The perfect USB-C hub for 2025

It’s spectacular what tablets and ultraportable laptops can do. However to get essentially the most performance out of them, it’s your decision 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 units provide you with additional USB connections, HDMI slots, SD card readers and Ethernet jacks. Plus most provide pass-through charging so you’ll be able to hold your pill powered when you work with all of your peripherals connected. We examined greater than a dozen fashions to give you a number of nice picks for various conditions and customers. Listed here are the most effective USB-C hubs primarily based on our testing.

Desk of contents

Greatest USB-C hubs for 2025

Picture 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 and marketing supplies, however since a kind of ports is energy solely, the variety of downstream connectors makes it extra of an eight-in-one. Nevertheless it’s a great-performing hub nonetheless. It has all of the hookups that could 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 regarded nice on my take a look at monitor and the info switch charges had been forward of different hubs in its value 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 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 simply able to delivering energy to your machine. 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. General, the hub performs nicely and gives a well-rounded choice of connectors. If you happen to’d choose 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 troublesome name between this and the Anker 555 8-in-1 for the highest advice. They’ve a fairly related 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 might actually come in 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

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

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 identify, 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 huge, but the cable itself is a pair inches longer than the norm. The unit and the cables simply tuck behind a laptop computer, notably 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 recommend — which is the overall 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 one USB-C jack is able to the identical fee. The webcam carried out nicely, 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 costlier hubs.

After all, 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 nicely in my checks. Finally, 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 when you don’t must cost your machine by the port, you get an excellent hub for the cash with Plugable’s machine.

Execs

Slim and compact
Beneficiant 10-inch cable
Nice value

Cons

Only one downstream USB-C port

$20 at Wavlink

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

One situation 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 recommended webcams use USB-C and plenty of exterior storage drives depend on that port as nicely. Meaning if you need 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 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 every hub, the extra objects you could have plugged in, the decrease the speeds every port will be capable to ship, in order that max 10-gigabit fee is for one port at a time.

The connections had been a lot for my setup, dealing with a keyboard, mouse, webcam and streaming mild 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 concerning the dimension of a Skor bar. All of the ports come out of 1 facet, 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

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

At $140, the worth of Belkin’s Connect Universal hub is edging into docking-station territory. Nevertheless 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, 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).

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 seemingly 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 appears 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 seen any ailing 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.

Execs

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

Cons

Costly
Will get highly regarded 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 likely to have extra ports, provide a separate DC energy adapter and price extra, with some reaching upwards of $400. Now we have a separate information to the best docking stations to take a look at when you’re in search of 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 usually value between $30 and $150.

Hubs, generally additionally known as dongles and even multiport adapters, make extra sense for smaller setups with only a few peripherals, equivalent 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 could possibly be helpful when you change work places however wish to deliver 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 strong 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 transient relocation and whenever you get again, you solely must plug in a single cable to get all of your equipment reconnected. After all, when you simply must plug in a single peripheral, it’s possible you’ll not want a hub or a dock, a easy USB-C adapter, like HDMI to USB-C or USB-A to USB-C, could do the trick.

Ports

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 Thunderbolt 4. The port, after all, must be Kind-C as nicely. The ocean of laptops out there may be huge, so it’s arduous to make generalizations, however fashionable laptops, together with Home windows and Apple fashions, ought to have no less than one USB-C port that can suffice, and certainly, each considered one of our prime picks for the best laptops do — together with our prime decide, the M4 MacBook Air.

Subsequent, it’s a matter of discovering an excellent USB-C hub that has the best connections to your wants. Most hubs provide some combo of HDMI, USB, SD card reader, Ethernet and three.5 mm ports. If in case you 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 commonplace aren’t as frequent simply but. Remember that a low refresh fee may 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 USB Kind-A or USB Kind-C. They will help knowledge with totally different switch charges, usually 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 examine the spec listing to be sure you’re getting the help you want. Remember that a hub could invoice itself as a 7-in-1, however a kind of ports will not be usable for something apart from charging.

Commonplace SD and microSD playing cards are helpful for transferring knowledge from cameras and the like or for offloading information out of your arduous drive, and plenty of hubs have these slots. 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

Practically the entire USB-C hubs I examined help passthrough charging. Meaning in case your laptop computer or pill solely fees through USB, you don’t must take up one other port in your laptop computer to maintain all the pieces 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 when 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 should be plugged into the wall to forestall that from occurring.

Most 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, iPad or Android 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, so I choose to energy the pc straight utilizing its personal charger. However for tablets or different units with no additional ports, that PD choice is essential.

Some PD ports are additionally knowledge ports — which is each good and unhealthy. On one hand, it feels wasteful to make use of a superbly good knowledge 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 really does.

Design

There’s surprisingly little design variation amongst hubs. Most seem 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 in all probability received’t make or break your shopping for determination.

One variation that might 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 it’s possible you’ll 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 obtainable 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 regarded into hubs from these firms as nicely. I targeted on objects that might 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 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 operating MacOS Sonoma because the host pc 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 Defend exterior drive and a pair of wired headphones I received totally free on an airplane (I ought to in all probability 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 gear.

Then I put every USB-C hub by a gamut of fundamental checks. I checked out what could possibly be plugged in directly, the decision on the monitor, knowledge switch speeds, the general construct high quality of the hub and common usability elements, like the location of the ports and the size of the cords. And, lastly, the price-to-value ratio helped decide the most effective ones for a number of totally different use circumstances.

Different hubs we examined

HyperDrive Subsequent 10 Port USB-C Hub

There’s so much 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 mild. Having it on at full brightness made the webcam flicker each time. The difficulty went away at 75 p.c brightness, however the identical drawback didn’t occur on another hub I examined.

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

There’s nothing mistaken with the Anker 341 USB-C hub. Actually it’s a present advice in our iPad accessories guide and it comes at an excellent $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 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 received a decrease decision monitor and don’t want a couple of USB-C, you received’t be dissatisfied with it.

Anker 555 8-in-1

It was a troublesome name between the UGreen Revodoc Professional 109 and the Anker 555 8-in-1 for our prime 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 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 decide.

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

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 shade 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 hassle with energy supply, which isn’t a difficulty when 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 to your setup.