The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (2024)

PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which helpsupport our testing.

Need some extra ports for your peripherals? With these top USB hubs, you can add up to 13 additional connectors to your laptop, including Ethernet, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB-C, and an SD card reader, for as little as $5.

ByElisabeth Sullivan

August 15, 2018

facebook
twitter
reddit

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (1)

Table of Contents

As laptops get thinner and lighter, one of the first features to get dropped is connectivity. Consider the most recent Apple MacBook, which has just a single USB-C port. What happens if you want to plug in a mouse, use your laptop to charge your phone, or connect an external display? You're going to need some extra ports. That's where a USB hub comes in. These handy devices can plug into your laptop and open up a whole new world of connectivity. The ones featured here offer up to 13 additional USB ports, and some come with connectivity options including Ethernet (you won't find that on the latest MacBook either) and SD card readers. Whether you're looking for a sleek hub that won't add more clutter to your desk space, or prefer a powerful docking station for your laptop and peripherals, these are some of our favorite hubs.

ALLFU 8-in-1 USB C Hub

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (2)

ALLFU 8-in-1 USB C Hub

Check Stock

This eight-in-one USB-C hub fits snugly into the side of your Apple MacBook Pro—or any device with two side-by-side USB-C ports. Unlike most USB-C hubs that require a connecting cable to link to your laptop, this hub from ALLFU has a streamlined rectangular shape, accenting the side of your laptop without adding additional cluttering wires. The aluminum exterior houses eight ports: a Thunderbolt port, a 4K HDMI port, a USB C 3.1 charging port, three USB 3.0 ports, and SD and microSD card readers. Hot swapping is supported, so you can insert and remove this hub while your device is running. If your laptop has a case or lacks two side-by-side USB-C ports, you can still attach this hub using a USB-C extension cord (not included).

Anker 3-Port USB 3.0 Portable Data Hub with Ethernet Port

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (3)

Anker 3-Port USB 3.0 Portable Data Hub with Ethernet Port

$49.99 at AmazonCheck Stock

The “power-bar” design of this portable data hub from Anker, measuring a mere 0.91 by 1.18 by 3.7 inches (HWD), ensures it’ll take up very little space in your computer bag or on your desk. The black plastic has a mirror-like top surface, where the three USB 3.0 ports lie; an Ethernet cable can connect on the lower edge. On the opposite side, the detachable 1.6-foot USB-Type-A-to-USB-Type-B cable connects the hub to your laptop and can be substituted for a cable of a different length, or one with a USB-C connector (sold separately). The Anker USB hub is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux 2.6.14 or above.

Anker 7-Port USB 3.0 Aluminum Portable Data Hub with Power Adapter

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (4)

Anker 7-Port USB 3.0 Aluminum Portable Data Hub with Power Adapter

$94.99 at AmazonCheck Stock

A leveled-up version of the Anker 3-Port USB Hub, the this version’s bright, scratch-resistant aluminum exterior houses seven ports to transfer your data at rates of up to 5GBps. Horizontally positioned ports give a wide enough berth for most over-sized USB connectors, and an LED at the top of the hub indicates connection status. Though it can be powered solely through the USB connection when on the go, you can connect the hub to the five-foot power adapter cable for a higher power output, and free your laptop from the draw on its battery. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux OS without the need to install drivers before use.

Anker USB 3.0 4-Port Portable Aluminum Hub with 2-Foot USB 3.0 Cable

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (5)

Anker USB 3.0 4-Port Portable Aluminum Hub with 2-Foot USB 3.0 Cable

$25.00 at AmazonSee It

At a pocket-sized 2 ounces, this aluminum-unibody hub is as small as a candy bar. Four USB 3.0 ports with data-transfer speeds of up to 5GBps lie on the angled top surface, with LED lights to indicate connection status. The 2 ft. USB cable connects this Anker hub to your laptop or desktop, and a velcro installation strip allows for easy attachment to any surface. You can even use it to hook up Chromecast or Roku devices to a TV with a USB port.

AUKEY Powered USB 3.0 Data Hub with Power Adapter

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (6)

AUKEY Powered USB 3.0 Data Hub with Power Adapter

$39.99 at AmazonCheck Stock

The sleek white design of this Aukey USB data hub is unobtrusive and complements the look of most setups. Ten vertically oriented USB 3.0 ports transfer data at up to 5GBps. The hub connects to your laptop via a detachable USB-3.0-A-to-A cable; if your laptop only has a USB C port, this cable could be swapped out for a USB-3.0-A-to-USB-C cable, at your own cost. An included adapter powers the hub to prevent pulling charge from your laptop.

Dacrown USB C Hub

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (7)

Dacrown USB C Hub

$48.52 at Qoo10See It

The Dacrown USB C Hub is an attractive USB 3.0 and Ethernet dongle: The compact aluminum body, with a space gray finish that nicely complements the MacBook Pro, measures only 0.6 by 2.5 by 1.8 inches (HWD) to fit unobtrusively on your desk. A blue LED indicates that the hub is powered up and its two ports are ready for use. It includes one RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port and one USB 3.0 port, promising stable network connection and data-transfer rates of 5GBps.

EagleTec USB 2.0 4 Port Hub

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (8)

EagleTec USB 2.0 4 Port Hub

$7.29 at AmazonCheck Stock

This tiny USB hub from EagleTec is available in six bright, exciting colors across its two sizes. The smaller version is incredibly light at just heavier than half an ounce, and it measures 0.3 by 1.3 by 2.8 (HWD) inches for maximum portability. It's available in black, blue, metallic blue, and red. The four USB 2.0 ports are compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 for charging and data transfer, but will do so at USB 2.0 speeds (60MBps) rather than the higher USB 3.0 speeds. The larger size has four USB 3.0 ports in a straight line down the hub's side—unlike the smaller hub's L-shaped orientation—and is available in blue and yellow.

EUASOO 9 in 1 USB C Hub

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (9)

EUASOO 9 in 1 USB C Hub

$38.19 at AmazonSee It

The attached USB-C cable connects your laptop to the aluminum body of this hub, giving you access to all of its nine ports. These ports include an RJ45 Ethernet port, a 4K HDMI port, a USB-C charging port, three USB 3.0 ports, TF and SD card slots, and an audio/microphone jack. The USB 3.0 ports and card slots support transfer rates up to 5GBps, and the Ethernet adapter offers full 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet speed. It’s compatible with Mac OS X 10.6 or higher, Windows XP or higher, and Chrome OS on devices with a USB-C port available.

Henge Docks Stone USB-C Dock for MacBook Pro

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (10)

Henge Docks Stone USB C Dock for MacBook Pro

$199.00 at Henge DocksSee It

This is a pricey but powerful laptop dock that doubles as a USB-C hub. It’s optimized for the MacBook Pro, but it’s still compatible with other desktops and laptops that support USB-C connections. Even positioned by itself on a desktop, this sturdy dock has a sleek and discrete appearance, and it's tilted upward for a comfortable typing position. In addition to a USB-C port on the right side that connects to your MacBook, the Stone’s many ports include an SD Card reader on the right side, and three USB 3.1 ports, an audio/microphone jack, an Ethernet port, a mini DisplayPort that supports up to 4K for connecting an external display, a USB-C (out/downstream) port, and a port for the dock power supply cable lie on the rear.

HooToo 9-Port USB 3.0 Hub with 2 Smart Charging Ports and 7 Data Transfer Ports

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (11)

HooToo 9-Port USB 3.0 Hub with 2 Smart Charging Ports and 7 Data Transfer Ports

$30.99 at AmazonCheck Stock

Of the nine ports on the HooToo 9-Port USB 3.0 Hub, the bottom two are smart charging ports that detect the device that is connected and adjust power output accordingly. The remainder of the ports have data-transfer rates of up to 5GBps, and also support USB 2.0 at standard transfer rates. LED lights inside the hub’s mirrored surface indicate the connectivity status for each port. The 8-foot AC adapter powers the two smart charging ports, so juicing up doesn't pull power from your laptop. Hot-swapping is supported, meaning you can safely plug in or unplug the hub while your computer is running.

iXCC USB C to USB 3.0 Multi-Port Hub - Silver

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (12)

iXCC USB C to USB 3.0 Multi-Port Hub

Encased in the iXCC USB C’s aluminum body are a total of three USB-A ports: one USB 3.0 port, with a 5GBps data-transfer rate, and two USB 2.0 ports with standard data-transfer rates. Windows, Mac, and Linux computers are all supported, and it requires no software to start up. You simply plug into your laptop’s USB-C port and it’s ready. Its price is also competitive, meaning that connecting your peripherals via this dongle certainly won’t break the bank.

LETSCOM USB C Multiport Hub 8-in-1 with Ethernet & TF/SD Card Readers (Silver)

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (13)

LETSCOM USB C Multiport Hub 8-in-1 with Ethernet & TF/SD Card Readers

Check Stock

This versatile LETSCOM USB- C hub has an HDMI output port, two USB 3.0 ports, a USB 2.0 port, an RJ45 Ethernet port, slots for TF and SD cards, as well as a USB-C charging port. The USB-C charging port allows you to connect your laptop’s USB-C charging cable to a wall outlet, and charges the device while you transfer data or connect peripherals. The smooth silver exterior matches the finish of the MacBook Pro, and it’s compatible with the MacBook Pro, chromebooks, and other devices with Type-C ports.

Sabrent 10 Port USB 3.0 Hub with Individual Power Switches and LEDs

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (14)

Sabrent 10 Port USB 3.0 Hub with Individual Power Switches and LEDs

$47.99 at AmazonSee It

This hard-working hub can support up to 10 USB 3.0 ports and transfer data at up to 5GBps. It’s also backward-compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1, so your older peripherals won’t be left in the dust. Each port has a dedicated power button and a blue LED to indicate if the power is on. This hub is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux OS.

Sabrent 13-Port USB 2.0 Hub

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (15)

Sabrent 13-Port USB 2.0 Hub

$24.99 at AmazonSee It

Packing a powerful total of 13 USB ports, this hub charges tablets and phones as well as allowing you to connect card readers, mice, keyboards, headsets, and more. It’s a USB 2.0 hub, so you won’t get the faster transfer speeds of a USB-C port, but if you’re interested in a volume of peripherals over speed, this is the hub for you. Twelve vertically oriented ports respond to the two buttons near the top that let you toggle the lights and power in the ports. Daisy-chain multiple Sabrent hubs together for access to up to 127 USB 2.0 ports. A power adapter is included to keep you connected without draining your laptop’s battery.

Like What You're Reading?

Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox.

This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.


Thanks for signing up!

Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!

Sign up for other newsletters

Microsoft Build

Hands On: Microsoft's 2024 Surfaces Level Up With Copilot AI, Arm Silicon

ByBrian Westover

At Microsoft Build, Did We Just See the Spark of a PC-Laptop Revolution?

ByJohn Burek

Everything We Saw at Microsoft's AI Event: Copilot+ PCs, Recall, Surface, More

ByMichael Muchmore

Meet the Snapdragon X Elite Starting Lineup From Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo

ByMichael Kan

Why Are Intel Processors AWOL in Microsoft’s New Surfaces?

ByJoe Osborne

Copilot+ PCs Have Great Potential But Will Businesses Care?

ByMichael J. Miller

First Look: HP Adopts Snapdragon X Elite Alongside an OmniBook Brand Revival

ByJoe Osborne

Hands On: Lenovo Embraces Snapdragon X Elite CPU in New Yoga, ThinkPad AI PCs

ByMatthew Buzzi

All Microsoft Build Stories

Further Reading

How to Check Your Internet Speed

ByEric Griffith

Avoid the Scammers: 12 Tips for Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Security

ByEric Griffith

Fix the Web: How to Flush Your DNS Cache

ByWhitson Gordon

How to Find Your IP Address

ByEric Griffith

How to Hack Wi-Fi Passwords

ByEric Griffith

How to Set Up a Static IP Address

ByWhitson Gordon

How to Kick Your Kids Off the Wi-Fi and Take Control of Your Internet

ByWhitson Gordon

How to Wirelessly Share Your Wi-Fi Password on iPhone or Android

ByJason Cohen

TRENDING

About Elisabeth Sullivan

Read Elisabeth's full bio

Read the latest from Elisabeth Sullivan

  • Logitech Crayon Review
  • More from Elisabeth Sullivan
The Best USB and USB-C Hubs (2024)

FAQs

The Best USB and USB-C Hubs? ›

At press time, my pick for the best USB-C hub is an 8-in-1 hub, the Anker 555, which has what I consider to be a pretty ideal combination of ports: two USB-A ports (for a mouse and keyboard), a USB-C port for power input, and another for data-out; plus a microSD/SD card slot, Ethernet, and an HDMI display port.

Are expensive USB-C hubs worth it? ›

Expensive hubs can handle more and handle it much faster.

The most advanced USB-C docking stations have newer ports with technologies, like Thunderbolt 3, that support faster charging and faster data transfer. The more expensive the laptop accessory, the more likely it is to support a high-resolution monitor, too.

Does the quality of USB-C hub matter? ›

Honestly, not much. Pay attention to our reviews and those from other shoppers, but buy according to what the hub or dongle offers. You can absolutely find solid USB-C hubs and dongles for an inexpensive price. USB-C docking stations, though, can feel a bit overpriced.

Should I use USB A or C hub? ›

USB-C hubs are smaller and can be thrown in your bag for use on the go. If you use the same laptop at home and at work, then a hub a might be the best option. They're small and lightweight enough to be carried around in your bag, or kept in a drawer ready to be used whenever, or wherever you need them.

Is there a downside to USB hubs? ›

Unpowered USB hubs pose a serious risk of overloading as you connect multiple power-hungry devices. As discussed earlier, these hubs draw all their power from the USB port on your computer - usually just 500mA at most. If you connect multiple devices exceeding this available current, it can overload the hub.

What to look for when buying a USB hub? ›

Always think about the type of USB ports you need. Do you only want to connect your USB-A mouse, or do you also want to plug in your USB-C headset? Adjust your choice accordingly by, for example, choosing a USB hub with both USB-A ports and a USB-C port. The number of USB ports on the hub is of course also important.

Are some USB hubs better than others? ›

If you have multiple USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 devices, it's best to go for a USB 3. x hub to take advantage of faster transfer speeds. But if you only have USB 2.0 devices, a USB 2.0 hub will suffice.

Will there be anything better than USB-C? ›

Thunderbolt is more advanced than USB-C. But the best option for you depends on your preferences and what you're using your connectors for.

Is it better to use a powered USB hub? ›

Faster speed than a regular USB hub is another bright advantage of powered USB hubs. A powered USB hub can not only run a variety of high-power devices faster, and speed up charging and data transfer. Powered USB hub can rely on the power provided by itself, which can take a lot of stress off your computers.

Do USB hubs slow down data transfer? ›

High-quality USB hubs manage data more efficiently, resulting in lower latency. In contrast, cheaper, lower-quality hubs may not handle data as effectively, causing delays. More devices connected to a hub can lead to increased data traffic. This congestion can slow down the communication process, increasing latency.

Are expensive USB hubs worth it? ›

It depends on the USB hub's power output and the original charger's specifications. If the hub has a higher amperage rating than your phone's original charger, it might charge your phone faster. However, using a low-quality hub might not deliver the claimed power output.

Why is everything switching to USB-C? ›

Why is USB-C gaining widespread adoption? One of the reasons why USB-C is gaining widespread adoption is its versatility. USB-C can handle data transfer, power delivery, and video output with a single cable, making it compatible with a wide range of devices.

How many devices can connect to a USB-C hub? ›

The 4-PORT USB-C USB HUB allows you to connect your various USB-C devices to your USB-C computer via a single hub. It will allow you to connect up to 4 USB-C devices and peripherals to the USB-C port of your computer: mouse, keyboard, hard drive, USB key, printer, smartphone, etc.

What is the difference between cheap and expensive USB hubs? ›

Price: Powered USB hubs cost higher as they provide more abilities to connect different big or small devices. While unpowered ones are cheaper for their limited power supply and connection.

Is it worth it to upgrade hubs? ›

High engagement hubs are a worthy upgrade for several reasons. They are lighter than a standard hub, have nicer sealed bearings, and will provide instant power transfer. The most important thing to do if you have them is to service them early and often.

Do you need an expensive docking station? ›

Do I need an expensive laptop docking station? No, but you should do your research first on what your laptop supports for connection technologies.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 6278

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.