The very best 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. For those who’ve obtained a MacBook Air, a slim Chromebook or a pill you’d wish to get extra utility out of, a USB-C hub will help. Utilizing only a single port in your gadget, these multiport adapters will allow you to hook up screens, faucet into Ethernet cables, join mice and keyboards, and switch information to drives and reminiscence playing cards. Most additionally provide you with a approach to energy your gadget by means of the hub to maximise port availability. We examined over a dozen fashions to give you picks for each price range. Listed here are one of the best USB-C hubs, in keeping with our assessments.

Desk of contents

Greatest USB-C hubs for 2026

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. 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 regarded nice on my check monitor and the info switch charges have been forward of different hubs in its value vary. The velocity check on an Ethernet cable was on par with that of a dearer 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 once you’re completed. Right here, the top stands out 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 just able to delivering energy to your gadget. 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 gives a well-rounded number of connectors. For those who’d favor 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 reasonably 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 further USB-A port that would definitely turn out to be 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

$35 at Amazon

Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

This was my first expertise with a Wavlink product, as I used to be beforehand solely conversant in 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 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 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 must 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 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 information switch speeds to exterior drives to be on par with and even sooner 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 in the event 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 identical array of ports that each one carried out properly in my assessments. In the end, its shorter tethered cable and single USB-C port that both delivers energy or runs a peripheral led me to favor Wavlink’s mannequin. However in the event you don’t must cost your gadget by means of the port, you get an excellent hub for the cash with Plugable’s gadget.

Execs

Slim and compact
Beneficiant 10-inch cable
Nice value

Cons

Only one downstream USB-C port

$20 at Wavlink

Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

One subject with most USB-C hubs is an ironic lack of obtainable downstream USB-C ports. Many prime out at two, and a kind of typically delivers energy solely and might’t run peripherals. Throughout three keyboard guides, our suggestions overwhelmingly require USB-C connectivity, all however one in all our recommended webcams use USB-C and plenty of exterior storage drives depend on that port as properly. Which means if you would like a hub that connects your keys, digital camera and a drive on the similar time, it’s a must to hunt for one thing suitable.

The EZQuest Slim Gen 2 hub offers 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 word 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 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 have been loads 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 instantly 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 dimension of a Skor bar. All of the ports come out of 1 aspect, so just like the price range choose above, it’s straightforward 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

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 value bump does get you a couple of options that almost all 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).

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 primarily “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 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 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 aspect, the association on a desk appears to be like 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 all the different models I attempted. Whereas I by no means seen any unwell results consequently, I solely used it over the course of a pair days and ponder whether 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 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 phone and watch charger — each are cute and really moveable. This one has the added comfort of a MagSafe attachment level, so you’ll be able to 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’ll be able to connect the hub elsewhere, just like the again of your laptop.

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 cross 80W to your laptop computer or pill — however that’s it for USB-C receptacles. Simply two 5Gbps Kind-A ports deal with peripherals and exterior drives. This in all probability isn’t the adapter to get in the event you’re hoping to make use of a whole lot of equipment or want speedy exterior information exchanges. However in the event you’re out there 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 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 in the event 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 assist pass-through charging and sometimes price between $30 and $150.

Hubs, typically additionally referred to as dongles and even multiport adapters, make extra sense for smaller setups with just some peripherals, similar 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 in the event you change work places however need to convey your equipment with you, or if you wish to exchange 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 straightforward to seize your laptop computer off your desk for a gathering or different temporary relocation and once you get again, you solely must plug in a single cable to get all of your equipment reconnected. After all, in the event you simply must 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 hook up 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 Kind-C as properly. The ocean of laptops out there’s huge, so it’s exhausting to make generalizations, however trendy laptops, together with Home windows and Apple fashions, ought to have not less than one USB-C port that may suffice, and certainly, each one in all our prime picks for the best laptops do — together with our prime choose, the M4 MacBook Air.

Subsequent, it’s a matter of discovering an excellent USB-C hub that has the precise connections on your wants. Most hubs supply some combo of HDMI, USB, SD card reader, Ethernet and three.5 mm ports. When you’ve got a 4K monitor and would really like not 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 normal aren’t as frequent simply but. Remember that a low refresh fee could 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 normally USB Kind-A or USB Kind-C. They will assist information with totally different switch charges, sometimes 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 finest to test the spec record to be sure you’re getting the assist you want. Remember that a hub might invoice itself as a 7-in-1, however a kind of ports is probably not usable for something apart 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 exhausting drive, and plenty 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 convey again the wired headphone connection that some laptops have ditched.

Energy supply

Practically all the USB-C hubs I examined assist passthrough charging. Which means in case your laptop computer or pill solely costs through USB, you don’t must take up one other port in your laptop computer to maintain every part 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 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 stop that from occurring.

Lots 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 somewhat 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 favor to energy the pc instantly utilizing its personal charger. However for tablets or different units with no further ports, that PD possibility is essential.

Some PD ports are additionally information ports — which is each good and unhealthy. On one hand, it feels wasteful to make use of a wonderfully good information port only for boring previous electrical energy. However then again, 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 truly does.

Design

There’s surprisingly little design variation amongst hubs. Most seem like a flat slab, somewhat smaller than a smartphone, and have an hooked up 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 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, probably even letting you cover it behind your laptop computer. Or you could favor 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 consumers, forum-goers and different publications. I turned conversant in a couple of respected manufacturers once I was testing docking stations, so I regarded into hubs from these corporations as properly. I centered on objects 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 working MacOS Sonoma because the host laptop 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 obtained at no cost on an airplane (I ought to in all probability spend money on 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 means of a gamut of primary assessments. 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 basic usability elements, like the position of the ports and the size of the cords. And, lastly, the price-to-value ratio helped decide one of the best ones for a couple of totally different use circumstances.

Different hubs we examined

HyperDrive Subsequent 10 Port USB-C Hub

There’s loads 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 best way 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 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 truth it’s a present advice in our iPad accessories guide and it comes at an excellent $35 value. 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 somewhat 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 in the event you’ve obtained a decrease decision monitor and don’t want multiple 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 an identical 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, further USB-A port and longer wire that offers you two further inches to work with. However if you wish to save a couple of bucks this hub is a worthwhile choose.

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

I solely turned conscious of Startech once 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 strong, with no hiccups that I encountered. The model’s 4-Port USB-C Hub has a protracted wire that wraps across the hub itself, which is exclusive. It doesn’t trouble with energy supply, which isn’t a problem in the event you can energy your laptop instantly. 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 couple of extra USB ports on your setup.