The perfect USB-C hub for 2025

If you wish to get probably the most out of your pill or laptop computer, a USB-C hub will help. Utilizing a single USB-C slot in your moveable pc, a hub provides you again lacking connections like HDMI, USB Kind A and C, Ethernet, reminiscence card slots and extra. After testing greater than a dozen fashions, we expect the UGreen Revodok Pro 109 is the very best USB-C hub for most individuals. However now we have a beneficial funds mannequin and a premium decide to offer you extra choices. We additionally break down port varieties, energy supply capabilities and design concerns that can assist you make the fitting alternative before you purchase.

Desk of contents

Finest USB-C hubs for 2025

Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

The “109” in UGreen’s Revodok Pro 109 USB-C hub seemingly stands for the nine-in-one declare in its advertising supplies, however since a type of ports is energy solely, the variety of downstream connectors makes it extra of an eight-in-one. But it surely’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 price regarded nice on my take a look at monitor and the info switch charges have been forward of different hubs in its worth vary. The velocity take a look at on an Ethernet cable was on par with that of a costlier docking station, and I appreciated the design of the microSD slot. Most readers have you ever insert the cardboard all the best way in, counting on a spring mechanism to push it again out whenever you’re achieved. Right here, the top stands proud simply sufficient which you can merely pull the cardboard out. These spring-loaded ejectors by no means work on the primary attempt for me, so it is a extra elegant resolution.

There’s only one usable downstream USB-C port; the opposite is just able to delivering energy to your system. I want there was simply one extra USB-C so it might 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. General, the hub performs properly and presents a well-rounded collection of connectors. In the event you’d want a DisplayPort connection and do not want the info card slots, take a look at UGreen’s 8-in-1 Revodok hub.

It was truthfully a tricky name between this and the Anker 555 8-in-1 for the highest advice. They’ve a reasonably 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 actually turn out to be useful.

Execs

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

Cons

Only one downstream USB-C port

$38 at Amazon

Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

This was my first expertise with a Wavlink product, as I used to be beforehand solely aware of them as a Wi-Fi router and extender model. My preliminary impression of the Wavlink USB-C 4K@60Hz was disappointment at its generic identify, however the performance-to-price ratio is so spectacular, it will get a move 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, significantly for the reason that ports run alongside only one edge, with the HDMI connection on the finish.

The cable can also be braided, making it really feel extra premium than its $30 price ticket would recommend — which is the final theme right here. The HDMI 2.0 port can deal with a 4K exterior monitor at 60Hz, which must 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 price. The webcam carried out properly, even with a USB-A streaming mild at full brightness (one thing different hubs had bother with), and I discovered information switch speeds to exterior drives to be on par with and even quicker than costlier 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 when you want one thing with good monitor output, a few high-quality USB ports and a compact design, it is 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 the same array of ports that each one carried out properly in my checks. In the end, its shorter tethered cable and single USB-C port that both delivers energy or runs a peripheral led me to want Wavlink’s mannequin. However when you don’t have to cost your system by means of the port, you get an excellent hub for the cash with Plugable’s system.

Execs

Slim and compact
Beneficiant 10-inch cable
Nice worth

Cons

Only one downstream USB-C port

$13 at Amazon

Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

One concern with most USB-C hubs is an ironic lack of accessible downstream USB-C ports. Many high out at two, and a type of usually delivers energy solely and may’t run peripherals. Throughout three keyboard guides, our suggestions overwhelmingly require USB-C connectivity, all however one among our recommended webcams use USB-C and plenty of exterior storage drives depend on that port as properly. Meaning if you’d like a hub that connects your keys, digital camera and a drive on the similar time, you must hunt for one thing appropriate.

The EZQuest Slim Gen 2 hub provides you not only one or two usable Kind-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 notice that this connector doesn’t help audio or drive different peripherals. The remaining 4 ports adhere to the USB 3.1 Gen 2 commonplace, delivering as much as 10Gbps. As with all hub, the extra objects you’ve plugged in, the decrease the speeds every port will have the ability to ship, in order that max 10-gigabit price 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 totally loaded, the unit stayed comparatively cool. Whereas the included cable is lengthy, the hub itself is tremendous compact and concerning the dimension of a Skor bar. All of the ports come out of 1 aspect, so just like the funds 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

Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

At $140, the value of Belkin’s Connect Universal hub is edging into docking-station territory. But it surely doesn’t require a devoted energy provide and it has a compact construct, so it’s nonetheless decidedly a hub. That worth bump does get you a couple of options that the majority hubs don’t have, specifically 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).

Numerous 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 basically “sharing” a view of a tertiary display screen with the second monitor. That second monitor has a most refresh price 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 seemingly 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 might run a webcam, keyboard, mouse, Litra mild, two displays 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 aspect, the association on a desk appears to be like tidy, avoiding the spidery look of a hub with ports on all sides.

Shunting all of this connectivity does make the unit get fairly scorching: it appeared to get hotter than the entire different items 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 extremely popular throughout use

$140 at Belkin

What to search for in a USB-C hub

Hub vs docking station

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 commonplace for what differentiates the 2, however docking stations are inclined to have extra ports, provide a separate DC energy adapter and price extra, with some reaching upwards of $400. We’ve got a separate information to the best docking stations to take a look at when you’re on the lookout for one thing larger 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 value between $30 and $150.

Hubs, typically additionally known as dongles and even multiport adapters, make extra sense for smaller setups with just some peripherals, similar to a monitor, a wired keyboard and mouse, and the occasional exterior drive. They’re additionally extra moveable, since they’re small and require no devoted energy. That may very well be helpful when you change work areas however need to deliver your equipment with you, or if you wish to exchange your laptop computer with a more powerful tablet. A docking station or thunderbolt dock makes extra sense for somebody who wants a strong setup for his or her laptop computer, together with a number of exterior displays, 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.

Ports

For a USB-C hub to work, it wants to connect with a port in your laptop computer or pill that helps video, information 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 Kind-C as properly. The ocean of laptops out there’s huge, so it’s laborious to make generalizations, however fashionable laptops, together with Home windows and Apple fashions, ought to have a minimum of one USB-C port that can suffice, and certainly, each one among our high picks for the best laptops do.

Subsequent, it’s a matter of discovering an excellent USB-C hub that has the fitting connections in your wants. Most hubs provide some combo of HDMI, USB, SD card reader, Ethernet and three.5 mm ports. You probably have a 4K monitor and would really like a minimum of a 60Hz refresh price, 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 commonplace aren’t as widespread simply but. Understand that a low refresh price may cause your display screen to really feel laggy, making your mouse seem glitchy and your webcam actions to look delayed.

Further USB ports on these equipment are often Kind-A or Kind-C. They’ll help information with totally different switch charges, sometimes 5Gbps or 10Gbps. Some ports solely deal with passthrough energy and no information, and a few can do information, energy and video, so it’s greatest to examine the spec record to ensure you’re getting the help you want. Understand that a hub could invoice itself as a 7-in-1, however a type of ports might not be usable for something apart from charging.

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

Energy supply

Almost the entire USB-C hubs I examined help passthrough charging. Meaning in case your laptop computer or pill solely costs through USB, you don’t must take up one other port in your laptop computer to maintain every part topped up. Not like a docking station, powering a hub is non-obligatory. 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 occurring.

Most of the newer hubs embrace 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 slightly of the juice for themselves, therefore the 15-watt or so distinction). In my checks, a powered USB hub ran hotter than when it wasn’t passing the cost by means of, so I want to energy the pc instantly utilizing its personal charger. However for tablets or different gadgets with no additional ports, that PD choice is necessary.

Some PD ports are additionally information ports — which is each good and dangerous. On one hand, it feels wasteful to make use of a superbly good information port only for boring outdated electrical energy. However alternatively, 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.

Design

There’s surprisingly little design variation amongst hubs. Most appear like a flat slab, slightly smaller than a smartphone, and have an connected Kind-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 each side. All of that is simply to say that aesthetics most likely received’t make or break your shopping for resolution.

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

How we take a look at USB-C hubs

Earlier than we take a look at something, we check out what’s obtainable and the way they’ve been obtained by customers, forum-goers and different publications. I turned aware of a couple of respected manufacturers after I was testing docking stations, so I regarded into hubs from these firms as properly. I centered 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 pc and plugged in equipment that embrace 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 most likely 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 information or connectivity points weren’t associated to my gear.

Then I put every USB-C hub by means of a gamut of fundamental checks. I checked out what may very well be plugged in directly, the decision on the monitor, information switch speeds, the general construct high quality of the hub and basic usability elements, like the position of the ports and the size of the cords. And, lastly, the price-to-value ratio helped decide the very best ones for a couple of totally different use instances.

Different hubs we examined

HyperDrive Subsequent 10 Port USB-C Hub

There’s loads to love about HyperDrive’s Next 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 info transfers are screaming quick. It has the coveted two USB-C information ports plus a PD port, and there’s even a headphone jack. The one factor that holds again a full-throated endorsement is the best way 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 drawback didn’t occur on some other hub I examined.

Anker 341 USB-C Hub (7-in-1)

There’s nothing improper with the Anker 341 USB-C hub. In reality it’s a present advice in our iPad accessories guide and it comes at an awesome $35 worth. 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 slightly retro. There’s additionally only a single USB-C downstream port and the info switch checks proved to be a contact slower than the opposite hubs. However when you’ve acquired a decrease decision monitor and don’t want multiple USB-C, you received’t be disillusioned with it.

Anker 555 8-in-1

It was a tricky name between the UGreen Revodoc Professional 109 and the Anker 555 8-in-1 for our high advice. Each have the same port array with an HDMI, Ethernet, two USB Kind 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.

Startech 4-Port USB-C Hub (information solely)

I solely turned conscious of Startech after I began researching for this information. The standard is first rate and the yellow accents are a welcome little bit of colour 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 difficulty when you can energy your pc instantly. However the 4 USB ports (three Kind-A and one Kind-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 couple of extra USB ports in your setup.