If you own a MacBook Air, a Surface Laptop, a Dell XPS, a Lenovo IdeaPad, or any other ultrathin laptop with just a couple of USB-C ports, you’ve probably found yourself missing some more I/O connectivity options, like USB-A, HDMI, an SD card reader, or even Ethernet.
The solution is fairly easy: get a USB hub.
However, when you look online to buy one, you’re overwhelmed by a gazillion options that all look the same to the untrained eye.
How many ports are enough? Do you get a dongle or something that attaches directly to the laptop? And most importantly, what’s the difference between a $20 and an $80 USB hub?
Let's break down everything you need to consider when buying a USB hub.
Form Factors
Let’s start with the form factors.
There are basically two types of USB hubs: those that attach directly to the laptop and those that connect with a cable.
I personally prefer the aesthetics of the ones that attach directly. There’s nothing dangling, and everything looks integrated into the laptop.
However, cabled USB hubs have one critical benefit: they require only one port, making them more versatile and compatible with almost any computer, such as this Baseus USB-C Hub 7-in-1.
The ones that attach directly usually require two ports, and the spacing of those ports varies from laptop to laptop. That means they only work with the laptops they were designed for. In some cases, you won’t be able to use them at all. In others, they might even cover additional ports.
There are some exceptions, though, like modular USB hubs. With those, the HDMI port and the SD card reader can be detached to suit the specific needs of each laptop or situation. It’s almost like assembling a mini LEGO every day, depending on your setup.
There are also super compact hubs that use only one port. These are designed mainly for phones and tablets, but they also work well with laptops if you don’t need many ports.
One important consideration for hubs that use only one port is that their bandwidth is limited. This affects transfer speeds on the USB and LAN ports, as well as the maximum resolution and refresh rate of the HDMI output.
Ports
Most cable hubs include an HDMI port, two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, and an SD card reader.
In some cases, instead of a second USB-C port, you might get different ports, such as with the SATECHI 7-in-1 USB-C Hub with Ethernet. Or you may see a third USB-A port, but it’s usually USB 2.0, meaning much slower speeds at 480 Mbps.
One interesting thing about the Dygma modular USB hub is that you can get a third USB-C port by detaching the SD card reader, and you can even use that SD module separately.
However, there’s something very important to understand. In most hubs, one USB-C port is dedicated to power delivery. The others are standard USB 3 ports.
Only in the most expensive hubs with two-port connections will that port be USB4. In those cases, you can achieve charging and transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps, allowing you to connect a monitor with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz.
Transfer Speeds
Transfer speeds on USB ports are determined by their specification. This becomes important if you plan to transfer large files, such as uncompressed video, or if you’re working directly from an external SSD.
USB 3.0, later renamed USB 3.2 Gen 1x1, is now known as USB 5Gbps. If you see USB 3.0, that’s the speed you should expect. This is typically what you’ll find in less expensive hubs priced between $20 and $40.
USB 3.1, later renamed USB 3.2 Gen 2x1, is now USB 10Gbps. This is usually the speed offered by more expensive hubs, often around $80.
USB 3.2, later renamed USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, is now USB 20Gbps. This is only available on USB-C ports and is rarely found on hubs.
To make things even more confusing, USB 4 can range from 20 to 80Gbps and is named accordingly. USB4 ports support power delivery, high transfer speeds, and monitor output, but their capabilities can vary widely. It’s important to carefully check the stated specifications.
Monitor Support
Monitor support is another critical aspect to keep an eye on.
You need to check both resolution and refresh rate. Higher numbers are better, but they may be unnecessary if your monitor doesn’t support them.
Cabled USB hubs support up to 4K at 60Hz via their HDMI port due to bandwidth limitations imposed by a single port, such as the Baseus USB-C Hub 7-in-1.
However, some cheaper hubs might support only 4K at 30Hz or even lower, like this BHHB M82 USB-C Hub, so you need to verify the specs carefully.
More expensive hubs can support dual monitors, for example, one via USB 4 at 6K and 60Hz and another via HDMI at 4K and 60Hz.
Build Quality
Finally, there’s one key factor that is often overlooked: build quality.
This includes not only materials and finishes, but also size, weight, and thermals.
In the following picture, you can see the thickness of the Satechi 7-in-1 Dual USB-C, the Dygma Modular hub, and the BHHB M82 USB-C Hub.
Most USB hubs are made of aluminum, but more expensive hubs usually have a better finish and are more efficient at heat dissipation.
They are also more compact and lighter, which matters if you travel frequently with your laptop.
For example, a $20 hub might weigh around 65 grams, our Dygma modular hub around 45 grams, and a premium one around 40 grams. It doesn’t seem like a big difference, but you can definitely feel it in daily use.
If you want to travel really light, compact hubs can weigh as little as 26 grams and fit in the palm of your hand.
So, Is It Worth Spending More on a USB Hub?
Which USB hub should you get? It depends entirely on your use case.
If you only need a hub occasionally, a cheap cabled USB hub will do just fine.
If you need higher transfer speeds of 10Gbps, then it’s worth spending a bit more.
If you’re going to use it constantly, choosing one that attaches directly to the laptop and investing a little more can make sense for both aesthetics and convenience.
If you need dual-monitor support and higher transfer speeds, then a premium USB4 hub is a better choice, even if it costs more.
Finally, if you value portability and versatility above all else, a compact USB hub is hard to overlook.
The real takeaway is understanding what to look for when buying a USB hub, not just the price.
Full transparency: the USB Hubs mentioned are not affiliated with us, but we do sell the modular and compact USB hubs on our website as part of our Dygma Select collection.
Which hub do you use? Do you like any in particular?
