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. In case you’ve obtained a MacBook Air, a slim Chromebook or a pill you’d wish to get extra utility out of, a USB-C hub may also 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 offer you a strategy to energy your machine via the hub to maximise port availability. We examined over a dozen fashions to provide you with picks for each finances. Listed here are the most effective USB-C hubs, in line with our exams.

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 type 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 may 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 information 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 way in which in, counting on a spring mechanism to push it again out once you’re carried out. Right here, the top stands proud simply sufficient you can merely pull the cardboard out. These spring-loaded ejectors by no means work on the primary attempt for me, so it is a extra elegant answer.

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 might deal with each, say, a USB-C keyboard and webcam. However the three USB-A ports, with one supporting as much as 10Gbps charges, largely make up for that oversight. General, the hub performs properly and affords a well-rounded number of connectors. In case you’d favor 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 troublesome name between this and the Anker 555 8-in-1 for the highest advice. They’ve a fairly related 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 might definitely 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

Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

This was my first expertise with a Wavlink product, as I used to be beforehand solely aware of them as a Wi-Fi router and extender model. My preliminary impression of the Wavlink USB-C 4K@60Hz was disappointment at its generic title, 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 broad, 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 a lot 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 gentle 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 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 when you want one thing with good monitor output, a few high-quality USB ports and a compact design, it is 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 each one carried out properly in my exams. 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 when you don’t must cost your machine via the port, you get hub for the cash with Plugable’s machine.

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 difficulty with most USB-C hubs is an ironic lack of obtainable downstream USB-C ports. Many prime out at two, and a type of usually delivers energy solely and may’t run peripherals. Throughout three keyboard guides, our suggestions overwhelmingly require USB-C connectivity, all however one in every of our recommended webcams use USB-C and lots of exterior storage drives depend on that port as properly. Which means in order for you a hub that connects your keys, digicam and a drive on the similar time, it’s important to hunt for one thing suitable.

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 notice that this connector doesn’t help 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 will 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 a lot for my setup, dealing with a keyboard, mouse, webcam and streaming gentle 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 aspect, so just like the finances decide 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

Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

At $140, the worth 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 value bump does get you a couple of options that almost all 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).

Plenty 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 might run a webcam, keyboard, mouse, Litra gentle, 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 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 scorching: it appeared to get hotter than all the different items I attempted. Whereas I by no means seen 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.

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 whilst 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 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 when you’re hoping to make use of plenty of equipment or want speedy exterior knowledge exchanges. However when you’re available in the market for an unobtrusive and cleverly designed hub, it is a sensible choice.

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, 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 help pass-through charging and usually price between $30 and $150.

Hubs, typically additionally known as dongles and even multiport adapters, make extra sense for smaller setups with only a few peripherals, akin 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 may very well be helpful when you change work areas however wish to deliver 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 strong 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 once you get again, you solely must plug in a single cable to get all of your equipment reconnected. After all, when you simply must plug in a single peripheral, you might 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’s huge, so it’s onerous 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 can suffice, and certainly, each one in every of our prime picks for the best laptops do — together with our prime decide, the M4 MacBook Air.

Subsequent, it’s a matter of discovering USB-C hub that has the correct connections in your wants. Most hubs supply some combo of HDMI, USB, SD card reader, Ethernet and three.5 mm ports. You probably have a 4K monitor and would really like 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. 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.

Extra USB ports on these equipment are normally USB Sort-A or USB Sort-C. They will help knowledge with completely 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 greatest to examine the spec listing to be sure you’re getting the help you want. Remember that a hub could invoice itself as a 7-in-1, however a type of ports might not be usable for something aside from charging.

Commonplace SD and microSD playing cards are helpful for transferring knowledge from cameras and the like or for offloading recordsdata out of your onerous drive, and lots 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 help passthrough charging. Which means in case your laptop computer or pill solely prices through USB, you don’t should take up one other port in your laptop computer to maintain all the things topped up. Not like a docking station, powering a hub is non-compulsory. 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 via, so I favor to energy the pc immediately utilizing its personal charger. However for tablets or different units with no additional ports, that PD possibility is vital.

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 then again, 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 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 either 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 might tip the scales is the size of the cable. An extended one gives you extra freedom as you prepare the hub in your desk, doubtlessly even letting you conceal it behind your laptop computer. Or you might 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 buyers, forum-goers and different publications. I grew to become aware of a couple of respected manufacturers after I was testing docking stations, so I regarded into hubs from these firms as properly. I centered on objects that may 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 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 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 gentle, a USB-A 3.0 Sandisk thumb drive, a USB-C Samsung T7 Protect exterior drive and a pair of wired headphones I obtained totally free 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 via a gamut of primary exams. I checked out what may very well be plugged in directly, the decision on the monitor, knowledge switch speeds, the general construct high quality of the hub and common usability components, like the location of the ports and the size of the cords. And, lastly, the price-to-value ratio helped decide the most effective ones for a couple of completely different use circumstances.

Different hubs we examined

HyperDrive Subsequent 10 Port USB-C Hub

There’s lots 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 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 gentle. 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 another hub I examined.

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

There’s nothing flawed with the Anker 341 USB-C hub. Actually it’s a present advice in our iPad accessories guide and it comes at an important $35 value. 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 obtained a decrease decision monitor and don’t want multiple USB-C, you received’t be disenchanted 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 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 bucks this hub is a worthwhile decide.

Startech 4-Port USB-C Hub (knowledge 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 a protracted twine that wraps across the hub itself, which is exclusive. It doesn’t hassle with energy supply, which isn’t a problem when 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 couple of extra USB ports in your setup.