Best USB-C hubs for MacBook Pro in 2022

Apple tree’south MacBook Pro models accept been the all-time laptops on the market for years, with the recent MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook 16 with M1 Pro and M1 Max existence the foam of the ingather (for now). However, even the best laptops accept their shortcomings.
As good equally they are, you’ll find every MacBook Pro’s weakness is its lack of ports. In fact, the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 only boasts a headphone jack and a pair of
Thunderbolt
ports — one of which is used to accuse the laptop. Plus, the MacBook Pro 14 doesn’t come with any USB-A ports. This isn’t ideal for those who want to use, well, whatsoever other peripheral.
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If you want to use a mouse, plug in a different keyboard, or connect your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air to a USB-C monitor, you lot’ll need to get yourself a USB-C hub. With this nifty connector, y’all can change how your laptop is used entirely — all past adding the necessary ports. Better yet, a USB-C hub will easily allow you connect to 1 of the
best monitors for MacBook Pro.
If you lot’re looking to transform your laptop into a full-diddled desktop setup, the
best docking stations
volition practise the fob. Amend yet, if y’all’re later the all-time docking stations for MacBook, nosotros’ve got you lot covered.
Thanks to the latest MacBook Pro models with M1 Pro and M1 Max, USB-C hubs and docking stations are more than useful than always as they now have dual-monitor support. Keep this in mind when picking out the port-heavy accessories below.
Now that we’re in 2022, Apple is sure to innovate new iterations to its MacBook Pro lineup, albeit farther down the line. However, we may see even improve USB-C hubs that perfectly lucifer the power of the latest MacBook Pro models, and so stay tuned.
USB-C Hub vs. Docking Station: What’southward the difference?
The difference between these 2 connectors is, when it comes downward to it, minuscule. Both have been designed to extend the range of peripherals your laptop can connect to. While many laptops may already sport multiple ports — from
USB-C
and HDMI 2.0 to the most recent
Thunderbolt iv
connectivity — many of the
best laptops
cede these for a more stylish, lightweight course factor (we’re looking at you, MacBook Air and
Dell XPS 13
).
A USB-C hub is mainly used to expand the number of ports on your laptop and is generally powered past the laptop itself. A good hub is typically small and lightweight to lucifer the portability of a laptop, and is perfect for professionals who are constantly on the move. While they mainly offer more USB-A 3.0 ports, seeing every bit most PC peripherals rely on USB-A connectivity, you’ll find plenty of the best hubs with SD carte du jour slots, HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, and Gigabit Ethernet ports.
Docking stations are a step up from USB-C hubs in some ways, merely are generally less portable and more expensive. These deliver connectivity for everything, offering upwards of ten ports for all kinds of peripherals. They are mainly used to turn your laptop into a desktop replacement, being able to support up to 8K resolution or dual 4K at 60Hz, audio connectivity, SD carte du jour readers, and
a lot
of USB-A or USB-C devices. Docking stations can power all these at one time, along with your laptop, every bit they are plugged into the wall to evangelize power.
If yous’re in need of power, the
all-time docking stations
will sort you out. However, when it comes to MacBooks, USB-C hubs brand for the perfect laptop accompaniment. A majority of Apple tree’southward premium laptops can merely connect to
a single external display
, meaning they don’t require all the ports a docking station boasts. Besides, USB-C hubs are a lot more portable and much easier on the wallet.
Without further ado, bank check out the best USB-C hubs for Apple’southward MacBook Pro.
The all-time USB-C Hub for MacBook Pro
As far as USB-C hubs go, the EZQuest Multimedia Hub is the best out in that location. With a competitive price, all the right ports to manage extra PC peripherals and storage devices, the added perk of 100W passthrough power delivery, and compatibility with nigh every platform, this sleek and travel-friendly hub will get the job washed.
While its lack of support for 60Hz on external displays and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity brand this a device more suited for professionals and coincidental consumers, it still offers incredible versatility that any laptop user can make the most out of. If you’re looking for a USB-C hub that will deed as a faithful companion to your work setup, the EZQuest Multimedia Hub is a no-brainer.
Meet our total
EZQuest USB-C Multimedia Hub
Plugable is known to deliver quality USB-C hubs and docking stations, but its USB-C vii-in-one Hub knocks it out of the park. At its price (currently listed at $27) and the number of different ports and features it sports, this USB-C hub is a steal.
With 3 USB 3.0 ports with 5Gbps transfer speeds, HDMI 1.4 connectivity which tin can support 4K resolution at 30Hz, and 2 SD card readers, in that location’s not much else a laptop user who is on the move will need. It’south a shame the USB-C 87W pass-through charging is dodgy, but there are many laptops with a separate power supply for charging, anyway.
See our full
Plugable USB-C seven-in-ane Hub review
It’southward unfair to call Targus’ USB-C Dual 4K Docking Station an bodily “docking station,” as it doesn’t accept nigh plenty ports to contend with those formidable accessories. But I tin can see why Targus has called information technology i. It boasts 100W Power Commitment and 2 HDMI ii.0 outputs with 4K capabilities at 60Hz — that’s not something many USB-C hubs tin can do.
MacBook Air and MacBook Pro owners are due an enkindling for port expansion, merely whatever laptop user will get a kick out of how simple withal handy Targus’ dock tin exist in nigh circumstances.
The USB-C Dual 4K Docking Station is a hybrid USB-C hub in disguise. It could have benefitted from an actress USB-A port, (equally well equally improve port management), merely it’s still an incredibly handy accompaniment whatsoever laptop and tablet user will get cracking use out of.
See our total
Targus USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Docking Station review
The Kensington SD1650P USB-C Unmarried 4K Portable Docking Station is the “something more than” owners of multiple devices should be interested in. Not but does the hybrid dock charge your Windows laptop with impressive 100W pass-through power while adding several ports, only it tin can also do the same for a MacBook, iPad, and even an Android tablet. If it supports USB-C connectivity, Kensington’s dock will, more than likely than not, piece of work like a charm.
The SD1650P Portable Docking Station’south compatibility is hard to beat, and since it tin work off a devices’ power supply without needing a power adapter (you’ll lose the 100W power pass through), the device is a fantastic choice for travelling professionals. The ability to immediately give virtually all your devices extra ports, video output options, and a power supply using one USB-C port makes this hybrid portable dock one of the best USB-C hubs on the market, specially for MacBook users.
Information technology’s a shame the price and express option of ports lets the SD1650P Portable Docking Station down, especially when other hubs are significantly more affordable. For those in need of a highly versatile device, the dock is worth your hard-earned greenbacks, especially with its 100W pass-through ability, which rivals even pricier docking stations.
See our full
Kensington SD1650P USB-C 4K Portable Docking Station review
The Dell DA300 is one of the smallest and most portable USB-C hubs around, thanks to its circular shape and retractable cablevision. Information technology features an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, a VGA port, an RJ45 Ethernet port, one USB Type-C port, and 1 USB iii.1 port. While it may non have plenty ports, especially when it comes to USB-A, the variety it boasts more than makes up for it. Overall, it’south a great USB-C hub to take on the go, every bit long every bit you’re okay with the relatively steep toll.
The Kensington SD1600P USB-C Mobile Dock is unique as information technology acts as a viable docking station and an first-class USB-C hub for MacBook users on the movement. Its USB-C passthrough power supply and boosted 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’south fine, as it tin too exist powered by your laptop.
One major downside is the mobile dock’s power laissez passer-through functionality doesn’t piece of work on the 16-inch
MacBook Pro (2020)
. Only, it does piece of work with Apple’s recent line of M1 Macbook models and other MacBook models.
If you tin excuse the bad-mannered 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
Kingston’s Nucleum USB-C hub is pocket-sized and slick, with access to two USB iii.0 ports, an HDMI port, an SD card and microSD card slot, ane USB-C with 60W pass-through charging, and one regular USB-C port. It doesn’t feel too lightweight or cheaply made, and fifty-fifty the cable is sturdy. The Nucleum is an overall quality hub, just information technology is pretty expensive considering the laissez passer-through ability information technology delivers isn’t equally high as other USB-C hubs.
This Anker USB-C hub delivers great ability in such a lightweight device, thanks to its multiple ports and USB-C laissez passer-through power delivery. With 2 USB 3.0 ports, 4K output at 30Hz, both kinds of SD card readers, and even a Gigabit Ethernet cablevision connectivity for those looking for faster internet speeds, MacBook owners won’t be disappointed.
However, continue in mind that its USB-C port is solely used for power commitment and non data transfer, which means you won’t go any added USB-C connectivity once you plug it in. That said, that’s what the
other
USB-C port on your MacBook is for.
The Euasoo hub has a slim, sleek design with a plentiful amount of ports for a decent toll. That includes a USB-C charging port, three USB 3.0 ports, a 4K HDMI port, RJ45 Ethernet port, a microSD carte du jour slot, an SD card slot, and a headphone/mic jack.
The spacing betwixt the USB ports is plenty so that the connectors don’t touch on, just the wire connecting to the laptop is annoyingly curt. We too plant that the sound jack was unreliable in producing sound through both left and right earphones, as the correct ear would only produce sound if I held the string a certain way and even the mic won’t piece of work at all.
As far equally USB-C hubs go, the EZQuest Multimedia Hub is the best out there. With a competitive cost, all the right ports to manage actress PC peripherals and storage devices, the added perk of 100W passthrough ability delivery, and compatibility with virtually every platform, this sleek and travel-friendly hub will get the chore done.
While its lack of support for 60Hz on external displays and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity make this a device more suited for professionals and casual consumers, information technology still offers incredible versatility that any laptop user can brand the most out of. If y’all’re looking for a USB-C hub that will act as a true-blue companion to your piece of work setup, the EZQuest Multimedia Hub is a no-brainer.
See our full
EZQuest USB-C Multimedia Hub
Source: https://www.laptopmag.com/best-picks/best-usb-c-hub-for-macbook-pro