The perfect USB-C hub for 2026

Having fewer ports makes laptops and tablets lighter and extra reasonably priced — however that additionally cuts down in your connectivity choices. In case you’ve bought a MacBook Air, a slim Chromebook or a pill you’d wish to get extra utility out of, a USB-C hub might help. Utilizing only a single port in your machine, these multiport adapters will allow you to hook up screens, faucet into Ethernet cables, join mice and keyboards, and switch knowledge to drives and reminiscence playing cards. Most additionally provide you with a method to energy your machine by the hub to maximise port availability. We examined over a dozen fashions to give you picks for each finances. Listed below are the most effective USB-C hubs, in line with our assessments.

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Desk of contents

Greatest USB-C hubs for 2026

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

The “109” in UGreen’s Revodok Professional 109 USB-C hub seemingly stands for the nine-in-one declare in its advertising and marketing supplies, however since a type 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 likely to 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 appeared nice on my check monitor and the information switch charges had been forward of different hubs in its worth vary. The pace check 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 executed. Right here, the tip stands proud simply sufficient which you could 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 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. Total, the hub performs properly and affords a well-rounded choice of connectors. In case you’d want a DisplayPort connection and do not want the information card slots, take a look at UGreen’s 8-in-1 Revodok hub.

It was actually a tricky name between this and the Anker 555 8-in-1 for the highest advice. They’ve a reasonably 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 additional USB-A port that would actually come in useful.

Execs

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

$35 at Amazon

Picture 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 move 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, significantly because the 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 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 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 fee. The webcam carried out properly, even with a USB-A streaming mild at full brightness (one thing different hubs had bother with), and I discovered knowledge switch speeds to exterior drives to be on par with and even sooner than costlier hubs.

In fact, having only one downstream USB-C connection places a restrict in your setup: You possibly can have, for instance, a USB-C webcam or a USB-C keyboard plugged in, not each. However in case 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 suggest Plugable’s equally cleverly named USB-C 4-in-1 hub. It’s a greenback cheaper than the Wavlink possibility with an analogous array of ports that every one carried out properly in my assessments. Finally, its shorter tethered cable and single USB-C port that both delivers energy or runs a peripheral led me to want Wavlink’s mannequin. However in case you don’t have to cost your machine by the port, you get hub for the cash with Plugable’s machine.

Execs

Slim and compact
Beneficiant 10-inch cable
Nice worth

Cons

Only one downstream USB-C port

$20 at Wavlink

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

One subject with most USB-C hubs is an ironic lack of accessible downstream USB-C ports. Many high out at two, and a type of typically 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 really helpful webcams use USB-C and plenty of exterior storage drives depend on that port as properly. Meaning in order for you a hub that connects your keys, digicam and a drive on the similar time, you need to hunt for one thing appropriate.

The EZQuest Slim Gen 2 hub offers 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 assist audio or drive different peripherals. The remaining 4 ports adhere to the USB 3.1 Gen 2 normal, delivering as much as 10Gbps. As with every hub, the extra gadgets you might have plugged in, the decrease the speeds every port will be capable of ship, in order that max 10-gigabit fee is for one port at a time.

The connections had been lots for my setup, dealing with a keyboard, mouse, webcam and streaming mild all on the similar time. (Since I haven’t got a USB-C monitor, I plugged the HDMI cable immediately 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 in regards to the measurement of a Skor bar. All of the ports come out of 1 facet, so just like the finances choose 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)

$60 at Amazon

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

At $140, the worth of Belkin’s Join Common 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 a number 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 assist) and twin prolonged shows with an Apple MacBook (after you obtain the SiliconMotion driver).

Quite 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 fee 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 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 seems to be 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 all the different models I attempted. Whereas I by no means seen any in poor health results consequently, 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

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

Cons

Costly
Will get very popular throughout use

$140 at Belkin

Amy Skorheim for Engadget

Different USB-C hubs could also be cheaper and have extra ports, however nearly none have a design this intelligent. The Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 hub is a small spherical puck that appears much like the model’s OntheGo cellphone and watch charger — each are cute and really transportable. This one has the added comfort of a MagSafe attachment level, so you may snap it onto your iPhone when you’re utilizing it to entry a flash drive or microSD card. It even comes with an adhesive ring so you may connect the hub elsewhere, just like the again of your pc.

The hub itself has an HDMI port, an Ethernet connection and slots for micro and SD playing cards. There’s a 100W energy supply port that may move 80W to your laptop computer or pill — however that’s it for USB-C receptacles. Simply two 5Gbps Sort-A ports deal with peripherals and exterior drives. This in all probability isn’t the adapter to get in case you’re hoping to make use of a whole lot of equipment or want speedy exterior knowledge exchanges. However in case you’re available in the market for an unobtrusive and cleverly designed hub, this can be a good selection.

Execs

Distinctive magnetic attachment

Cons

No downstream USB-C ports

$60 at Amazon

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 normal for what differentiates the 2, however docking stations are inclined to have extra ports, provide a separate DC energy adapter and price extra, with some reaching upwards of $400. We now have a separate information to the greatest docking stations to take a look at in case you’re on the lookout for 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 sometimes 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, comparable 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 might be helpful in case you change work places however need to deliver your equipment with you, or if you wish to exchange your laptop computer with a extra highly effective pill. 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 temporary relocation and once you get again, you solely have to plug in a single cable to get all of your equipment reconnected. In fact, in case you simply have to plug in a single peripheral, chances are 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 connect 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 Sort-C as properly. The ocean of laptops out there may be huge, so it’s laborious to make generalizations, however fashionable laptops, together with Home windows and Apple fashions, ought to have at the very least one USB-C port that may suffice, and certainly, each certainly one of our high picks for the greatest laptops do — together with our high choose, the M4 MacBook Air.

Subsequent, it’s a matter of discovering USB-C hub that has the correct connections on your wants. Most hubs provide some combo of HDMI, USB, SD card reader, Ethernet and three.5 mm ports. When you’ve got a 4K monitor and would love at the very least 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 normal aren’t as widespread simply but. Understand that a low refresh fee may cause your display screen 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’ll assist knowledge with totally different switch charges, sometimes 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 test the spec checklist to ensure you’re getting the assist you want. Understand that a hub could invoice itself as a 7-in-1, however a type of ports is probably not usable for something apart from charging.

Normal SD and microSD playing cards are helpful for transferring knowledge from cameras and the like or for offloading recordsdata out of your laborious drive, and plenty of hubs have these slots. Ethernet ports could 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 all the USB-C hubs I examined assist passthrough charging. Meaning in case your laptop computer or pill solely costs through USB, you don’t need to take up one other port in your laptop computer to maintain the whole lot topped up. In contrast to a docking station, powering a hub is non-compulsory. 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 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 a 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, so I want to energy the pc immediately utilizing its personal charger. However for tablets or different units with no additional ports, that PD possibility 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 appear 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, a 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 in all probability gained’t make or break your shopping for determination.

One variation that would tip the scales is the size of the cable. An extended one gives you extra freedom as you organize the hub in your desk, doubtlessly even letting you cover it behind your laptop computer. Or chances are you’ll want 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 obtained by buyers, forum-goers and different publications. I turned accustomed to a number of respected manufacturers after I was testing docking stations, so I appeared into hubs from these corporations as properly. I targeted on gadgets 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 operating MacOS Sonoma because the host pc 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 Defend exterior drive and a pair of wired headphones I bought without spending a dime on an airplane (I ought to in all probability spend money on 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 a gamut of primary assessments. I checked out what might be plugged in without delay, the decision on the monitor, knowledge switch speeds, the general construct high quality of the hub and common usability elements, like the position 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 instances.

Different hubs we examined

HyperDrive Subsequent 10 Port USB-C Hub

There’s loads to love about HyperDrive’s Subsequent 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 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 % 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 flawed with the Anker 341 USB-C hub. In actual fact it’s a present advice in our iPad equipment information and it comes at a fantastic $35 worth. It offers 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 bit retro. There’s additionally only a single USB-C downstream port and the information switch assessments proved to be a contact slower than the opposite hubs. However in case you’ve bought a decrease decision monitor and don’t want a couple of USB-C, you gained’t be disenchanted with it.

Anker 555 8-in-1

It was a tricky name between the UGreen Revodoc Professional 109 and the Anker 555 8-in-1 for our high advice. Each have an analogous 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 twine that provides you two additional 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 respectable 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 twine that wraps across the hub itself, which is exclusive. It doesn’t hassle with energy supply, which isn’t a difficulty in case you can energy your pc immediately. 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 number of extra USB ports on your setup.

Latest updates

January 2026: Added an honorable point out from Satechi.

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