Are your laptop ports never enough?
Especially on slim devices like the MacBook Air or other ultra-thin laptops, USB-C ports are limited. You could carry around a bunch of adapters, but a USB hub lets you expand a single port into multiple connections, reducing desktop clutter.
After years of testing, we’ve compiled the best USB hubs for various needs.
If you’re upgrading your home office setup, check out our other guides:
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Best Docking Stations
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Essential Home Office Gear
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Ergonomic Office Chairs
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Standing Desks
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USB Flash Drives
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High-Quality Webcams
USB Hub or Docking Station: Which Do You Need?
The line between USB hubs and docking stations can be blurry, but the core difference is: Docking stations usually support multiple displays, while hubs are primarily for peripheral expansion.
USB Hubs
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Small and portable
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Plug directly into your laptop
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Expand a single port into:
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USB-A ports
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USB-C ports
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SD card slots
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Headphone jacks
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Other common connections
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Docking Stations
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Larger devices, typically stay on your desk
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Offer:
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Multiple display outputs
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Additional power support
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Ethernet connections
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Which should you choose?
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If you only occasionally need extra ports, a hub is sufficient.
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If you work at a desk daily and connect multiple monitors, keyboards, mice, or wired networks, a docking station may be more suitable.
Key Considerations Before Buying a USB Hub
Although hubs seem simple, finding the “perfect all-in-one port” isn’t always easy. Keep these points in mind:
Port Speeds Matter More Than Versions
Don’t be misled by USB 3.0 or 3.2 labels—the actual speed of the port is what counts.
Many manufacturers now print the maximum transfer rate directly next to the port instead of relying solely on version numbers.
Use Thunderbolt for High-Performance Devices
Thunderbolt is an enhanced version of USB developed by Intel and Apple.
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Uses the USB-C connector
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Offers much higher speeds:
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Thunderbolt 3 / 4: up to 40 Gbps
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Thunderbolt 5: even higher
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Ideal for:
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High-speed SSDs
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Large monitors
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High-refresh-rate gaming screens
⚠️ Ensure your laptop port supports Thunderbolt before buying.
Power Delivery Is Essential
Most hubs draw power from your laptop, occupying a port.
If you want to charge your laptop while connecting multiple devices, choose a hub that supports:
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USB Power Delivery (USB-PD)
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Also known as pass-through charging
Understanding USB Generations
USB version names can be confusing:
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USB 3.0 (2008) – up to 5 Gbps
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USB 3.1 (2013)
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Gen 1: 5 Gbps
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Gen 2: 10 Gbps
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USB 3.2 (2019)
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Gen 1: 5 Gbps
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Gen 2: 10 Gbps
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Gen 2x2: 20 Gbps (dual-lane)
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Conclusion
Don’t rely only on the version name—always check the actual port speed.
Older and newer devices may have different labels but similar performance.
Key USB Terms
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USB 2.X / 3.X / 4
Focus on transfer speed and power delivery. The slowest link in the chain determines overall speed. -
USB Power Delivery (USB-PD)
Lets you charge your laptop or other devices through the hub. -
USB-C vs USB-A
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USB-C: small, reversible oval connector
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USB-A: traditional rectangular connector
Both are commonly found on hubs.
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What Is Thunderbolt?
Thunderbolt uses the USB-C connector but delivers higher performance:
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High Transfer Speeds
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Thunderbolt 3 / 4: up to 40 Gbps
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Thunderbolt 5: up to 80 Gbps (single-direction output up to 120 Gbps)
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Display Support
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Thunderbolt 4: multiple 4K displays
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Thunderbolt 5: multiple 8K displays
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USB Compatibility
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Thunderbolt ports work with regular USB-C devices
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Transfer speed is limited by the slowest link in the chain
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Do USB Cables Really Matter?
Absolutely.
Even if your hub supports high-speed transfer, the cable must also support those speeds.
Recommendations:
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Use the cable that came with your device for guaranteed performance
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Check packaging or product specs for USB version and capabilities
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Look for speed ratings, not just USB version names
FAQ
Q: Will a hub slow down my devices?
A: Usually not, but connecting multiple high-demand devices to a low-bandwidth hub may reduce performance.
Q: What’s the main difference between a hub and a docking station?
A: Hubs are portable and expand peripherals; docking stations are larger, often powered, and include display outputs for desktop setups.
