The Ultimate USB-C Hub for 2025

Tablets and laptops are increasingly more powerful, yet there often aren’t enough ports available to utilize all that capability. While Bluetooth accessories certainly have their merits, many users may prefer the speed and precision of wired peripherals — along with devices that don’t have wireless options.

You have two primary choices for enhancing connectivity on your tablet or laptop: a docking station or a hub. Both provide a combination of additional USB, HDMI, SD card slots, Ethernet, and/or 3.5mm ports allowing you to connect devices like monitors or wired keyboards and mice. Docking stations tend to be larger, need AC power, and are generally stationary, whereas a USB-C hub is more portable and doesn’t require its own power source. We’ve tested over a dozen options to determine the best USB-C hub for expanding your connectivity, along with tips on what to consider before making a purchase.

The first decision is whether you need a USB-C hub or a USB-C docking station. There’s no definitive distinction between the two; however, docking stations generally offer more ports, include a separate DC power adapter, and tend to be pricier, with some costing over $400. For overviews of the best docking stations, refer to our standalone guide if you’re looking for a setup larger than what we discuss here. USB-C hubs, on the other hand, typically have between four to ten ports, may support pass-through charging, and usually range in price from $30 to $150.

Hubs, sometimes called dongles or multiport adapters, are more practical for smaller setups with just a few peripherals, like a monitor, a wired keyboard and mouse, and the occasional external drive. They’re also more portable, as they’re compact and don’t require dedicated power. This could be particularly beneficial if you frequently switch work environments but wish to carry your peripherals along, or if you’re transitioning from a laptop to a more powerful tablet. A docking station is better suited for someone needing a comprehensive setup with multiple external monitors, webcams, stream decks, microphones, etc.

Both docks and hubs facilitate the easy removal of your laptop from your desk for meetings or brief relocation; upon return, you only need to reconnect one cable to restore access to all your peripherals.

The primary port to consider is the one on your laptop or tablet. To use a USB-C hub, it must connect to a port that provides compatibility with video, data, and power — which is typically assured by any port designated as USB 3.0 or higher, including USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 and 4. Of course, the port must also be Type-C. Given the variety of laptops available, it’s challenging to generalize, but most modern laptops should possess at least one USB-C port that meets these requirements; indeed, every one of our top picks for the best laptops features one.

Next, you’ll want to identify a suitable USB-C hub that has the right connections for your needs. Most hubs provide a combination of HDMI, USB, SD card slots, Ethernet, and 3.5mm ports. If utilizing a 4K monitor with the desire for at least a 60Hz refresh rate, you’ll require a hub with an HDMI 2.0 port since HDMI 1.4 only supports up to 30Hz. While HDMI 2.1 can deliver 4K at up to 120Hz, hubs equipped with that standard are still scarce. Remember, a lower refresh rate may lead to a lagging screen, impacting mouse smoothness and webcam fluidity.

Extra USB ports on these devices generally include Type-A or Type-C, supporting varying data transfer rates, typically 5Gbps or 10Gbps. Some ports only allow passthrough power without data capability, while others support data, power, and video, so it’s wise to consult the specs to ensure you receive the required support. Also, remember that while a hub may market itself as 7-in-1, one of those ports could be exclusively for charging purposes.

Standard SD and microSD slots are practical for data transfers from cameras or similar devices. Ethernet ports could offer faster internet speeds compared to Wi-Fi, while a hub with a 3.5mm jack can restore the wired headphone option that some laptops have eliminated.

Most USB-C hubs I evaluated support passthrough charging. This capability means that if your laptop or tablet charges via USB, you don’t need to occupy another port on your device for power. In contrast to a docking station, powering a hub is optional. The only exception is when you wish to close the lid of your laptop while using it with an external monitor. Most laptops enter sleep mode if the lid is closed without power, requiring either the laptop or the hub to be plugged in to prevent that.

Many newer hubs incorporate a 100W USB-C power delivery (PD) port, typically providing around 80 to 85 watts to your Mac, PC, or tablet (the hubs take a small portion of the power for themselves, hence the 15-watt discrepancy). In my tests, a powered USB hub generated more heat than when it wasn’t facilitating a charge, so I prefer to connect the charger directly to the computer. However, for tablets or other devices lacking additional ports, having that PD option is crucial.

Some PD ports also function as data ports — both advantageous and disadvantageous. On one hand, it seems inefficient to use a capable data port solely for power. On the other hand, USB-C connections limited to charging are less versatile, which may mislead users regarding the actual number of accessory connections available.

There is surprisingly little variation in hub designs. Most resemble a flat rectangle, slightly smaller than a smartphone, with an attached Type-C host cable. The colors range from silvery black to silvery gray. Some are thinner, some position all ports on one edge, while others have ports on both sides. Overall, aesthetics are unlikely to significantly influence your purchasing decision.

One contrast that might sway your choice is the length of the cable. A longer cable offers greater flexibility in arranging the hub on your desk, perhaps allowing it to rest discreetly behind your laptop. Alternatively, a shorter cable can keep the hub neatly adjacent to your laptop.

Before testing, we examine the available options and their reception among users, forum discussions, and reviews from other outlets. Having become acquainted with a few reputable brands during my review of docking stations, I explored hubs from those manufacturers as well. I aimed to select devices that would assist in a typical productive day — rather than high-performance configurations or gaming setups. After narrowing down a dozen or so potential candidates, I had them sent to my modest office in the desert for thorough testing over several weeks.

I utilized an M1 MacBook Pro as the host computer and connected accessories that included 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 light, a USB-A 3.0 SanDisk thumb drive, a USB-C Samsung T7 Shield external drive, and a pair of wired headphones I received for complimentary on an airplane (while I should probably invest in quality wired headphones, I find the cord draped on my chest bothersome; hence, all my earbuds are wireless). I employed premium HDMI and USB-C cables to ensure that any connectivity issues were not due to equipment malfunctions.

Subsequently, I conducted each USB-C hub through a series of essential tests. I evaluated what devices could be connected simultaneously, the resolution supported on the monitor, data transfer rates, overall build quality, and usability considerations like port placement and cord lengths. Finally, the price-to-value ratio played a vital role in determining the top contenders for various use cases.

There’s much to appreciate about HyperDrive’s Next 10 Port USB-C Hub. The included tethered cable measures a generous 13 inches, the HDMI 2.0 port provides clear 4K visuals at 60Hz, and data transfers are exceptionally swift. It features the highly sought-after two USB-C data ports along with a PD port, plus a headphone jack. The only drawback preventing a strong recommendation stems from our unit’s interaction with a streaming light; at full brightness, it caused the webcam to flicker. The issue resolved at 75 percent brightness, but this problem did not appear when using other hubs.

The Anker 341 USB-C hub offers solid performance without any major flaws. It’s currently featured in our iPad accessories guide and is priced attractively at $35. The hub provides two USB-A ports and SD card slots; however, a 1.4 HDMI connection—only capable of 4K resolution at 30Hz—feels somewhat outdated. Additionally, it only has a single USB-C downstream port and the data transfer performance was slightly less impressive compared to other hubs. Nonetheless, if you own a lower-resolution monitor and don’t require more than one USB-C connection, you won’t be disappointed.

My knowledge of Startech expanded while conducting research for this guide. Their quality is commendable, and the yellow accents add a welcome touch of color to the otherwise monochrome world of hubs. The brand’s 4-Port USB-C Hub features an innovative long cord that wraps around the hub itself. While it lacks power delivery (not problematic if you can power your device via another means), the four USB ports (three Type-A and one Type-C) max out at 5Gbps and it does not include an HDMI connector. Priced at $46, there are more affordable options available for acquiring additional USB ports for your setup.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-usb-c-hub-120051833.html?src=rss

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