Common access cards (CAC) are authentication cards issued by the US Department of Defense (DOD) to military personnel, government and state employees, and contractors.

we’ve put together a collection of the best CAC Card Readers that are currently available on the market. To help you find the perfect CAC Card Reader among a wide variety of options, we constantly update our collection with new and trending models.

10 Best CAC Card Readers

Based on dozens of customer reviews and ratings, the followings are the top 10 best-selling CAC Card Readers:

Top Rated CAC Card Reader Reviews

Since we’ve mentioned 10 different models of CAC Card Readers on the above list, it may be difficult for you to find the right one for your needs. This is why we listed the key features of each of these CAC Card Readers below:

Sale1

Identiv SCR3310v2.0 USB Smart Card Reader
Product Highlights:

  • FULLY COMPLIANT – Complies with all major industry standards, including ISO/IEC 7816, USB CCID, PC/SC, and Microsoft WHQL. As well as, EMV 2011 Ver 4.3 Level 1 and GSA FIPS 201.
  • SEAMLESS INTEGRATION – With Identiv-specific SmartOS you’ll get easy, complete support of all major contact smart card ICs and technologies in one simple reader.
  • UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY – Works with virtually all contact chip cards and PC operating systems, including Windows, MacOS, Linux and Android.
  • FAST AND CONVENIENT- Shorten your transaction time with a reader that’s optimized for speed. It’s ultra-compact and robust design is streamlined for mobile operation, making this reader the best choice for convenience, security and reliability.
  • STRONG SECURITY – Ideally suited for use in high-security federal government applications, online banking and credit card payment apps, Windows authentication and Single Sign-On (SSO), Network login, and much more.
  • Interfaces & Connections: 1 x USB – 4 pin USB Type A
  • PC Compatibility: Win; Linux; Mac OS
  • Ergonomic and cost efficient design
  • Software and functionality compatible with SCM´s SCR33xx readers family
  • In field firmware upgrades (SCR3310). EMV Level 1 certified
2

Saicoo DOD Military USB Common Access CAC Smart Card Reader, Compatible with Mac OS, Win (Horizontal Version)
Product Highlights:

  • Upgraded: NO DRIVERS required for Windows 11/10/ 8/ 7 or Mac OS 10.11.1 and above. Just plug and play.
  • DOD Military CAC USB Smart Card Reader for Government ID, National ID, ActivClient, AKO, OWA, DKO, JKO, NKO, BOL, GKO, Marinenet, AF Portal, Pure Edge Viewer, ApproveIt, DCO, DTS, LPS, Disa Enterprise Email etc. CAC Cards
  • Sleek Ergonomic Design -Gloss Black Finish.
  • What You Get: Saicoo CAC USB Smart Card Reader, CD driver, 18-month warranty and lifetime technical support.
3

Identiv SCR3500A USB SmartFold Type A
Product Highlights:

  • Manufacturer: SCM Micro Systems
  • Part Number: SCR3500 A
  • Product Type: Security Devices
Sale4

ZOWEETEK CAC Card Reader Military, Smart Card Reader DOD Military USB Common Access CAC, Compatible with Windows, Mac OS and Linux
Product Highlights:

  • Advanced Realtek Chipset; PIV, EMS, ISO-7816 & EMV2 2000 Level 1, CE, FCC, VCCI and Microsoft WHQL certifications.
  • Supports ActivClient, AKO, OWA, DKO, JKO, NKO, BOL, GKO, Marinenet, AF Portal, Pure Edge Viewer, ApproveIt, DCO, DTS, LPS, Disa Enterprise Email and etc. CAC chip cards
  • Sleek ergonomic flat design, precise slot, convenient to horizontally plug card
  • Compatible with Windows 98/Me/2000/NT 4.0/XP/CE/Vista/7/8/8.1/10, Linux and Mac OS. Driver free on Windows 7 or later & Mac OS 10.11.1 or later.
  • New generation DOD Military CAC USB smart chip card reader, no firmware upgrade requirements
5

ZOWEETEK CAC Reader, CAC Card Reader Military, DOD Military USB Common Access CAC Smart Card Reader, Compatible with Windows, Mac OS and Linux
Product Highlights:

  • Update: CAC reader was updated. Driver free on Windows 7 or later & Mac OS 10.11.1 or later. Just plug and play.
  • Advanced Realtek Chipset; PIV, EMS, ISO-7816 & EMV2 2000 Level 1, CE, FCC, VCCI and Microsoft WHQL certifications.
  • Supports ActivClient, AKO, OWA, DKO, JKO, NKO, BOL, GKO, Marinenet, AF Portal, Pure Edge Viewer, ApproveIt, DCO, DTS, LPS, Disa Enterprise Email and etc. CAC chip cards.
  • Sleek ergonomic standing design, precise slot, convenient to obliquely plug card.
  • Compatible with Windows 98/Me/2000/NT 4.0/XP/CE/Vista/7/8/8.1/10, Linux, Mac OS.
6

ZOWEETEK Type C CAC Reader, Smart Card Reader DOD Military USB Common Access CAC, Compatible with Windows, Mac OS
Product Highlights:

  • USB-C/Type C CAC Reader. Supports Government ID, ActivClient, AKO, OWA, DKO, JKO, NKO, BOL, GKO, Marinenet, AF Portal, Pure Edge Viewer, ApproveIt, DCO, DTS, LPS, Disa Enterprise Email and etc. CAC chip cards.
  • MAC user: Java is necessary for MAC user. Please install Java firstly on Java’s official website. DOD and USG users: need a third-party CAC Enabler program.
  • USB C card reader can be used on computer, Android mobile phones and Android tablets (Note: Android phones and Android tablets need to support OTG).
  • Compatible with Windows 98/Me/2000/NT4.0/XP/CE/Vista/7/8/8.1/10, Linux, Mac OS, and Android. Please note: Android devices need to support OTG.
  • Updated: New generation DOD Military CAC USB smart chip card reader, driver free on Windows 7 or later & Mac OS 10.11.1 or later. Just plug and play.
7

USB Smart Card Reader, CAC/DOD Military USB Card Reader, SDHC/SDXC/SD & Micro SD Memory Card Reader for SIM and MMC RS & 4.0, Compatible with Windows, Linux/Unix, MacOS X
Product Highlights:

  • 【Designed for Smart Card Reader】DOD Military CAC USB Smart Card Reader for CAC Cards, Government ID, National ID, ActivClient, AKO, OWA, DKO, JKO, NKO, BOL, GKO, Marinenet, AF Portal, Pure Edge Viewer, ApproveIt, DCO, DTS, LPS, Disa Enterprise Email etc.
  • 【Broad Card Compatibility】5V, 3V and 1.8V Smart Cards, ISO 7816 Class A, B and C. Memory Cards – SD card / micro SD card / SDHC / SDXC / MMC RS & 4.0 / SIM Card.
  • 【Broad System Compatibility】Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1 (32/64 bit), Windows 7 (also 64bit), Windows Vista (also 64bit), Windows XP / 2000 (also 64bit), Windows 98 / ME, Windows Server 2008/2012/2016 Server , Windows CE 5.0 / CE.NET, Linux/Unix (also 64bit), MacOS X (All).
  • 【Compact and Portable】You can take it anywhere you go and use it whenever you need. Compact and portable design make it space-saving and good partner for you.
  • 【What You Will Get】1*USB smart card reader and our 12-month worry-free warranty. If you have any question, please feel free to contact us. (Note: If the card reader needs the driver, please go to our website to download it)
8

Identiv SCR3500 Smartfold Smart Card Reader
Product Highlights:

  • Compact And Lightweight Dongle Form-Factor Card Reader
  • Accepts Cards In Id1 Format (Iso8716)
  • Ccid Compliant
  • Compact and lightweight dongle form-factor card reader
  • Accepts cards in ID1 format (ISO8716)
  • CCID compliant
  • Compliant with all major smart cards and relevant industry standards
  • EMV Level 1 certification*
Sale9

CAC Card Reader Military Smart Card Reader DOD Military USB Common Access CAC Reader Compatible with Windows, Mac OS and Linux
Product Highlights:

  • [Widely Used] DOD military CAC USB smart card reader, suitable for government ID, national ID, ActivClient, AKO, OWA, DKO, JKO, NKO, BOL, GKO, Marinenet, AF portal, Pure Edge Viewer, ApproveIt , DCO, DTS, LPS, Disa Enterprise Email and other CAC cards
  • [System Compatibility]: CAC Rader Compatible with Windows 98/Me/2000/NT 4.0/XP/CE/Vista/7/8/8.1/10, Linux, Mac OS.
  • [Advanced Realtek Chipset]:military smart card reader PIV, EMS, ISO-7816 & EMV2 2000 Level 1, CE, FCC, VCCI and Microsoft WHQL certifications.
  • [Humanized Design]:Small and light dongle-shaped card reader, is very suitable as a mobile card reader which can easily fits into the pocket of the user,Portable and convenient.
  • [Folding CAC Card Reader]: The foldable smart card reader is thumb-sized, durable,without worrying about the power cord or can be attached to a key ring This is a CAC-approved reader.
10

Portable CAC Card Reader DOD Military Smart Card Reader for Mac/Windows with LED Indicator, Compact PIV & ID Chip Card Reader, Cable Management AKERU [EAO-10]
Product Highlights:

  • ✅【Powerful Function】: Our card reader can be used for CAC, Government ID, National ID, Bank Card. Support ActivClient, AKO, OWA, DKO, JKO, NKO, BOL, GKO, Marinenet, AF Portal, Pure Edge Viewer, ApproveIt, DCO, DTS, LPS, Disa Enterprise Email etc.
  • ✅【Universal Compatibility】: This smart card reader is compatible with Computer Windows Vista/8/8.1/10, macOS 10.4 and above.
  • ✅【Advanced Chipset】: The CAC card reader supports ISO7816 Class A, B, and C (5V / 3V / 1.8V) smart cards.
  • ✅【Unique Design】: Sleek ergonomic flat and light design with the portable slim size of the card reader is suitable for desktop as well as mobile usage.
  • ✅【One-sec Installation】: Plug and Play, no driver needed. No firmware upgrades requirements.
  • ✅【After-Service】: Free lifetime technical support and peace of mind 12-month warranty.

Video Overview

How To Set up Windows 7/8/10 For CAC use on Government Websites

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Please Follow This Video From Beginning to end. If you skip through the Video Looking for the one thing you are missing, chances are this will not work for you.

Final Words

So, these are all of the Best CAC Card Readers available on the market. We hope this collection was helpful to find the right CAC Card Reader for the money. However, we recommend checking out the features, benefits, and problems of each of these CAC Card Readers before taking your decision.