The device offers powerful pass-through charging and USB-C Power Delivery compatibility for fast laptop connection. The USB-C and USB-A data ports provide file transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps.
Not the best sound quality through speakers.
This practical 7-port universal hub will come in particularly useful for owners of large gaming stations and onsole fans. While the availability of the slots for SD and microSD cards that support almost all formats makes it a great pick for photographers and their cameras.
USB 3.0 Type-C (~0.12 m)
2 x USB-A data ports, 1 x USB-C Power Delivery charging port, 1 x USB-C data port, 1 x HDMI port, 1 x microSD card slot, 1 x standard SD slot
Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, Mac OS X 10.6 or later, Linux 2.6.14 or later, iPad OS
Plastic
1.5 years
Thanks to an HDMI port you will be able to transfer the image to a TV screen with a resolution of up to 4K Ultra HD (3840x2160@30 fps). And there will be no risk of losing the image quality.
May get hot after long use.
In case you want to charge your phone, tablet, and other devices, you can do it with this model. Unlike with the other USB hubs, this 5-in-1 model doesn't make this process longer than charging from the mains.
USB 3.0 Type-C (~0.12 m)
2 x USB 3.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 x SD card reader, 1 x microSD card reader
Windows 7 and above, MAC OS 10.2 and above
Aluminium
1 year
To guarantee a long-lasting use, the USB cable was designed with a special shield. Hence, you can take advantage of the USB hub for years.
The quality of the plastic could be better.
This is a super-slim USB hub connector you can use almost everywhere. Without any doubt, it'll take nothing in your laptop bag or backpack. It will be very useful if you lack USP ports on your device.
USB 3.0 Type-A (~0.18 m)
Windows XP and above, MAC OS 10.2 and above
Plastic
1.5 years
The construction includes a 5V/2.4A micro USB slot for powering the devices that are connected via USB. It will be very handy if you use HDDs, SSDs and other power-hungry devices.
USB ports are situated close to each other.
If you want to connect a keyboard or a mouse to your laptop and use a flash-drive, but your device lacks space for all that stuff, this functional hub will be a great decision for you. It offers 4 more USB ports.
USB 3.0 Type-A (0.16 m)
4 х USB 3.0, 1 x microUSB for extra power supply (sold separately)
Windows XP and above, MAC OS 10.2 and above
Plastic
1.5 years (1 more year for product registration)
The aluminium housing, along with the soft-braided nylon cable included in the set, contribute to the durability of the device. Also included are 2 convenient LED indicators for monitoring issues.
Takes a long time to connect to MacBook.
The USB-C adapter provides a stable connection with speeds up to 1Gbps. Ideal for the bufferless movie streaming, online gaming, data transfer, and video conferencing.
USB 3.0 Type-C (~0.12 m)
3 х USB 3.0, 1 x Ethernet port
Windows XP and above, MAC OS 10.2 and above
Aluminium
Lifetime warranty
All Things USB
Imagine this: you need to plug in your smartphone into an office PC for a quick charge. But the only free USB port is at the very back, impossible to reach. Instead of cursing your life and diving under the table, try one of the multi-port USB hubs. If you need some advice as to the top pick, this would probably be the Anker USB-C unit.
What makes this hub so very special? First off, it offers the amazing pass-through charging plus the USB-C Power Delivery compatibility. The speeds for USB-C/A data ports go up as high as 5 Gbps, which makes for ultra-smooth device operating. (Note that the charger doesn’t come with the package.) The only issue you may have is that the speaker sound quality would not be the best with this USB hub.
The console or gaming station owners, on the other hand, will find this 7-port unit a real lifesaver. The same goes for avid streamers that wouldn’t want delays and lags to spoil their viewing experience. And if you’re into serious photography, the Anker provides slots for SD/microSD cards of nearly all formats. Access your recent shots – or other media files – with complete ease.
Finally, the Anker is really compact, offering a nice and sleek design. Just what you’d buy for your modern desktop.
Overall, this powerful and practical USB hub is an ideal choice for office workers, gamers, streamers, and active lifestyle users. It also makes a solid present to a friend or coworker, which they will thank you for.
Fast Connection With No Delays
With the NOVOO USB-C Hub, you can expand the possibilities of your laptop in the blink of an eye. It is robust and convenient, plus it has a decent number of ports. That’s why it is a runner-up in our list of the best USB-C Hubs.
First of all, the product offers you 5 extra ports: 2 USB, 1 slot for a microSD card, 1 slot for an SD card and an HDMI output. The latter one allows you to display the image from your phone, tablet, laptop and other gadgets on a high-resolution TV screen without losing image quality. And thanks to the card readers, you will get quick access to your personal data.
What we also like about this model is that it has a high speed of transferring data. Even if you decide to charge your device using this hub, the charging will take as much time as if you were using a socket.
The device is also pretty durable and comes in an aluminium body. The safety features of this model include overheating protection, anti-over circuit and anti-overcurrent. In addition to this, the quality of the device is supported by a 1-year warranty. Despite the metal body, this little tool is very light (around 81 g). It is also rather compact (with the dimensions of 11 x 1.6 x 2.4 cm it can easily fit in the pocket of your laptop bag).
In a word, the NOVOO USB-C Hub is a fast, versatile and functional device. If you want to add 5 more essential ports to your computer, we advise buying this model.
| Last updated price | £14.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B075FGQ988 |
Maximum Portability
A laptop, without any doubt, makes the difference in our everyday business life providing important access to the Internet. Since a small size of a notebook is one of its most significant features, it's crucial to equip this device with small peripherals as well. The USB Hub Anker Ultra Slim 4 is a nice solution if you're looking for the most compact tool to take it with you.
The very thin design (10.7 x 3 x 1 cm) provides an effortless carrying of the USB hub connector and the easiest accommodation wherever you work. The length of the cable is pretty good, 180 cm. In addition to the function of charging, this hub can also be used for data transferring. That way, you can hook it up to your PC or laptop and copy and share information from your smartphone, which is a handy option, especially if you own several media storage devices. The transfer speed is enough to quickly share an HD film in just a few seconds.
The last thing we want to add is that this port extender is pretty simple. Unlike its counterparts, it doesn’t have various ports and will suit those need USB ports only (the device features 4 of them).
In the end, we think that Anker 4 in 1 Ultra Slim Hub is a decent appliance that has a great price and quality ratio. If you seek an affordable but trustworthy device, this is what you should buy.
Slim and Light
When you connect such necessities as a keyboard or a mouse to your computer, there may be no ports left to connect a flash drive or a phone to charge it. But the UGREEN 4 in 1 USB Hub will become a quick choice for solving this problem.
This device is very easy to connect, just plug it into a type-C port and you will get 4 extra USB 3.0 ports. The ports have amazing speed and allow you to transfer 5 Gb per second, which makes them 10 times faster than USB 2.0 ports. You also can separately purchase a micro USB port for extra power supply for your phone or tablet. The device is compatible with different versions of Windows starting from Windows XP and with MAC OS 10.2 and higher, so compatibility shouldn't be a problem here.
The device has a plastic body. Yet, it is not less robust than its metal counterparts. In addition to this, you get an 18-month warranty and 1 additional year after registration. It is also fitted with all the necessary safety features that will prolong its service life.
The hub is very slim, sporting dimensions of 10.4 x 3 x 1.2 cm and with a weight of 59 g. The length of the cord is 160 cm, which should be plenty long enough for most uses.
In the end, if you are looking for a small yet trustworthy device that will improve your laptop or desktop computer, the GREEN 4 in 1 USB Hub is a good choice for you. It offers all the necessary ports you may need in daily use.
Smart & Small
Looking for a reliable USB hub for gaming or streaming? Enter the uni USB-C adapter. Fast and versatile, it will compensate for the lack of ports – and deliver the lag-free experience.
Let’s start with the fact that this hub can offer you the stable, up to 1 Gbps connection. Your online games won’t be buffering for ages, and binge-watching your favourite shows will go extra smoothly. If you need this hub for work, absolutely no problem; connect without the delays for a meeting or presentation.
As this hub is Plug & Play, you won’t be wasting time on any tricky installations. Simply connect it to your device of choice, and you’re ready to go. The nylon cable is soft-braided, which improves its durability. Add in the premium quality aluminium body, and you’ll have a perfectly compact but sturdy device. In fact, it’s not much bigger than your USB stick, making for a great travel companion.
Does this hub go along with MacBook? Yes and no. It works well with the Apple PCs – but takes quite some time to be connected. Should there be a problem or a status change, the handy LED indicators will display that in a flash. A single glance, and you’ll know all you need to know.
Summing up, the uni USB-C adapter was simply made for active lifestyle users. Extra small and portable, it can be carried in a bag or pocket. The high speed data transfer is ideal for avid streamers and gamers. Get this practical hub for yourself – or surprise a colleague with a nifty gift.
Infographics
What Is a USB Hub?
USB data transfer technology is literally a backbone of modern electronics. And when there aren’t enough free ports, USB hubs are used. A hub is a small splitter with multiple USB and (optionally) memory card slots. Any USB hub itself is plugged into a USB port of your device (PC, Mac, laptop, etc.).
While it might seem like having 7 or 10 USB ports to stick gadgets into is a bit of an overkill, just think about how many of your devices have this interface. Phones, cameras, music players, external hard drives, and more, all of them need a port for connectivity. And while your laptop might have two or three side-by-side, having the ports spaced out so you can stick as many cords in as you’d like. Plus, a USB transfer hub will often have up-to-date data protocols to make sure your files are transferred faster and no errors occur in the high speed process.
Thanks to USB hubs, you can upload photos from your camera, charge your iPod, and download a movie from an online store right to an external hard drive.
What Features to Compare
Interface and Data Transfer Rate
The first issue to consider is the interface supported by every USB hub. For example, all modern computers and laptops have USB 3.0 support and this type of interface is several times faster than USB 2.0, let alone older versions (1.0, for example). That’s why don’t forget to check what the supported USB version is. The interface is closely tied to a data transfer rate it provides. If you need to connect several external disk drives, for example, you need a USB hub with a high data transfer rate.
Design and Size
Of course, a design itself has no impact on quality of each USB hub. However, design is important, since a hub is always near your computer or laptop, it has to be stylish. No need to say, a hub has to be convenient - all the surface must be used reasonably. Make sure to choose the right size - if you travel a lot and carry a hub with you, choose a smaller one. Whereas a USB hub for home use can be of any size. There is another major feature that you need to pay attention to - cord length. As we've already mentioned, every hub connects to a computer or laptop via a USB cord, so the longer the cord is, the more convenient it will be to use it with a PC, whereas a shorter cord will be perfect for a laptop. Buying a USB hub with a short cord for using with a PC makes no sense - it will be very uncomfortable for you to lean and plug in and out the devices and flash drives. However, it isn't a problem if the main unit of your PC is a tabletop.
Number of Ports and Extras
The next important criterion is the number of USB ports in a hub. No need to say, it’s different - some hubs have just 4 of them (which means 4 devices can be plugged in), whereas others have up to 8 USB ports. Don’t forget to check all extras every USB hub has. For example, a really versatile hub has the slots for memory cards (like SD, microSD, etc.), so you don’t need to buy a card reader. Extras are particularly important if you use a PC - it’s very uncomfortable to lean down and insert them into a computer tower. Also, some USB hubs are connected to a power source so that you can charge or provide sufficient power to several devices (like external hard drives or cell phones) simultaneously.
Sources:
1. How to Choose the Perfect USB Hub for Your Needs, How-To Geek. July 20, 2014.
2. Rick Broida How to choose a USB hub, PCWorld. October 2, 2013.