USB-C Hubs

One plug, many ports

A USB-C hub plugs into one USB-C port on your laptop and gives you a row of sockets: HDMI for a screen, USB-A for older plugs, a network socket, card slots and a USB-C socket for your charger. The hubs here run from six to thirteen sockets in one, mostly in aluminium bodies that sit flat beside the laptop or travel in a bag. A few are plain USB hubs with extra USB sockets only.

What is on the hubs here

• HDMI, one or two sockets, at 4K. Several give 4K at 60Hz, which is smooth on a large monitor; others give 4K at 30Hz, fine for a TV or slides.
• DisplayPort on some of the larger hubs, beside two HDMI.
• USB-A at 5Gbps or 10Gbps, for drives, memory sticks and receivers.
• Gigabit Ethernet for a wired network.
• SD and microSD slots, the card slots listings call SD/TF.
• Pass-through charging: a USB-C socket for your charger, listed at 85W to 100W.

How to choose a USB-C hub

Start with your laptop's port. The hub's screen sockets work only if the USB-C port carries video (DisplayPort Alt Mode, Thunderbolt or USB4), and its fast USB only at the speed the port offers. Then count what you plug in on a normal day and add one.

For two screens, check two things. A MacBook Air with M1 or M2 runs one external display, and many Macs show the same picture on both screens of a two-HDMI hub rather than two separate desktops. On Windows laptops two HDMI usually extend. If two separate screens matter on a Mac, look at docking stations that use DisplayLink.

For charging, the hub keeps a little of the charger's power for itself, so a 65W charger through a hub gives the laptop less than 65W. If Windows says "Slow charger", plug the charger straight into the laptop.

Questions people ask about USB-C hubs

Why are my USB sockets slow when the screen is on 4K at 60Hz?

Some hubs use all of the port's fast lanes for the picture at 4K 60Hz, which leaves their USB sockets at USB 2 speed. The listing usually says if this applies.

Can I use a USB-C hub with an iPad or a phone?

Many listings name tablets and phones too. What works depends on the device: check it supports video out and USB accessories.

Do I need a hub or just an adapter?

For one job, a single HDMI adapter or Ethernet adapter is smaller. For three or more, a hub. Our guide how to choose a USB-C hub explains each socket.

More to look at

• Laptop docking stations
• USB-C to HDMI adapters
• SD card readers
• HDMI cables
• USB-C laptop chargers
• Guide: How to choose a USB-C hub or docking station
• Guide: How to choose a laptop stand