Sometimes you need to plug several devices into USB ports but your computer or laptop has just a couple of them. Therefore, you need to use a small and portable USB hub with multiple USB ports as well as various memory cards. We have tested lots of USB hubs and shortlisted just 5 best of them!
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PROS
Two types of power adapters - 12V / 5A for a stable data transfer.
The unit runs well no matter how many devices you connect to it.
CONS
It requires connection to the mains to operate properly.
OUR VERDICT
Since this hub connector uses an autonomous power source, it provides fast charging for your devices. Also, you can transfer the data at the highest rate possible.
Interface and Compatibility
USB 3.0, compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1
Size and Design
Small plastic casing, 31.2-inch cord
Number of USB Ports
10 х USB 3.0
Extras
LED status indicator lights
System Compatibility
Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
PROS
Sleek, compact and convenient USB hub designed for being used with Apple computers and laptops.
Multi-in-one card reader - you can insert the most types
Excellent data transfer rate makes this device useful for connecting external hard drives.
CONS
This USB hub is not compatible with USB 1.1 interface, though it isn't a problem since 2.0 version is supported.
OUR VERDICT
A stylish USB hub that shows the highest data transfer rate and includes a card reader. A really versatile device for home and professional use.
Interface and Compatibility
USB 3.0
Size and Design
Compact and versatile, 12-inch cord
Number of USB Ports
3 x USB 3.0
Extras
Multi-In-1 card reader
System Compatibility
Windows, Mac, Linux
PROS
Velcro Strip allows you to attach a USB hub firmly to a table or desk your computer is on.
Top data transfer rate: you can connect several external hard drives simultaneously.
Cute Apple-style design turns this hub into a natural addition to a Mac.
CONS
Unstable if placed without a Velcro strip. Thus, make sure to attach it.
OUR VERDICT
An excellent price-to-features ratio: a small and convenient device styled for Apple.
Interface and Compatibility
USB 3.0, compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1
Size and Design
Durable aluminum casing, 15-inch cord
Number of USB Ports
4 x USB 3.0
Available in a 7-port version
Extras
Velcro installation strip
System Compatibility
Windows, Mac, Linux
PROS
Extremely compact and portable USB hub that takes little place in your laptop bag.
This hub provides enough power for charging several phones.
USB slots are far enough from each other, so plugging a couple of flash drivers simultaneously is easy.
CONS
No card reader which means you won't be able to transfer data to and from a memory card.
OUR VERDICT
A good hub for people who travel a lot and need a small and lightweight device to easily fit any laptop bag.
Interface and Compatibility
USB 2.0, compatible with USB 1.1
Size and Design
Portable and stylish, 4-inch cord
Number of USB Ports
4 x USB 2.0
Available in a 7-port version
Extras
Includes an AC cable (3-foot) for additional power supply
System Compatibility
Mac, Windows
PROS
UNITEK USB plug allows connecting a keyboard, mouse, Apple flash drives, and USB Type-C devices without the need to install any drivers.
Supports 3 charging modes 5V / 1.5A, 12V / 2A or 20V / 2A.
CONS
This USB hub doesn't work with Mac OS 10.11.4.
OUR VERDICT
This compact USB hub perfectly fits in your backpack or laptop bag to be always at hand. USB Type-C connector allows charging your devices while using all USB hub possibilities to the full.
Interface and Compatibility
USB 3.0, compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1
Size and Design
Durable aluminum casing, 12-inch cord
Number of USB Ports
2 х USB 3.0
Extras
Card reader supports cards of up to 2TB, Built-in surge protection
System Compatibility
Windows, Mac, Linux, Android
Interface and Data Transfer Rate
Anker 10-port USB hub connector provides a high-speed data transfer at a stunning speed of up to 5Gbps per second. This is possible due to the use of the cutting-edge USB 3.0 interface. As a result, copying movies to and from USB flash drives takes minutes! Also, this USB hub is great for transferring other large files from your computer as fast as possible. The hub can be connected to any desktop or laptop computer owing to its incredible versatility. Moreover, no software installation is required for this USB device.
Design and Size
This hub connector is a fairly portable USB device, yet it provides tremendous opportunities for connecting various peripheral devices. You will surely like its nice glossy plastic casing design. The hub weighs only 3.5 ounces and has the following dimensions: 5.7 x 1.7 x 0.87 inches. This allows you to carry it easily in your bag for your comfort, providing fast access to stored data wherever you go.
Number of Ports and Extras
Anker USB hub has as many as 10 USB 3.0 ports, which is ideal for connecting a large number of additional devices at the same time. This hub will certainly become indispensable for transferring your important data immediately from multiple USB flash drives. LED status indicator lights let you know whether your desktop or laptop PC recognized the devices connected through a USB hub. Furthermore, there is no need to install any extra drivers, so you may get down to work right away.
| Last updated price | $69.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B005NGQWL2 |
What customers say about this product
Size & Weight(4.4)
Due to its great size, takes up very little desk space, and all the ports are right there for me to plug devices in and out
Features(4.2)
The charging port can charge a full-size tablet, no sweat. And all 9 USB 3.0 ports work perfectly too.
Interface and Data Transfer Rate
Sabrent hub is a modern USB 3.0 interface hub with a high data transfer rate and a built-in memory card reader. Its data transfer rate reaches 5 Gbps, so this HUB saves your precious time and allows to exchange a lot of data in several minutes. It is a standard USB 3.0 hub, so it works on any operating system and any computer, except for some obsolete ones that support USB 1.1 version. This hub needs no special software to start using it, just plug in and go ahead.
Design and Size
Aluminium design of this hub makes it perfect for using with iMac, MacBook Air or Pro, and Mac mini. But do not feel embarrassed if you have an ordinary personal computer because this HUB will fit it perfectly! The dimensions of this HUB are as follows: 3.5 x 1.1 x 1.9 inches and it weighs 2.6 ounces. This best USB hub is very convenient for being used with a PC or iMac, because it has a rather long 12-inch cord.
Number of Ports and Extras
Sabrent has 3 unpowered USB 3.0 ports and supports CF, SD, SDXC, SDHC, MicroSD, MMC, M2 cards. Even if you plug in 3 USB devices and 3 memory cards simultaneously, it will not cause any lags in performance. The presence of memory card slots gives a great advantage for this USB hub comparing to its opponents.
| Last updated price | $19.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B01BED52VI |
VIDEO
What customers say about this product
Size & Weight(5)
This is a nice piece of polished hardware. Good size and it matches the iMac very well.
Features(4)
Hub has some good weight to it, and also a huge plus that it has a rubber material on the bottom for some grip.
Interface and Data Transfer Rate
This 3.0 USB model saves on syncing time and provides a huge data transfer rate of up to 5 Gbps, which is a lot faster than USB 2.0. However, no problem if you want to connect a device that supports USB 2.0 to this hub: it is compatible with 2.0 and 1.1 versions of USB interface. Therefore, this hub is a really versatile device that can be used with any devices and gadgets. No special software needed to be installed to use this hub.
Design and Size
Anker Portable Aluminium Hub is designed in an eye-catching Apple style and will surely fit your Mac computer or laptop. Surely, you can use this hub even if you have a PC or a laptop of any other brand. Aluminium finish of this compact hub makes the casing durable and the device will serve you for many years. Dimensions of a product are as follows: 3.4 x 1.8 x 1.1 inches, and the weight is 5.3 ounces. This Apple-style hub is convenient due to a long 15-inch cord, so you can connect it to the USB of your PC or iMac and put on the table. However, if you use a laptop, such a long cord will be a rather messy thing.
Number of Ports and Extras
AnkerDirect hub has four cutting-edge USB 3.0 ports. It has a notification indicator light that simplifies monitoring its performance. Unfortunately, no memory card is included, though it is a matter of need. In fact, four USB ports are enough for an average PC user who has no need to plug in dozens of gadgets simultaneously. As an addition, this hub is available in 3 more modifications, which are a 4-port wedge, a 7-port bar, and a 7-port 3.3 foot USB.
| Last updated price | $22.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00IJ331WY |
VIDEO
What customers say about this product
Features(4.4)
The quality is great. It's made out of aluminium and feels really durable and has some good weight to it.
Size & Weight(4)
The vertical USB ports are ideally placed, so that every size USB stick can be used without them fighting with each other for space.
Interface and Data Transfer Rate
This model of Belkin USB hub is compatible with 2.0 and 1.1 versions of this interface. It means if you plug a device or a flash drive with USB 3.0, the data transfer rate will fall to the maximal level a 2.0 version provides. However, there are models of this hub that do support USB 3.0. No need to say, no software is required to use this USB hub.
Design and Size
That's a rectangular USB hub with a glossy black casing. Belkin USB hub is the smallest device in our shortlist, so it will attract people who prefer an active lifestyle or travel a lot. The minus of this design is that when you plug devices into all 4 ports, the whole set will spread all over the table. This hub is available in white color to suit your laptop or computer perfectly. The dimensions of the product are 7.6 x 0.4 x 2.1 inches, and its weight is only 1.1 ounces. This USB hub will be convenient for laptops since the cord length is just 4 inches, so you will find using it with a PC utterly uncomfortable.
Number of Ports and Extras
This product comes with four powered 2.0 USB ports. It charges most modern devices really fast. However, this device has no card reader which significantly limits its capabilities - you won't be able to connect an SD card from your camera, for example. Belkin USB hub has a power adapter, so it can charge the gadgets that require more power than a conventional USB provides (iPad, for example).
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B005DZNGEY |
What customers say about this product
Size & Weight(4.2)
I bought this for it's small size to work with a project I am working on with my Raspberry Pi
Features(4)
Perfect for supplying power to a smartphone accessory. For example, a USB to Lightning Camera cable with a USB to Ethernet adapter -- without the hub, the adapter would draw too much power, but with the hub it works.
Interface and Data Transfer Rate
This high-end dual-port USB 3.0 hub provides a super-fast data transfer rate of up to 5 Gbps that is a lot faster than the outdated USB 2.0. This allows transferring larger amounts of data at a shorter length of time. Of course, it's still possible to use USB 2.0 interface, but the transfer rate will be lower than USB 3.0; USB 2.0 can read and write data as fast as 480 Mbps. UNITEK multi-functional high-quality USB hub will be highly appreciated by most advanced users.
Design and Size
UNITEK USB hub has a durable dull aluminum casing, which provides extra protection against accidental drops and bumps, significantly extending its lifespan. This micro USB hub has a compact design with the following dimensions: 6 x 3.6 x 0.7 inches. Hence, the device can easily be carried around in your backpack or laptop bag and actually used for transferring data from one storage device to another.
Number of Ports and Extras
This 2 port USB 3.0 hub comes with a separate charging port that has a USB Type-C interface (USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3) and allows charging a variety of devices via the USB hub by plugging the device directly into the mains. Besides, this USB hub features a built-in surge protection that keeps all your data safe with a minimum risk of their accidental deletion. A card reader supports SD cards with the capacity of up to 2 TB. This makes it suitable for transferring data from flash drives used in cameras and smartphones.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | May be out of stock |
| ASIN | B01AA97Y7W |
What customers say about this product
Size & Weight(4)
Quality Construction. Small and compact. Durable aluminum housing
Features(4)
Built in surge protection. No driver installation required for me
What is a Usb Hub
USB data transfer technology is literally a backbone of modern electronics. And when there aren’t enough free ports, USB hubs are used. A hub is a small splitter with multiple USB and (optionally) memory card slots. Any USB hub itself is plugged into a USB port of your device (PC, Mac, laptop, etc.). Thanks to USB hubs, you can upload photos from your camera, charge your iPod, and download a movie from an online store right to an external hard drive.
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What Features to Compare
Interface and Data Transfer Rate
The first issue to consider is the interface supported by every USB hub. For example, all modern computers and laptops have USB 3.0 support and this type of interface is several times faster than USB 2.0, let alone older versions (1.0, for example). That’s why don’t forget to check what the supported USB version is. The interface is closely tied to a data transfer rate it provides. If you need to connect several external disk drives, for example, you need a USB hub with a high data transfer rate.
Design and Size
Of course, a design itself has no impact on quality of each USB hub. However, design is important, since a hub is always near your computer or laptop, it has to be stylish. No need to say, a hub has to be convenient - all the surface must be used reasonably. Make sure to choose the right size - if you travel a lot and carry a hub with you, choose a smaller one. Whereas a USB hub for home use can be of any size. There is another major feature that you need to pay attention to - cord length. As we've already mentioned, every hub connects to a computer or laptop via a USB cord, so the longer the cord is, the more convenient it will be to use it with a PC, whereas a shorter cord will be perfect for a laptop. Buying a USB hub with a short cord for using with a PC makes no sense - it will be very uncomfortable for you to lean and plug in and out the devices and flash drives. However, it isn't a problem if a main unit of your PC is tabletop.
Number of Ports and Extras
The next important criterion is the number of USB ports in a hub. No need to say, it’s different - some hubs have just 4 of them (which means 4 devices can be plugged in), whereas others have up to 8 USB ports. Don’t forget to check all extras every USB hub has. For example, a really versatile hub has the slots for memory cards (like SD, microSD, etc.), so you don’t need to buy a card reader. Extras are particularly important if you use a PC - it’s very uncomfortable to lean down and insert them into a computer tower. Also, some USB hubs are connected to a power source so that you can charge or provide sufficient power to several devices (like external hard drives or cell phones) simultaneously.