Today’s computers, in general, provide a lot of connectivity and expansion options; however, unless you are just a basic user, these expansions still may not be enough for you. In other words, you will need to purchase a device that would make all this possible, and the easiest way to manage that is by buying one of the best USB hubs.
This is a device that will offer great versatility and functionality, and give you much-needed expansion capabilities, of course, if you choose the proper model, which can be easily done if you follow the advice presented in the lines below.
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How to choose the best USB hub
When deciding for the best USB hub, you must consider the following hub characteristics:
USB
USB ports, their number, generation and overall capabilities are the most important aspect of any USB hub. Your chosen device can be super-cheap and offer 10 ports, but what is the point if every port is of USB2.0 type that offers much lower maximum data transfer speeds and needs significantly more time to transfer your pictures, movie or working files.
In other words, pay attention to the USB ports generation and depending on your preferences, choose the devices with at least a couple of USB3.0 ports.
Power Charging
Although power charging isn’t a must, it can make your life much easier and offer an additional power charging tool that would be more than appreciated by always power-hungry smartphones and gadgets.
Compatibility
What is the point of a device if it doesn’t work with your computer? Yes, you guessed right, none.
Therefore, in order not to end up in this type of scenario, read the small print and be sure that the hub you are buying is fully compatible with your devices, and that way, save yourself from a lot of future trouble.
9 Best USB Hubs
Anker 10 Port Data Hub
An Efficient Large-Capacity USB Hub
A high-quality product, with great functionality, is always welcomed by users, and Anker 10 Port 60W Data Hub is exactly that sort of device. It delivers a solid performance and presents a reliable USB hub option that should equally satisfy Windows, Linux and Mac users.
Anker 10 Port 60W Data Hub has a simple design and comes with a modest 18-month warranty. More importantly, it is equipped with a total of 10 USB ports, seven of which are reserved only for 5Gbps data transfer, and three that are fitted with Anker’s PowerIQ function and the ability to provide up to 2.1A of power per port.
Another interesting fact about this 60W hub is that it comes with built-in surge protection that eliminates the need for buying surge protectors, and that it provides more than enough capacity for both professional and regular use.
This hub has no major flaws, except that it needs an external power supply that, on the other hand, doesn’t affect its overall great usability, which surely makes it one of the best USB3.0 hubs available and a perfect long-run hub option.
- Compact
- A large number of USB ports
- It needs external power in order to work
- The USB cable could’ve been a bit longer
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TP-Link UH720
A Highly Compatible and Well-Performing Seven-Port Hub
TP-Link UH720 is slim, professional-looking 40W hub that offers plenty of connectivity and overall solid performance.
Although it isn’t perfect and comes with a few limitations (as for example, incompatibility with high-end gaming gear such as Logitech g502, and minor issues with reliability), TP-Link UH720 still presents a great deal. This is mostly due to the great compatibility that allows you to pair it with various Operating Systems as Windows, Linux, Chrome, Mac or Android.
Thanks to its seven USB3.0 data transfer ports (support 5Gbps data transfer speed) and two 2.4A USB charging ports, this hub offers plenty of functionality and capacity that should fulfill most of your needs.
As previously said, TP-Link UH720 isn’t a perfect device; however, it still delivers more than enough to be considered one of the best USB hubs out there and an overall great deal for many.
- Easy to use
- Plug and play functionality
- Great compatibility
- Lightweight
- Simple design
- Plastic shell prone to scratches
- It doesn’t work with Logitech g502 and similar gaming equipment
- Issues with reliability
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Anker 4-Port Data Hub
A Simple and Affordable USB Hub
Anker 4-Port USB 3.0 Ultra Slim Data Hub is a simple, yet highly practical hub that is only that, a hub. There are no extra features, not even a power charging function, only the ability to extend your one existing USB3.0 port to four ports.
Anker 4-Port USB 3.0 Ultra Slim Data Hub comes with an 18-month warranty and overall provides great durability. Moreover, it is slim, compact and lightweight, which makes it ideal for carrying in your bag or pocket and use in multiple locations.
This hub is fitted with four USB3.0 ports that support data transfer speed of up to 5Gbps and can work with both Mac and Windows-based devices. Also, it doesn’t require an external power source to work; however, that also makes it unsuitable for multiple hard drives and devices that demand high power consumption.
To make a long story short, if you are looking for a basic, as well as highly practical USB hub for everyday tasks, Anker 4-Port USB 3.0 Ultra Slim Data Hub is the best one you can find.
- Affordable
- Portable
- Sturdy
- Thin
- Reliable
- It doesn’t need an external power source
- No power charging
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Sabrent HB-UM43
A Cheap, but Efficient USB Hub
Greatness isn’t reserved only for the high priced, feature-rich products, but can also be found in simple and small stuff, such as Sabrent HB-UM43 hub that has everything that a mainstream user might need, and all that at a highly affordable price.
Sabrent HB-UM43 is fitted with four USB3.0 ports that support data transfer speed of up to 5Gbps, but unfortunately it has no power charging function. Each of these ports is fitted with a LED indicator and the ability to be turned on or off with the help of the dedicated switch, which isn’t that common among hubs, especially in this price range.
This hub is fully compatible with Linux, Windows and Mac-based devices and can be used with, or without a power adapter, which makes its use even more practical.
Many people don’t expect much when they buy affordable products; however, with Sabrent HB-UM43 you may be sure you will get a great product and overall excellent value for the money that will quickly convince you that you have made a good decision.
- Easy to use
- Cheap
- Excellent customer service
- Plug and play functionality
- Trouble-free performance
- You can individually turn on or off each port
- No power charging function
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AmazonBasics 7 Port USB 3.0 Hub
An Affordable, High Capacity Hub
A good price combined with decent performance and large capacity is what attracts customers, and AmazonBasics 7 Port USB 3.0 Hub is no exception to that rule. However, such a great interest brings along some other problems that unfortunately haven’t skipped this hub and that is, in the first place, inadequate quality control that makes this overall solid product look much worse than it deserves, especially considering the fact that there are more reasons to like it.
In the first place, there’s its small price and great capacity, presented through seven USB ports that support 5Gbps data transfer speed and power charging of up to 0.9A (five ports) or 1.5A (two ports). Other cool features are its simplicity, its Mac and Windows compatibility, as well as ease of use and the plug-and-play functionality.
Also, AmazonBasics 7 Port USB 3.0 Hub can be used with or without a power adapter, which is another important addition to its overall more than respectable value.
To make a long story short, if you are searching for an affordable, decent-quality USB hub that will deliver plenty of functionality, AmazonBasics 7 Port USB 3.0 Hub is a device that should be seriously considered.
- Easy to use
- Plug and play functionality
- Plenty of ports
- Portable
- A good price
- Maximum charging power is only 1.5A
- Poor build quality
- Not the best quality control
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Anker PowerExpand+
A Docking Station in the Body of a Hub
A perfect hub does not exist. However, if you are searching for something closest to that, Anker USB C Hub Adapter PowerExpand+ should be among your top picks.
With this 60W device, you are getting everything you need and much more, and for a highly affordable price. To begin with, you are getting a USB C port for powering your devices, 30Hz 4K compatible HDMI port for a premium video experience, as well as two standard USB3.0 ports, with 5Gbps data transfer capability and the ability to provide up to 0.9A of power charge.
In addition to that, you are getting a Gigabit Ethernet and both Micro-SD and SD card reader, as if you were buying the best SD card reader and not just the hub.
Anker USB C Hub Adapter PowerExpand+ comes with an 18-month warranty and offers great durability thanks to its aluminum/polycarbonate build that is one more of its great features, and overall presents the sheer top of offerings.
The device that is both the best USB hub for gaming and the best USB hub in general and altogether a great-value device that is always one step in front of the competition.
- Great connectivity
- Durable
- Affordable
- USB C port doesn’t support data transfer
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AUKEY Powered USB Hub 10 Port
Large Capacity and Sleek Design in One
If you are looking for a high-capacity USB hub that will deliver efficient performance and look attractive on your desk at the same time, AUKEY Powered USB Hub 10 Port is as made for you.
Slim, modern looking, with silver brushed aluminum finish and overall great functionality, this is the hub that will satisfy any Apple fan, or a PC user looking for a large number of simultaneous, fast data transfer connections (5Gbps) that will handle any job that is placed in front of it.
Unfortunately, this 36W hub doesn’t support power charging. However, it offers great portability and usability, and more importantly, delivers highly reliable performance, as it is expected from the best USB hub.
As such, this is a great deal, although maybe a bit pricey one. Nevertheless, you may be sure you are paying for the quality, or in other words, your money will pay off sooner or later.
- Compact
- Reliable
- Sleek
- Large capacity
- Portable
- No power charging function
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Unitek 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub
A Practical and Affordable USB Hub Dedicated to Not-Too-Demanding Users
Unitek 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub is a simple to use device, with great durability and compact size that make it practical for carrying around and using with multiple computers.
Its four USB3.0 ports provide data transfer speed of up to 5Gbps; however, they don’t support power charging that is reserved only for its micro USB port that delivers up to 1.5A of charging power. Also, keep in mind that, when multiple drives are connected to the hub, its power charging will significantly drop and decrease its charging speed.
Unitek 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub can work with Windows, Linux, Mac and Chrome OS-based systems and comes with built-in over-current protection that is just another one of its interesting features that add to its overall longevity.
Luckily or not, this device works without an external power source, which makes it more practical, as well as more limited at the same time, because it can be used only with low-power consuming devices, which automatically excludes external hard drives.
All in all, if affordability and practicality are the most important aspects you are looking for in a USB hub, and you don’t plan to use it for more power-consuming tasks, Unitek 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub is the best USB hub for you.
- Plug-and-play
- Easy to use
- Over-current protection
- Low price
- Durable
- Compact
- It doesn’t provide enough power to work with external HDDs
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HooToo USB C Hub
A Highly Versatile USB Hub
A good multifunctional USB hub is something many of you are looking for and with HooToo USB C Hub, that has become possible.
This is a 100W USB C hub with great connectivity that involves one Type C charging output, one 30Hz 4K-compatible HDMI port, as well as three USB3.0 ports, with a maximum data transfer speed of up to 5Gbps. Moreover, it is equipped with Gigabit Ethernet connection and it has a durable build that makes it practical for everyday use.
HooToo USB C Hub exterior is made out of ionized aluminum that looks attractive and helps this device perfectly fit your Mac or Chromebook, while its compact size allows its easy carrying and use in multiple locations.
Unfortunately, this hub also has one major downside, and that is its inconsistent work, or to be precise, its Ethernet connection has a tendency to show instability from time to time. Luckily, that isn’t a constant problem; nevertheless, it exists and as such, it may be a serious deal-breaker for many.
Therefore, if Ethernet is one of the more important characteristics you are looking for in a hub; better go for some other model. If, on the other hand, Ethernet is something that you are not planning to use in the first place, HooToo USB C Hub might be a great option for you and it is definitely a great way to expand your computer’s connectivity with ease.
- Great connectivity
- Plug-and-play
- Easy to use
- Sleek design
- A bit unstable work
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Conclusion
Looking to expand your computer connectivity? We are sure you can find the best USB hub in this list – just pay attention to your needs and wants, and then use the process of elimination to find your best pick. Good luck!