Rocket CFX Type B Memory Card 1TB Review

The Sabrent Rocket CFX Type B Memory Card is a high-performance CFExpress card designed for enthusiasts and professionals with cameras demanding high speed, large capacity, and uncompromising reliability.

The card is packed with features, including impressive transfer speeds of up to 1,800 MB/s read and 1,700 MB/s write. It also offers exceptional storage capacities of up to 2TB with 512GB and the 1TB version that I’m looking at in this test.

Part of the key to the large capacities and speed is the SSD-grade hardware inside, ensuring endurance and quality. The card also features high IOPs for quick access, and robust wear management features that further enhance its capabilities.

The fact is that I’ve now looked at loads of CFExpress cards, and the one thing that stands out is that you can’t tell anything from the way that these cards look. They all seem incredibly well made, robust and ready for the rigours of life with a photographer or videographer. So when it comes to build quality, so far every CFExpress card I’ve looked as has been good, and this one is just as good as the last and more than likely as good as the next!

When it comes to handling, as with any memory card it’s out of the case and into the camera, there ain’t much more to it! So let’s look at the features.

The card sports impressive transfer speeds reaching up to 1,800 MB/s read and 1,700 MB/s write. These high-speed capabilities will be especially interesting for professionals shooting high resolution images and video; so perfect for the likes of the new Nikon Z8 and Canon R5 C, which is essentially the camera I’m using in the test.

Another intriguing feature is the card’s high IOPs, over 300,000, which ensures rapid access to your files, further improving your workflow efficiency. This, coupled with a variety of wear management features such as LDPC, ECC RAID, and end-to-end data protection, provides a level of reliability and durability that should add an extra level of reassurance.

The card’s compatibility extends to certain XQD cameras, albeit those with a CFExpress upgrade path through firmware like the early Nikion Z cameras. I tried it in the Sony FS7 but no luck, this camera is still soley XQD. Alongside compatibility are the hefty capacities of up to 2TB, our review sample is 1TB, which should cator for most people.

In tests using the Blackmagic disk speed test, this card delivered a write speed of 1212MB/s. OK, not quite the 1700MB/s quoted by Sabrent, but let’s put this into context. The Lexar Gold Cards, a pricier competitor, hit up to 1500MB/s write in the spec sheet, but in our tests, they only reached 1197MB/s. The premium-priced Lexar Diamond Cards claim up to 1700MB/s write, but our tests showed 1060MB/s. This makes our Sabrent card a heavyweight contender in a match against more expensive rivals.

What about read speed? We clocked it at a blistering 1510MB/s. Again, it’s not the 1800MB/s claimed by Sabrent, but again, it’s important to compare. The Lexar Gold and Diamond Cards both claim up to 1900MB/s read, but our tests only managed 1478MB/s and 1532MB/s, respectively. The Sabrent card again holds its ground admirably. Those drops in performance are due to my MacBook Pro not quite living up to the full-speed potential of the technology it hosts.

The Sabrent Rocket does what it’s supposed to do. It delivers speeds for read and write that compete with some of the best cards on the market, and it does so at a much more affordable price. And all those additional features I discussed earlier, like high IOPs and wear management? They translate into tangible benefits that come to fruition inside the camera through the hours of footage that I’ve been shooting with the card inside my Canon EOS R5 C; I’ve also had an R5 through this test – it’s smaller and lighter, and I have to say I love it.

In a world where speed and reliability matter, the Sabrent Rocket CFX Type B Memory Card stands out as a powerful contender and impresses with its ability to write and transfer high-resolution files quickly. As a high-performance CFExpress card, it has met the demands of my Canon EOS R5 C with speed and reliability, meaning less waiting and more doing.

This card’s fast transfer speeds, robust build, and selection of storage options should meet the demands of most enthusiasts and most Pros.

The big selling point for the Sabrent Rocket CFX Type B Memory Card is, of course, value. OK, so at just over £300, it’s still a significant investment, but that’s relatively cheap considering the performance compared to other cards on the market. It offers similar, if not better, performance at a fraction of the cost of big brand examples.

If you’re an enthusiast or a professional who values speed, reliability, and efficiency, then absolutely. It’s a worthwhile investment. However, if you are a professional whose income relies on capturing and transferring high-resolution content, you may feel safer sticking with a mainstream brand.