which type of fingerprint scanner is right for you. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments section!

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