At Laptop Mag, we test tons of peripherals, which is why we’re experts on the best USB Type-C hubs. With a single USB Type-C hub, you can add USB Type-A ports, HDMI outputs, Ethernet jacks, and SD memory readers to some of the best laptops or best Chromebooks that have forsaken larger ports.
Even with a small USB Type-C hub, you can change how your device is used entirely when you give it some necessary ports.
We did the testing to guide you through the best USB Type-C hubs you can buy. Along the way, we’ve noticed little quirks, such as ports too small for USB sticks and HDMI outputs that don’t work as well with PCs. We’ve noted them in this helpful buying guide so that you know exactly what to expect when purchasing a USB Type-C hub.
For everything you need to know about USB-C Cable types, we’ve got you covered. And, You can find our best USB Type-C accessories and cables and best portable chargers, along with the best laptop docking stations if you’re looking to expand that work station.
What is the best USB Type-C hub?
The best USB-C hubs should have all the ports you desire while still being portable enough to lug around. And of course, it should work well and you should be satisfied with its performance.
We highly recommend the Dell DA300 6-in-1 USB-C hub as the best USB Type-C hub. This Dell product is perfect for those seeking a USB type-C hub that is both aesthetically pleasing and high performing. We love the Dell DA300 for its portability and small footprint — its circular shape and retractable cable are some of its eye-catching, head-turning features.
However, if you’re looking for a little more oomph, especially for premium gaming setups, you’ll definitely want to keep your eye on the Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock. The amount of equipment it can accommodate is staggering, with a plethora of ports just waiting to connect several monitors, a couple of headsets and a laptop. We love it, but it’s a very expensive piece of tech. However, there are many more options to pick from, and you can check them all out below.
Plugable, known for its laptop docking stations, announced the new USBC-7IN1E 7-in-one hub with 4K capabilities, while a small pocket-sized 7 port USB-C hub known as the OmniCase has launched on Kickstarter, and it even comes with cables in its small case.
Without further ado, here are the best USB Type-C hubs.
The best USB Type-C hubs to buy today
1. Dell DA300 6-in-1 USB-C Hub
The best overall USB Type-C hub you can buy
Ports: 1 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x VGA, 1 x RJ45 Ethernet, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C, 1 x USB-A 3.1
Wide-variety of ports
Petite
Concealed cable
Pricey
The Dell DA300 is one of the smallest and most portable USB-C hubs that I’ve seen, thanks to its circular shape and retractable cable. It features an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, a VGA port, an RJ45 Ethernet port, one USB Type-C port, and one USB 3.1 port. It doesn’t have the largest number of ports, but its wide variety makes up for that. Overall, it’s a great USB-C hub to take on the go, as long as you’re okay with the price.
(Image credit: Future)2. Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock
The best premium hub to buy
Ports: 2 x USB 3.2 Type-C port, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-A input, 2 x HDMI 2.0 ports, 1 x Thunderbolt 3 port, 1 x Gigabit Ethernet port, 1 x headset jack, 1 x SD card reader
Premium, durable design
Plenty of ports
Supports two 4K, 60Hz displays
Expensive
Never have any of them looked as good or accommodated as many pieces of equipment as the Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock. Its premium design screams office, but it’ll look just as good manning a gaming station. Plus, it’s got a plethora of ports just waiting to connect several monitors, a couple of headsets and a laptop.
However, at $259, the TBT100 has a steep entry price which might give many home office workers and gamers pause. But if you can look past the price, the Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock is an essential piece of tech.
See our full Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock review
(Image credit: Future)3. Kensington SD1600P USB-C Mobile Dock
The best hybrid dock for travelling professionals
Ports: 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen1, 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen, 1 x HDMI v1.4, 1 x HD VGA, Gigabit Ethernet Port
USB-C pass-through power
Easily transportable
4K output
Lightweight
Could use more ports
Awkward port placement
Flimsy design
The Kensington SD1600P USB-C Mobile Dock is unique as it acts as a viable docking station and an excellent USB-C hub for laptop users on the move. Its USB-C passthrough power supply and additional ports will free up all your other laptop inputs while charging your laptop and any other devices connected to it. Don’t need a power supply? That’s fine, as it can also be powered by your laptop.
While Kensington labels the SD1600P USB-C Mobile Dock as a docking station on the device’s listing page, it also claims it can use a laptop’s battery when traveling — which is, by the company’s definition, a USB-C hub. In truth, it simply brings the best of both worlds. If you can excuse the awkward port placement and don’t have a 16-inch MacBook Pro (2020), this mobile dock is a solid purchase for traveling professionals.
See our full Kensington SD1600P USB-C Mobile Dock review
4. Kingston Nucleum USB-C Hub
Quality hub with plenty of ports
Ports: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 x SD card slot, 1 x microSD card slot, 2 x USB-C (one charging)
Plentiful number of ports
Petite
Pass-through charging
Features microSD
Pricey
Kingston’s Nucleum USB-C hub is small and slick, with access to two USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, an SD and microSD card slot, one USB-C charging port and one regular USB-C port. It doesn’t feel too light or cheaply made, and even the cable is sturdy. The Nucleum is an overall quality hub, but it is pretty expensive.
5. Landhoo 5 in 1 USB Type-C Hub
An slick and adaptable USB-Type C Hub
Ports: 1 x HDMI, 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x SD card slot, 1 x microSD card slot, 1 x USB Type-C (charging)
Type-C charging port
Adds HDMI, SD memory ports
Not the strongest connection
You may not have heard of accessory-maker Landhoo before, but this snap-on hub, available in silver, space gray, black, gold and rose gold, is starting the company out on the right foot with us.
Not only does it offer an HDMI output port, dual USB 3.0 ports, an SD memory reader, and a microSD memory reader, but its pass-through-charging Type-C port means it’s good for those with only one Type-C port. The only thing I disliked is that its connection didn’t feel as stable as others, as it jiggled uncomfortably when I connected devices to it.
6. HooToo USB C Adapter 3.1
A solid USB Type-C hub with plenty of ports
Ports: 1 x HDMI, 1 x SD card slot, 3 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB Type-C
Every port you need
Features SD card reader
Comparatively expensive
It’s easy to see why this is a best-seller on Amazon. Pass-through charging, SD card readers, three USB 3.0 ports, and HDMI output mean it has everything we look for in a Type-C hub. But unless you want those card readers, you’re better off saving $25 and buying Aukey’s squarish-puck hub, which packs one more USB 3.0 port.
7. Anker 4-Port USB-C to USB 3.0
A great hub for USB 3.0 ports
Ports: 4 x USB 3.0
Clean design
Quadruple USB 3.0 feature
Least affordable Type-A only hub
If you weren’t ready for the USB Type-C apocalypse, this hub is here for you. Four USB 3.0 ports. It’s only $18 and provides four USB Type-A ports (at the 3.0 speed) in exchange for a single Type-C port. Best for those whose laptop has more than just one Type-C port.
8. Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock
A solid choice for high-resolution displays
Ports: 1 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x RJ45 Ethernet, 1 x USB 3.1
High speeds
4K support
Tuck-away wire
Petite
Pricey
The Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock has four ports: one USB 3.1 port, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, and an RJ45 Ethernet port, which all functioned correctly. This dock allows you to enjoy fast Thunderbolt speeds and the luxury of two 4K extended displays, and it also has a slim design with a convenient tuck-away wire.
However, the dock isn’t compatible with USB Type-C, so it’ll only connect to a Thunderbolt 3 port, and it doesn’t have a Type-C connector to replace the one that it’s taking up.
The Elgato Thunderbolt Dock Utility app that it does offer is available for only macOS (it allows you to disconnect all storage devices at once and tells you when it’s safe to disconnect the dock itself).
It’s a little pricey for $149 (even when it’s on sale for $99), but overall, the Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock is a solid choice if you’re interested in connecting to high-resolution displays.
9. Atolla 4-in-1 USB Type C Hub
An affordable USB Type-C hub
Ports: 4 x USB 3.0, 1 x MicroUSB, 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack
Most affordable
Attractive design
Only packs USB Type-A ports
We’d never heard of Atolla until now, but this adapter makes a good first impression. The casing features a fine texture and shiny beveled edges, and its four USB 3.0 ports work well.
If, for some reason, your laptop’s Type-C port isn’t providing enough power for this hub, you can connect a power source to its micro USB port, which we didn’t need to use during testing.
10. Euasoo 9-in-1 USB-C Hub
A fantastic USB Type-C hub with a few hiccups
Ports: 1 x USB Type-C, 3 x USB 3.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ45 Ethernet, 1 x microSD card slot, 1 x SD card slot, 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack
A ton of ports
Pass-through Charging
Audio jack is unreliable
The Euasoo hub has a slim, sleek design with a plentiful amount of ports for a decent price. That includes a USB-C charging port, 3 USB 3.0 ports, a 4K HDMI port, RJ45 port, MicroSD card slot, SD card slot and a headphone/mic jack.
The spacing between the USB ports is enough so that connectors don’t touch, but its wire connecting to the laptop is annoyingly short. I also found that the audio jack was unreliable in producing sound through both left and right earphones, as the right ear would only produce sound if I held the cord a certain way and even the mic won’t work at all.
USB Type-C: What you need to know
USB Type-C has plenty of perks, and with one of the USB Type-C hubs you might be considering to get, you’ll be able to copy files at USB 3.1 speeds, deliver enough power to charge a laptop or use Alt Mode to send other types of data using DisplayPort or Thunderbolt 3 connections.
Essentially, its a tiny, super-fast connector which many of the best laptops today have a connector for, with the only downside being that USB A or USB B connectors can’t be used with a USB Type-C port (that’s where a USB Type-C hub comes in handy).
However, there are USB-C accessories and cables that make charging and transferring data even better for the best laptops, best Chromebooks and best tablets on the market. Better yet, they don’t have to be too pricey, either.
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