It’s spectacular what tablets and ultraportable laptops can do. However to get probably the most performance out of them, you might have considered trying a number of extra ports at your disposal, which is the place a USB-C hub comes into play. By connecting to only one port, these useful gadgets offer you additional USB connections, HDMI slots, SD card readers and Ethernet jacks. Plus most supply pass-through charging so you’ll be able to preserve your pill powered whilst you work with all of your peripherals attached. We examined greater than a dozen fashions to give you a number of nice picks for various conditions and customers. Listed here are the perfect USB-C hubs based mostly on our testing.
Desk of contents
Finest USB-C hubs for 2025
Complete 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 normal SD | Different ports: Ethernet
The “109” in UGreen’s Revodok Pro 109 USB-C hub doubtless stands for the nine-in-one declare in its advertising and marketing 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 is likely to be lacking from a contemporary laptop computer, together with SD slots, USB-A ports, an Ethernet connection and a 4K HDMI hookup.
The 4K decision and 60Hz refresh fee seemed nice on my take a look at monitor and the information switch charges have been forward of different hubs in its worth vary. The pace take a look at on an Ethernet cable was on par with that of a costlier USB-C dock, 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 carried out. Right here, the tip stands out simply sufficient that you would be able to merely pull the cardboard out. These spring-loaded ejectors by no means work on the primary strive for me, so it is a extra elegant answer.
There’s only one usable downstream USB-C port; the opposite is barely able to delivering energy to your gadget. 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. Total, the hub performs properly and gives a well-rounded collection of connectors. For those who’d choose 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 wire that is about two inches longer, plus there’s one additional USB-A port that would definitely turn out to be useful.
- Good array of ports
- HDMI 2.0 helps 4K screens at 60Hz
- Beneficiant 10-inch cable
- Three USB-A ports
- Only one downstream USB-C port
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Complete 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 conversant in 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 go for the dearth of branding pizazz.
It’s slimmer than most hubs at about an inch-and-a-half huge, but the cable itself is a pair inches longer than the norm. The unit and the cables simply tuck behind a laptop computer, significantly because the 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 counsel — which is the overall theme right here. The HDMI 2.0 port can deal with a 4K exterior monitor at 60Hz, which ought to be a lot zippy sufficient for a mean 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 one USB-C jack is able to the identical fee. The webcam carried out properly, even with a USB-A streaming gentle at full brightness (one thing different hubs had bother with), and I discovered knowledge 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 in the event you want one thing with good monitor output, a few high-quality USB ports and a compact design, it is a good choose.
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 analogous array of ports that every one carried out properly in my exams. In the end, its shorter tethered cable and single USB-C port that both delivers energy or runs a peripheral led me to choose Wavlink’s mannequin. However in the event you don’t have to cost your gadget by means of the port, you get hub for the cash with Plugable’s gadget.
- Slim and compact
- Beneficiant 10-inch cable
- Nice worth
- Only one downstream USB-C port
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Complete 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 difficulty with most USB-C hubs is an ironic lack of accessible downstream USB-C ports. Many prime out at two, and a type of typically 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 recommended webcams use USB-C and lots of exterior storage drives depend on that port as properly. Meaning if you would like a hub that connects your keys, digital camera and a drive on the identical time, it’s a must to hunt for one thing suitable.
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 word that this connector doesn’t help audio or drive different peripherals. The remaining 4 ports adhere to the USB 3.1 Gen 2 normal, delivering as much as 10Gbps. As with every hub, the extra gadgets you’ve gotten 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 gentle all on the identical time. (Since I haven’t got a USB-C monitor, I plugged the HDMI cable straight 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 in regards to the dimension of a Skor bar. All of the ports come out of 1 facet, so just like the price range choose above, it’s simple to rearrange all of your connections to look neat in your desk.
- Loads of USB-C ports
- Removable and lengthy 20-inch cable
- No USB-A ports
- No HDMI port (helps USB-C video)
Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Complete 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 worth 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 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).
A variety 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 basically “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 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 gentle, 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 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 sizzling: it appeared to get hotter than the entire different items I attempted. Whereas I by no means observed any sick results because of this, I solely used it over the course of a pair days and wonder if there’d be any heat-related points with prolonged use.
- Numerous ports
- Good number of ports
- Driver permits for 2 prolonged exterior shows
- Costly
- Will get extremely popular throughout use
What to search for in a USB-C hub
Hub vs docking station
The very first thing to determine is whether or not you want a USB-C hub or a USB-C docking station. There’s no set normal for what differentiates the 2, however docking stations are likely to have extra ports, supply a separate DC energy adapter and value extra, with some reaching upwards of $400. We now have a separate information to the best docking stations to take a look at in the event you’re searching 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 price between $30 and $150.
Hubs, generally additionally known 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 moveable, since they’re small and require no devoted energy. That may very well be helpful in the event you change work areas however need to carry your equipment with you, or if you wish to change your laptop computer with a more powerful tablet. 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. In fact, in the event you simply have to plug in a single peripheral, you might not want a hub or a dock, a easy USB-C adapter, like HDMI to USB-C or USB-A to USB-C, might do the trick.
Ports
For a USB-C hub to work, it wants to connect 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 Thunderbolt 4. The port, after all, must be Kind-C as properly. The ocean of laptops out there may be huge, so it’s onerous to make generalizations, however trendy laptops, together with Home windows and Apple fashions, ought to have no less than one USB-C port that may suffice, and certainly, each considered one of our prime picks for the best laptops do — together with our prime choose, the M4 MacBook Air.
Subsequent, it’s a matter of discovering USB-C hub that has the proper connections on your wants. Most hubs supply some combo of HDMI, USB, SD card reader, Ethernet and three.5 mm ports. You probably have a 4K monitor and would really like no less than 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 normal aren’t as frequent simply but. Needless to say a low refresh fee could cause your display to really feel laggy, making your mouse seem glitchy and your webcam actions to look delayed.
Further USB ports on these equipment are normally USB Kind-A or USB Kind-C. They’ll help knowledge with totally 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 greatest to verify the spec record to be sure to’re getting the help you want. Needless to say a hub might invoice itself as a 7-in-1, however a type of ports might not be usable for something aside from charging.
Normal SD and microSD playing cards are helpful for transferring knowledge from cameras and the like or for offloading information out of your onerous drive, and lots of hubs have these slots. 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.
Energy supply
Practically the entire USB-C hubs I examined help passthrough charging. Meaning in case your laptop computer or pill solely prices by way of USB, you don’t should 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-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 stop that from taking place.
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, iPad or Android pill (the hubs take slightly 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 means of, so I choose to energy the pc straight 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 superbly good knowledge port only for boring previous electrical energy. However then again, USB-C connections that solely carry a cost are much less versatile, and it makes it appear to be it has extra accent hookups than it really does.
Design
There’s surprisingly little design variation amongst hubs. Most appear to be 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 would tip the scales is the size of the cable. An extended one will provide you with extra freedom as you prepare the hub in your desk, probably even letting you cover it behind your laptop computer. Or you might choose 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 accessible and the way they’ve been obtained by customers, forum-goers and different publications. I grew to become conversant in a number of respected manufacturers after I was testing docking stations, so I seemed into hubs from these corporations as properly. I centered on gadgets that might assist with a mean day of productiveness — not high-end setups or demanding gaming conditions. As soon as I settled on a dozen or so that might 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 gentle, a USB-A 3.0 Sandisk thumb drive, a USB-C Samsung T7 Protect exterior drive and a pair of wired headphones I obtained without spending a dime on an airplane (I ought to most likely put money into some wired headphones, however the wire 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 tools.
Then I put every USB-C hub by means of a gamut of fundamental exams. I checked out what may very well be plugged in without delay, the decision on the monitor, knowledge switch speeds, the general construct high quality of the hub and normal usability components, like the position of the ports and the size of the cords. And, lastly, the price-to-value ratio helped decide the perfect ones for a number of totally different use circumstances.
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 high-speed knowledge transfers are nice. 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 best way our unit dealt with a streaming gentle. Having it on at full brightness made the webcam flicker each time. The difficulty went away at 75 p.c brightness, however the identical downside didn’t occur on every other hub I examined.
Anker 341 USB-C Hub (7-in-1)
There’s nothing unsuitable with the Anker 341 USB-C hub. In reality it’s a present advice in our iPad accessories guide and it comes at an ideal $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 information switch exams proved to be a contact slower than the opposite hubs. However in the event you’ve obtained a decrease decision monitor and don’t want a couple of 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 prime advice. Each have an analogous 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 wire that offers you two additional inches to work with. However if you wish to save a couple of dollars this hub is a worthwhile choose.
Startech 4-Port USB-C Hub (knowledge solely)
I solely grew to become conscious of Startech after I began researching for this information. The standard is respectable 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 stable, with no hiccups that I encountered. The model’s 4-Port USB-C Hub has an extended wire that wraps across the hub itself, which is exclusive. It doesn’t trouble with energy supply, which isn’t a problem in the event you can energy your pc straight. 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 number of extra USB ports on your setup.
Latest updates
August 2025: Up to date to make sure our prime picks are nonetheless present and correct.
April 2025: Added our expertise with the Anker 555 8-in-1 hub to the Different hubs we examined part.
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