Best USB-C Hubs for 2024: Complete Buying Guide

By David Kim November 25, 2024 7 min read

Modern laptops sacrifice connectivity for thin designs, leaving users with two or three USB-C ports and nothing else. A quality USB-C hub restores functionality, but choosing the right one requires understanding your needs and avoiding common pitfalls.

What to Look For in a USB-C Hub

Power Delivery

Power Delivery (PD) pass-through lets you charge your laptop while using the hub. Look for hubs that support at least 85W PD—enough for most 13-15 inch laptops. The hub itself consumes 5-15W, so a 100W PD hub delivers 85-95W to your laptop.

If you have a 16-inch MacBook Pro or other power-hungry laptop, ensure the hub supports 100W PD pass-through. Using an underpowered hub can drain your battery during intensive tasks.

Data Transfer Speeds

USB specifications matter:

Budget hubs often use USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) for some ports, which is painfully slow for anything beyond keyboards and mice.

Display Support

HDMI and DisplayPort capabilities vary widely. For 4K monitors, ensure the hub supports 4K@60Hz minimum. Some budget hubs only support 4K@30Hz, which looks choppy and defeats the purpose of a high-resolution display.

For dual monitor setups, you'll need two video outputs or a Thunderbolt dock that can daisy-chain displays.

Best Overall: Anker 555 USB-C Hub (8-in-1)

The Anker 555 strikes an excellent balance between features, performance, and price at around $80. It includes:

Build quality is solid with an aluminum chassis that helps with heat dissipation. The attached cable is 7 inches long, providing flexibility for placement. Anker's 18-month warranty offers peace of mind.

This hub handles everyday tasks effortlessly: connecting an external monitor, charging your laptop, transferring files from an SD card, and plugging in a mouse and keyboard simultaneously without slowdowns.

Best for Travel: Satechi 5-in-1 USB-C Multiport Adapter

At just 2 ounces and the size of a deck of cards, the Satechi 5-in-1 (around $60) is purpose-built for portability. It offers:

The compact design means some compromises: no Ethernet port, no card readers, and only 60W charging. But for business travelers who need to connect to hotel TVs or conference room projectors while charging, it's ideal.

The aluminum finish matches MacBooks aesthetically, though it works perfectly with any USB-C laptop.

Best for Desk Setups: CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

If you want a true single-cable solution for a permanent desk setup, the CalDigit TS4 ($400) is the premium choice. This isn't a hub—it's a full-featured Thunderbolt 4 dock offering:

The TS4 supports up to dual 4K displays at 60Hz or a single 8K display. Three Thunderbolt 4 ports allow daisy-chaining additional devices or connecting high-speed storage arrays.

Yes, it's expensive, but for professionals with complex setups—multiple monitors, external drives, audio interfaces—it eliminates cable chaos. Connect everything to the dock once, then connect your laptop with a single cable when you sit down.

Budget Alternative for Desk Use: Plugable USB-C Triple Display Docking Station

At $180, the Plugable dock offers impressive features for the price:

It uses DisplayLink technology rather than Thunderbolt, which means broader compatibility with Windows laptops but slightly higher CPU usage. For office work and multitasking, performance is excellent.

Best for Video Production: OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock

The OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock ($280) caters to video editors and content creators who need reliable, high-bandwidth connections for external storage and video capture devices:

The FireWire 800 port is a rarity on modern docks, useful for legacy audio interfaces and older cameras. OWC includes a 2-meter Thunderbolt cable, longer than most competitors, allowing flexible desk placement.

Best Budget Option: UGREEN 6-in-1 USB-C Hub

For under $40, the UGREEN 6-in-1 delivers surprising value:

Build quality isn't premium—it's plastic rather than aluminum—but it's functional and reliable. Heat management is adequate for normal use, though sustained heavy data transfers can make it warm.

For students or casual users who need basic expansion without breaking the bank, this hub handles everyday tasks without issue.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Cheap No-Name Brands

Amazon is flooded with $25 hubs from brands you've never heard of. Many use substandard components, lack proper power management, and can damage your laptop or connected devices. Stick with established brands like Anker, Satechi, CalDigit, OWC, Plugable, or UGREEN.

Insufficient Power Delivery

A hub advertising "100W PD" doesn't deliver 100W to your laptop—it passes through up to 100W minus what the hub itself uses. Always check reviews to see actual delivered wattage.

HDMI Version Confusion

Some hubs advertise "4K support" but only do 4K@30Hz, which looks stuttery. Always verify 4K@60Hz support if you're connecting a 4K monitor.

All Ports in Use Simultaneously

Bandwidth is shared. Using the maximum data transfer on multiple ports simultaneously can cause slowdowns. This is physics, not a defect, but it's worth understanding the limitations.

The best USB-C hub is the one that matches your actual needs. Don't overpay for features you won't use, but don't cheap out on a hub if it's your laptop's only expansion option.

Final Recommendations

For most people, the Anker 555 offers the best combination of ports, performance, and price. Travelers should consider the compact Satechi 5-in-1, while desk-bound professionals with complex setups will appreciate the CalDigit TS4's comprehensive connectivity.

Whatever you choose, invest in a quality hub from a reputable brand. Your laptop, with its limited ports, depends on it.