The perfect USB-C hub for 2025

If you wish to get essentially the most out of your pill or laptop computer, a USB-C hub might help. Utilizing a single USB-C slot in your transportable pc, 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 predict the UGreen Revodok Pro 109 is one of the best USB-C hub for most individuals. However we have now a beneficial funds mannequin and a premium choose to offer you extra choices. We additionally break down port varieties, energy supply capabilities and design concerns that can assist you make the suitable selection 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 kind 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 perhaps 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 check monitor and the info switch charges have been forward of different hubs in its worth 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 while you’re performed. Right here, the top 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 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 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 affords a well-rounded choice of connectors. In case you’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 suggestion. 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 further USB-A port that would actually come in useful.

Professionals

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 accustomed to 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 shortage 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 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 needs to be loads 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 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 dearer hubs.

After all, having only one downstream USB-C connection places a restrict in your setup: You’ll be able to 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, this can be 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 the same array of ports that every one carried out nicely in my assessments. 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 means of the port, you get an excellent hub for the cash with Plugable’s machine.

Professionals

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 difficulty with most USB-C hubs is an ironic lack of accessible downstream USB-C ports. Many high 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 certainly one of our recommended webcams use USB-C and lots of exterior storage drives depend on that port as nicely. Which means if you would like a hub that connects your keys, digital camera and a drive on the identical time, you must 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 equipped one is a beneficiant 20 inches lengthy). One port is for video output with a claimed 4K output at 60Hz — simply be aware that this connector doesn’t assist 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 gadgets you’ve gotten 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 loads 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 in regards to the measurement of a Skor bar. All of the ports come out of 1 facet, so just like the funds choose above, it’s simple to rearrange all of your connections to look neat in your desk.

Professionals

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 just a few 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 assist) and twin prolonged shows with an Apple MacBook (after you obtain the SiliconMotion driver).

A lot 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 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 may 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 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 scorching: it appeared to get hotter than the entire different items 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 ponder whether there’d be any heat-related points with prolonged use.

Professionals

Numerous 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 customary for what differentiates the 2, however docking stations are likely to have extra ports, supply 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 greater than what we’re discussing right here. USB-C hubs, in distinction, have between 4 and 10 ports, can assist 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 just some peripherals, corresponding to 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 could possibly be helpful when you change work areas however wish to convey your equipment with you, or if you wish to substitute 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 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 transient relocation and while you get again, you solely must plug in a single cable to get all of your equipment reconnected.

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 4. The port, after all, must be Sort-C as nicely. The ocean of laptops out there’s huge, so it’s onerous to make generalizations, however fashionable laptops, together with Home windows and Apple fashions, ought to have not less than one USB-C port that can suffice, and certainly, each certainly one of our high picks for the best laptops do.

Subsequent, it’s a matter of discovering an excellent USB-C hub that has the suitable connections in your wants. Most hubs supply some combo of HDMI, USB, SD card reader, Ethernet and three.5 mm ports. When you have a 4K monitor and would really like not less than 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 customary aren’t as frequent simply but. Understand that a low refresh price could cause your display screen 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 assist 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 finest to test the spec checklist to be sure to’re getting the assist you want. Understand that a hub might invoice itself as a 7-in-1, however a kind of ports might not be usable for something aside from charging.

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

Energy supply

Practically the entire USB-C hubs I examined assist passthrough charging. Which means in case your laptop computer or pill solely expenses through USB, you don’t must 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 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 or pill (the hubs take a little bit of the juice for themselves, therefore the 15-watt or so distinction). In my assessments, 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 further 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 wonderfully 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 truly does.

Design

There’s surprisingly little design variation amongst hubs. Most appear to be a flat slab, a little bit 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 each side. All of that is simply to say that aesthetics most likely gained’t make or break your shopping for choice.

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, doubtlessly 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 check USB-C hubs

Earlier than we check something, we check out what’s obtainable and the way they’ve been acquired by customers, forum-goers and different publications. I turned accustomed to just a few respected manufacturers after I was testing docking stations, so I regarded into hubs from these firms as nicely. I targeted on gadgets 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 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 Protect exterior drive and a pair of wired headphones I acquired without cost on an airplane (I ought to most likely put money into 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 means of a gamut of fundamental assessments. 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 normal usability elements, like the location of the ports and the size of the cords. And, lastly, the price-to-value ratio helped decide one of the best ones for just a few totally different use instances.

Different hubs we examined

HyperDrive Subsequent 10 Port USB-C Hub

There’s rather a lot 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 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.

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

There’s nothing improper with the Anker 341 USB-C hub. In actual fact it’s a present suggestion in our iPad accessories guide and it comes at an excellent $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 a little bit retro. There’s additionally only a single USB-C downstream port and the info switch assessments proved to be a contact slower than the opposite hubs. However when you’ve acquired a decrease decision monitor and don’t want a couple of USB-C, you gained’t be upset 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 high suggestion. Each have the same 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, further USB-A port and longer twine that offers you two further 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 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 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 a protracted twine that wraps across the hub itself, which is exclusive. It doesn’t trouble with energy supply, which isn’t a problem when you can energy your pc straight. 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 just a few extra USB ports in your setup.