The number of devices your computer, laptop, or tablet may connect significantly increases using a USB hub. If you choose the proper one, it might revolutionize the way you interact with your computer.
I’ve compiled a list of the top ten USB hubs on the market. I detailed each product and feature to help you choose the right hub.
I also relied on professional expertise, reading spec sheets and talking to computer professionals to determine which USB hubs were the finest.
See what I have for you!
1. Anker Massive Expansion 8-in-1
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What we like
- Value for money
- Multimedia connection
- Ethernet port support
- Compact design
Thing to consider
- Cannot allow pass-through charging
Product’s highlights
Even though the price of this Anker 8-in-1 USB Hub has increased dramatically, I continue to find it well worth the money. Every one of the hub’s ports served me well during my testing.
This hub fixed all those problems, including connecting to the internet through ethernet, an external backup drive, and an outdated laser printer.
I tested it with a 32-inch Samsung 4K display and found it to provide spot-on hues and tones. The Ethernet port is also used and works well for me.
This hub cannot allow pass-through charging to tablets or phones due to the power input restrictions of mobile devices.
The iPad Pro and iPad Air need a charging adaptor with a minimum output of 15V to ensure complete speed charging (45W).
You shouldn’t count on the same speed as you would with a specialized thunderbolt dock. But for a fraction of the cost and a fraction of the space, this hub does the trick!
Anker has the most satisfactory customer service. All my pals who have Macs released in 2016 or later have used and loved this hub.
2. SABRENT HB-UMLS
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What we like
- Easy to set it up
- Not expensive
- Simple and lovely design
- Well-made and sturdy construction
Thing to consider
- No power source
Product’s highlights
This Sabrent four-port USB hub is not expensive, but it is well crafted and sturdy, so that it will serve you well for a long time. That transport hub was the cheapest one I could locate.
It’s just what I needed, and the design is simple and lovely. Because of its long lifetime and sturdy construction, the hub is ideal for transport.
Since it needs no additional drivers or software, setting up a plug-and-play device is a breeze. My laptop’s installed OS detected it without any problems.
I connected a second keyboard, a USB mouse, and a USB webcam. The ability to toggle the USB ports on and off is quite convenient.
My 2013 Macbook Pro is just the right size for this 2.0 hub. I have no idea how fast the gadget is since speed is irrelevant to my use case. It will help if you think twice before buying one since it is merely USB 2.0 and has no power source.
3. Anker AK-A7516012
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What we like
- Supports USB 3.0
- Works consistently with all devices
- No need for any other power sources
- Compatible with both Windows and MacBook
Thing to consider
- Lacks of USB-C port
Product’s highlights
The Anker USB 3.0 port hub is a black box with an 8.4-inch extension from the left side that ends in a USB 3.0 connection. Four USB 3.0 ports on the front and a charging symbol indicate pass-through power.
Besides the Chromebook, I also tried it on an iMac and a 13-inch MacBook Pro. I connected a wired mouse and three storage devices to the hub, and it worked consistently with all of them.
Once I had everything lined up, the MacBook responded as quickly as ever. Additionally, the Anker is compatible with Windows-based notebooks.
This hub is compatible with various devices, including laptops, desktop computers, and digital cameras.
The four USB 3.0 ports are fully operational, and they’re all working at the same time. There is nothing like an HDMI, USB-C, or SD card slot.
The Anker 4-Port USB doesn’t need any other power sources to work. In this case, you may unplug it from the charger since it doesn’t need to be juiced up.
Connecting through USB will still provide adequate juice for your device, and all slots will remain functional. A good connection at a low price point is fantastic, especially compared to more expensive alternatives.
4. SABRENT HB-UM43
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What we like
- Easy to use
- Prevent damage to laptop ports
- No extra device drivers required
- Individual on and off switches for each port
Thing to consider
- Modest data transfer rate
Product’s highlights
To my delight, this gadget has lived up to my expectations. It fulfills its purpose and operates as claimed.
The Sabrent USB hub includes individual on and off switches for each port. Once pressing the button, a blue light will illuminate next to the port, and the port will be operational.
The port is turned off, and the blue light goes out when you click the button again. I don’t have to plug and unplug gadgets anymore constantly.
Many devices may be turned off when I’m not using them to prevent them from interfering with my ability to play other games. Because of this, I won’t have to fumble about pulling plugs in and out.
Controllers have a modest data transfer rate yet are very sensitive to data loss. For the time being, at least, I don’t seem to have any problems.
My laptop performs much better when I connect fewer peripherals at once. It has also helped me save money by reducing the frequency with which I need to replace cables repeatedly plugged in and disconnected.
Also, I don’t have to install any extra device drivers since the Sabrent USB hub works without them. This USB hub is ideal for the elderly since it is genuinely plug-and-play.
5. SABRENT HB-MCRM
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What we like
- Compact design
- Additional power source
- Automatic installation
- All ports function correctly
- Everything connects fast
Thing to consider
- It does not operate at full USB 3.0 speed
Product’s highlights
I was excited to get my hands on this compact USB hub in the form of a bar for evaluation. That’s fantastic news since my Surface Pro can now fit into its small carrying case, making it ideal for trips.
Connecting it to a USB port adds three more ports, bringing the total to four. It’s completely self-sufficient; you won’t need to find an additional power source, and there won’t be any drivers to download and install.
When you connect it, it automatically installs the necessary drivers. After trying four different USB devices, I can confirm that all ports function correctly.
With this USB hub, I can charge my electric battery, use my HD camera, and play the piano. Now that I’m using USB 2.0, everything connects fast, and I never have any problems with dropped or stalled data transfers.
Even though this is just USB 2.0 and not the newer and speedier USB 3.0, it is compatible with USB 3.0 ports. The problem is that it does not operate at full USB 3.0 speed.
Overall, this is a fantastic 2.0 central hub. If you require a lot of USB 2.0 ports, this is an excellent option.
6. IVETTO QF-UD50
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What we like
- More port
- Cooler running
- Prevent cable congestion
- Operate more quickly
Thing to consider
- It needs an AC adapter to supply power to the devices
Product’s highlights
It’s one of the few available alternatives with seven different inputs.
The temperature generated by this hub is lower than that of the 4-port hub, and it operates more quickly.
This gadget allows me to hook my sound system, keyboard, and mouse to my computer with a single cable. There is sufficient space between each port to prevent cable congestion.
Just as claimed, it provides the promised benefits. My only complaint is that if you plan on connecting anything that will need power from your computer, you should also have an AC adapter.
Avoid connecting two hard drives, a camcorder, a keyboard with backlighting, and an audio interface that requires XLR phantom power through USB.
If you do that, you run the danger of your spinning disks either not reading at all or reading at a slow pace.
The only problem was that the USB port looked a little snug when I initially attempted to insert a dongle. However, it works without a hitch.
7. Likorlove LLUSB
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What we like
- Lightweight and compact constructure
- The individual on and off buttons for each USB port
- Compatible with several devices
Thing to consider
- Cannot provide power to all devices at once
- No AC adaptor included
Product’s highlights
I needed this to keep track of the several USB devices I connected to my laptop.
It is how I hook up my computer accessories, including the keyboard, mouse, ring light, webcam, podcasting mic, and printer.
My three laptop USB ports were looser as I plugged and different unplugged accessories. I preferred an approach with less effort and wear and tear.
For me, the most distinctive feature of this USB hub was the individual on and off buttons for each USB port.
There was a constant need for me to connect and disconnect my microphone. As a result, I can save the USB port from unnecessary use by turning the switch off when I do not need the microphone.
The hub is compatible with several devices, but it cannot provide power to them all at once. The laptop can only run a few accessories simultaneously, so you must switch off most of them.
However, there is no AC adaptor included, which is disappointing. The splitter is lightweight and compact. After many weeks of usage, I can confidently say this was a wise investment.
8. BYEASY UH-109AN
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What we like
- Portable and lightweight
- Speedy data transfer rate
- Allow to charge many devices simultaneously
Thing to consider
- Lacks of port
Product’s highlights
This device is an excellent value if you need to expand a single USB port into four. I put it to use on my MacBook. I may now simultaneously connect my external USB mouse, keyboard, and thumb drive.
There is an average of 580 MB per second in data transmission, albeit this number might rise or fall depending on the size of the sent file. This USB 3.0 hub allowed me to transfer a 2.64GB movie clip in under 40 seconds.
It is portable, lightweight, and fast enough to transport data efficiently. The ports allow me to charge many devices simultaneously when connected to a powered-on PC.
Yet, this node does not receive any external power. Therefore, you shouldn’t count on getting a refund for anything larger than a pair of headphones.
A USB Hub with more ports is something I would recommend. But if you need something small, cheap, and practical, this is your option.
9. KEYMOX Compact Size Data USB Hub
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What we like
- AC adapter included
- Small size
- It has a charging port
- Individually turn off and on the ports
Thing to consider
- 4 ports only
Product’s highlights
This USB hub has a fantastic design, is quite helpful, and is high quality.
If you have a surplus of USB devices, particularly v3.0 devices, this hub will come in handy since it has enough outlets, and you can charge them with the supplied 5V/4A AC adapter.
It is a four-port brick so you can connect even more devices as necessary. However, a dedicated USB charging connector is on the front of the device for charging purposes only; you cannot use it to transmit data.
If you need to charge a phone, tablet, or another portable gadget, that’s all you should connect to it. Design-wise, it’s fantastic.
The item is quite cumbersome in size. I wouldn’t bring anything with me on the trip unless it were necessary. You would also need to carry the charger to use it with numerous lights or charge a 10-watt item like an iPad.
But when you put it in context, you’ll see that it works well.
10. Upgrow USB 3.0 Hub 4-Port USB Hub
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What we like
- Long cable
- USB 3.0 ports
- Power supply included
- Speedy performance
Thing to consider
- Bulky design
- Lacks USB Type C
Product’s highlights
You may use this hub wherever you have access to a USB port, whether at your desk or on the go. The length of the cable is suitable for applications.
The USB 3.0 ports recognized my external hard drives without any issues. Also, I appreciated that the USB ports were inserted at an angle. This design prevents the hub from moving about too much on the surface.
Files from here and my computer are indistinguishable from mine. I have a two-terabyte hard drive, an Elgato Wave 3, an RGB keyboard, a small key chain drive for the truck, and an adapter for the memory card in my drone, and I haven’t seen any slowdown in performance.
This little hub has several USB 3.0 connections. The USB Type C port is the only one missing.
Assembling the wire and power plug would be more practical.
Buying Guide
The Number of Ports
It’s a good idea to check for USB hubs that provide more ports than you’ll need. You may want to buy something if the price hike is not too much.
The Power Output
Before purchasing a hub that lacks an external outlet, think about what you want to plug into. The USB port can provide so much juice to your gadgets at once.
When a computer port turns into a hub, its maximum power output is shared across all ports. It implies that some of them may stop functioning if you connect too many devices to a hub without an external power source.
You can find the hub’s power capacity in the item’s description. A self-powered hub’s current draw is typically approximately 500mA.
The Power Source
The convenience of charging your devices without turning on your computer is a significant selling point of powered hubs. If your laptop can charge gadgets while switched off, you generally don’t need the extra cord.
The USB Version
Verify the version of the USB ports to ensure compatibility. Some hubs support USB 2.0 to keep prices down, which slows data transmission for USB 3.0 devices.
It is perfect if every one of your gadgets supports USB 2.0. It’s best to shell out the additional cash for a hub supporting higher speed if you want to stay up with your 3.0 devices.
FAQs
Is there a difference in USB hubs?
The capabilities of USB hubs and docking stations are the primary dividing line between the two. The computer powers the devices linked to a USB hub.
USB hubs primarily serve as port replicators, and their compact size and low weight make them convenient for travel.
Do USB hubs make things slower?
Each device connected to a USB hub will get the same data transfer speed as the slowest device connected directly to the hub.
However, this is not always at a 50/50 split. You can transfer data at a rate of 480 Mbit/s while using a USB 2.0 hub on your PC.
How many USB hubs can you connect to a PC?
The maximum number of USB ports you can install in a single personal computer is 127. The world, though, is a little bit different.
What’s the difference between USB 2.0 and 3.0 cables?
USB 3.0 cables increase the number of wires from 4 in USB 2.0 lines to 8 to support the increased data transfer speeds of 4.8Gbps and the increased power transmission of 900 mA. USB 2.0 cables can provide up to 500 mA of power and transport data at 480 Mbps.
Final Thoughts
It’s hardly surprising that Anker makes one of the best hubs.
With its high data transfer rates and many inputs, the Anker Massive Expansion 8-in-1 provides top-tier performance. For the smoothest possible 4K display, it also supports video at 60 frames per second.
This product is my best product. And you, what are your options?