As technology progresses and becomes more advanced so does the way criminals do things. Cybercrime is becoming more and more prevalent lately and your standard password might not be enough to protect your important and sensitive files. We highly recommend getting the best external fingerprint scanner for laptop use to protect yourself from malicious attacks by these cybercriminals.
Luckily for you, this article has listed the best fingerprint scanners on the market. We also take into account the different criteria and things to look for in these scanners. So if you’re looking for the best fingerprint readers to protect your data, then you might want to read on.
Recommendations for June 2023
- ARCANITE Reader – A cheap and affordable USB fingerprint reader that rivals the premium fingerprint readers on this list.
- Kensington VeriMark – A small and portable mini USB fingerprint reader that provides top tier security and pro.
- Digital Persona – A durable metal fingerprint scanner that will last for a long time.
- Benss Fingerprint Analyzer – A plug and play USB fingerprint reader that removes the needs for manual installations.
- DDSKY Scanner – An amazing fingerprint that provides a lot of value for its price. It’s a good alternative to the ARCANITE Reader.
- Lexar JumpDrive – A high-end fingerprint reader that also serves as a flash drive containing up to 256 GB of storage space.
- PQI Mini Reader – An ultra-fast fingerprint reader that scans your finger within 0.15 seconds.
- Blucoil Secugen – A tried and tested fingerprint scanner that is ideal for company use thanks to its durable design and ability to identify fingerprints from both old and young people alike.
- Verifi P2000 – A top tier fingerprint reader that comes with its very own password manager.
- BIO-key EcoID – A small and portable fingerprint reader that comes with its own password manager while giving access to a very reliable authentication software.
Best External Fingerprint Scanner for Laptop in 2023
ARCANITE Reader – Budget Fingerprint Scanner
The best fingerprint scanners out there aren’t necessarily cheap and this is understandable since they have interesting and convenient features that justify their price. However, if you’re on a budget and still want a quality USB fingerprint reader, then you might want to try out the ARCANITE Reader.
This fingerprint reader is compatible with Windows and was specifically destined for Windows 8 and 10. It has lightning-fast authentication and it’s able to recognize your fingerprints within milliseconds which is pretty fast.
Additionally, the fingerprint reader is plug and play as well with its Windows Hello operating system allowing it to instantly setup itself provided you are using Windows 10 and other Windows OS.
Overall, the ARCANITE Reader is one of the cheapest fingerprint readers on this list but it offers top tier security, high-end software, and quality service that some rival the more expensive fingerprint readers.
Kensington VeriMark – Portable and Secure
The Kensington VeriMark is a mini USB fingerprint reader. It’s very small and it’s easy to carry around yet it provides top tier security and encryption to its users.
Its anti-spoofing protection ensures that no one can maliciously take advantage of your personal files and its Windows hello allows you to easily use it within any Windows 10 system without hassles.
This doesn’t mean that it’s only Windows 10 exclusive though since it is also compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10 as well.
Lastly, this fingerprint reader allows you to safely use it on multiple computers making it very ideal for an enterprise deployment involving multiple employees since it can handle passwords and access privileges with ease.
Overall, the Kensington VeriMark is a quality mini USB fingerprint scanner that has advanced features that ensure that you and your data are safe and protected.
Digital Persona – Rugged Construction
Durability is a big factor when it comes to fingerprint scanners. Most users and companies would want to use them for years which goes to show that no matter how high-end a fingerprint scanner is, it won’t do any good if it gets broken within a few months.
This is one of the reasons why some of the most durable fingerprint scanners feature a metal fingerprint casing and the Digital Persona.
The Digital Persona was made to last for a long time thanks to its weighted metal fingerprint casing that prevents unnecessary movement and protects it from light impact. It also has a reliable blue LED light that serves as a signal to whether the scanner is working or not.
Overall, the Digital Persona might not have a lot of convenient features but it’s one of the best fingerprint scanners out there thanks to its rugged construction and durable metal casing.
Benss Fingerprint Analyzer – No Setup Needed
The Benss Fingerprint Analyzer is one fingerprint scanners that are known for their ease of use. It’s fully compatible with Windows up to the latest Windows 10 version.
The reason why a lot of people see it as very convenient is thanks to its high-end Windows Hello software that does the heavy lifting for you. As long as you’re using Windows, the fingerprint reader will automatically do the setups for you preventing the complications of human error.
This fingerprint reader device might not come with its own password manager but through the use of Windows Hello, you can easily add and sync it with any password manager of your choice.
Overall, the Benss Fingerprint Analyzer provides amazing service thanks to its high-quality software, touch sensor, and features that make things more convenient for its users.
PQI Mini Reader – Ultra Fast Scanner
The PQI Mini Reader should be your go-to choice is you’re planning on using older hardware. Older hardware tends to be on the slower end which means that it’s going to take a longer time to do things.
A good way to counter this is by using a faster fingerprint scanner and the PQI Mini Reader is one of the fastest readers on this list. Its touch sensor is capable of reading your finger within 0.15 seconds which saves you a lot of time and energy.
It’s also cheap and affordable like the ARCANITE readers so this might be a good alternative if you’re looking for a more portable and powerful choice.
Overall, the PQI Mini Reader is a good and reliable fingerprint scanner that offers super-fast scanning speeds. It’s also Windows 10 compatible so you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues.
Lexar JumpDrive – Large Storage Space
The Lexar JumpDrive is a multipurpose fingerprint reader that serves as a USB flash drive at the same time. This premium fingerprint reader device can store up 256 GB of memory while providing quality security to its users as well.
It has a 256-bit AES encryption which is one of the toughest encryption standards out there and its large bit size makes it virtually impossible to brute force. Asides from encryption, the Lexar JumpDrive is one of the few fingerprint readers out there that features a plug and play mechanic without having to rely on Windows Hello.
Overall, the Lexar JumpDrive is a high-end fingerprint reader that deserves its price tag. It’s not cheap like the other fingerprint readers on this list but it sure does give you a lot of options and its top tier encryption is something to admire
Blucoil Secugen – Professional Scanner
The Blucoil Secugen is one of the most sought out fingerprint scanners by companies. First of all this fingerprint reader is very durable and can withstand light impacts and its water and dust resistance as well. Needless to say, the Blucoil Secugen fingerprint reader was made to last.
Aside from this, it has a reputation for delivering constant and reliable performance and it’s able to scan different types of fingers whether they are dry, wet, or from older people. The scanner has multi-device compatibility meaning its compatible with modern OSs as well as older versions of Windows like Windows 2003 and XP.
Lastly, it’s very easy to use and most of its features are intuitive saving its users the trouble of having to search on the internet or use a manual just to figure out how to use the device.
Overall, the Blucoil Secugen is a reliable fingerprint scanner that has proven itself multiple times. No wonder it’s highly in demand by a lot of companies.
Verifi P2000 – Free Password Manager
Verifi is a well-known brand in the fingerprint scanner market and the Verifi P5100 is one of their top products. However, it did not make it into this list since its spot has been replaced by the Verifi P2000 which features a better overall value and better customer reviews.
It has tons of useful features like its silicon touch sensor which greatly speeds up scanning time. Asides from the silicon touch, it also plugs and plays thanks to the help and support of Windows Hello.
But what makes it truly stand out is that it features a Roboform Free Edition password manager which automatically handles all of your passwords and securing them.
Overall, the Verifi P2000 is an amazing fingerprint scanner that definitely deserves to replace the Verifi P5100.
BIO-key EcoID – Portable Company Scanner
If you find that the Blucoil Secugen is a little bit bulky for your taste and preference, then the BIO-key EcoID is a good alternative. It’s small and portable and it has its own set of convenient features as well.
For one, it has its own way of managing passwords with its OmniPass password manager as well as giving you access to amazing enterprise software that saves you the trouble of looking for other online authentication software.
Their Bio-Key’s enterprise software instantly connects to your active directory and Azure Cloud services giving you instant access to your own database. Lastly, the fingerprint reader also comes with Windows hello so say goodbye to annoying driver installations as well.
Overall, the BIO-key EcoID is a good choice if you’re looking for a more portable and reliable fingerprint reader that comes with its own convenient features.
DDSKY Scanner – Amazing Value
Most of the fingerprint scanners on this list come at an affordable price. However, it’s rare to see a cheap and affordable fingerprint scanner that does an efficient job identifying people as well as providing quality security for its users.
The DDSKY Scanner is a good example of this. It’s one of the cheapest fingerprint scanners on this list, yet it provides one of the highest value thanks to the numerous things it brings to the table.
For one, it’s 360° degree fingerprint matching makes it more convenient than other scanners since the device can scan you no matter the orientation of your finger. Its also equipped with the latest scanning technology and smart learning algorithms that optimize scanning times.
As for security, the scanner features its Smart ID Encryption feature which secures your important files as well as automatically encrypting additional files for your convenience.
For being one of the cheapest fingerprint scanners on this list, the DDSKY Scanner sure does bring a lot to the table.
Picking The Best External Fingerprint Scanner for Your Laptop in 2023
Scanner Speed
One of the most important things to consider when buying an external fingerprint scanner for your laptop is its scanning speed. The faster the scanning speed the faster you are able to access all of your files and important data.
A fast scanner also helps make up for subpar or older hardware since some older hardware might take almost a minute for you to boot the device and input your password. Having a scanner that scans your fingerprints quickly will save you a lot of time and effort.
This is why we highly recommend that you choose a fingerprint scanner with scanning times with less than a second. This doesn’t just show how good their scanner is but it also shows how optimized the software it is using as well which is great since a more efficient software usually handles your important files much faster than normal.
Durability
If you’re planning to buy fingerprint scanners for laptop use then know that they are fragile devices that can easily be damaged. Which is why we recommend getting scanners with durable metal casings or simply a rugged design.
You’d want a scanner that would last for years to come especially if you plan to buy a scanner for the use of a company.
Additionally, durability isn’t just about the casing but it also involves the scanner itself. You’d want a scanner with a sturdy and strong sensor as well. Silicone sensors are strong, durable, and are very resistant to weathering.
So if you want a scanner that will last for a long time, then we highly recommend buying one with a silicone sensor. A good option on our list would be the Verifi P2000.
Software
Last but not least we have the software of the scanner. Some scanners require that you log in to their website and download their software and drivers which is honestly very tedious and time-consuming.
If you want to avoid this problem, we highly recommend picking fingerprint scanners with a plug and play feature. As the name implies, all you need to do is plug in the fingerprint scanner and you’re good to go.
Additionally, you might want to look at fingerprint scanners with good encryption software as well. The better the encryption the better the security which is why you also need to take software into account as well.
Conclusion
All of the fingerprint readers on this list are rated highly by the people who bought it and have been personally tested by our members. However, the best of these devices depends on what you’re looking for and the various conveniences it brings.
Reading out the criteria section will give you a better understanding of what to look for and browsing our list will expose you to the different features and conveniences that these products bring. If you like our advice, feel free to comment down below. We would like to hear what you think!