Greatest USB-C Hubs and Adapters for MacBook and Mac 2023

The Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C Hub is compact and highly effective, providing better specs than a number of the different main choices on this record.

It provides two USB-C ports—one which helps 85W USB-C Energy Supply, whereas one other helps knowledge transfers as much as 10Gbps. You additionally get speedy 10Gbps switch charges by way of two further USB-A ports, the place many rivals max out at 5Gbps. 

The Anker PowerExpand is particular because it provides an HDMI port that helps 4K 60Hz resolutions, the place most are restricted to 4K 30Hz. For 4K 60Hz decision, your gadget should help DP 1.4. This contains MacBook Air (from 2020), MacBook Professional 15in (from 2018), MacBook Professional 16in (from 2019) and iPad Professional (from 2018).

Additionally included are an SD card reader (that may help a microSD card with an adapter). That is rated at UHS-I (104MBps) so not the quickest however speedier than another hubs examined right here supply.

The Gigabit Ethernet port is nice for these instances when Wi-Fi simply received’t do.

It’s additionally extremely mild at slightly below 130g and compact so you’ll be able to take it anyplace. At $79.99/£79.99 it’s laborious to disclaim this hub’s worth for cash. In our expertise, it does get heat with use however Anker says that is regular.

If all you want from an adapter is the power to attach a bunch of older USB-A units to your MacBook, this straightforward adapter ought to do the trick.

The Ugreen USB-C 4-port hub is a slim and cheap adapter that means that you can add 4 full-size USB 3.0 ports that may deal with knowledge switch at as much as 5Gbps. It has just lately been upgraded to function an extra USB-C port that may provide a 10W cost for related units, however not the host pc. Whereas all 4 ports can be utilized concurrently, a most of two laborious drives will be related at one time.

It seems the half with most fashionable MacBooks, and is a simple technique to join reminiscence sticks, a printer or different older units that don’t include USB-C.

The entire transportable USB-C hubs reviewed listed here are suitable with the Mac’s Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports, however most function slower USB-C connections (5Gbps or 10Gbps) in comparison with Thunderbolt (40Gbps).

The Satechi Professional Hub Max, out there in both Silver or House Grey, options USB4 ports which are each suitable with Thunderbolt and might attain the identical 40Gbps most throughput.

Connecting instantly to 2 of the MacBook’s Thunderbolt ports, it boasts a bunch of ports that needs to be sufficient for many of us. The hub receives 40Gbps from every of the Thunderbolt ports on the Mac (so a complete of 80Gbps). 40Gbps is used for the USB4 pass-through port, whereas the second Thunderbolt port distributes 40Gbps of bandwidth to the remainder of the ports on the hub.

The USB4 port helps as much as 96W charging—simply effective for a 14-inch MacBook Professional and punchy sufficient to maintain a 16-inch Professional going and charged fairly rapidly. This similar USB4 port can be utilized to connect with an exterior show—as much as 6K at 60Hz show output, transferring knowledge at 40Gbps.

It ought to permit video output and passthrough charging concurrently. In a take a look at connection from a MacBook to an LG 4K UltraFine Show, the MacBook was capable of output video to the monitor, whereas the monitor was capable of present energy to the MacBook, all by way of the only connection. House owners of the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Professional and M2 Air can cost through the MagSafe connector concurrently utilizing the Professional Hub.

The HDMI 2.0 port can be used to attach a 4K 60Hz show, so you’ll be able to obtain a twin 4K monitor setup on any Professional or Max M1 or M2 MacBook. Plain M1/M2 MacBook Airs are restricted to only one exterior show.

Additionally onboard are a 5Gbps USB-A port and a 5Gbps USB-C port—though neither can cost related units. There are each SD and MicroSD card readers (UHS-I), a Gigabit Ethernet port, and three.5mm combo audio jack port.

In the identical household, Satechi additionally provides the Professional Hub Mini (the identical because the Max however with out the HDMI port) and the Professional Hub Slim (which swaps the Ethernet port for an additional USB-A port, and boasts 10GBps USB-A and USB-C ports in comparison with the Mac and Mini’s 5Gbps). In the event you don’t want wired Web entry, the Professional Hub Slim edges out the Professional Hub Max. In the event you don’t want multiple exterior display otherwise you need to save the USB4 for passthrough charging solely, take into account the Professional Hub Mini.

All three requires a MacBook with two adjoining Thunderbolt ports on one facet.

The StayGo is, as its title suggests, one for the house, workplace and in your travels. It’s light-weight and rather more compact than most USB-C docks.

It incorporates a full array of 8 ports, together with: USB-C 3.1 for 85W Energy Supply (PD) charging of the laptop computer; an HDMI port (4K at 30Hz) for attaching to an exterior show; two 5Gbps USB-A 3.0 ports and one other USB-A port with 7.5W for quicker charging; Gigabit Ethernet for wired Web; and SD and Micro SD card readers.

It comes with a 1m USB-C cable to attach together with your laptop computer, plus a removable journey cable that hides contained in the dock when not in use. Whereas not Thunderbolt 3 or 4 it’s suitable with Thunderbolt MacBooks – its knowledge switch is simply restricted to 5Gbps moderately than TB’s 40Gbps.

It’s pricier than many of the hubs reviewed right here, however it’s obtained the lot in case you want every little thing, and we prefer it so much. It feels extra strong than a number of the cheaper hubs, but weighs simply 150g.

It’s out there in both Black or White.

The StayGo mini is, at its title suggests, a cut-down model of Twelve South’s admirable StayGo transportable USB-C hub. It’s primarily designed for the iPad Professional however will even work with a MacBook.

Whereas it lacks its larger sibling’s Ethernet port and SD/microSD card readers, it nonetheless packs a HDMI Port (4K at 30Hz), USB A-port, USB-C Port for passthrough 85W PD charging, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

The StayGo’s singular USB-A port options BC 1.2 for as much as 7.5W quick charging, however is USB 2.0 so restricted to 480MBps knowledge switch in comparison with the StayGo’s three 5Gbps USB-A ports.

It might join on to a pill USB-C port, and likewise ships with a 0.5 meter USB-C cable if you wish to use it with a MacBook. And in case your iPad is in a protecting case, the cable will imply the hub can nonetheless hook up with the pill.

Obtainable in Black solely.

The Baseus 8-in-1 USB-C Hub is an inexpensive multiport dock with so much on supply, together with three 5Gbps USB-A ports that may cost units at 7.5W, Gigabit Ethernet and a 100W passthrough energy USB-C port.

The HDMI port helps 4K shows at 30Hz, so won’t be appropriate for avid gamers or film watchers.

There are ports for an SD card and microSD/TF playing cards, though at 60MBps this isn’t as speedy as even the UHS-I customary.

The built-in 6.6in (17cm) USB-C cable will be minimized for journey with its neat cable-tidy port that creates a loop. And there’s an LED that reveals you when the the hub is in use.

Sick of hubs that also suppose USB-A is a factor? If what you need is extra USB-C ports, the Satechi 4-Port USB-C Hub has lots for you. Every port is USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 so 5Gbps, though that needs to be quick sufficient for many.

The USB-C ports don’t help passthrough charging or video output, and might deal with solely two laborious drives or SSDs on the similar time.

This hub has sufficient completely different ports to name itself a docking station. It has two HDMI ports, two USB-C ports (one PD and one 5Gbps), SD/microSD/SD readers (UHS-I), two 5Gbps USB-A ports, a 3.5mm audio combo jack for headphones, and Gigabit Ethernet.

It doesn’t have its personal energy provide however provides passthrough PD charging at a greater than wholesome 100W.

That’s an incredible set of ports, however it’s not it’s greatest plus for customers of Apple’s authentic M1/M2-based MacBooks.

The usual M1 and M2 chips in Apple’s latest MacBooks are highly effective however have a serious limitation: not like Intel-based Macs, they don’t help multiple exterior show. The smarter M1 Professional and M1 Max chips do help a number of shows.

If that may be a downside for you there’s a {hardware} resolution within the Hyperdrive Twin 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub, which lets M1 Macs join two exterior shows. There may be some mild software program set up concerned for M1/M2 customers, and you should permit InstantView entry to your Privateness settings in System Preferences.

One HDMI port permits for 4K at 60Hz, and the opposite 4K at 30Hz.

If you’d like the quickest Web and community speeds, you should push previous Gigabit Ethernet to Multi-Gig Ethernet, ranging as much as 10Gbps. This six-port hub from Satechi boasts a 2.5Gbps (2.5GbE) Ethernet port—2.5x quicker than common Gigabit Ethernet. 2.5GbE improvement is changing into extra commonplace now that WiFi 6 permits wi-fi connection to over 1GbE LAN, and yow will discover 2.5G ports on some WiFi 6 routers. Present CAT5e Ethernet cables are suitable so there’s no want for rewiring.

Except for this super-fast Ethernet this hub boasts 4K at 60Hz HDMI, 10Gbps USB-A and two 10Gbps USB-C ports (one with 100W passthrough charging) and a combo 3.5mm audio jack. Word that neither USB-C port helps video switch so it’s a one-display hub.

This hub additionally stands other than customary USB-C ports by being USB4, which suggests you get to play together with your Mac’s full 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 bandwidth.

Satechi guarantees that this adapter can deal with two 4K shows at 60Hz – most display-friendly USB-C hubs can deal with 4K shows solely at 30Hz, a decrease body charge that’s effective for many duties however not excellent for high-resolution gaming or broadcasts.

This easy double-HDMI adapter additionally features a USB-C PD charging port (at as much as 60W) so you’ll be able to hold your MacBook charged whereas it’s in use.

It’s suitable with MacBook fashions with two facet USB-C ports, and weighs 62g (2.2oz). Word that it doesn’t help two exterior shows on M1 Macs.

It’s out there in both Silver or House Gray. 

Apple obtained loads of flack when transferring to USB-C as a result of it meant that a lot of its customers had to purchase a number of adapters to copy the ports they had been used to, and wanted.

It wasn’t a lot that we wanted adapters, however extra to do with the worth Apple was charging for its easy USB-C hubs and adapters.

Take, for instance Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, which value so much for simply an HDMI port, one USB-A port and a passthrough-power USB-C port.

Plugable has a less expensive different, at a couple of third of the worth. And it seems fairly an identical.

Except for the worth, the one disadvantage is that the HDMI connection can join a 4K exterior show at 30Hz moderately than the complete 60Hz, which can delay avid gamers.

However in any other case, this can be a nice different at a fraction of the worth, and might cost at 60W.

We have a tendency to think about hubs for laptops, akin to Apple’s MacBooks, which lack multiple or two USB-C ports and so require a dock so as to add additional units.

The Mac Mini, you’d suppose, has a military of ports compared to Apple’s laptops.

The newest fashions boast two Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 (quick USB-C) ports, two old-school USB-A ports, HDMI 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and three.5mm headphone jack.

That seems like so much, however Apple accent specialist Satechi believes the Mini wants maxing.

Satechi’s Sort-C Aluminum Stand & Hub for Mac Mini expands these capabilities with six ports: together with a USB-C knowledge port, three USB-A ports, micro/SD card readers, and one other 3.5mm headphone jack port.

(Word you can’t cost units related to the USB ports, as they’re there for syncing and knowledge switch solely.)

The essential level is that these factors are front-facing, and never tucked across the again with the unwieldy and ugly energy provide. It additionally lifts the Mini off the desk, and its built-in air vents assist regulate temperature and encourage airflow.

You won’t suppose a desktop Mac wants a hub, however the 24in iMac is sort of missing, having both simply two Thunderbolt ports on the entry-level mannequin or two Thunderbolt and two USB-C on the top-end. These ports are additionally all hidden away on the again, which may imply snaking cables throughout your desk.

5 of the ports on this hub that clamps to the underside of the iMac are front-facing ports for straightforward entry to reminiscence playing cards, USB storage, or storage playing cards. There are two USB-C ports and one USB-A port (all rated at a speedy 10GBps). The USB-A port can cost a cellphone at 7.5W.

The UHS-I (104MBps) SD and microSD card readers aren’t the quickest however ought to suffice. Such reminiscence playing cards are an inexpensive method of including transportable storage, and also will delight digicam customers.

On the rear of the hub is an HDMI port that may help an exterior 4K show at 60Hz.

Fairly brilliantly, the hub can color-match together with your 24in iMac, with 7 iMac coloration faceplates included.

In the event you don’t thoughts spending just a little extra, the Symbus Q dock from Moshi provides loads of performance in a critically slick package deal—it simply doesn’t come low cost.

There are twin USB-A 3.1 ports, together with Gigabit Ethernet and HDMI on the opposite, and it helps USB-C PD passthrough charging (60W), so it should double because the charger to your MacBook. Better of all, the highest of the dock can be a 15W wi-fi Qi charger – above the max charging capability of the newest iPhones.

The principle physique is aluminium, with a mushy cloth and rubber high to maintain any charging units from slipping round. The entire issues feels stable however slick, an ideal match to your Apple gear.

One draw back is that that is very a lot a desk dock—it received’t perform in any respect except plugged into the mains, so you’ll be able to’t apply it to the go, that means it’s extra for beefing up your MacBook at your desk. There’s additionally no USB-C port, so in case your laptop computer solely has the one port then you definitely received’t be capable of use this dock together with another USB-C equipment.

That is the one docking station with Qi wi-fi charging to your iPhone.

In the event you’re a digital skilled or only a images fanatic, likelihood is you is perhaps barely peeved that the brand new MacBook Professional you held out for doesn’t have an SD card slot. 

SanDisk is right here to save lots of the day. This neat SD card reader is USB-C suitable and can permit Thunderbolt 3 pace transfers of all of your high-resolution images and movies. 

SD playing cards are additionally a really cheap method so as to add transportable storage to your laptop computer, from 32GB as much as 1TB.

This easy adapter makes a USB-C port right into a VGA port for older shows and projectors, and likewise can deal with two exterior shows.

VGA was as soon as the most well-liked video connector however is seen much less lately, being overtaken by DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort and direct USB-C.

It helps 920×[email protected] HD resolutions through VGA, and 4K at 30Hz by way of its HDMI port. It isn’t suitable with supporting two shows on an M1 MacBook.

If you should hook up with a DVI (Digital Visible Interface) show or projector, this adapter does the trick. 

It might help resolutions as much as 1,920-x-1,080 at 60Hz.

Slim and durable whereas nonetheless being very transportable, the newest model of Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C hub comes with HDMI port that may help an exterior 4K show at 30Hz.

There are additionally two 5Gbps USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet, UHS-I SD and microSD Card readers, and a USB-C port for PD passthrough charging at as much as a powerful 87W—sufficient for many laptops.

At simply 106g, it’s the lightest of the really multifunctional (show plus Ethernet) hub/docks out there.

This can be a very well-constructed USB-C hub that provides entry to seven ports from one USB-C connection.

It contains two 5Gbps USB-A 3.1 ports, and two USB-C ports—one in every of which permits for passthrough charging at as much as 60W.

There’s no Ethernet port with this adapter, however most of us are effective with Wi-Fi anyway. However in case you want a wired Web connection, look elsewhere.

There’s additionally an HDMI port for including an exterior show (4K at 30Hz), and an SD and Micro SD Card reader slot.

This neat hub/dock has seven ports: two 5Gbps USB-A, each SD and microSD card readers, HDMI for an exterior 4K show at 30Hz, USB-C for pass-through charging at as much as 70W, and Gigabit Ethernet.

That’s a fairly full line-up in a 140g compact and transportable package deal, with its brief cable tucked away throughout journey.

It’s important to pull open a flap for the RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port, which seems fragile however appears strong to the contact, and does properly scale back the dimensions of the hub.

This multimedia adapter makes use of the twin USB-C ports of a MacBook to connect with a hub of ports, together with two USB-A ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, SD and Micro SD Card reader, a USB-C charging port (60W) and two HDMI ports.

It’s suitable with MacBook fashions with two facet USB-C ports on the identical facet. It doesn’t help MacBook fashions with a single USB-C port.

One of many HDMI ports can deal with 4K at 60Hz port, whereas the opposite helps 4K at 30Hz.

It’s out there in both Silver or House Gray, and weighs 102g (3.6oz).

The brushed aluminium Satechi USB-C Multi-Port Hub Adapter provides two 5Gbps USB 3.0 Sort-A ports and 4K HDMI. It’s very light-weight at simply 51g (1.8oz).

It lacks an SD card slot however does embody a USB-C pass-through port (60W) so that you don’t sacrifice your laptop computer’s Sort-C port – permitting you to cost your laptop computer whereas utilizing the adapter’s different retailers. That is particularly helpful for homeowners of the 12in MacBook, which has only one USB-C port.

It doesn’t function an Ethernet port, so that you’ll have to stay to Wi-Fi.

it’s designed to enrich Apple’s MacBook vary with availability in Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, and House gray colours.

Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter means that you can join your USB-C enabled MacBook port to an HDMI show, a regular USB gadget, and a charging cable – all on the similar time. The USB port means that you can join incompatible USB equipment (flash drives, cameras) to your USB-C enabled MacBook.

The adapter helps full 1080p HD video output to your TV (HDMI-enabled, after all) the place you’ll be able to mirror your MacBook’s show or play motion pictures. 

Some older shows and particularly projectors nonetheless use the VGA customary for connection. Unveil your shiny new 12in MacBook or Touchbar MacBook Professional at your subsequent assembly, then die of frustration when the projector has a VGA connection.

All will not be misplaced, besides that assembly then and there, and a pile of money, as Apple’s USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter doesn’t come low cost.

This adapter is designed that will help you easily transition to utilizing USB-C. It’s possible you’ll properly have units akin to laborious drives and exterior shows that use Thunderbolt 2 connections. This little gadget allows you to hold utilizing them together with your MacBook or new MacBook Professional.

It additionally permits new Thunderbolt 3 units to connect with a Mac with Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 ports – however to benefit from it this manner spherical Apple advises you should be operating macOS Sierra or above.

There’s a false impression that USB-C is an inconvenience, therefore the existence of little adapters like this one from Nonda. USB-C isn’t a lot an inconvenience as a very new tech customary, so merchandise like this are simply there to assist us bridge the hole. Positivity, folks.

This cute little adapter is just to let you plug in a single customary USB gadget or cable at a time, nice for charging or syncing your iPhone or utilizing a USB stick. Simply don’t misplace it, it’s tiny.