Usb c hub best buy

The latter are a bit bulkier, but tend to offer more connections. Generally, the larger, powered docks offer more features.

If you're missing a few key ports on your current or brand-new laptop then you need one of these best USB-C hubs to expand your options. While it's great that devices are now slimmer and lighter for convenience, it means that the number of ports that are available to users has dwindled. That means a USB-C hub is now a vital part of your setup to restore that flexibility. Here at TechRadar, we rely on them ourselves for our daily work, which means we know which ones are worth the money and which ones are not. In the market for a whole new laptop instead? Be sure to check out our best laptop guide for expert advice on a range of devices.

Usb c hub best buy

Modern computers are thinner and lighter than ever before, but sleek design comes at a cost: The number and types of ports on everything from MacBooks to all-in-one desktops have ended up on the chopping block. If you want to plug in anything with a connection other than a USB-C cable, the most efficient and economical option is to use a USB-C hub, which provides multiple types of ports in a relatively compact package. It has all of the ports you might want or need, including Ethernet, and it bested our top pick in data-transfer speeds. But finding a hub that reliably supports a 4K video signal at the 60 Hz rate that more modern monitors are capable of is rare. That refresh rate guarantees smooth scrolling on supported displays, addressing a major, longtime drawback of this category. In addition to its HDMI port, the USB-C Hub offers the connectors that most people need most of the time, and in our tests those ports worked just as well as expected. This hub is powerful enough to leave at your desk full-time as a docking station but small enough to slip into a laptop bag and use on the go. The USB-C Hub lacks an Ethernet port, and if you do try to use it with a 4K monitor, it produces only a 30 Hz refresh rate, not the superior, smoother movements of the 60 Hz refresh rate of our top pick. Sporting a faux-leather exterior, the uniquely designed Anker USB-C Hub 8-in-1 is something you might be proud of displaying on your desk or on the counter at your favorite coffee spot while you work. You get nearly the same experience with our top pick for less. Jason Cipriani has covered consumer technology for the past 15 years for a wide range of publications, reviewing and testing countless devices and gadgets during that time. He specializes in mobile, computing, and smart-home topics. Nick Guy, the previous author of this guide, has covered mobile and computer accessories for more than a decade. During his tenure at Wirecutter, he reviewed more than 1, iOS and Mac products, including dozens of hubs and docks. USB-C hubs and docks let you hook your old stuff up to your new stuff.

Plus, its sturdy and highly portable design makes it handy on the go or even as a semipermanent desk accessory.

One glance at the USB hub listings on Amazon will tell you that the market is full of choices, from tiny portable hubs that you can stash in your bag to large, powered hubs you'll want to keep on your desk. Though there are plenty of choices, not all of them are among the best USB hubs, and not all will meet your needs. To help you choose, we've tested more than a dozen models with different capabilities and listed the very best USB hubs on this page. We've also got some tips for picking the right type of USB hub. Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test. Getting a desktop USB hub like the Sabrent HB-B7C3 will change your tech life, both because of the amount of ports it has and because you can turn each one on and off.

Modern computers are thinner and lighter than ever before, but sleek design comes at a cost: The number and types of ports on everything from MacBooks to all-in-one desktops have ended up on the chopping block. If you want to plug in anything with a connection other than a USB-C cable, the most efficient and economical option is to use a USB-C hub, which provides multiple types of ports in a relatively compact package. It has all of the ports you might want or need, including Ethernet, and it bested our top pick in data-transfer speeds. But finding a hub that reliably supports a 4K video signal at the 60 Hz rate that more modern monitors are capable of is rare. That refresh rate guarantees smooth scrolling on supported displays, addressing a major, longtime drawback of this category.

Usb c hub best buy

One glance at the USB hub listings on Amazon will tell you that the market is full of choices, from tiny portable hubs that you can stash in your bag to large, powered hubs you'll want to keep on your desk. Though there are plenty of choices, not all of them are among the best USB hubs, and not all will meet your needs. To help you choose, we've tested more than a dozen models with different capabilities and listed the very best USB hubs on this page. We've also got some tips for picking the right type of USB hub. Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test. Getting a desktop USB hub like the Sabrent HB-B7C3 will change your tech life, both because of the amount of ports it has and because you can turn each one on and off. Sabrent's powered hub has a whopping ten USB Type-A ports, seven of which can do data transfer with the remaining three serving as changing ports only, capable of delivering more wattage to juice your phone, headset or tablet. Each USB port has its own dedicated power button and, unlike with some competitors we tested, Sabrent's port buttons depress quickly, and have solid mechanical switches that make a pleasant clicky noise and stay in the up or down position. There's also a cool-looking blue status light to let you know whether a port is on or off.

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As we dial up amps on any device, the voltage drops, so a 5 volt USB port could drop down to 4 volts or less as we increase the load, but USB devices need close to 5 volts — 4. USB-C docking stations are bigger and bulkier but add even more capabilities. Its slightly higher price kept it from being our top pick; if you see it on sale, it might be a good buy. What is the importance of having individual power switches. I would like to find a product that would not be so slow port to port, as I consider Can you please explain the best testing environment setup? Forget Sora, this is the AI video that will blow your mind — and maybe scare you. Create an Account. The phone charging test was probably the most realistic as it showed what kind of volts and amps a real device would negotiate with the hub. It took twice as long to transfer data compared to other hubs we tested. Dimensions: 3.

Check out the best hubs and docks, approved and tested by our CNET experts. USB-C has simplified the way we connect devices and computers. Most computers don't have enough ports for all your devices so if you want to connect all of those things at once, you'll run out of USB-C ports.

Pros Top-notch performance Support for three 4K60 displays Solid value 20W of charging power for smartphones, W for laptop Exemplary documentation. Most Popular. If you simply want to connect to an external p display—or two—a USB-C dongle should work fine, provided that the dongle has the available ports. Here at TechRadar, we rely on them ourselves for our daily work, which means we know which ones are worth the money and which ones are not. No account yet? This hub is powerful enough to leave at your desk full-time as a docking station but small enough to slip into a laptop bag and use on the go. Premium space aluminum shell makes the USB C hub sturdy and durable, Also designed to prevent overheating, keeping you and Your devices secure. Most hubs with Ethernet ports support gigabit speeds. Reasons to avoid - Expensive. We ran tests to measure transfer speeds, and we eliminated anything too slow. FAQ 1. Our test laptop did not have a USB Type-A 10 Gbps port so we connected the hub to a port on the back of our desktop and got read-and-write transfer rates of It offers fast data transfer through its USB-A connections. During his tenure at Wirecutter, he reviewed more than 1, iOS and Mac products, including dozens of hubs and docks.