ProGrade Digital has launched a new, super-fast CFexpress Type A card. Branded Iridium, the card is available in 512GB and 1TB capacities and is capable of a blisteringly-quick 1800MB/s max read speed, and an equally impressive 1700MB/s peak write rate.

But more importantly for video capture is how fast a memory card can maintain its write speed. Here the new Iridium Type A card really stands out thanks to its 1500MB/s sustained write speed. This speed is achieved thanks to its CFexpress 4.0 architecture, which enables performance that's twice as fast as first-generation Type A cards.

ProGrade's CFexpress Type A product range already includes an Iridium card, but that is an older version which comes in 480GB and 960GB capacities. Though its maximum speed is identical to the new 512GB and 1TB versions, sustained write rate is significantly slower at 800MB/s.

Another key difference between the old and new Iridium Type A cards is their VPG certification. Where the old version was VPG200 certified, the new card boasts dual VPG certification, as it complies with both the VPG400 and VPG800 standards.

VPG (Video Performance Guarantee) is a tightly-controlled testing procedure and certification that guarantees a memory card can sustain a minimum write speed when recording video. Plenty of SD and CFexpress cards have VPG200 or VPG400 certification, meaning they're guaranteed to maintain a minimum 200MB/s or 400MB/s write speed. VPG800 certification is rather more special though, only being awarded to a select few CFexpress cards. It guarantees that the new ProGrade Iridium card will sustain a minimum 800MB/s write speed during video capture.

You may wonder why the new Iridium card is labelled with VPG400 and VPG800 ratings, as surely the faster rating should simply override the slower one? The reason the cards sport both labels is because VPG800 doesn't actually replace the older VPG200/400 ratings; it instead supplements them. This is due to the VPG800 rating being part of the new Video Performance Guarantee Profile 5.0, released by the CompactFlash Association in February 2025. VPG-5 is not backward compatible with VPG Profile 4.0 (which covers the existing VPG200 and VPG400 ratings). As such, a VPG800 card may not work with a camera recording mode that requires VPG200 or VPG400.

This is because to achieve the higher sustained write speeds of VPG800, such a card must first be preconditioned (initialized) with low-level formatting. This preconditioning, which has not previously been necessary, essentially resets the card to its original factory condition, permanently deleting any previous data from the card. This in turn means the card is a perfectly clean 'blank slate' which has a large, contiguous storage space, onto which a continuous video data stream can be written at high speed. There's therefore no risk of recording speed being reduced or interrupted by the memory controller needing to allocate part of the recording to a different sector of NAND flash in order to work around any pre-existing data stored on the card.

This sounds perfectly reasonable but there's a catch: simply deleting a video from the card doesn't recover the corresponding storage space for future VPG800 recordings - you're limited to whatever remaining storage space is left after the last preconditioning (low-level formatting). To restore the full capacity of the card for more VPG800 recording, you must again perform a preconditioning. Thankfully this procedure doesn't appear to be necessary for general use, or for VPG400 recordings.

For more information on these latest VPG standards, and why preconditioning is necessary, check out the official guidance from the CompactFlash Association.

The new ProGrade Digital Iridium CFexpress Type A card is available to pre-order from B&H. Expect to pay $569.99 for the 512GB capacity, while the 1TB version costs $949.99.

At the start of the year ProGrade Digital announced that it would be increasing prices for its memory cards, due to the rapidly rising cost of flash memory. Well, just three months later and ProGrade's Co-Founder has revealed that it's raising prices again, as the cost price of flash memory continues to increase, with little sign of things stabilizing:

"Prices continue to rise, and we don't expect memory prices to go down in 2026," comments Mark E. Lewis, Prograde's Chief Marketing Officer & Co-Founder. "While some industry analysts project this could extend into 2027, we're focused on what we can see clearly: the pricing pressure and allocation constraints will persist through the remainder of this year. We did not make any price increases in April. However, our costs are increasing significantly, and we will have to increase prices in May. We're sharing this now not to drive urgency, but to give you the information you need to plan your own equipment decisions. Whatever timing works for your business, we wanted you to hear it directly from us."

It should be noted that this is an industry-wide issue and certainly not restricted to ProGrade Digital. Every manufacturer of products that use flash memory - memory cards, SSDs, RAM, etc - has hiked prices dramatically in 2026. The cause of these spiralling costs continues to be the unstoppable rise of AI. AI data processing centers devour high-bandwidth memory and fast SSD storage, causing AI companies to buy up huge stocks of solid state memory. This in turn is having a knock-on effect in other sectors that require DRAM and NAND flash memory, such as the memory card industry. Memory card manufacturers like ProGrade Digital then have to fight for the remaining memory stock after the AI tech giants like Google, Meta, Nvidia and Open AI have paid top dollar to fuel their data centers. And when demand is high, prices go up, resulting in the ever-increasing memory card prices we're now being faced with.

At least ProGrade has provided some advance notice of its forthcoming May price increase though. And while nobody wants to pay more for the same product, I for one am grateful that ProGrade is opting to increase prices rather than reduce product quality.

Check out our guide to the best memory cards, and to the best CFexpress cards

Here's some memory card news you don't see every day: ProGrade Digital has announced that it has entered into a Space Act agreement with NASA to support Artemis moon missions.

The Space Agency will be using ProGrade's CFexpress Type B Iridium cards, in 400GB and 1.6TB capacities, along with ProGrade Digital high-speed memory card readers. Several brands were considered for the contract, but ProGrade cards were chosen due to their ability to "sustain high performance and reliable operation in a high radiation space environment". Iridium cards are said to have "exceeded the capability of other CFexpress Type B cards when tested in a space-like environment".

“The lunar surface presents very challenging environments for cameras and related storage media,” said Jeremy Myers, HULC Handheld Universal Lunar Camera COTS (commercial off the shelf) hardware lead. “The partnership developed between NASA and ProGrade will help ensure images and video are captured reliably when humanity returns to the Moon”.

From initial sample submission to being chosen for the contract took over 18 months. During this time the memory cards were subjected to many hours of extreme conditions to represent those in space. NASA's camera of choice for the Artemis campaign is a specially-designed Nikon Z9.

Artemis missions will see humans again returning to the moon, in order to establish long-term scientific lunar research, with the intention to use this knowledge to help facilitate travel to Mars.

Prograde Digital has launched a new CFexpress Type A card reader, along a new portable SSD and a flash drive.

PGM12 CFexpress Type A mobile card reader

The new PGM12 CFexpress Type A mobile card reader can be used as a conventional card reader alongside a computer, but its ultra-compact size also makes it ideal for recording video directly to a Type A card when shooting with a mobile device. The patented magnetic base of the PGM12 allows it to attach quickly and easily to a phone rig, while the USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection enables transfer speeds up to 1.25GB/s - fast enough to satisfy the external storage requirements of the iPhone 15 or 16 Pro/Pro Max.

By using the PGM12 and a CFexpress Type A card, iPhone users can record the highest quality ProRes video without having to worry about running out of internal phone storage, while also being able to transfer footage straight to a computer with ease when it comes time to edit. The small size of the PGM12 also means it can be attached to the back of an iPhone without preventing the use of MagSafe charging during recording.

The Prograde Digital PGM12 is priced at $79.99 and is available to pre-order now, with shipping expected to commence at the end of April.

PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD

Also announced is the PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD, available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. This portable SSD stands out from the crowd by boasting a full-on USB4 interface, making it twice as fast as rival USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 devices. This gives the PG10.5 an incredibly high read speed of up to 4000MB/s, and an equally impressive peak write rate of 3500MB/s. Sustained write speed is reported as 1250MB/s.

Of course, you'll need a computer with a USB4 port to fully utilize this speed, but the PG10.5 is also compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2, and 3.1 Type-C ports, though the latter will naturally bottleneck its transfer speeds. Like many of ProGrade's card readers, the PG10.5 features a magnetic base and comes with an adhesive metal plate that allows it to be mounted to any work surface, or to ProGrade's PG20 Pro Hub. A high-quality USB 4.0-certified Type-C cable is also provided.

The PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD is expected to go on sale at the end of April. The 1TB, 2TB and 4TB versions will cost $179.99, $299.99, and $549.99, respectively.

PG30 Ultra-Portable SSD

Finally, there's the new PG30 Ultra-Portable SSD, available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities. This SSD has a thumb drive/USB stick form factor, making it a true go-anywhere storage device, enhanced by its IP65 water and dust resistance. The USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface enables read and write speeds of up to 1000MB/s, along with a 300MB/s sustained write speed.

What's more, to enable compatibility with a wide range of computers, the drive has a USB-C connector at one end, and an older Type-A plug at the other - no clunky adapters required. Both plugs are protected by neatly-integrated plastic covers.

Expect to pay $99.99 for the 500GB PG30, $139.99 for the 1TB capacity, while the range-topping 2TB version costs $249.99. Availability starts from the end of April.

ProGrade Digital has launched its highest-ever-capacity CFexpress Type A card: the new 960GB variant joins the existing 120GB, 420GB and 480GB cards in ProGrade's Gold range. The Gold Type A series is a step up from the company's previous 'Cobalt' offering, with the new cards boasting increased transfer speeds of up to 900MB/s read and 800MB/s write. Furthermore, Gold-series cards are capable of a sustained write speed of 600MB/s, and are even rated for a 200MB/s minimum sustained write rate. The latter qualifies the cards for a VPG200 (video performance guarantee) rating, making them suitable for video recording that requires a minimum 200MB/s sustained write speed.

Read more:
The best memory cards for your camera
Best CFexpress cards
Best memory card readers

Additional benefits include automatic performance throttling to prevent overheating, as well as laser-etched unique serial numbering for enhanced component tracking and quality control. Each Type A Gold card is X-ray proof and shock-proof, has an operating temperature range of 14°F to 158°F/ -10°C to 70°C, and is backed by a 3-year warranty.

These new cards give users of CFexpress Type A cameras like the Sony a1 II, a7 IV and a7S III even more memory memory card choice. While it's true that faster CFexpress 4.0 Type A cards are now commonly available, they invariably cost more than version 2.0 cards, and at present no current camera can take advantage of their extra transfer speed.

The new 960GB ProGrade Digital CFexpress 2.0 Type A Gold card is available to buy now, priced at $439.99. The existing 120GB, 240GB and 480GB capacities cost $129.99, $199.99 and $299.99, respectively.

Buy ProGrade Digital CFexpress 2.0 Type A cards from B&H

Prograde Digital has released a new 120GB version of its Gold CFexpress Type A memory card in a bid to offer a more affordable option to photographers and videomakers. This smaller format of CFexpress is currently only used in Sony's more recent mirrorless cameras.

The newer lower-capacity card offers the same quality as the current ProGrade CFexpress 2.0 Type A Gold 240GB and 480GB memory cards - but just with a lower capacity. 

This provides the same maximum read speed up to 900MB/s as existing cards, but with sustained write speeds of up to 450MB/s (down from the 600MB/s on the higher capacity cards). Burst shooting can achieve a speed of 800MB/s, and the minimum sustained write speed is 200MB/s, as required for a VPG 200 standard.

The smaller capacity will be particularly appealing to stills photographers, who are less likely to need the storage required by those shooting 4K or 8K video footage. And it also means that a shoot can be spread over several cards – for security or to improve workflow. Each card has an etched serial number.

The Gold series of cards use an NVME host interface with PCIe Gen3 x1 interconnect, as well as being fully compliant with the CFexpress 2.0 specification.

The 120GB card will retail for $159.99. 240GB and 480GB versions sell for $239.99 and $339.99 respectively. 

The CFexpress Type A card was first used on the Sony A7S III, which was introduced in 2020. Most rivals have opted for the bigger CFexpress Type B format. Other manufacturers making Type A CFexpress cards include Sony, Lexar, Delkin, OWC, and Angelbird.

See our guides to the best CFexpress cards and the best card readers

Even as a photography and tech journalist, I can't pretend that even the best memory card readers are the most exciting devices. Prograde Digital's PG05.6 CFexpress Type B reader is rather more special than your average card reader though. It may look pedestrian, but this is one of an extremely rare breed of readers to use the cutting-edge USB4 interface. This gives it the potential to be 4x faster than a typical CFexpress type B reader based around USB 3.2 Gen 2 technology, and therefore this could also be the fastest memory card reader in the world.

Part of my indifference towards the humble card reader is that most tend to offer essentially the same performance, being based around the now ubiquitous USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface. This means they'll all be capable of a theoretical 10Gbps transfer speed - or around 800-900MB/s in the real world. For an SD card reader, that's perfectly sufficient, but when it comes to CFexpress Type B, 800-900MB/s just isn't enough. Even the 'slowest' Type B cards are capable of over 1200MB/s, meaning a USB 3.2 Gen 2 CFexpress reader will noticeably bottleneck a Type B card.

The ProGrade PG05.6 on the other hand should be capable of up to 40Gbps, or 5000 Megabytes per second - that's enough to theoretically max out even the latest generation of CFexpress 4.0 cards that are capable of speeds approaching 4000MB/s.

Read more: the best CFexpress cards

Specifications

Design & handling

Externally there's not much to say about the PG05.6 - it's an inconspicuous dark gray square. However it does feel like a quality product in the hand, with a reassuring weight, and a solidity to the plastic casing rarely found in a card reader. A status light alongside the card slot keeps you informed about data transfer activity, and on the rear is a single Type-C connection. The reader is supplied with a 0.8-meter long USB cable, and it's important this exact cable is used with the reader if you want to maintain the fastest transfer speeds, as this is a high-quality USB4-certified cable.

Performance

It may seem obvious, but for the avoidance of doubt: you can't just plug this card reader into any old USB port on your computer or laptop and expect to get USB4 transfer speeds. While the reader is backward-compatible with USB 3.2, your computer will need to support USB4 in order to unleash the full potential of the PG05.6. Check your laptop's specs closely, and realistically if it's older than a 2022 model, it's highly unlikely to support USB4, regardless of its pedigree.

Thankfully we have a high-end HP Z-Book Studio laptop in our arsenal boasting full-on USB4 support with which to test the PG05.6. We also needed a fast CFexpress Type B card in order to really put the reader through its paces, and handily ProGrade also sent us their CFexpress Type B 4.0 Cobalt card. This blisteringly fast Gen 4.0 card is capable of read speeds up to 3400MB/s, and 3000MB/s write speeds, making it one of the fastest Type B cards on the market - the ideal match for the PG05.6.

With our hardware in place, we then broke out the CrystalDiskMark storage benchmarking software to see what the PG05.6 can really do. We recorded a maximum read speed of 2595MB/s, and a fastest write speed of 1613MB/s. Sure, these numbers are quite a way short of the 3400/3000MB/s read/write speeds that our test card is supposedly capable of, but they're also the fastest-ever speeds we've recorded from a memory card reader, and by a wide margin.

Switching to real-world file transfers, the same Prograde CFexpress 4.0 Type B card managed a sustained 1556MB/s read speed, albeit with a slightly disappointing 282MB/s sustained write rate. We also tried a SanDisk Pro Cinema Type B card in the PG05.6, and despite it being slower on paper than the ProGrade card, it managed a sustained 538MB/s write speed. Although again, this is a long way short of SanDisk's advertised 1400MB/s minimum write speed for this particular Type B card.

Verdict

The ProGrade Digital PG05.6 USB4 card reader is the fastest card reader we've ever tested. No USB 3.2-based Type B reader will get close to the transfer speeds available from this ProGrade reader. We were somewhat disappointed that the two Type B cards we used to test the reader didn't transfer at their maximum advertised speeds. The explanation for this could be a quirk with our test computer, however we aren't blessed with a plentiful supply of USB4-capable computers, so that's one variable we're currently unable to check. Even so, it's somewhat of a moot point, as the PG05.6 is so rapid that unless you're transferring terabytes of data every day, you'll still be more than satisfied with the performance it offers. Quite simply, if you want to even get close to the speed potential of a Type B memory card, and you have a USB4-capable computer, the ProGrade PG05.6 is the only Type B card reader worth buying.

ProGrade Digital has been on a a roll recently, releasing a host of new memory cards and a new card reader. Headlining the new line-up is an entirely new range of CFexpress 4.0 cards: Iridium.

Iridium CFexpress 4.0 Type B cards

The Iridium range sits between ProGrade's existing Gold series, and its flagship Cobalt CFexpress 4.0 Type B offering. Iridium Type B cards are available in 400GB, 800GB and 1.6TB capacities, with the upper two capacities boasting impressive maximum read and write speeds of 3550MB/s and 3000MB/s, respectively. The 800GB and 1.6TB flavors are also capable of a blistering 1500MB/s sustained write speed. The 400GB version boasts the same maximum speeds, but is rated for a more modest 850MB/s sustained write rate. All three capacities are VPG400 certified, meaning they can sustain a minimum 400MB/s write rate for high bit-rate video recording. Expect to pay $229.99 for the 400GB card, $449.99 for the 800GB version, while the 1.6TB card will set you back $949.99.

All very impressive, but I question whether we actually need a third, distinct range of CFexpress 4.0 Type B cards from ProGrade. Aside from its slightly slower 3400MB/s max read speed, ProGrade's existing Gold-series cards are equally fast, yet a 1TB Gold card can be had for $349.99 - $100 less than an 800GB Iridium card.

What's more, the Iridium's marginally higher read speed is irrelevant for real world shooting, as no current camera can even utilise the CFexpress 4.0 standard, meaning any Type B 4.0 card will be running at CFexpress 2.0 speeds anyway. But to be fair, ProGrade is up front about this limitation on its website.

Read more: The best CFexpress cards

Iridium CFexpress 4.0 Type B cards

It's not just ProGrade's CFexpress Type B cards which are getting the Iridium treatment; ProGrade is also launching Iridium Type A cards, also running at CFexpress 4.0 speeds. Type A Iridium cards will launch in 480GB and 960GB capacities, priced ay $479.99 and $679.99, respectively.

The CFexpress 4.0 standard means these cards run twice as fast as the first generation of Type A cards, so you can expect peak read speeds of 1800MB/s, and max write rate of 1700MB/s. The 960GB card can sustain a 1450MB/s write speed, however the 480GB version can 'only' manage 800MB/s sustained write. Both Iridium Type A cards are VPG200 rated. However, like their Type B siblings, the double-speed ability you get from buying a CFexpress 4.0 card is currently useless when shooting, as no current Type A-compatible camera supports this CFexpress standard. Yet.

CFexpress Type A USB 4.0 Single-Slot Card Reader

The only way you can exploit the extra speed from a CFexpress 4.0 card is when offloading content from the card to your computer. Even then, you'll need an extremely fast memory card reader, but thankfully ProGrade has the answer in the shape of its new CFexpress Type A Single-Slot Card Reader (PG09.6). The secret to this reader's speed potential is its USB 4.0 connection, meaning it's capable of a theoretical 5000MB/s maximum transfer speed - easily enough to max out a 1800MB/s Iridium Type A card. Of course you'll also need a computer that supports USB 4.0, but then you should be rewarded with lighting fast data transfers.

Read more: The best memory card readers

Rounding out ProGrade's new releases are a new 256GB entry in its CFexpress 4.0 Type B Gold range, offering a 3400MB/s maximum read speed, and an 850MB/s sustained write speed. It'll go on sale priced at $169.99, though when you consider the $512GB variant costs $200, the 256GB card's value is questionable.

Lastly, ProGrade has also launched a 512GB UHS-II microSD V60 card, adding to its existing 128GB and 256GB capacities. The new high capacity card will be capable of up to 250MB/s read and 130MB/s write speeds and is priced at $165.99.

It seems like barely yesterday that CFexpress Type B usurped the XQD format and became the go-to memory card for anyone wanting ultra-fast transfer speeds that could keep up with the most technologically advanced mirrorless cameras. With speeds approaching 2000MB/s, there was (and frankly still isn't) a camera that can truly max out the best CFexpress cards of the current generation.

And yet we're now seeing next-generation Type B cards like the ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B 4.0 Memory Card (Cobalt) that are built around the new PCI-E gen 4 interface. This enables transfer speeds twice as fast as previous Type B cards were capable of. Do we need such speeds right now? No. Is it nice to know your memory card is, at least for the foreseeable future, totally futureproofed? Absolutely. Providing you can ignore the price you'll pay for such peace of mind.

Key features

With headline specs of 3400MB/s max read and 3000MB/s max write speeds, the ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B 4.0 Memory Card (Cobalt) is one of the fastest Type B cards money can buy. At the time of writing only OWC produces a Type B card with a faster read speed. But where the ProGrade card (currently) can't be beaten is its hugely impressive 2800MB/s minimum sustained write speed, which is more important in real-world use than peak read/write speeds.

ProGrade has tested this Type B card in all current, commonly available Type B-compatible cameras to ensure flawless card performance. It's rated to operate in a -10°C to 70°C temperature range and is backed by a 3-year warranty.

At present this Cobalt edition is only available in a 1.3TB capacity, though ProGrade does offer it in a twin-pack bundle for a 10% discount. If you need a different capacity, then ProGrade also makes a Gold series of Type B 4.0 cards with the same max read & write speeds as this Cobalt card, just with a lower 2400MB/s minimum sustained write speed. Gold-series Type B 4.0 cards can be had in 512GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities.

Build and handling

It's a CFexpress Type B card. Aside from the graphics on the sticker, it looks like any other Type B card, and handles like one. The clever stuff is on the inside...

Testing methodology

Testing a memory card of this calibre is trickier than you might imagine. For reasons I'll detail in the Performance section below, in-camera testing won't even get close to pushing the speed limit of a card this fast, leaving us to rely on storage benchmark software like Crystal Disk Mark to validate ProGrade's headline speed specs.

This, however, requires a CFexpress Type B card reader which won't bottleneck the card being tested. But the problem is the vast majority of Type B readers out there haven't got a hope of maxing out even a conventional (~1900MB/s) Type B card, let alone this Cobalt powerhouse. This is due to the USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface employed by nearly all Type B card readers, which has a real-world transfer speed limit of around 850MB/s.

Thankfully ProGrade is one of seemingly few card manufacturers who actually realises this fundamental issue, so they also sent us their PG05.6 USB 4.0 Type B card reader - currently the only USB4 Type B card reader on the market, and rated for transfer speeds of up to 5000MB/s. ProGrade supplies a USB4-compatible Type-C cable with the reader, which is important as you can't just connect any old Type C cable and expect to get full USB4 transfer speeds.

Now all that's needed is a suitable test computer. This has to have both a USB4 connection, and an internal m.2 SSD that can exceed 3400MB/s, so as not to bottleneck the memory card.  We chose the HP ZBook Studio G9 laptop, as it fulfils both these requirements.

Performance

I plugged the ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B 4.0 Memory Card (Cobalt) into a Canon EOS R5 to see if even this 8K-recording goliath could make the Cobalt card break a sweat. But even recording 8K video at its highest RAW quality was no issue. This shouldn't really come as a shock though. Canon rates the bit rate at this maximum resolution/quality setting at 2600Mbps, but remember, that's Megabits, not Megabytes. Convert that 2600Mbps figure to the same Megabytes terminology that memory cards are rated in and, even at this incredible high-resolution, high-quality capture setting, the R5 still only requires a memory card that can sustain over 325MB/s. If the EOS R5 was capable of recording video at a sustained 2800MB/s, then this 1.3TB memory card would only have enough capacity for around 8 minutes of footage.

The core issue here is simple: CFexpress card technology is currently at a point that far exceeds what today's cameras actually need in terms of memory performance. This is simply speed for the sake of it, not for real-world recording utility.

"Fine, but at least I can offload my footage to my computer at over 3000MB/s, right?" Theoretically yes, but not necessarily in practice. Even with ProGrade's PG05.6 USB 4.0 Type B card reader connected to our USB4 laptop, we couldn't max out the read speed of this card, despite the reader being advertised as capable of up to 5000MB/s transfer speeds. Our best results were 2595MB/s read, and 1613MB/s write. This isn't necessarily surprising though, as the USB4 standard is a bit of a mess, and some USB4 laptops are likely to perform better than others for a variety of controller/chipset reasons. Consequently your mileage can, and probably will, vary when it comes to computer transfer speeds.

Don't interpret this as a failure of the ProGrade Cobalt card though. The speed figures we recorded here are still, by far and away, the fastest memory card read and write speeds we've ever achieved at Digital Camera World. They make even the fastest UHS-II SD cards look pedestrian by comparison, and even a conventional CFexpress Type B card is way off the pace this Cobalt card. If you need to regularly offload hundreds of gigabytes of video footage on a daily basis, then the time savings could possibly justify the high purchase price of this card. But of course this will require you to already have a suitably fast card reader and computer.

Verdict

What we have here is quite simply the best memory card money can buy right now, if sheer performance is your main objective. A 2800MB/s minimum write speed will shrug off even high bit rate 8K recording, let alone anything else you might want to shoot/record. Sure, there's only this 1.3TB capacity option available, but this strikes a good balance between having reasonable storage space, without making the already high price even more ludicrous.

But should you actually buy this card? Probably not. In nearly every possible use case, a conventional CFexpress (2.0) card is more than fast enough, and if you simply must have a next-gen (4.0) card, then the ProGrade's Gold-series offerings are far cheaper, for only marginally less performance than this Cobalt card.

As I've detailed above, no current camera actually needs a card even close to this fast, so really this Cobalt card exists more as a technical demonstration of what is possible from a memory card. For this alone we applaud what ProGrade has achieved here. But unless you simply must have a card that is futureproofed to the n'th degree, then it simply doesn't make financial sense to splash this much cash on a card which is so far beyond what your camera actually requires.

ProGrade Digital has launched two new CFexpress Type A cards. The ProGrade Digital CFexpress 2.0 Type A Gold series is a step up from the company's previous 'Cobalt' Type A offering, with the new cards boasting increased transfer speeds of up to 900MB/s read and 800MB/s write. Furthermore, Gold-series cards are capable of a sustained write speed of 600MB/s, and are even rated for a 200MB/s minimum sustained write rate. The latter qualifies the cards for a VPG200 (video performance guarantee) rating, making them suitable for video recording that requires a minimum 200MB/s sustained write speed.

Read more:
The best memory cards for your camera
Best CFexpress cards
Best memory card readers

Additional benefits include automatic performance throttling to prevent overheating, as well as laser-etched unique serial numbering for enhanced component tracking and quality control. Each Type A Gold card is X-ray proof and shock-proof, has an operating temperature range of 14°F to 158°F/ -10°C to 70°C, and is backed by a 3-year warranty.

These new cards give users of CFexpress Type A cameras like the Sony a1, a7 IV and a7S III even more memory choice in what was, until recently, a memory format dominated by Sony cards. Now more card manufacturers are producing Type A offerings, we're seeing card speeds increase, and prices fall.

While we therefore welcome these new ProGrade cards to the market, it is worth keeping in mind that much faster Type A cards are just around the corner. At this year's CES trade show, Lexar revealed its next generation of Type A cards, based on the new CFexpress 4.0 standard. This PCIe Gen 4 technology enables a 2x speed increase for Type A cards, and consequently Lexar is quoting maximum read/write speeds of 1800MB/s and 1650MB/s for its forthcoming Lexar Professional CFexpress 4.0 Type A Card GOLD Series cards.

ProGrade Digital CFexpress 2.0 Type A Gold cards will be available in 240GB or 480GB capacities, costing $259.99 and $449.99, respectively.

Pre-order ProGrade Digital CFexpress 2.0 Type A cards from B&H

Read more:

• The best memory cards for your camera - SD, microSD, CF and XQD
• Best CFexpress cards
• Best memory card readers
• Best flash drives
• The best monitors for photographers
• Best SD card deals
• Best laptops for photo editing

The best memory card readers are an easy way to make sure you can always get your images off your camera. Sure, there's always the option to connect via USB, or wirelessly. But in practice, this can be fiddly, and sometimes simply whipping a memory card out is the easier option.

To help you find the right option for your needs, we've listed the best memory card readers on the market today in the list below. We've made sure to include memory card readers that run the gamut in terms of price but are all reliable, durable and good quality overall.

Different cameras use different card formats, but whether you use a standard SD card, microSD card, CFexpress Type A or B, there should be a memory card reader on this list for you.

The Quick List

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The best memory card readers

Best all-round memory card reader

This isn't just a card reader: it's also a card storage case, with enough room inside to carry 4 full-size SD cards, a further 4 microSD cards. The captive USB-C cable is neatly stowed around the perimeter of the device, which in turn slips neatly inside a silicone-clad metal outer surround that's both shock- and water-resistant.

The reader itself operates at USB 3.2 Gen 2 speed, ensuring no connectivity bottleneck. With the silicone skin in place, this reader measures 115 x 60 x 25mm, making it fairly chunky, but not unreasonably bulky.

During our testing we found transfer speeds to be on par with other UHS-II readers, meaning the CreateMate was able to max out even our fastest UHS-II V90 SDXC test card.

If you regularly shoot and edit stills or video on location and want the reassurance of a rugged card reader, this little gadget is a no-brainer.

Read our full PGYTech CreateMate High-Speed Card Reader Case review

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Best memory card reader for CFexpress Type B

CFexpress Type B cards seem to be breaking memory card transfer speed records on a monthly basis, yet few will ever experience anything close to these incredible read/write speeds. That's because the vast majority of Type B card readers use the USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection, which has a maximum bandwidth of around 900MB/s. That's simply not good enough when most Type B cards can reach in excess of 1500MB/s.

Thankfully ProGrade Digital has come to the rescue with its PG05.6 USB4 CFexpess Type B card reader. USB 4.0 has a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 5000MB/s, which should be enough to max out even the latest generation of CFexpress 4.0 cards that are capable of speeds approaching 4000MB/s.

In our testing we couldn't match the advertised 3400MB/s read and 3000MB/s write speeds of our CFexpress Type B 4.0 test card. However, the 2595MB/s read and 1613MB/s write speeds that we did record are still hugely impressive, and leagues ahead of what a conventional Type B reader could achieve.

Of course you're going to need a computer with a USB 4.0 connection for this card reader to work at its best. Plugging into a USB 3.x port will restrict transfer speeds to under 900MB/s.

Read our full ProGrade Digital PG05.6 USB4 card reader review

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Most portable memory card reader

Despite being super-cheap, this little reader is a pleasingly capable device, able to achieve speedy data transfer rates thanks to its USB 3.0 connection.

It doesn't cover all the card types, most notably missing out on CFexpress, CompactFlash and UHS-II SD (though it does UHS-I), however if this isn't a problem for you, the Anker USB 3.0 Card Reader will get the job done quickly and efficiently.

It's also so tiny that you can take it anywhere, measuring 5.3 x 2.7 x 1.1cm and weighing a tiny 16g, and there's also an 18-month warranty to give you peace of mind. Need something simple and straightforward? This little reader is a solid buy.

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Best alternative CFexpress Type B card reader

ProGrade Digital's USB 4.0 CFexpress Type B card reader (above) is the best Type B card reader you can buy, but unfortunately it's in short supply. This SanDisk reader isn't as fast, but it is much easier to find. Around the same size and shape as a computer mouse, it's a nicely designed piece of kit. The spring-loaded memory card slot has a pleasing action too, with a gentle push of the memory card ejecting it from the reader.

In our testing, this reader hit a mighty impressive 718MB/s sustained read speed when transferring one large 4K video file. Image read/write rates of 534/410MB/s are also good, easily eclipsing even the fastest UHS-II SD cards.

That said, CFexpress cards are capable of even higher transfer speeds. The bottleneck here is likely the reader's USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection, which though very fast, can't keep up with the blistering performance available from CFexpress cards. But if you can live with that, this SanDisk CFexpress reader gets the job done.

Read our full SanDisk Extreme Pro CFexpress Card Reader review

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Best CFexpress Type A card reader

Sony's CFexpress Type A/SD Card Reader was launched at the same time as the Sony a7S III's release, as this was the first camera to utilize the CFexpress Type A memory card format (the physically larger Type B cards already being commonplace).

With such a new CFexpress variant, and very few manufacturers currently producing Type A cards or readers, it's little surprise that this reader is expensive.

At least it uses a fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface for a maximum theoretical transfer speed of 1250MB/s - plenty fast enough to let a 800MB/s CFexpress Type A card transfer at its maximum speed. The MRW-G2 card reader also supports SDXC/SDHC UHS-I and UHS-II cards for added versatility, going some way to justify the high selling price.

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Best rugged card reader (CFexpress)

Take a CFexpress Type B + SD card reader, add storage space alongside for Type B, SD and microSD cards, then encase the whole thing in a waterproof, shock-resistant shell. That's exactly what you get with the CreateMate, and the result is a genuinely useful all-in-one device that's ideal for creatives who regularly shoot and edit on location. To access your cards and reveal the card reader, simply press on one end and out pops a plastic inner section containing everything you need.

Transfer speeds are good, maxing out at around 1050MB/s in our testing, but the latest generation of Type B cards are capable of over 3500MB/s. The limiting factor here is the Createmate's USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, which simply cannot handle speeds much above 1000MB/s. If you want to max out the speed potential of your Type B cards, you'll need to invest in a USB4 reader.

But considering USB4 CFexpress readers are still relatively rare, we can't be too harsh on the Createmate. It offers a heck of a lot for the money, and if you regularly travel with multiple memory cards so would value its storage capabilities, it's a smart buy.

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Best for iPhones

The Anker MagGo SD Card Reader is one of the tidiest card readers on the market that are made specifically for iPhones. It's small, well-built and will connect magnetically to MagSafe phones. It gives you a simple, fast, and reliable way to capture video footage using an iPhone and save it straight onto an SD or TF card. The device supports a maximum data transfer speed of 312 MB/s, making it quick enough to transfer up to 4K ProRes video at 60fps. During our testing we found Anker's speed claims to be spot on, though you will need a card that can support at least 220 MB/s sustained write speed to shoot 4K/60 ProRes video.

The reader is MagSafe compatible, which means it can be magnetically attached to any supported iPhone. With a strong magnet, you can rest assured that not only will it stay in place, but it'll also stay out of the way. A built-in USB-C cable attaches the unit to a phone, tablet, or laptop. This cable is long enough to work with the iPhone 16 and 15. There's even a USB-C passthrough socket so you can charge your phone and transfer data simultaneously.

Read our full Anker MagGo SD Card Reader review

How to choose the best memory card reader

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How we test memory card readers

When we test memory card readers, we pay close attention to two main factors: reliability and performance. Our speed tests gauge read and write rates, as these are crucial for photographers or videographers handling large files. We also conduct endurance trials evaluate sustained performance under prolonged usage, preventing overheating or slowdowns during intensive tasks. We also assess compatibility with different operating systems and devices to ensure seamless integration across platforms, and consider user experience factors such as ease of installation, intuitive interfaces, and portability.

Find out more about how we test and review at Digital Camera World.

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ProGrade Digital was launched in February 2018, so it’s a comparative newcomer to the memory card market, but its founders have a background in older memory brands and it has quickly gained recognition. So much so that Nikon used ProGrade’s Cobalt CFexpress cards to obtain the quoted burst depth figures for the Nikon Z 9.

ProGrade Digital makes two lines of CFexpress Type B card, the Gold series cards which have read speeds of up to 1700MB/s and write speed of up to 400MB/s, and the Cobalt cards which have an NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 interface which helps them to deliver the same maximum read speed as the Gold card but much faster write speeds of 1500MB/s. These speeds make the Cobalt cards suitable for recording 8K footage or high bit rate and raw video.

The Cobalt CFexpress cards are only available in two capacities, 325GB and 650GB, which means the starting price is pretty high ($429.99/£316.44). There’s also a 650GB card ($773.99/£569.59), which is the highest capacity CFexpress card currently available. 

Specifications

Max read speed: 1750MB/s

Max write speed: 1500MB/s

Available capacities: 325GB, 650GB

Build and handling

Like other CFexpress Type cards, the ProGrade Cobalt card is externally indistinguishable from an XQD card but at around 29.6 x 38.5 x 3.8mm it’s appreciably beefier than an SD card. Like most other CFexpress card manufacturers (SanDisk being an exception), ProGrade Digital has opted to wrap the rear metal casing around the edges of the card to give an extra-durable feel. There’s also a metal cover over most of the front of the card.

This card has an assured fit in the Nikon Z 7II’s CFexpress card slot and clicks home securely.

Performance

I tested the 325GB ProGrade Cobalt CFexpress card and my first step was to insert it in a ProGrade Digital USB 3.2 Gen 2.0 Dual-Slot Card Reader connected to a Thunderbolt 3 port in my 2019 iMac. Testing with Blackmagic Design Disk Speed Test revealed a read speed of around 858MB/s and a write speed of about 900MB/s, once again impressive but below the stated maximums.

For my next test, I dragged a folder with 100 raw files and 100 Jpegs shot on the Nikon Z 7II from the card onto the desktop of my computer. It took just 25 seconds for the files to copy across - the fastest time I’ve experienced with a memory card.

Next, I put the card in the Nikon Z 7II to check the burst speed and depth in Continuous High (extended) shooting mode. When shooting fine-quality Jpegs, I was consistently able to capture 128-130 images in one go, beating the claimed maximum burst of 113 images. However, when shooting uncompressed 14-bit raw files is was only ever able to capture 44 in one sequence, 4 short of the claimed maximum. It’s worth noting that differences in the captured scene result in different file sizes and this may have an impact on the maximum number of raw files that can be captured in one blast. 

Naturally, I also used the card in the Nikon Z 7II for regular photography and it performed flawlessly. Similarly, it also enabled 30 minute clips of 4K 60p video to be recorded without any issue.

Verdict

While, as usual, the bench test figures don’t match the maximum data transfer speed printed on the box, the ProGrade Digital Cobalt CFexpress Type B proved itself to be a solid performer, enabling a high Jpeg burst depths, coping perfectly with 4K 60p video recording and transferring images very quickly across to a computer.

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Best memory cards
Best memory card readers
Best CFexpress cards
What is CFexpress Type A?

With many modern laptops conspicuously lack SD card slots in the ongoing quest for ever-more slimness, suddenly memory card readers are back in fashion.

You need something to get all those images and videos off your cards, after all, and a high-speed reader can do the job more efficiently than many of the other options available. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of USB card readers. From budget-friendly and highly-portable models, so tiny you could mistake them for a USB flash drive, through to larger models that will live on a desktop right by your computer, with transfer speeds to match the capacity of the best memory cards. 

We’ve assembled a selection of quality card readers for you to peruse to find the one that suits you. Many of our options also offer slots for other card types like CompactFlash, XQD and CFast, so there should be something for everyone.

ProGrade Digital has released what we reckon is only the second-ever card reader to support CFexpress Type A memory cards. The Type A variant of CFexpress uses a smaller form factor than the more common Type B cards used in cameras like the Nikon Z 7II and Canon EOS R5, and despite the name, Type A cards only came to market in 2020 - long after Type B cards. In fact, the only cameras that use CFexpress Type A cards are the Sony A7S III and FX6 cinema camera. For more detailed info on the different CFexpress card variants, we've got an in-depth guide here.

As for ProGrade Digital's new PG09 CFexpress Type A reader; it's a dual-slot design that also features an SDXC/SDHC UHS-II slot in addition the CFexpress slot, making it an ideal match for the Sony A7S III and FX6, both of which can record onto CFexpress Type A or SD cards.

Connection to your PC or Mac is via a fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C connection, which enables transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps (1.25 gigabytes per second). That's more than enough to max out the 1 gigabyte per second theoretical peak speed of a CFexpress Type A card (UHS-II SD cards can only hit 312 megabytes per second).

The ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type A and SDXC/SDHC UHS-II dual-slot card reader is available now from B&H, priced at $79.99. That's big bucks for a simple card reader, but given the only other CFexpress Type A reader you can currently buy - the Sony MRWG2 - is around $118, the ProGrade Digital option seems like a no-brainer. Especially as we rate ProGrade's Gen 2 Dual-Slot SD Card Reader as one of the best memory card readers on the market today.

Read more: 

The best memory card for your camera

The best memory card readers

SD card deals

microSD card deals

SanDisk Extreme Pro CFexpress Type B Card and CFexpress Card Reader review

ProGrade Digital was one of the first companies to champion the CFexpress card format. Now it's being supported by heavy-hitters like the Canon EOS-1D X Mk III, Nikon D6, Nikon Z6 and Z7, as well as the Panasonic Lumix S1 and Lumix S1R, ProGrade has released new, faster CFexpress cards to keep pace.

Whereas ProGrade's original CFexpress offerings boasted up to 1600MB/s read speed, the new cards boost this slightly, to 1700MB/s. However, the big news is the increase in write speed. Burst write rates are now up to 1500MB/s, and most impressive of all, ProGrade's top-tier Cobalt CFexpress cards can manage an incredible minimum sustained write speed of 1400MB/s. To put this in perspective, Lexar's latest Professional CFexpress™ Type B Card may be capable of a slightly faster 1750MB/s read speed, but it can only manage a sustained write speed of up to 1000MB/s.

ProGrade's new CFexpress cards come in two flavors: Cobalt, and Gold:

All Cobalt and Gold ProGrade CFexpress cards feature:

• Fully compliant with CompactFlash™ Association 2.0 specification
• NVMe host interface with PCIe Gen3 X2 interconnect
• Extended battery life and low standby power through NVMe PS0 – PS4 support
• Metal enclosure for improved durability and heat dissipation
• Thermal throttling to protect the card from overheating
• Unique serialized tracking of every card enabling identification of key components and manufacturing data for the highest quality control
• Rigorous 100% full card testing down to individual memory chips for optimal quality
• X-ray proof, shock-proof
• Temperature ranges: operating 14 to 158°F/ -10 to 70°C; storage -4 to 185°F/ -20 to 85°C
• 3-year warranty

The only potential cloud on the horizon here is that while you may be able to fully exploit the maximum speed of these cards in some cameras, transfer rates to a computer is likely to be slower. As we found when testing Sandisk's Extreme Pro CFexpress card reader, even the fast USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface simply can't keep up with the insane CFexpress speeds now possible.

Read more: 

The best memory card for your camera

The best memory card readers

SD card deals

microSD card deals

SanDisk Extreme Pro CFexpress Type B Card and CFexpress Card Reader review

With the CP+ exhibition in Yokohama now in full swing, Sony has announced the development of a new CFexpress Type B card (CEB-G128) with an ultra-fast read speed of up to 1700MB/s and a write speed of up to 1480MB/s. This is three times faster than Sony’s fastest current CFast memory card (530MB/s) and five times faster than the fastest 300MB/s UHS-II SD cards available right now.

Photographers and videographers have been looking beyond the current SD/SDHC/SDXC standards for faster data capture, especially with the inevitable development of ever higher resolution stills cameras, the demand for higher bit rates, bit-depth and and frame rates in 4K video and the imminent debut of 8K video capture. 

This has led to a battle between the CFast format (a newer, faster version of Compact Flash) and the new XQD format, which has now evolved into CFexpress, with most now agreeing that the CFexpress format is the way forward.

CFexpress is the new XQD

CFexpress cards use the same physical form as XQD cards, also made by Sony and quickly championed by Nikon in its high-end DSLRs and new Z-series mirrorless cameras – these will get a firmware update for CFexpress compatibility. 

Nikon took some stick for going it alone with the XQD format in the early days with cameras like the Nikon D5, Nikon D850 and later the Nikon Z 7, but it looks like it has had the last laugh, now boasting a head-start over its rivals. The new Panasonic S1  and Panasonic S1R full-frame cameras, which go on sale next month, also have XQD card slots.

Sony’s new CFexpress card uses the latest PCIe Gen3 interface technologies to achieve its speed, but it’s not the only company to be driving the CFexpress format forward. 

ProGrade Digital is also developing new and faster CFexpress cards for the professional photography and video markets, using the same PCIe Gen3 interface technology to develop ‘Cobalt’ standard CFexpress cards capable of burst write speeds up to 1400MB/s and a minimum sustained speed of 1300MB/s in capacities of 325GB and 650GB.

Sony’s new CFexpress card will initially be available in a 128GB capacity, with 256GB and 512GB versions to follow in the future. It’s designed for toughness and exceeds CFexpress strength standard by a factor of three. It’s also ‘temperature proof’, X-ray proof, anti-static and has a UV guard, reflecting its intended use in tough environments.

Sony will also release a new MRW-G1 CFexpress card reader to take advantage of the card’s performance, and both will be available early summer 2019.

Read more:

• The best memory cards for your camera
• The best memory card readers

ProGrade Digital has announced a new line of ultra high speed UHS-II microSD cards targeted at the latest generation of 4K action cameras and camera drones. Boasting the highest Class 10 U3 speed class ratings, you can expect maximum read rates of up to 200MB/s and write speeds of 80MB/s. 

But that's not all. When shooting high resolution, high bit rate video, sustaining a fast write speed can be more important than peak transfer rates. ProGrade recognizes this and has certified these microSD cards with a V60 Video Speed Class, meaning they're guaranteed not to drop below 60MB/s during recording.

Each microSD card is supplied with a full-size SD UHS-II adapter to maintain compatibility with DSLR and mirrorless cameras, and as with all ProGrade cards, every card is quality tested and has a unique serial number should you need future technical support.

ProGrade Digital microSDXC UHS-II V60 memory cards will be available later in 2018 in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB capacities. Expect to pay $49.99, $74.99 and $114.99 respectively.

USB-C card readers

A fast memory card needs a fast memory card reader, and to this end ProGrade Digital has also expanded its range of Workflow card readers.

There's a new dual slot microSD reader which can max out the transfer speeds of the cards in both slots when connected via a USB 3.1 Gen. 2 interface. The second new Workflow card reader is a dual slot SD and CompactFlash reader which can also shift data at up to 10Gb/s.

Premium USB Type A-C and C-C cables are included to ensure you get the best possible connection speed. Pricing for each reader is expected to be £79.99.

CFexpress: the latest

Back in April 2018 ProGrade stunned us with the announcement that they were already working on the next-generation card format, CFexpress. The company's in-house testing boasted incredible transfer speeds of over 1000MB/s, making CFexpress three times faster than CFast and 4x that of a top-end UHS-II SD card.

We had hoped the format would be embraced by camera manufacturers very soon, however neither the Nikon Z, Canon EOS R, or the recently announced Panasonic Lumix S1 cameras support CFexpress. But this could change, as CFexpress uses the same external form factor as XQD. Nikon has committed to XQD with the Z7 and Z6, as has Panasonic with the S1 and S1R.

ProGrade Digital tells us that it is technically possible to enable a CFexpress card to work in an XQD camera with something as simple as a firmware update. Although it should be noted that exploiting the fastest possible transfer speeds would likely require native CFexpress support at a hardware level, due to XQD's more restrictive data transfer bandwidth.

It's not just the speed benefit that could drive adoption of CFexpress by camera manufactures. XQD is a proprietary card format controlled largely by Sony, and its implementation is subject to licensing fees and design restrictions. CFexpress on the other hand is an open-source standard, making it potentially cheaper to implement and for photographers to buy into.

More speed for less money: it seems you can have your cake and eat it, albeit not quite yet.

Read more:
The best memory cards for your camera

The best memory card readers