A USB-C hub means that you can add connections and ports that your laptop computer or pill lacks: an HDMI connection, for instance, or an SD card slot. But it is also essential to know whether or not what you are on the lookout for is a real USB-C hub, or a extra highly effective, pricier Thunderbolt dock. Both have their makes use of.
Laptops with USB-C ports have gotten an increasing number of frequent, because the world strikes away from slower, considerably rigid USB-A ports to this quicker, extra versatile connection commonplace. Some laptops solely have USB-C connections—which means a USB-C hub is important if you wish to join a wired USB mouse or keyboard, or an older wired printer.
Fortunately, there are such a lot of USB-C hubs out there with varied mixtures of legacy I/O that discovering one to fulfill your specific wants is as simple as ordering off a menu. We’ve divided our picks into two classes: primary and full-featured, the latter denoting hubs that provide larger extensibility, together with charging.
Expect to pay about $20 for the “basic” class of USB-A/SD hubs. The extra superior full-featured choices can run as much as $70 or so, relying upon which ports are included. For no matter cause, too, the shelf lifetime of a USB-C hub is brief! If one among our listings is bought out, there could also be an “upgraded” alternative out there.
We’ve tried a sampling of hubs to level out particulars you possibly can’t inform from the specs, like whether or not the ports are too crowded or the hub runs a bit scorching. Below our picks you’ll find data on how to choose a USB-C hub versus Thunderbolt and how we tested these hubs in our evaluations.
A USB-C hub connects to the USB-C on the facet of your laptop computer, similar to on this Lenovo Yoga C740. In this instance, the left port is used for charging, so that you’d want to purchase a USB-C hub with a charging enter to make use of with this slot. (Of course, you could possibly additionally purchase a hub with out charging capabilities and use it within the different USB-C port, to the best of the charging port.)
The greatest primary USB-C hubs
You shouldn’t should assume too arduous a few primary USB-C hub. Look for worth, think about whether or not you wish to pay a bit further for one thing like ethernet, and attempt to discover merchandise with guarantee for added peace of thoughts. Avoid any hubs that join on to the port somewhat than utilizing a twine, as they’ll block different ports. Also search for longer cords, so hubs do not dangle from tablets, for example.
AUKEY CB-C72 Multiport USB-C Hub
If you’re contemplating a USB-C to USB-A hub just like the AmazonBasics L6LUD012-CS-R, it’s price weighing Aukey’s hub first. That’s as a result of (at press time) Aukey’s hub was cheaper and gave you a special complement of ports.
The CB-C72 is a alternative for the CB-C65, which we advisable beforehand and has since gone out of inventory. It’s almost an identical in measurement (3.8 x 1.1 x 0.4 inches) and weight (1.9 oz./0.12 lb.), with a twine an inch shorter at just below six inches. The CB-C65 had three USB-A ports, which can be helpful if you wish to join a wired mouse, keyboard, and an exterior arduous drive. The CB-C72 has solely two USB-A connections, however the spacing between the ports is adequate. There are additionally SD and microSD slots, plus an HDMI output. (It does lack an ethernet port, nevertheless, so you will be pressured to make use of Wi-Fi.)
There had been some quirks within the CB-C65 that could be repeated within the CB-C72. In the sooner mannequin, Aukey requested you to insert the microSD card the wrong way up, although it fortunately did away with the awkward spring-loaded slot that sucks your card into many competing merchandise. As this can be a primary hub, there’s no charging enter, which implies your laptop computer or pill will want a second USB-C port or a devoted energy twine for charging whereas utilizing the hub.
AmazonFundamentals USB 3.1 Type C to 3 Port USB Hub with Ethernet (L6LUD001-CS-R)
The AmazonFundamentals L6LUD001-CS-R gives three USB 3.1 Type A ports, plus Gigabit ethernet, to your laptop computer’s present USB-C port. There are not any HDMI or charging inputs; that is merely an incremental step up from the AmazonFundamentals L6LUD012-CS-R, which forgoes the ethernet capabilities.
This hub is helpful for many who don’t have or don’t belief Wi-Fi on the go. The prolonged 14-inch twine provides some flexibility to your desktop format. The hub carried out comparably to the others we’ve examined, and there weren’t any points with temperature or energy.
At press time, the value was solely $3 or so above the value of the aforementioned AmazonFundamentals L6LUD012-CS-R, which makes this a no brainer in case you simply desire a primary hub. Though the hub ships in each black and white, we seen Amazon will sometimes low cost one or the opposite by just a few {dollars}.
The greatest full-featured USB-C hubs
Upper-tier USB-C hubs usually function much more ports, together with ethernet, HDMI, and energy inputs. This is basically the dongle equal of a docking station. Many of those fancier hubs share the identical primary six-inch cable of their extra primary cousins, which means they could dangle from tablets and a few laptops.
All of those hubs use a single show connection, which is okay for on a regular basis use. But you probably have the desk house, even a pair of primary 1080p shows could make a distinction. We examined a Lasuney dual-HDMI hub, which you will discover in our record of reviewed merchandise on the finish. Unfortunately, it did not make the minimize due to efficiency points.
VAVA VA-UC010
The VAVA VA-UC008 affords a compete docking station inside a beautiful, skilled chassis that is priced affordably. It gives nearly the entire connectivity you will want: three USB-A (two USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.1) ports, separate microSD/SD slots, 4K (at 30Hz) HDMI capabilities, and Gigabit ethernet. It additionally means that you can cost your laptop computer by way of a separate USB-C energy enter, as much as 100W. It solely lacks an audio jack.
At almost 5 inches lengthy and two inches broad, the VA-UC008 is a bit bigger than another hubs, and what seems to be about six inches of twine size remains to be a bit too brief in case your laptop computer’s USB-C port is mounted alongside the show panel. But the USB-A ports are neatly divvied up in order that even fats novelty USB sticks should not intrude with different connectors. We’re not in love with the USB 2.0 port, however it may be assigned to a mouse or keyboard with no concern.
We examined a previous era of hub from Vava, and it provided wonderful efficiency with out getting scorching.
Anker (Upgraded) USB-C Hub Adapter (7 in 1, A83460A2)
Can a USB-C hub really feel elegant? This one does. Anker’s 7-in-1 USB-C hub feels surprisingly weighty (3.5 ounces), with a premium metallic (aluminum and polycarbonate) sheen. It’s additionally a bit costlier than its rivals. Anker’s hub was among the many coolest we have examined underneath load, at about 87 levels.
Overall, Anker’s hub is effectively designed, with satisfactory spacing between the 2 USB-A ports. Instead of three Type A ports, there is a USB-C connection for knowledge, plus a second USB-C port for energy enter at as much as 85W rated. An HDMI port permits for 4K/30 video or 1080p/60 video to a single exterior show, commonplace for the class. Ethernet is excluded, nevertheless, so you will want to make use of Wi-Fi as a substitute. Cord size was about 8.5 inches, above the usual 6-inch size.
Anker’s hub was among the many quickest we examined to ship knowledge underneath load, together with simultaneous knowledge switch between USB-A ports whereas the SD ports had been lively. The hub affords an 18-month guarantee, and it even ships with a carrying pouch.
QGeeM 7 in 1 Type C Hub
The QGeeM 7-in-1 Hub I obtained tried to purchase me off with an in-box promotion that promised a $10 Amazon card if I left a constructive evaluation. It doesn’t want one, because it’s a compact, light-weight little hub that covers all of the fundamentals, save Ethernet.
The three USB 3.0 hubs are adequately spaced. An HDMI port on the finish of the dock helps a single 4K show at 30 Hz (or 1080p at 60 Hz)—par for the course for a typical USB-C hub. QGeeM’s hub contains help for each SD and microSD slots, utilizing the older, prevalent UHS-I SD card commonplace. Both playing cards share the identical controller, permitting them for use one card at a time. It does omit Ethernet, although.
QGeeM’s Web web page signifies that it accepts 100W (3A) energy supply although the USB-C enter port, although the in-box documentation says it permits for 60W most. Nevertheless, a USB-C charger linked to the port reported that it was charging adequately. Under load the hub wamed to about 94 levels, a snug temperature.
QGeeM does not appear to supply guarantee help, and the packaging skimps on niceties like a carrying bag. But this light-weight hub affords every part else a typical person will want, and for an important worth.
Other USB-C hubs we examined
Your USB-C hub selections prolong far past what we have advisable. Hubs combine and match totally different port sorts, and totally different kind components, too. Pay consideration to our scores, costs, and the quirks of every hub to search out alternate options that will suit your particular wants.
Lention C15
Lention’s C15 USB-C hub falls into the “basic” class, providing simply three USB-A Type 3.0 ports, an SD card reader, and a microSD/TF reader—and that’s it. Note that the USB-A ports are spaced far sufficient aside to help standard-sized USB keys and cords, however with out a lot wiggle room.
At just below $21, the C15 is dirt-cheap, and tucks simply into your bag. It’s price noting that prospects who’ve beforehand bought the Lention C15 complained that the hub turned unreasonably scorching and in some situations apparently interfered with their Wi-Fi connection. We seen no such points, and the hub warmed as much as simply 84 levels Fahrenheit underneath load, nothing to sweat about.
The C15 options an extra-long USB-C charging cable that stretches a full foot, considerably greater than the a number of inches different USB-C hub makers allocate. If you’re involved on the prospect of a dangling hub, the C15 is for you! Just bear in mind to flip the microSD card upsde down earlier than inserting it—it’s an odd quirk that some USB-C hubs endure from, together with this one.
Anker A8331
About the size and form of a cigar, Anker’s AB331 USB-C hub is for these whose pocket book or pill accommodates a USB-C port in addition to an microSD/SD card slot, such because the Microsoft Surface Go. There are three USB 3.0 Type A ports, Gigabit ethernet, and an HDMI connector—however that’s it. You additionally get Anker’s good status for supporting its merchandise.
The hub appears to be like good, and there’s even a fabric carrying case for its slim 4 x 0.75-inch kind. But the USB ports are jammed shut sufficient that three commonplace USB sticks subsequent to 1 one other barely match—and be careful if a USB stick is barely outsized. Why couldn’t Anker have used each side of its USB-C hub for ports?
(Since we wrote this evaluation, Anker rearranged the hubs and took about $10 off the value, with this redesigned version.)
The 6-inch USB-C twine is simply too brief for a pill with a USB-C connector mounted in its prime half, from which this hub would dangle. There’s additionally no USB-C charging. You shouldn’t have any issues with overheating, although—we copied information from two USB-connected drives whereas additionally downloading a file over ethernet, with no slowdown or noticeable warmth achieve.
At press time the value was $46—a bit excessive in comparison with different hubs we have examined.
Lenovo USB-C Travel Hub (GX90M61235)
Lenovo’s GX90M61235 USB-C journey hub retains the identical black, boxy aesthetic as generations of ThinkPad laptops. The odd pairing of connectors—VGA, HDMI (4K at 30Hz), a single USB 3.0 port, and Gigabit ethernet—means you’ll be utilizing your laptop computer’s keyboard, presumably a mouse, and both show connector. We’d somewhat see Lenovo choose both VGA or HDMI and add one other USB port.
To be truthful although, the entire ports carried out as anticipated and there was no perceptible warmth enhance after we tried to saturate the ethernet hyperlink and USB-C port concurrently.
There are higher offers elsewhere, by way of worth and ports. But in case you want a VGA connector, this is without doubt one of the few choices out there.
ICZI IZEC-TH01
ICZI’s IZEC-TH01 breaks from the standard USB-C hub design, forgoing the “candy bar” kind think about favor of a radial hub. Two USB 3.0 Type-A ports are seated subsequent to SD and microSD card slots, HDMI (4K at 30Hz) and VGA, Gigabit ethernet, and a USB-C enter connection for charging your laptop computer.
The extra-long 11-inch cable wraps across the exterior of the hub for storage. Sadly, the radial design means different cables (VGA, HDMI, and many others.) will find yourself stepping into all instructions. The heart of the hub is taken up by a tray with a magnetic faceplate, massive sufficient to retailer a dongle. Otherwise, our hub got here with no documentation by any means, only a 24-month guarantee card that’s double the length of most of its competitors.
The IZEC-TH01 does get a bit heat underneath load (copying information from an SD card to a PC whereas additionally copying information from an exterior arduous drive to an SSD, whereas streaming YouTube) however solely to about 88 levels Fahrenheit. It was a tad quicker than different hubs, too. VGA and HDMI can be utilized concurrently, and the hub provides as much as 900mA through USB-A for charging.
At 3.75 inches in diameter, IZEC-TH01 is a bit massive and hulking for our tastes, particularly with cables going each which manner. Otherwise it’s worth, and narrowly misses an Editor’s Choice award.
AmazonFundamentals L6LUD012-CS-R
This AmazonFundamentals USB-C hub is so simple as its title suggests: one extra-long (14 inches!) USB-C cable to your PC, linked to 4 USB 3.1 Type A ports on your legacy gadgets. Note that almost all hubs present 5Gbps USB 3.0 ports, whereas this one gives 10Gbps USB 3.1 connections; you’d in all probability by no means discover the distinction.
We linked the hub to 2 bus-powered drives (one a 2.5-inch arduous drive, and the opposite an SSD) plus a USB 3.0, bus-powered DVD-RW drive. We seen a slight drop in efficiency whereas enjoying again a DVD and copying knowledge between the 2 drives. But whereas one commenter on Amazon’s web site seen an influence drop, we had been in a position to burn a disc simply high-quality with our drive—it appears sufficient energy will get by way of the cable. The hub’s floor temperature didn’t rise quite a lot of levels above the ambient temperature.
This hub is reasonable, primary, and delivers passable efficiency for an important worth. It lacks an SD slot or among the different connections different hubs embody, nevertheless, which are actually out there for only a few {dollars} extra.
VAVA VA-UC006
While VAVA’s VA-UC006 packs a ton of performance in a compact bundle, a number of design flaws mar what’s in any other case a stable product. This “kitchen sink” hub measures barely lower than 4 x 2 inches, and combines three USB Type A ports, microSD/SD slots, HDMI (4K at 30Hz), and Gigabit ethernet, plus a USB-C charging port for charging your laptop computer.
While the 6-inch twine is already shorter than we might like, that is only one limitation. The USB ports are spaced too intently collectively for even a barely outsized USB key, like a SanDisk Cruzer Glide. The microSD card slot awkwardly forces you to lever the cardboard in with a fingernail, making the cardboard flush with the hub. Because of the hub’s thinness, the ethernet port has a hunged dropjaw, which has the potential to interrupt. During use, the hub heated as much as 99 levels Fahrenheit underneath load—not uncomfortable, however among the many warmest we tried.
We actually like VAVA’s aim of mixing every part you need it in a small kind issue, and we used the VA-UC006 to assist arrange our assessments. But there are different, higher alternate options.
Lasuney Triple Display USB Type C HUB
Lasuney’s 10-in-1 hub affords rather a lot on your cash, together with an uncommon mixture of not one however two HDMI ports, and even a DisplayPort. Ethernet’s included, too, letting the hub exchange lots of your wired connections.
Lasuney’s hub is effectively made, with good port spacing. It does not get uncomfortably heat, both.
That’s a number of knowledge to be placing over the USB-C port, although, and whereas we actually just like the pair of HDMI ports for dual-display configurations, the very fact is that you’re going to in all probability have to restrict your self to a pair of 1080p shows to keep away from saturating the bus and slowing down the connection.
The downside we discovered, although, is that the SD card slot is manner too gradual. It took twice as lengthy to switch knowledge in comparison with different hubs we examined. In all equity, our different disk-to-disk assessments took about the identical period of time. We actually like the flexibleness that the Lasuney hub affords, however there are different competing hubs that may do a greater job.
Keep studying to be taught concerning the important options for any USB-C hub.