The Best USB Hubs of 2024 (2024)

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Find the best USB hub for your specific needs

By

Andy Zahn

The Best USB Hubs of 2024 (1)

Andy Zahn

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  • Lower Columbia College

Andy Zahn is a writer specializing in tech. He's reviewed cameras, weather stations, noise-cancelling headphones, and more for Lifewire.

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Updated on February 7, 2024

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Stephen Slaybaugh

The Best USB Hubs of 2024 (2)

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Computer Components

  • USB/USB-C
    • Monitors
    • Keyboards
    • Mice
    • Cards
    • CPU
    • Storage
    • Printers

    The best USB hubs include four or more ports to expand the total number of usable spaces. Most are designed for data transfers and file syncing, but some will charge your devices. More capable USB hubs have additional ports, such as USB-C or HDMI, and can be used to connect multiple devices.

    The Best Charging Stations of 2024

    Pros

    • Supports fast data transfers

    • Easy to use and hot-swappable

    • Dedicated power supply

    • Built-in surge protection

    Cons

    • Has only USB ports

    • Just one fast-charging port

    This hub from Anker features ten ports, all of which are USB 3.0, supporting data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps. That means you can transfer data between devices in seconds or minutes rather than hours. Bright blue LEDs illuminate the ports at the hub's top when powered on, offering an attractive, futuristic glow.

    One of the ten ports delivers fast charging at speeds up to 2A, while the other nine provide 0.9A each. An integrated surge protector ensures electrical issues won’t damage devices plugged in. Hot swapping is also possible, so you can plug and unplug devices while connected to a computer without rebooting or shutting it down.

    The hub comes with a 2.6-foot USB 3.0 cable and a power adapter. It’s easy to set up, simple to use and has a minimal, albeit attractive, design.

    The Best USB Hubs of 2024 (4)

    Interface: USB, DisplayPort, Ethernet, HDMI, USB 3.0 | Number of Ports: 10 | Data Transfer Rate: Up to 5Gbps

    Anker USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port Hub Review

    Pros

    • Sleek and durable aluminum chassis

    • Supports fast data and simultaneous transfers

    • Nylon braided USB cable built-in

    • Safety chip for hub and connected devices

    Cons

    • No dedicated power

    • Rounded underside slides on flat surfaces

    This ultra-slim, four-port USB hub from Uni is one of the more compact options, making it ideal for tossing in a backpack, handbag, or luggage. A flexible, braided nylon cable is built into the unit, so you never have to worry about leaving it behind. An optional variant is available, which still has the built-in cable but is much larger at 4 feet long.

    The hub supports fast data transfers up to 5Gbps for expanding USB ports or connecting multiple devices. It also has USB on the go and simultaneous transfers across all ports. It’s plug-and-play, and no extra drivers are needed for PC, Mac, or select versions of Linux (2.6.14 or later). An integrated safety chip offers overcurrent, overcharge, overvoltage, overheat, and short-circuit protection for both the hub and any connected devices.

    The durable aluminum shell rounds out the features list and offers a sleek look. It matches particularly well with aluminum Chromebooks, laptops, and most MacBooks.

    Interface: USB | Number of Ports: 4 | Data Transfer Rate: Up to 5Gbps

    Pros

    • 11 ports total; seven USB 3.0 and four with fast charging

    • Dedicated power supply

    • On/off power switches for every port

    • Fast data transfers

    Cons

    • No safety features

    • Power and USB cables must be connected

    This massive, 11-port USB data hub from Wenter is uniquely designed. All 11 ports are USB 3.0, but four (marked in red) support fast charging for mobile devices up to 2.4A. Each port has a corresponding power switch with an LED indicator to match, so you can turn individual ports on and off without cutting power to the entire hub. The LEDs will flicker when data transfers are happening to help you discern which ports are currently in use.

    It has a power adapter and a dedicated power supply, which makes sense considering it’s so large. It should be noted that both the power and main USB cable must be connected for it to work. The chassis is plastic, so no premium materials were used here, but it’s so big it’s hard to imagine anyone breaking this thing without some serious force. It’s about the size of your average surge protector and measures 7.9 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches.

    It’s not exactly portable, but it’s certainly a good option for anyone who needs a massive boost in available USB ports. The option to fast-charge four mobile devices at once is ultra-convenient. Moreover, it’s plug-and-play compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux systems.

    Interface: USB 3.0 | Number of Ports: 11 | Data Transfer Rate: Up to 5Gbps

    Pros

    • All four USB ports are 3.0

    • Fast data transfers

    • LED indicators with on/off switches

    • Built-in USB cable

    Cons

    • Data transfer only

    • No premium materials

    This relatively compact, four-port USB 3.0 hub works with Mac and PC devices but only supports data transfers—no charging. It has a built-in USB cable that’s 8 inches long and offers decent maneuverability.

    You’ll notice right away it features brilliant blue LED indicators for each port, with an on/off switch for each one. You can turn individual ports on or off without cutting power to the rest of the hub. Each port supports fast data transfers up to 5Gbps; the unit is plug-and-play and hot-swap compatible.

    Interface: USB 3.0 Type A | Number of Ports: 4 | Data Transfer Rate: Up to 5Gbps

    Pros

    • Super sleek and portable

    • Built-in USB cable with damage protection

    • Rugged but lightweight metal chassis

    • Fast data transfers

    Cons

    • Only one USB 3.0 port

    • No dedicated power supply

    Forget the silly brand name—this four-port mini USB hub from Wonkegonke is anything but. Wonkegonke didn’t just slap the "mini" moniker on it for no reason; it's sleek and ultra-portable at just 0.27 inches thick. The built-in USB cable adds convenience, while the rugged but light metal housing keeps it protected even in the messiest of handbags or backpacks. A damage-resistant shell also surrounds the cable.

    It features one USB 3.0 port and three USB 2.0 ports on the side. The 3.0 port can handle fast data transfers up to 5Gbps, but it is a shame there’s only one. There is no dedicated power, and it doesn't support charging.

    The trade-offs mean this isn’t the ideal device for home or office setups, but it's a good choice for anyone constantly on the move with many devices in tow.

    Interface: USB 2.0, USB 3.0 | Number of Ports: 4 | Data Transfer Rate: Up to 5Gbps

    Pros

    • All 16 ports are USB 3.0

    • Durable aluminum chassis

    • Built-in surge protection

    • Fast data transfers and fast charging

    Cons

    • Not ideal for travel

    • Connection latency for offset ports

    If the number of ports is your biggest concern, the Acasis 16-port USB hub is one of the biggest. All 16 ports are USB 3.0, and they all support fast charging up to 2.1A and data transfers up to 5Gbps. There are no compromises, no ports left behind—just full functionality across the entire unit. There are also seven- and ten-port variants if you want something slightly smaller.

    This beast is almost 9 inches long and weighs 1.8 pounds. Every port has a power switch and a bright blue LED indicator. You can turn ports on and off individually, and the light will tell you what’s powered and in use. It’s plug-and-play compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux systems. It has a built-in surge protector to keep all your devices and the hub safe and secure from electrical failures.

    The chassis is aluminum, so it’s rugged yet lightweight, and it looks great, too. This is the ultimate hub for anyone who wants to connect several devices or transfer data from multiple USB sources simultaneously. It's worth noting that when plugged into a computer, there is some connection latency for the higher-count ports. But the first four ports are fast and responsive.

    Interface: USB 3.0 | Number of Ports: 16 | Data Transfer Rate: Up to 5 Gbps

    The Best USB Hubs of 2024 (10)

    What to Look For in a USB Hub

    Number of Ports

    There is no ideal number - it just depends on what you’re looking for. If you want something lightweight and portable, you’ll want to choose something with fewer ports, sacrificing quantity. If you want something with many ports, you’ll choose a much larger hub, sacrificing portability. Typically, the smaller hubs have about three or four ports, while the larger ones can have as many as 16 or more.

    Versatility

    Some USB ports offer additional functionality such as fast charging, extra ports, and sometimes extra hardware like an SD card reader. If you need only the standard USB ports, then it doesn’t matter what else the hub offers. However, if you want something with a little more versatility, consider some of those extra features.

    The Best USB Hubs of 2024 (11)

    Compatibility

    Almost all hubs are plug-and-play and hot-swappable. The former means they can plug into most computers; you don’t need to install drivers or third-party software. The latter means you can plug in, unplug, and remove USB devices while the hub is plugged into a computerwithout rebooting the system. For added compatibility, it depends on what ports and functions are available. A USB-C port, for example, ensures compatibility with Apple devices and other USB-C systems like Chromebooks.

    Safety Features

    Surge, overcharge, and overvoltage protection are essential, especially when several devices are simultaneously plugged into a hub. They’re also crucial when transferring data, especially if a hard or flash drive is plugged in. An energy surge can corrupt the data and ruin those drives.

    FAQ

    • Will fast charging damage your devices?

      Simply put, fast charging will reduce your battery life slightly more quickly over a long period than standard charging speeds, but it's far from the most significant factor in battery longevity. Things like heat, cold, and how frequently you recharge have a much more substantial effect.

    • What's the difference between USB-A and USB-C?

      The letter following the USB indicates the physical design of the port. USB-A are the large, square, more familiar ports, and USB-C is the newer, smaller oval ports found on many modern Android smartphones. USB-C is an upgrade in almost every way over USB-A, but perhaps most importantly, USB-C is double-sided, which means less fumbling to get it correctly oriented.

    • What happens if you plug a USB 3.0 device into a USB 2.0 port?

      The USB standard is backward compatible, so USB 3.0 will work fine with USB 2.0 or even USB 1.1. Data transfer rates limit the older USB standards, so data transfers will take longer as you go backward. For instance, when plugging a USB 3.0-ready hard drive into a USB 2.0 port and initiating a data transfer, you will see only USB 2.0 transfer speeds—up to 480Mbps as opposed to 5Gbps. They work fine, but USB 2.0 and below are slower.

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    The Best USB Hubs of 2024 (2024)

    FAQs

    The Best USB Hubs of 2024? ›

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Can a USB hub damage a computer? ›

    Short Circuit: If too many devices are connected to the same USB hub, there is a risk of short-circuiting that could potentially damage both the laptop and all connected devices.

    Do USB hubs reduce quality? ›

    Yes, a USB hub can add input lag, especially if it's of lower quality or an older version like USB 2.0. This lag might not be noticeable in everyday tasks but can be problematic in scenarios requiring precise timing, like gaming or audio production.

    What happens if too many devices are connected to a USB hub? ›

    Cause. While multiple devices that are attached to the same hub are going into selective suspend, one of the devices on the hub can receive a wake request. If this happens before the suspend request has completed, the devices become unstable.

    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.

    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 it OK to chain USB hubs? ›

    Daisy-Chaining using the Down-A Port

    While this port is not programmable and does not include all the features of the numbered downstream ports, it is perfect for daisy-chaining. By using the Down A port, each connection between USBHub3+ hubs only adds one tier.

    Which USB port is best? ›

    On newer devices, USB‐C is preferred for its small size, fast data transfer rate and ability to carry up to 240W of power. USB‐C cables can also carry high‐resolution 4K and 8K video. Lightning is similar in function to USB‐C but uses a different connector.

    Why are hubs unintelligent? ›

    Hubs can't provide routing capabilities or other advanced network services. Because they operate by forwarding Ethernet frames across all ports indiscriminately, network hubs are sometimes referred to as dumb switches.

    Are all USB hubs the same? ›

    There are mainly two types of USB hubs – powered and unpowered. Both these types differ in the way they work. Powered USB hubs have their external power while unpowered USB hubs are bus-powered. Here, bus-powered means that the USB hub takes power from your PC or laptop to operate.

    What is the difference between a USB hub and a USB docking station? ›

    USB hubs require power from the connection to your laptop, so even if you use a pass-through option, it will not output the same power as your laptop's original charger. Docking stations usually have a dedicated power supply, which does not require power from your computer.

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