Nextorage NX-SB1PRO CFexpress Type B Card Reader Review

The Nextorage NX-SB1Pro CFexpress 4.0 Type B USB 40 Gbps card reader is designed for use with CFexpress cards, including the superb NX-B1 Pro series. The reader itself is simple by design, with a front slot for inserting the CFexpress card and a single USB4 port at the back to connect to a computer.

Other than that, the design is minimal. The reader is built to transfer files from your CFexpress card directly to your computer at the fastest possible speed, making it an ideal partner for new memory cards that offer both capacity and speed.

The CFexpress Type B reader’s build is mostly plastic and is mid-range in terms of quality. The overall construction has a slightly plastic feel, but there’s no flex, and it feels solid enough. The styling is functional, enabling plenty of cooling, but it lacks the premium design seen from other manufacturers.

Part of the functional design includes a grille at the top, which enables airflow over the heatsink to keep the internal electronics cool during data transfer. On the front is the CFexpress Type B card slot, which has a nice spring-loaded action, and to the left is the status light, letting you know when data is being transferred. The base is smooth with the product label and information, but it lacks rubber feet, meaning the reader tends to slide around on a smooth surface. However, this makes it easier to attach to the back of a laptop lid if needed.
On the back is a single USB port, which enables the high-speed cable to connect directly to your computer. This is USB4 and allows for transfer rates of up to 40 Gbps.

The reader measures 59 x 100 x 17.2 mm, making it compact enough to fit into a camera bag’s side pocket. It weighs just 110 g, and the short 50 cm cable adds minimal weight.

Overall, the Nextorage NX-SB1 Pro is designed more for functionality than aesthetics. While solid and effective, the design isn’t particularly inspiring.

Where this card reader lacks design flair, it more than makes up for its features. It maximises the performance of CFexpress Type B cards by using the latest USB4 technology, allowing for up to 40 Gbps transfer speeds and a maximum rate of 5000 MB/s. This makes it fully compatible with the latest CFexpress 4.0 cards.

Higher transfer rates can cause potential heat issues, but this card reader includes a large heatsink over both the card slot and the main electronics, which helps dissipate heat and prevent thermal throttling.

As it uses USB4 technology, it is fully backwards compatible with all USB devices, so even if your hardware can’t take full advantage of its speed, you’ll still see a noticeable upgrade in transfer rates.

What I appreciate about Nextorage is their inclusion of plenty of guides and support. If you’re unsure about maximising performance, you’ll find a user guide to help you get the most out of the product.

During testing, I used the CFexpress Type B card reader with Nextorage CFexpress cards, as well as models from Lexar and OWC, to ensure full compatibility with various capacities and transfer speeds. I tested the card reader on both Mac and PC systems.

First, the USB cable supplied is of very high quality, with a thick diameter. Although only 50 cm in length, it provided a stable and fast connection between the card reader and the computer, be it a Mac or a PC.
Once the memory card was inserted into the slot, it only took a couple of seconds for the card to appear on the desktop or as a connected drive. Files could then be dragged over to an external SSD for storage or management later. The transfer rates were impressive, and there was no doubt that this USB4 drive offers significantly faster speeds than slower devices.

Most cards allowed the transfer of over 300 GB of data in just over five minutes. The front blue light flashed during data transfer and glowed solidly once the card was dormant.

Throughout testing, the card reader performed reliably without any issues. The only critique of the physical design is that it could benefit from rubber feet on the base to prevent it from sliding around. Otherwise, it’s hard to fault.

At present, few CFexpress Type B card readers meet the specifications and feature set of the NX-SB1 Pro, offering transfer speeds that exceed even the fastest CFexpress Type B cards. The build quality is high despite the all-plastic design, and there’s no doubting the features or performance.

The design is simple and functional, though it may not exude the premium feel that some users expect. However, when it comes to performance, there’s very little to fault. Adding some rubber feet would prevent it from sliding around, but beyond that, the reader is solid.

Ultimately, the NX-SB1 Pro is an excellent option if you’re looking for an ultra-fast CFexpress card reader at a relatively decent price.