The best USB C hub for 2025

One of the best USB-C hub for 2025

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If you wish to get probably the most out of your pill or laptop computer, a USB-C hub can assist. Utilizing a single USB-C slot in your transportable laptop, a hub provides you again lacking connections like HDMI, USB Sort A and C, Ethernet, reminiscence card slots and extra. After testing greater than a dozen fashions, we expect the UGreen Revodok Professional 109 is one of the best USB-C hub for most individuals. However we’ve a really helpful price range mannequin and a premium decide to provide you extra choices. We additionally break down port sorts, energy supply capabilities and design concerns that will help you make the suitable selection before you purchase.

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

Whole downstream ports: 8 | Cable size: 10” | Energy supply: 100W in, 90W to host | USB-C: 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x 3.1 | USB-A: 2 x 5Gbps, 1 x 10Gbps| Monitor: HDMI 2.0 | SD Card: microSD and customary SD | Different ports: Ethernet

The “109” in UGreen’s Revodok Professional 109 USB-C hub doubtless stands for the nine-in-one declare in its advertising supplies, however since a kind of ports is energy solely, the variety of downstream connectors makes it extra of an eight-in-one. However it’s a great-performing hub nonetheless. It has all of the hookups that may be lacking from a contemporary laptop computer, together with SD slots, USB-A ports, an Ethernet connection and an HDMI hookup.

The 4K decision and 60Hz refresh fee seemed nice on my check monitor and the information switch charges have been forward of different hubs in its value vary. The velocity check on an Ethernet cable was on par with that of a dearer docking station, and I appreciated the design of the microSD slot. Most readers have you ever insert the cardboard all the way in which in, counting on a spring mechanism to push it again out whenever you’re achieved. Right here, the tip stands proud simply sufficient you can merely pull the cardboard out. These spring-loaded ejectors by no means work on the primary attempt for me, so this can be a extra elegant resolution.

There’s only one usable downstream USB-C port; the opposite is barely able to delivering energy to your system. I want there was simply one extra USB-C so it may deal with each, say, a USB-C keyboard and webcam. However the three USB-A ports, with one supporting as much as 10Gbps charges, principally make up for that oversight. Total, the hub performs properly and presents a well-rounded number of connectors. For those who’d favor a DisplayPort connection and do not want the information card slots, try UGreen’s 8-in-1 Revodok hub. 

It was actually a tricky name between this and the Anker 555 8-in-1 for the highest advice. They’ve a fairly comparable port array and the Anker USB-C hub is $15 cheaper. However the UGreen hub has a extra premium construct and a twine that is about two inches longer, plus there’s one additional USB-A port that might definitely turn out to be useful.

Execs

  • Good array of ports
  • HDMI 2.0 helps 4K screens at 60Hz
  • Beneficiant 10-inch cable
  • Three USB-A ports
Cons

  • Only one downstream USB-C port

$38 at Amazon

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Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

Whole downstream ports: 4 | Cable size: 10” | Energy supply: 100W in, 85W to host | USB-C: 1 x USB 10Gbps, 1 x energy supply solely | USB-A: 1 x 10Gbps, 1 x 480Mbps | Monitor: HDMI 2.0 | SD Card: No | Different ports: No

This was my first expertise with a Wavlink product, as I used to be beforehand solely acquainted with them as a Wi-Fi router and extender model. My preliminary impression of the Wavlink USB-C 4K@60Hz was disappointment at its generic title, however the performance-to-price ratio is so spectacular, it will get a cross for the dearth of branding pizazz.

It’s slimmer than most hubs at about an inch-and-a-half broad, but the cable itself is a pair inches longer than the norm. The unit and the cables simply tuck behind a laptop computer, notably for the reason that ports run alongside only one edge, with the HDMI connection on the finish.

The cable can be braided, making it really feel extra premium than its $30 price ticket would counsel — which is the final theme right here. The HDMI 2.0 port can deal with a 4K exterior monitor at 60Hz, which needs to be a lot zippy sufficient for a median workday, and I discovered the decision and lack of lag to be simply as marketed. 

One of many two USB-A ports helps speedy 10Gbps transfers and the only USB-C jack is able to the identical fee. The webcam carried out properly, even with a USB-A streaming mild at full brightness (one thing different hubs had hassle with), and I discovered knowledge switch speeds to exterior drives to be on par with and even quicker than dearer hubs.

In fact, having only one downstream USB-C connection places a restrict in your setup: You may have, for instance, a USB-C webcam or a USB-C keyboard plugged in, not each. However if you happen to want one thing with good monitor output, a few high-quality USB ports and a compact design, this can be a good decide.

I additionally advocate Plugable’s equally cleverly named USB-C 4-in-1 hub. It’s a greenback cheaper than the Wavlink choice with an identical array of ports that each one carried out properly in my exams. Finally, its shorter tethered cable and single USB-C port that both delivers energy or runs a peripheral led me to favor Wavlink’s mannequin. However if you happen to don’t have to cost your system by way of the port, you get an excellent hub for the cash with Plugable’s system.

Execs

  • Slim and compact
  • Beneficiant 10-inch cable
  • Nice value
Cons

  • Only one downstream USB-C port

$13 at Amazon

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Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

Whole downstream ports: 5 | Cable size: 20” | Energy supply: 100W in, 80W to host | USB-C: 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 2, 1 x 4K @60Hz video solely | USB-A: 0 | Monitor: USB-C | SD Card: No | Different ports: No

One subject with most USB-C hubs is an ironic lack of obtainable downstream USB-C ports. Many prime out at two, and a kind of usually delivers energy solely and might’t run peripherals. Throughout three keyboard guides, our suggestions overwhelmingly require USB-C connectivity, all however considered one of our really helpful webcams use USB-C and plenty of exterior storage drives depend on that port as properly. Meaning in order for you a hub that connects your keys, digicam and a drive on the similar time, you need to hunt for one thing appropriate.

The EZQuest Slim Gen 2 hub provides you not only one or two usable Sort-C ports, however 5 of them. It’s additionally one of many few hubs that has a removable cable (and the provided one is a beneficiant 20 inches lengthy). One port is for video output with a claimed 4K output at 60Hz — simply word that this connector doesn’t help audio or drive different peripherals. The remaining 4 ports adhere to the USB 3.1 Gen 2 customary, delivering as much as 10Gbps. As with all hub, the extra objects you could have plugged in, the decrease the speeds every port will have the ability to ship, in order that max 10-gigabit fee is for one port at a time.

The connections have been a lot for my setup, dealing with a keyboard, mouse, webcam and streaming mild all on the similar time. (Since I haven’t got a USB-C monitor, I plugged the HDMI cable instantly into my laptop computer). Even absolutely loaded, the unit stayed comparatively cool. Whereas the included cable is lengthy, the hub itself is tremendous compact and concerning the measurement of a Skor bar. All of the ports come out of 1 facet, so just like the price range decide above, it’s simple to rearrange all of your connections to look neat in your desk.

Execs

  • Loads of USB-C ports
  • Removable and lengthy 20-inch cable
Cons

  • No USB-A ports
  • No HDMI port (helps USB-C video)

$80 at Amazon

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Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

Whole downstream ports: 8 | Cable size: 9” | Energy supply: 100W in, 85W to host | USB-C: 2 x USB 10Gbps, 1 x energy supply and 10 Gbps | USB-A: 2 x 5Gbps | Monitor: 1x HDMI 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0 | SD Card: No | Different ports: Ethernet

At $140, the value of Belkin’s Join Common hub is edging into docking-station territory. However it doesn’t require a devoted energy provide and it has a compact construct, so it’s nonetheless decidedly a hub. That value bump does get you a number of options that the majority hubs don’t have, particularly the choice of three USB-C ports (one port can be utilized for both energy supply or accent help) and twin prolonged shows with an Apple MacBook (after you obtain the SiliconMotion driver).

Plenty of the hubs I examined had twin HDMI ports, however the second exterior show was solely able to mirroring the primary monitor and invariably dropped the decision of each supplemental screens. SiliconMotion’s InstantView software program will get round that by primarily “sharing” a view of a tertiary display with the second monitor. That second monitor has a most refresh fee of 30Hz for 4K resolutions, however the first exterior show retains its 4K@60Hz visuals. I haven’t examined each choice on the market, however from what I’ve seen, that’s fairly good for a USB-C hub — something extra and also you’re doubtless taking a look at a docking station.

The Join Common 8-in-1 is on the bigger finish of the spectrum for this class, measuring about the identical as an iPhone however about twice as thick. The multitude of plugs meant I may run a webcam, keyboard, mouse, Litra mild, two screens and join an Ethernet cable. There was nonetheless one USB-C port left over for an exterior drive or energy (although I simply used my MacBook’s MagSafe port). And since they’re all on one facet, the association on a desk seems tidy, avoiding the spidery look of a hub with ports on all sides.

Shunting all of this connectivity does make the unit get fairly sizzling: it appeared to get hotter than the entire different models I attempted. Whereas I by no means observed any sick results consequently, I solely used it over the course of a pair days and ponder whether there’d be any heat-related points with prolonged use.

Execs

  • A lot of ports
  • Good number of ports
  • Driver permits for 2 prolonged exterior shows
Cons

  • Costly
  • Will get highly regarded throughout use

$140 at Belkin

The very first thing to resolve is whether or not you want a USB-C hub or a USB-C docking station. There’s no set customary for what differentiates the 2, however docking stations are inclined to have extra ports, supply a separate DC energy adapter and value extra, with some reaching upwards of $400. We’ve got a separate information to one of the best docking stations to take a look at if you happen to’re in search of one thing greater than what we’re discussing right here. USB-C hubs, in distinction, have between 4 and 10 ports, can help pass-through charging and sometimes price between $30 and $150.

Hubs, typically additionally referred to as dongles and even multiport adapters, make extra sense for smaller setups with just some peripherals, resembling a monitor, a wired keyboard and mouse, and the occasional exterior drive. They’re additionally extra transportable, since they’re small and require no devoted energy. That might be helpful if you happen to change work areas however wish to carry your equipment with you, or if you wish to change your laptop computer with a extra highly effective pill. A docking station or thunderbolt dock makes extra sense for somebody who wants a sturdy setup for his or her laptop computer, together with a number of exterior screens, webcams, stream decks, microphones and so forth.

Each docks and hubs make it simple to seize your laptop computer off your desk for a gathering or different temporary relocation and whenever you get again, you solely have to plug in a single cable to get all of your equipment reconnected.

For a USB-C hub to work, it wants to hook up with a port in your laptop computer or pill that helps video, knowledge and energy — all of which is roofed by something listed as USB 3.0 or higher, together with USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 and 4. The port, in fact, must be Sort-C as properly. The ocean of laptops out there’s huge, so it’s arduous to make generalizations, however trendy laptops, together with Home windows and Apple fashions, ought to have at the least one USB-C port that may suffice, and certainly, each considered one of our prime picks for one of the best laptops do.

Subsequent, it’s a matter of discovering an excellent USB-C hub that has the suitable connections to your wants. Most hubs supply some combo of HDMI, USB, SD card reader, Ethernet and three.5 mm ports. In case you have a 4K monitor and would love at the least a 60Hz refresh fee, you’ll want a hub with an HDMI 2.0 port — HDMI 1.4 solely goes as much as 30Hz. HDMI 2.1 will deal with 4K at as much as 120Hz, however hubs which have adopted that customary aren’t as frequent simply but. Remember that a low refresh fee could cause your display to really feel laggy, making your mouse seem glitchy and your webcam actions to look delayed.

Extra USB ports on these equipment are normally Sort-A or Sort-C. They will help knowledge with completely different switch charges, sometimes 5Gbps or 10Gbps. Some ports solely deal with passthrough energy and no knowledge, and a few can do knowledge, energy and video, so it’s finest to examine the spec record to ensure you’re getting the help you want. Remember that a hub might invoice itself as a 7-in-1, however a kind of ports might not be usable for something apart from charging.

Normal SD and microSD slots are helpful for transferring knowledge from cameras and the like or for offloading information out of your arduous drive. Ethernet ports might ship quicker web speeds than your Wi-Fi and a hub with a 3.5mm jack can carry again the wired headphone connection that some laptops have ditched.

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Practically the entire USB-C hubs I examined help passthrough charging. Meaning in case your laptop computer or pill solely fees by way of USB, you don’t need to take up one other port in your laptop computer to maintain every thing topped up. In contrast to a docking station, powering a hub is non-compulsory. The one exception is if you wish to shut the lid in your laptop computer whilst you work on an exterior monitor. Most computer systems will go into sleep mode if the lid is closed with out energy, so both the laptop computer or the hub will have to be plugged into the wall to forestall that from taking place.

Lots of the newer hubs embody a 100W USB-C energy supply (PD) port, with a wholesome 80 to 85 watts going to your Mac, PC or pill (the hubs take just a little of the juice for themselves, therefore the 15-watt or so distinction). In my exams, a powered USB hub ran hotter than when it wasn’t passing the cost by way of, so I favor to energy the pc instantly utilizing its personal charger. However for tablets or different gadgets with no additional ports, that PD choice is essential.

Some PD ports are additionally knowledge ports — which is each good and dangerous. On one hand, it feels wasteful to make use of a wonderfully good knowledge port only for boring outdated electrical energy. However then again, USB-C connections that solely carry a cost are much less versatile, and it makes it look like it has extra accent hookups than it truly does.

There’s surprisingly little design variation amongst hubs. Most seem like a flat slab, just a little smaller than a smartphone, and have an hooked up Sort-C host cable. The hues vary from a silvery black to a silvery grey. Some are thinner than others, some have all ports on one edge and a few have ports on either side. All of that is simply to say that aesthetics in all probability received’t make or break your shopping for choice.

One variation that might tip the scales is the size of the cable. An extended one offers you extra freedom as you prepare the hub in your desk, probably even letting you disguise it behind your laptop computer. Or you could favor a shorter one to maintain the hub neatly set beside your laptop computer.

Earlier than we check something, we check out what’s accessible and the way they’ve been obtained by customers, forum-goers and different publications. I grew to become acquainted with a number of respected manufacturers once I was testing docking stations, so I seemed into hubs from these firms as properly. I targeted on objects that may assist with a median day of productiveness — not high-end setups or demanding gaming conditions. As soon as I settled on a dozen or so that may make good candidates, I had them shipped to my humble workplace within the desert and began testing them out over the course of some weeks.

I used an M1 MacBook Professional working MacOS Sonoma because the host laptop and plugged in equipment that embody a 4K Dell monitor, a ZSA USB-C ergo keyboard, a Logitech USB-A gaming mouse, an Elgato USB-C 4K webcam, a Logitech streaming mild, a USB-A 3.0 Sandisk thumb drive, a USB-C Samsung T7 Protect exterior drive and a pair of wired headphones I acquired free of charge on an airplane (I ought to in all probability spend money on some wired headphones, however the twine dangling on my chest drives me nutty so all my earbuds are wi-fi). I used high-end HDMI and USB-C cables to make sure that any knowledge or connectivity points weren’t associated to my gear.

Then I put every USB-C hub by way of a gamut of fundamental exams. I checked out what might be plugged in without delay, the decision on the monitor, knowledge switch speeds, the general construct high quality of the hub and common usability elements, like the position of the ports and the size of the cords. And, lastly, the price-to-value ratio helped decide one of the best ones for a number of completely different use instances.

There’s so much to love about HyperDrive’s Subsequent 10 Port USB-C Hub. The tethered cable is a lavish 13 inches lengthy, the HDMI 2.0 port outputs clear and crisp 4K visuals at 60Hz and the information transfers are screaming quick. It has the coveted two USB-C knowledge ports plus a PD port, and there’s even a headphone jack. The one factor that holds again a full-throated endorsement is the way in which our unit dealt with a streaming mild. Having it on at full brightness made the webcam flicker each time. The problem went away at 75 p.c brightness, however the identical downside didn’t occur on every other hub I examined.

There’s nothing fallacious with the Anker 341 USB-C hub. The truth is it’s a present advice in our iPad equipment information and it comes at a terrific $35 value. It provides you two USB-A ports in addition to SD slots. However at this level, a 1.4 HDMI connection, which solely helps 4K decision at 30Hz feels just a little retro. There’s additionally only a single USB-C downstream port and the information switch exams proved to be a contact slower than the opposite hubs. However if you happen to’ve acquired a decrease decision monitor and don’t want multiple USB-C, you received’t be dissatisfied with it.

It was a tricky name between the UGreen Revodoc Professional 109 and the Anker 555 8-in-1 for our prime advice. Each have an identical port array with an HDMI, Ethernet, two USB Sort A, a PD USB-C and a USB-C 3.2 on the 555. And the Anker USB-C hub is $15 cheaper. We went with the UGreen hub for its extra premium construct, additional USB-A port and longer twine that provides you two additional inches to work with. However if you wish to save a couple of bucks this hub is a worthwhile decide.

I solely grew to become conscious of Startech once I began researching for this information. The standard is first rate and the yellow accents are a welcome little bit of coloration within the in any other case very grey world of hubs. The efficiency is strong, with no hiccups that I encountered. The model’s 4-Port USB-C Hub has an extended twine that wraps across the hub itself, which is exclusive. It doesn’t trouble with energy supply, which isn’t a problem if you happen to can energy your laptop instantly. However the 4 USB ports (three Sort-A and one Sort-C) max out at 5Gbps and there’s no HDMI connector. It goes for $46, and sadly for it, there are cheaper methods to get a number of extra USB ports to your setup.

April 2025: Added our expertise with the Anker 555 8-in-1 hub to the Different hubs we examined part.

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