Best memory card reader: 04 Lexar Professional Workflow
From £20, $30 www.lexar.com
This modular system can be specced with dedicated readers not just for SD and CF, but also formats like XQD and the impressive - if barely used - C-Fast 2.0.
Use each reader as a standalone device, or, if you want less clutter, mount them in Lexar's docking hub.
Performance is first class, thanks to fast read/write speeds with SD and CF cards.
A 134MB-per-second maximum CF read rate is the fastest figure we extracted from any reader, but in all other tests the Professional Workflow couldn't eke out a clear lead, making the combined system cost hard to justify.
Verdict
Pros: Fast and compatible with cutting-edge card formats
Cons: Combined system cost soon mounts up
We say: Impressive stuff, but a regular reader will do for most
Score: 4/5
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Best memory card reader: 05 Delkin USB 3.0 Universal Card Reader
£30, $35 www.delkin.com
Apart from shifting images off our UHS-1 SDHC card at a sedate 39MB per second, this reader put in a decent SD performance, especially when writing image files.
It also kept up a reasonable pace with Compact Flash, producing the fastest overall image read rate of 112MB per second.
However, its trump card is versatility, as it'll support old formats like xD and MMC, plus a host of Memory Stick options.
There's a lot to like about Delkin's reader, but reading images from SD at half the speed of the leaders lets it down.
Verdict
Pros: Great card compatibility and handles CF well
Cons: Doesn't like reading images from SD cards.
We say: Could be a contender, but performance is unreliable
Score: 4/5
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Best memory card reader: 06 PNY High Performance Reader 3.0
£20, $34 www.pny.eu
Like the Delkin reader, this is compatible with pretty much any memory card type. Not to be confused with previous PNY readers, the High Performance 3.0 has a USB 3.0 connection, in the form of a standard socket and cable, or a built-in plug that slots into the reader when not in use.
Read speeds are impressive with both SD and CF cards, whether transferring images or video.
However, write performance was universally disappointing, especially with CF, where a video transfer rate of 16MB per second and an even slower performance with images proved disappointing.
Verdict
Pros: Compact, travel-friendly design with a built-in USB plug
Cons: Poor write rates with SD and even worse with CF
We say: We expect rather more from a card reader
Score: 2/5
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