The most effective 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 couple of extra ports at your disposal, which is the place a USB-C hub comes into play. By connecting to only one port, these helpful units offer you additional USB connections, HDMI slots, SD card readers and Ethernet jacks. Plus most provide pass-through charging so you possibly can maintain your pill powered whilst you work with all of your peripherals connected. We examined greater than a dozen fashions to give you a couple of nice picks for various conditions and customers. Listed below are the very best USB-C hubs based mostly on our testing.

Desk of contents

Greatest USB-C hubs for 2025

Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

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 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 price appeared 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 way in which in, counting on a spring mechanism to push it again out once you’re achieved. Right here, the tip 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 this can be 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 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. Total, the hub performs effectively and gives a well-rounded collection of connectors. When you’d choose a DisplayPort connection and do not want the information 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 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 come in useful.

Professionals

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

Photograph 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 shortage of branding pizazz.

It’s slimmer than most hubs at about an inch-and-a-half vast, but the cable itself is a pair inches longer than the norm. The unit and the cables simply tuck behind a laptop computer, notably for the reason that ports run alongside only one edge, with the HDMI connection on the finish.

The cable can be braided, making it really feel extra premium than its $30 price ticket would counsel — which is the final theme right here. The HDMI 2.0 port can deal with a 4K exterior monitor at 60Hz, which must be lots 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 price. The webcam carried out effectively, even with a USB-A streaming mild at full brightness (one thing different hubs had hassle with), and I discovered information switch speeds to exterior drives to be on par with and even sooner 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, this can be 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 possibility with an identical array of ports that every one carried out effectively in my exams. 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 have to cost your system by way of the port, you get a great hub for the cash with Plugable’s system.

Professionals

Slim and compact
Beneficiant 10-inch cable
Nice worth

Cons

Only one downstream USB-C port

$20 at Wavlink

Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

One difficulty with most USB-C hubs is an ironic lack of obtainable 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 one among our recommended webcams use USB-C and lots of exterior storage drives depend on that port as effectively. Meaning if you need a hub that connects your keys, digicam and a drive on the identical time, it’s important to 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 provided one is a beneficiant 20 inches lengthy). One port is for video output with a claimed 4K output at 60Hz — simply observe 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 will have plugged in, the decrease the speeds every port will be capable of ship, in order that max 10-gigabit price is for one port at a time.

The connections have been lots 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 totally loaded, the unit stayed comparatively cool. Whereas the included cable is lengthy, the hub itself is tremendous compact and concerning the measurement of a Skor bar. All of the ports come out of 1 aspect, so just like the funds decide above, it’s straightforward 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. Nevertheless it 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, 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 price of 30Hz for 4K resolutions, however the first exterior show retains its 4K@60Hz visuals. I haven’t examined each possibility 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 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 aspect, 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 observed any unwell results in consequence, 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 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 determine 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 value 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 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 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, reminiscent of 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 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 straightforward to seize your laptop computer off your desk for a gathering or different temporary relocation and once you get again, you solely have to plug in a single cable to get all of your equipment reconnected. After all, when you simply have to plug in a single peripheral, you could 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, information 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 Sort-C as effectively. 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 no less than one USB-C port that can suffice, and certainly, each one among our high picks for the best laptops do — together with our high decide, the M4 MacBook Air.

Subsequent, it’s a matter of discovering a great USB-C hub that has the precise connections to your wants. Most hubs provide some combo of HDMI, USB, SD card reader, Ethernet and three.5 mm ports. When you have a 4K monitor and would really like no 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 commonplace aren’t as frequent simply but. Take into account that a low refresh price may 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 often USB Sort-A or USB Sort-C. They will help information with completely different switch charges, usually 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 verify the spec listing to ensure you’re getting the help you want. Take into account that a hub might invoice itself as a 7-in-1, however a kind of ports is probably not usable for something aside from charging.

Normal SD and microSD playing cards are helpful for transferring information from cameras and the like or for offloading recordsdata out of your onerous drive, and lots of hubs have these slots. Ethernet ports might ship sooner 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 expenses by way of USB, you don’t need to take up one other port in your laptop computer to maintain all the things topped up. In contrast to a docking station, powering a hub is optionally available. 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.

Lots 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 just a little 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 way of, so I choose to energy the pc straight utilizing its personal charger. However for tablets or different units with no additional ports, that PD possibility is vital.

Some PD ports are additionally information ports — which is each good and unhealthy. 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 seem to be it has extra accent hookups than it really does.

Design

There’s surprisingly little design variation amongst hubs. Most seem like a flat slab, just a little 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 in all probability received’t make or break your shopping for choice.

One variation that would tip the scales is the size of the cable. An extended one provides you with extra freedom as you organize the hub in your desk, probably even letting you conceal it behind your laptop computer. Or you could 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 out there and the way they’ve been acquired by customers, forum-goers and different publications. I grew to become acquainted with a couple of respected manufacturers after I was testing docking stations, so I appeared into hubs from these corporations as effectively. I centered on objects 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 laptop 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 received at no cost 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 information or connectivity points weren’t associated to my tools.

Then I put every USB-C hub by way of a gamut of primary exams. I checked out what could possibly be plugged in directly, the decision on the monitor, information 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 very best ones for a couple of completely different use circumstances.

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 high-speed information transfers are nice. 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 way in which 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 some other hub I examined.

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

There’s nothing mistaken with the Anker 341 USB-C hub. In reality it’s a present advice 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 just a little 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 when you’ve received a decrease decision monitor and don’t want multiple USB-C, you received’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 advice. Each have an identical 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, additional USB-A port and longer wire that provides 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 (information 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 colour 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 when you can energy your laptop 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 a couple of extra USB ports to your setup.