I reviewed the Lexar Workflow Go, and it streamlined my photo workflow

The Lexar Professional Workflow Go is a relatively simple-looking device, essentially a docking station for Lexar’s range of modules that can be used in the Workflow or here in the Workflow Go. These modules feature a variety of card readers, including SD, microSD, CFexpress Type A and B, and simply insert into one of the Workflow devices so that you can read and review the files on board. Alongside the memory card reader modules, you also have a variety of different capacity SSD modules that can be inserted into the machine. So, essentially, you have your reader and your portable SSD. What the Workflow Go does is take the design of the studio-based Workflow out into the field so that you have two modular bays, meaning you can insert one memory card reader and one SSD.

Ordinarily, this would replace a card reader and a portable SSD that you use out in the field, plugged into your laptop, but the Workflow Go is far more and utilises a companion app, so essentially you don’t need to use your computer at all. You can do everything from the easy-to-use app interface although you do need a USB-C cable to link the drive to the phone.

What’s more, unlike a card reader or portable SSD that generally draws power from a laptop or other device, the Workflow Go has its own integrated battery pack. Again, this is modular, so you can take several packs with you. As downloading and transferring files can be power-intensive, the unit itself also features a power in and out, so even when you’re using the device, you can utilise external power to top up the charge, meaning the system doesn’t fail because of low power.

There are other features that enable you to connect portable SSD readers and your mobile phone directly to the unit, helping to speed up transfer rates and interaction with the device. Essentially, it’s an extremely well-thought-through evolution of the Workflow design that has become a staple of my studio.

On the downside, whilst this does cut down on the amount of kit that you need to take with you, sizewise it is larger than standard single-slot card readers, and of course, the transfer speed depends solely on which module is being used and the media that is being inserted. It’s also worth noting that if you’ve got a camera such as the Sony A7 IV that utilises both SD and CFexpress Type A cards, then you will need to carry a couple of modules with you, swapping between the SD and CFexpress modules to copy the memory card file content down to the SSD module.

But ultimately, this is one of the most advanced card reader systems for use in the field that I’ve come across, and is incredibly useful when you’re wanting to quickly review your images on a shoot with your colleagues and clients.

The Lexar Professional Workflow Go is instantly recognisable as part of the Workflow product range for its sleek aesthetics and high-quality metal and plastic build, which give it a premium look and feel. Technically, the design has one of the main features here; it actually comes in two parts.

You have the Workflow Go itself, which measures 136 × 77 × 38 mm at 318 g, and on top of that, you also have the Workflow Go battery, which measures 77 × 38 × 36.8 mm and weighs 156 g. You also have the option for each of the modules.

Modules include a CFexpress 4.0 Type A reader with a USB 4 interface, a CFexpress 4.0 Type B reader (also USB 4), an SD card reader with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, and an SD/microSD reader with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface. Finally, there’s a portable SSD with the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface in either 2 TB or 4 TB capacity. In this review, I have used all modules with a 4 TB SSD option. Importantly, each of these modules uses the USB Type-C interface, plugging directly into the two-module base within the Workflow Go, and they are fully interchangeable, so you can swap them depending on the configuration you need.

When the Workflow arrives, it is just the battery and the Workflow Go, with all modules needing to be bought separately.

The battery interfaces directly with the base of the Workflow Go, plugging in using a USB Type-C connector and also a magnetic hold to keep it secure. Alongside the battery, there is a USB Type-C port that offers power delivery (PD) in and out, so you can also use this to charge other devices, or if the battery is running low, you can top it up using an external power source.

On the Workflow itself, there’s a portable SSD reader so you can plug in other external portable accessories, such as the Lexar Armour SL500.

This can be especially useful if you’re editing or grading your footage, as you can have the card reader and the portable SSD module plugged in, plus a second portable SSD for backup, making a really good workflow system that can grow depending on your needs at the time.

As a whole, the design and ability are all about flexibility, so that you can adapt it to your needs and expand the functionality to match what you need for any job.

One thing to note is that whilst this is portable, it isn’t weather- or dustproof, so it’s worth keeping it in a protective bag to protect the modular base and all of the contact interfaces around the body.

Likewise, it’s worth noting that the battery module is removable, so you can take additional battery modules with you. Having used this for a couple of months, I would personally say that in the best case scenario, I’d have two battery modules and an external power bank such as the DJI Power 1000 so that I could charge the secondary power bank ready for use when the primary runs down, and I could also use this as a direct power supply for the unit if needed.

The Workflow Go is essentially a small portable version of the Workflow with additional features that mark it out as a product in its own right, not just a lighter version of the studio model.

Like the Lexar Workflow, on the front, there are the modular bays that you can insert the card readers or SSDs into, and here on the smaller version, there are two options.

As this is a fully portable version, it does require power, and this is supplied through a modular battery power pack with USB Type-C charging that plugs into the base of the unit. It’s also possible to charge the unit from an external power supply. Lexar states that one battery should give you up to 6 hours of use in the field, so it’s likely that in between downloading and storing your files, you can give the battery module a charge ready for its next use.

The battery pack, as well as supplying power to the Workflow Go, also offers reverse charging, so if you do need to top up your mobile phone when you’re in the field, you can simply plug in a USB Type-C cable from the battery base into your mobile phone and charge it, very handy. It can also be used to charge up batteries such as the SmallRig NP-FZ100 used in the Sony A7 IV.

Alongside the Workflow Go’s battery base and modules is the app, which enables you to manage all the files stored on memory cards and SSDs. This is a freely available application and is fully featured, designed to manage and share your files.

One of the great things about the modular approach is that it’s got wide memory card compatibility, from microSD cards used in action cameras through to SD and CFexpress cards. There’s a module that will work with this device. If a new device launches with a proprietary card format, you can also plug in a secondary card reader through the portable SSD reader and read the files from there.

Whilst that feature can be used, the design is actually intended for external portable SSDs, which, if you do need further storage, can be plugged directly into the side and recognised by the device, with full access through the app.

One feature I really like is that you can have a direct phone connection which enables the ultra fast and reliable interaction.

Getting started with the Workflow Go was an easy enough process. Essentially, give the battery a full charge, select the modules you wish to use, download the app, and you’re ready to go.

Connecting your mobile device to the Workflow Go is straightforward, just plug in the USB-C cable between the phone and device and the app then enables you to interact with files and set about transferring and organising your image files. For example once connected, you have quick access to the contents of the memory cards inserted into the modules, and you can transfer those over to the portable SSD in the second module. What’s impressive here is that because the transfer is direct hardware between the memory card slots and the portable SSD, the transfer rates are exceptionally fast, with the only limit being the speed of the interface between the two devices.

In this test, I was taking shots for a new book, with well over 1,000 shots on a Sony A7 IV. At the end of the shoot, I popped the CFexpress Type A card into the card reader and transferred those over to the SSD module. I was impressed by the overall speed of transfer; in this instance, 40 GB of data was transferred in roughly 80 seconds, far faster than I had anticipated. Viewing those back through the interface was quick and easy.

One thing I noticed throughout the day was that as the battery depleted, and I must admit I charged my phone throughout the day too, performance dipped and transfer rates reduced. However, I liked that on the battery base, there are five status lights that show you the battery capacity, so if levels dip, you can give it a quick charge to boost transfer rates again.

Another point that stood out was that whilst CFexpress Type A cards are generally fast and reliable, when I switched over to smaller SD cards, performance dipped well below expectations. It turned out that one of the cards I was using was both quite old and worn out.

A point I really liked here was that whilst I was shooting primarily on CFexpress Type A, I also had a DJI Mavic 3 Pro with me. I was able to switch out that module for the microSD reader and follow the same process to download my files to the SSD.

The complete Workflow from using the Workflow Go to the mobile app is nice and consistent. What stood out most to me was just how reliable the transfer was; at no point was I unsure whether files had transferred. The interface is well thought-out and clear.

One concern was that the unit is slightly larger than my usual card readers, but along with the rest of the kit, the size didn’t make much difference. The fact that it’s fully portable meant that when we stopped for lunch, we could place it on the desk and my colleague could review images quickly through their tablet. It would be nice if it could connect to more than one device at a time so we could all check images, but perhaps that’s a feature for the future.

Another slight worry was that whilst the build quality feels premium and it looks great, one thing I liked about the GNARBOX was how solid and robust the unit was. While the aesthetics of the Lexar Workflow Go are superb, I do wonder about durability compared with the GNARBOX.

However, when you consider everything that’s possible with this small box, essentially letting you leave all your other gear, including your computer, behind, it becomes extremely useful.

I’ve mainly used this for photography due to a large ongoing project, but a quick test with DaVinci Resolve showed that you can edit footage through the device. You can have your CFexpress Type A cards downloading files to the SSD module, then open those files in Resolve, and even export them out to a separate portable SSD. If you’re working with someone who wants to take the files with them, you can just plug their SSD into the side and transfer, whether or not you have a computer. This again adds to the flexibility and versatility of the Workflow Go as a professional tool.

Ultimately, whether it’s being used as a flexible all-in-one memory card reader and storage device with a computer, or to its full potential with the mobile app, the Workflow Go is an incredibly useful device to use out in the field. Because it utilises the same modules as the Workflow, once you’re back in the studio, you can unhook and plug those modules directly into your studio workstation.

Whether it’s just being used as a very flexible all-in-one memory card reader and storage device with a computer, or to its full potential with the mobile app, the Workflow Go is an incredibly useful device to be used out in the field. Because it utilises the same modules as the Workflow, once you get back to the studio, you can unhook and plug those modules directly into your studio workstation.

This process helps to streamline the field backup workflow, and it can adapt to multiple different camera systems. If you’re using one system with CFexpress Type A and another with CFexpress Type B, plus action cameras and drones, the different modules simply slip in and out so you can quickly swap between them as needed.

There’s also the fact that you have the modular SSD, which can be plugged in and out, so if each of your team invests in one of these drives, it’s easy for them to use the same Workflow Go to download their image files to either your drive or their own. You can also plug the modules directly into a computer without the Workflow at all, adding further usability.

There are, of course, drawbacks; the initial investment is steep, and once you total up the cost of the modules, it does become more prohibitive, but this is a device aimed at the professional market. Once you take that into consideration, and the fact that this is the field version complementing the studio version, it all comes together as a very joined-up and powerful solution for managing your data, images, and video files.