Best USB-C hubs and adapters for Mac 2024

Macworld

USB-C is the latest standard of USB that allows data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps, can fast-charge devices, and conveniently fits in a port either way up—which means that you can wave bye-bye to the age-old USB guessing game of “Which way does it go in?”.

While some of the newer hubs reviewed here do boast 10Gbps legacy USB-A ports, USB-A is mostly seen in devices at 5Gbps, offers slower charging speeds, and is annoyingly fussy at which way up it is when you try to connect it to a port.

USB-C is no one-trick pony, either—handling data transfer, video output and power input. 

You’ll find Type C on the old 12in MacBook, and faster variants of it (called Thunderbolt 3 or 4) on the MacBook Pro (post-2016 models), MacBook Air (post-2018), the iMac (after 2017) and Mac mini (2018 and later).

Thunderbolt Macs can connect to USB-C hubs and docks, but will lose some of their extra bandwidth—Thunderbolt’s 40Gbps significantly outpaces USB-C’s 5-10Gbps. USB4, like Thunderbolt, boasts 40Gbps bandwidth, although note that there is also a 20Gbps version to look out for.

From an Apple user perspective, Thunderbolt 3 and 4 are very similar. Both have 40Gbps bandwidth but TB4 has a few extra benefits; find out more in our Thunderbolt 4 vs Thunderbolt 3 comparison.

If you need super-fast data transfer, read our roundup of the best Thunderbolt 4 hubs.

Few people have a full range of USB-C or Thunderbolt gear, so you’ll likely need a USB-C hub to add different ports—such as old-school USB-A—to your Mac.

In general, an “adapter” works with a single port (such as USB-A or Ethernet) while a “hub” gives you multiple ports. If you require even more, then look for a “dock” or “docking station”.

If you’re after a full desktop setup for your MacBook, look out for our recommendations for the best USB-C and Thunderbolt docking stations for MacBooks.

Apple has a range of adapters, too, but at a (high) price. We have tested them here, but other gadget makers offer more budget-friendly alternatives, along with a range of other USB-C cables, chargers and accessories–and we present the best ones below. 

Here we have tested and reviewed the premium USB-C hubs and adapters. There are many much cheaper versions out there, but we recommend these for quality and robustness.

Which extra ports do you need

Many MacBook users connect their laptop to one or more external displays for greater screen space. You can connect to monitors via a USB-C (via adapters to non-USB-C monitors) or better a dedicated video port, such as HDMI or DisplayPort. Check the hub specs to see which displays they support: some are limited to HD displays, others support 4K (also known as UHD) displays. The refresh rate is also important. 4K at 30Hz is fine for most productivity and browsing tasks, but watching video or playing games demands higher refresh rates of at least 60Hz.

You may need some old non-reversible USB-A ports, and most adapters and hubs have at least one for your non-USB-C memory sticks and drives. Look for at least USB 3.0, which has a speedy bandwidth of 5Gbps compared to the lamentably sluggish USB 2.0’s 480Mbps.

To fast-charge an iPhone, you need a minimum of 18W and it has to be USB-C, so look for extra USB-C slots with charging power, which are more capable than USB-A.

Other ports to look for in a hub include Ethernet for faster wired Internet access (without the flakiness of Wi-Fi). You can choose from standard Gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbps) or 2.5Gb Ethernet (2500Mbps), although the faster Ethernet requires the whole network to support that speed.

An SD or microSD card reader is perfect for adding inexpensive portable storage to your system. Card readers come at different speeds: UHS-I at 104MBps, and UHS-II at 312MBps; although some are slower at 60MBps.

Look for hubs that offer passthrough charging, so you can charge your laptop even though you are using up one of the laptop’s USB-C ports for the hub itself. Most don’t ship with a charger, so you’ll need to add your own, and remember that it needs to be a 100W charger to give 85W and above charging if offered by the hub. Lower wattage chargers are fine but will limit the hub’s charging potential. Couple your hub with one of the best Mac USB-C chargers.

Check the Power Delivery (PD) charging power each hub or adapter offers connected laptops or iPads. 12in MacBook and MacBook Air charge at 30W; the 13in and 14in MacBook Pro at 67W, the 15in MacBook Pro at 87W; and the 16in MacBook Pro at 96W. You can certainly use a charger at lower power, but remember that it will power up slower than when using a higher-wattage charger, and if too low your laptop might run out of juice altogether when maxed out on power-hungry apps and devices.

You can also buy USB-C adapters for the many display standards out there, such as VGA and DVI.

Most of the products tested here work with non-Apple USB-C laptops too, but you can read Tech Advisor’s more general roundup of the best USB-C hubs.

Many hubs and docks aren’t compatible with Apple’s SuperDrive CD/DVD drive. We’ve found only one USB-C dock that is compatible with the SuperDrive, the Caldigit USB-C Pro Dock.






Anker 555 PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C Hub – Best overall USB-C hub











Pros


8 ports inc Ethernet, 60Hz 4K display via HDMI

10Gbps USB-C and USB-A

85W PD



Cons


Can get warm during use

UHS-I SD reader


















The Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C Hub is compact and powerful, offering greater specs than some of the other leading options on this list.

It offers two USB-C ports—one that supports 85W USB-C Power Delivery, while another supports data transfers up to 10Gbps. You also get speedy 10Gbps transfer rates through two additional USB-A ports, where many rivals max out at 5Gbps. 

The Anker PowerExpand is special as it offers an HDMI port that supports 4K 60Hz resolutions, where most are limited to 4K 30Hz. For 4K 60Hz resolution, your device must support DP 1.4. This includes MacBook Air (from 2020), MacBook Pro 15in (from 2018), MacBook Pro 16in (from 2019) and iPad Pro (from 2018).

Also included are an SD card reader (that can support a microSD card with an adapter). This is rated at UHS-I (104MBps) so not the fastest but speedier than some other hubs tested here offer.

The Gigabit Ethernet port is great for those times when Wi-Fi just won’t do.

It’s also incredibly light at just under 130g and compact so you can take it anywhere. At $79.99/£79.99 it’s hard to deny this hub’s value for money. In our experience, it does get warm with use but Anker says this is normal.







Ugreen 4-in-1 USB 3.0 Hub – Best budget hub for multiple USB-A ports











Pros


Inexpensive

Four 5Gbps USB-A ports

10W device charger



Cons


Limited to USB-A ports

No passthrough charge to host










Price When Reviewed:

16,99 €





If all you need from an adapter is the ability to connect a bunch of older USB-A devices to your MacBook, this simple adapter should do the trick.

The Ugreen USB-C 4-port hub is a slim and inexpensive adapter that allows you to add four full-size USB 3.0 ports that can handle data transfer at up to 5Gbps. It has recently been upgraded to feature a further USB-C port that can supply a 10W charge for connected devices, but not the host computer. While all four ports can be used simultaneously, a maximum of two hard drives can be connected at one time.

It looks the part with most modern MacBooks, and is an easy way to connect memory sticks, a printer or other older devices that don’t come with USB-C.







Satechi Pro Hub Max Adapter – Best 40Gbps USB4 hub for Mac











Pros


USB4

40Gbps data transfer

7 ports inc 4K 60Hz display HDMI, Ethernet



Cons


No device charging from USB-A and USB-C ports










Price When Reviewed:

€99,99





All of the portable USB-C hubs reviewed here are compatible with the Mac’s Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports, but most feature slower USB-C connections (5Gbps or 10Gbps) compared to Thunderbolt (40Gbps).

The Satechi Pro Hub Max, available in either Silver or Space Gray, features USB4 ports that are both compatible with Thunderbolt and can reach the same 40Gbps maximum throughput.

Connecting directly to two of the MacBook’s Thunderbolt ports, it boasts a bunch of ports that should be enough for most of us. The hub receives 40Gbps from each of the Thunderbolt ports on the Mac (so a total of 80Gbps). 40Gbps is used for the USB4 pass-through port, while the second Thunderbolt port distributes 40Gbps of bandwidth to the rest of the ports on the hub.

The USB4 port supports up to 96W charging—easily fine for a 14-inch MacBook Pro and punchy enough to keep a 16-inch Pro going and charged pretty quickly. This same USB4 port can be used to connect to an external display—up to 6K at 60Hz display output, transferring data at 40Gbps.

It should allow video output and passthrough charging simultaneously. In a test connection from a MacBook to an LG 4K UltraFine Display, the MacBook was able to output video to the monitor, while the monitor was able to provide power to the MacBook, all through the single connection. Owners of the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro and M2 Air can charge via the MagSafe connector at the same time as using the Pro Hub.

The HDMI 2.0 port can also be used to connect a 4K 60Hz display, so you can achieve a dual 4K monitor setup on any Pro or Max M1 or M2 MacBook. Plain M1/M2 MacBook Airs are limited to just one external display.

Also onboard are a 5Gbps USB-A port and a 5Gbps USB-C port—although neither can charge connected devices. There are both SD and MicroSD card readers (UHS-I), a Gigabit Ethernet port, and 3.5mm combo audio jack port.

In the same family, Satechi also offers the Pro Hub Mini (the same as the Max but without the HDMI port) and the Pro Hub Slim (which swaps the Ethernet port for an extra USB-A port, and boasts 10GBps USB-A and USB-C ports compared to the Mac and Mini’s 5Gbps). If you don’t need wired Internet access, the Pro Hub Slim edges out the Pro Hub Max. If you don’t need more than one external screen or you want to save the USB4 for passthrough charging only, consider the Pro Hub Mini or the Plugable 5-in-1 USB-C Hub reviewed below..

Note that all three requires a MacBook with two adjacent Thunderbolt ports on one side.







Plugable 5-in-1 USB-C Hub – Best budget 40Gbps USB-C hub for Mac











Pros


40Gbps data transfer

6K display at 60Hz via USB-C

5 ports inc Ethernet

Affordable


















While not certified as either USB4 or Thunderbolt 4, this compact and very portable 5-in-1 USB-C hub (AMS-5IN1E) offers 40Gbps data-transfer via its USB-C port, and is designed for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros introduced after 2021, or MacBook Airs introduced after 2022. A smart cutout keeps access to those MacBooks’ MagSafe charger port.

The inclusion of the 40Gbps USB-C port is useful as the hub uses the two Thunderbolt or USB4 ports in its flush side connection to the MacBook. But, in return, it gives you two 5Gbps USB-A ports (4.5W charging) and Gigabit Ethernet. The audio jack port is also covered but replicated on the hub.

The 40Gbps USB-C port can be used to connect a display up to 6K at 60Hz, or offer passthrough charging at up to 100W—15W for phones and other devices.

Its closest rival is the Satechi Pro Hub Mini (reviewed above), which features an extra USB-C port (5Gbps) but is more expensive, so this hub wins our budget 40Gbps hub award.









Twelve South StayGo – Best portable USB-C dock











Pros


Lightweight

8 ports inc Ethernet, 4K display via HDMI

85W passthrough PD



Cons


No spare USB-C ports

4K display at 30Hz

UHS-I card readers










Price When Reviewed:

106,80 €





The StayGo is, as its name suggests, one for the home, office and on your travels. It’s lightweight and much more compact than most USB-C docks.

It features a full array of 8 ports, including: USB-C 3.1 for 85W Power Delivery (PD) charging of the laptop; an HDMI port (4K at 30Hz) for attaching to an external display; two 5Gbps USB-A 3.0 ports and another USB-A port with 7.5W for faster charging; Gigabit Ethernet for wired Internet; and SD and Micro SD card readers.

It is showing its age a bit with its focus on USB-A rather than spare USB-C ports. The only USB-C port on offer is for passthrough charging of your laptop.

It comes with a 1m USB-C cable to connect with your laptop, plus a detachable travel cable that hides inside the dock when not in use. While not Thunderbolt 3 or 4 it is compatible with Thunderbolt MacBooks–its data transfer is just limited to 5Gbps rather than TB’s 40Gbps.

It’s pricier than most of the hubs reviewed here, but it’s got everything you need except a spare USB-C port, and we like it a lot. It feels more robust than some of the cheaper hubs, yet weighs just 150g.

It’s available in either Black or White.







Baseus 6-in-1 USB-C Hub – Best value 10Gbps USB-C hub











Pros


6 ports inc Ethernet, 4K 60Hz display via HDMI

100W PD

1x USB-C (10Gbps)

2x USB-A (10Gbps)



Cons


No card reader

UK model is older


















We are big fans of the Baseus 6-in-1 USB-C Hub which lacks the card readers found on some hubs but boasts three 10Gbps USB ports (2x USB-A and 1x USB-C) and Gigabit Ethernet, plus an HDMI port that supports an external display at 60Hz. It also features a button that will quickly turn the connected external display off.

(The 6-in-1 model currently on sale in the UK offers lesser performance: 5Gbps USB-A instead of 10Gbps, and external display support at 30Hz compared to 60Hz.)

Baseus has several other excellent and affordable USB-C hubs, one of which might suit you better, so check out what each offers:

Baseus 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: 100W passthrough charging; 1x HDMI (4K@60Hz); 3x USB A (5Gbps, 7.5W charging), SD and MicroSD card readers via Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Baseus 8-in-1 USB-C Hub: 100W passthrough charging; 1x HDMI (4K@30Hz); Gigabit Ethernet; 3x USB A (5Gbps, 7.5W charging), SD and MicroSD card readers via Baseus.

Baseus 9-in-1 USB-C Hub: 100W passthrough charging; 2x HDMI (one at 4K@120Hz; other HDMI can only mirror the display on Macs at 4K@30Hz); Gigabit Ethernet; 3x USB A (two at 5Gbps and one at 480Mbps), SD and MicroSD card readers via Baseus, Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Each hub includes an integrated USB-C cable that can be minimized for travel with its neat cable-tidy port that creates a loop. And there’s an LED that shows you when the the hub is in use.







Twelve South StayGo mini – Best budget portable USB-C dock











Pros


Works with iPad Pro and MacBook

Super portable

85W passthrough PD

4K display via HDMI



Cons


4K display at 30Hz

USB-A port is slow for data transfer










Price When Reviewed:

€64.99





The StayGo mini is, at its name suggests, a cut-down version of Twelve South’s admirable StayGo portable USB-C hub. It’s primarily designed for the iPad Pro but will also work with a MacBook.

While it lacks its bigger sibling’s Ethernet port and SD/microSD card readers, it still 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 features BC 1.2 for up to 7.5W fast charging, but is USB 2.0 so limited to 480MBps data transfer compared to the StayGo’s three 5Gbps USB-A ports.

It can connect directly to a tablet USB-C port, and also ships with a 0.5 meter USB-C cable if you want to use it with a MacBook. And if your iPad is in a protective case, the cable will mean the hub can still connect to the tablet.

Available in Black only.







Satechi USB-C Multiport Adapter 8K With Ethernet V3 – Best hub for multiple fast USB-C ports











Pros


5x USB-C ports: 3 at 10GBps

85W passthrough PD

60Hz 4K display via HDMI

2.5G Ethernet

UHS-II SD card reader



Cons


No device charging from USB-C ports

No USB-A

















Best Prices Today:



$99.99 at Satechi





This USB-C hub has four USB-C ports but no USB-A. If you no longer have need for old-time USB-A by buying this hub you won’t be wasting money on a port you don’t require. If you have USB-A peripherals, such as an older memory stick, then you should look for a hub with a Type-A USB port.

Three of the USB-C ports offer fast 10Gbps data transfer, and one at 5Gbps. A fifth USB-C port is for attaching a power source, most likely a USB-C wall charger. If the charger is rated at 100W, all that power can be distributed via the hub, including up to 85W PD to the host laptop or tablet.

However, aside from the pass-through PD port, none of the USB ports can output power to connected devices.

It’s not just the USB ports that are fast—the Ethernet port can reach 2.5Gb, compared to most hubs’ 1Gb Ethernet, if your network supports such speeds; of course, it is backwards compatible with GigabIt Ethernet networks.

And the SD card reader is also top-notch at 312MBps, compared to some that are UHS-I at 104MBps.

Despite the 8K in its name, the HDMI 2.1 port can support only as high a resolution as an external 4K display at 60Hz refresh rate, as well as display options of 2K/144Hz and 1080p/240Hz. Apple display limitations mean that its potential 8K/30Hz display support is limited to Windows machines.

It’s at the high end for price but you get high-end, premium and future-proof ports for your money.

It is available in Apple MacBook-matching Space Gray, Silver, and Midnight colors.







Satechi 4-Port USB-C Hub – Best budget hub for multiple USB-C ports











Pros


4x USB-C ports

Compact



Cons


Data-only ports

5Gbps not 10Gbps










Price When Reviewed:

€54.99





Sick of hubs that still think USB-A is a thing? If what you want is more USB-C ports, the Satechi 4-Port USB-C Hub has plenty for you. Each port is USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 so 5Gbps, although that should be fast enough for most.

The USB-C ports don’t support passthrough charging or video output, and can handle only two hard drives or SSDs at the same time.







Startech.com 7-Port USB-C Hub – Best hub for multiple USB-A and -C ports











Pros


7 fast USB ports

65W power supply included



Cons


Only 2x USB-C ports


















If it’s just USB ports you need to add, then you find more than available on Startech.com’s 7-Port USB-C Hub, although we’d have preferred more USB-C ports, which here are outnumbered by legacy USB-A.

There are five USB-A ports, all rated at a speedy 10Gbps. One offers 12W of device-charging power. One of the two 10Gbps USB-C ports can also charge connected devices at 12W. The other USB ports each offer a small charge of 4.5W.

Even 12W is not powerful enough to fast charge an iPhone but it’s enough to keep most connected devices powered up.

The hub is self-powered via its 65W power supply.







Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub – Best dual-4K hub for M1/M2/M3 Macs











Pros


10 ports

100W PD

4K 60Hz display via HDMI

Supports two displays on M1/M2/M3 MacBook



Cons


UHS-I card readers


















This hub has enough different ports to call 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 own power supply but offers passthrough PD charging at a more than healthy 100W.

That’s a great set of ports, but that’s not it’s biggest plus for users of Apple’s plain M1/M2/M3-based MacBooks.

The standard M1, M2 and M3 chips (that is non-Pro/Max) in Apple’s recent MacBooks are powerful but have a major limitation: unlike Intel-based Macs, they don’t support more than one external display. The smarter M1/M2/M3 Pro and Max chips do support multiple displays.

If that is a problem for you there is a hardware solution in the Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub, which lets non-Pro/Max Macs connect two external displays. There is some light software installation involved for M1/M2/M3 users, and you need to allow InstantView access to your Privacy settings in System Preferences. There are alternative solutions for adding two or more monitors to an M1, M2, M3 MacBook.

One HDMI port allows for 4K at 60Hz, and the other 4K at 30Hz.







Satechi USB4 Multiport Adapter w/2.5G Ethernet – Best adapter for USB4 and 2.5G Ethernet











Pros


USB4 40Gbps bandwidth

2.5G Ethernet

4K at 60Hz display via HDMI

10Gbps USB-C and USB-A

Passthrough 100W PD



Cons


USB-C not for video










Price When Reviewed:

€149,99





If you want the fastest Internet and network speeds, you need to push past Gigabit Ethernet to Multi-Gig Ethernet, ranging up to 10Gbps. This six-port hub from Satechi boasts a 2.5Gbps (2.5GbE) Ethernet port—2.5x faster than regular Gigabit Ethernet. 2.5GbE development is becoming more commonplace now that WiFi 6 enables wireless connection to over 1GbE LAN, and you can find 2.5G ports on some WiFi 6 routers. Current CAT5e Ethernet cables are compatible so there’s no need for rewiring.

Aside from 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. Note that neither USB-C port supports video transfer so it’s a one-display hub.

This hub also stands apart from standard USB-C ports by being USB4, which means you get to play with your Mac’s full 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 bandwidth.

If all you need is the 2.5Gbps (2.5GbE) Ethernet port, look at Satechi’s more affordable USB-C 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, which boasts a strong braided cable.







Ugreen USB-C to Ethernet Adapter 2.5G – Best simple adapter for 2.5G Ethernet











Pros


2.5G Ethernet


















If all you need is a USB-C adapter that will add super-fast Ethernet to your computer, the Ugreen USB-C to Ethernet Adapter 2.5G offers 2.5x network speeds compared to standard Gigabit Ethernet on supporting networks.

The short cable isn’t braided like the Satechi USB-C 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter but the adapter is cheaper and just as able.







Satechi USB-C Dual 4K HDMI Adapter – Best adapter for dual 4K displays











Pros


2x HDMI for 4K displays at 60Hz

Lightweight

Passthrough PD



Cons


Requires 2-port laptop










Price When Reviewed:

59,99 €





Satechi promises that this adapter can handle two 4K displays at 60Hz – most display-friendly USB-C hubs can handle 4K displays only at 30Hz, a lower frame rate that is fine for most tasks but not ideal for high-resolution gaming or broadcasts.

This simple double-HDMI adapter also includes a USB-C PD charging port (at up to 60W) so you can keep your MacBook charged while it’s in use.

It is compatible only with MacBook models with two side Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, and weighs 62g (2.2oz). Note that it doesn’t support two external displays on non-Pro or Max M1, M2 or M3 Macs.

It is available in either Silver or Space Gray. 







Satechi USB-C To HDMI 2.1 8K Adapter – Best USB-C to HDMI adapter for high refresh rates











Pros


Supports 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz video



Cons


Requires HDMI 2.1 cable


















The Satechi USB-C to HDMI 2.1 8K Adapter uses the latest HDMI 2.1 technology that supports 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz video for ultra-high resolution and refresh rate.

Standard cables and adapters are mainly rated to support lower resolutions such as 4K and refresh rates capped at about 60Hz. Because this adapter supports HDMI 2.1 protocol, it can reach double the bandwidth used for higher resolutions at up to 8K and refresh rates up to 120Hz/144Hz or even sometimes 500Hz if using a lower resolution such as 1080p. Standard cables that do not use HDMI 2.1 are limited in resolution and refresh rates.

Sadly, the Mac’s. display options don’t stretch to 8K unless you use the MacBook Pro’s own integrated HDMI port. The Satechi USB-C To HDMI 2.1 8K Adapter, however, allows for faster refresh rates:

4K at 60Hz/120Hz/144Hz

1080p at up to 240Hz

You will need to own a high-speed HDMI cable that can support HDMI 2.1 protocol—Satechi also sells a 2-meter USB-C to HDMI 2.1 cable, but you wouldn’t need that and this adapter as the cable would do everything you require. The adapter is users who want to use their current HDMI to HDMI cable that supports higher refresh rates. The adapter also gives you the ability to decide how long the HDMI cable you are going to connect will be. For example, if you have a compact desk space and don’t want to have a long HDMI cable to help with cable management, you can buy a shorter HDMI 2.1 cable and connect to the adapter.







Plugable USB-C to HDMI Multiport Adapter – Best alternative to Apple AV Multiport Adapter











Pros


Inexpensive AV adapter

4K display via HDMI

Passthrough PD



Cons


4K display at 30Hz


















Apple got a lot of flack when moving to USB-C because it meant that many of its users had to buy one or more adapters to replicate the ports they were used to, and needed.

It wasn’t so much that we needed adapters, but more to do with the price Apple was charging for its simple USB-C hubs and adapters.

Take, for example Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, which cost a lot for just an HDMI port, one USB-A port and a passthrough-power USB-C port.

Plugable has a much cheaper alternative, at about a third of the price. And it looks pretty identical.

Aside from the price, the one drawback is that the HDMI connection can connect a 4K external display at 30Hz rather than the full 60Hz, which may put off gamers.

But otherwise, this is a great alternative at a fraction of the price, and can charge at 60W.







Satechi Stand Hub for Mac Mini – Best USB-C hub for Mac mini











Pros


Neat USB-C hub for Mac mini

Thunderbolt 3



Cons


No device charging










Price When Reviewed:

89.99





We tend to think of hubs for laptops, such as Apple’s MacBooks, which lack more than one or two USB-C ports and so require a dock to add further devices.

The Mac Mini and Mac Studeio, you’d think, have an army of ports in comparison to Apple’s laptops.

The latest Mac mini models boast two Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 (fast USB-C) ports, two old-school USB-A ports, HDMI 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and 3.5mm headphone jack.

That sounds like a lot, but Apple accessory specialist Satechi believes the Mini needs maxing.

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

(Note that you can’t charge devices connected to the USB ports, as they are there for syncing and data transfer only.)

The crucial point is that these points are front-facing, and not tucked around the back with the unwieldy and unsightly power supply. It also lifts the Mini off the desk, and its built-in air vents help regulate temperature and encourage airflow.

There is a superior model, the Satechi Stand & Hub For Mac Mini / Studio With NVMe SSD Enclosure, which includes an integrated slot where you can insert an SSD card to add affordable fast storage, accessible when connected to your Mac mini or Mac Studio. Read our Satechi Stand & Hub With SSD Enclosure review.







HyperDrive 6-in-1 USB-C Hub for 24in iMac – Best hub for iMac











Pros


6 ports

2x USB-C (10Gbps)

USB-A (10Gbps, 7.5W)

4K 60Hz display via HDMI

Color matches your iMac



Cons


UHS-I card reader

24in iMac only


















You might not think a desktop Mac needs a hub, but the 24in iMac is quite lacking, having either just two Thunderbolt ports on the entry-level model or two Thunderbolt and two USB-C at the top-end. These ports are also all hidden away at the back, which can mean snaking cables all over your desk.

Five of the ports on this hub that clamps to the underside of the iMac are front-facing ports for easy access to memory cards, USB storage, or storage cards. There are two USB-C ports and one USB-A port (all rated at a speedy 10GBps). The USB-A port can charge a phone at 7.5W.

The UHS-I (104MBps) SD and microSD card readers aren’t the fastest but should suffice. Such memory cards are an affordable way of adding portable storage, and will also delight camera users.

At the rear of the hub is an HDMI port that can support an external 4K display at 60Hz.

Hyper also sells a 5-in-1 iMac USB Hub with two USB-C (5Gbps) and three USB-A (5Gbps and one that charges at 7.5W).

Quite brilliantly, the hubs can color-match with your 24in iMac, with 7 iMac color faceplates included.







SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Card USB-C Reader – Best USB-C SD Card adapter











Pros


Simple UHS-II SD card reader

Inexpensive



Cons


Requires adapter for microSD cards


















If you’re a digital professional or just a photography enthusiast, chances are you might be slightly peeved that the new MacBook Pro you held out for doesn’t have an SD card slot. 

SanDisk is here to save the day. This neat SD card reader is USB-C compatible and will allow Thunderbolt 3 speed transfers of all your high-resolution photos and videos. 

SD cards are also a very inexpensive way to add portable storage to your laptop, from 32GB up to 1TB.







Cable Matters USB-C to VGA Adapter – Best USB-C to VGA Adapter











Pros


VGA and HDMI ports



Cons


4K display at 30Hz


















This simple adapter makes a USB-C port into a VGA port for older displays and projectors, and also can handle two external displays.

VGA was once the most popular video connector but is seen less these days, being overtaken by DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort and direct USB-C.

It supports 920×1200@60Hz HD resolutions via VGA, and 4K at 30Hz through its HDMI port. It isn’t compatible with supporting two displays on an M1 MacBook.







Cable Matters USB-C to DVI Adapter – Best USB-C to DVI Adapter











Pros


DVI port



Cons


HD display only










Price When Reviewed:

€19.49





If you need to connect to a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) display or projector, this adapter does the trick. 

It can support resolutions up to 1,920-x-1,080 at 60Hz.







Plugable USB-C 7-in-1 Hub with HDMI











Pros


7 ports inc Ethernet, 4K display via HDMI

87W PD

Lightweight



Cons


4K display at 30Hz


















Slim and sturdy while still being very portable, the latest version of Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C hub comes with HDMI port that can support an external 4K display at 30Hz.

There are also two 5Gbps USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet, UHS-I SD and microSD Card readers, and a USB-C port for PD passthrough charging at up to an impressive 87W—enough for most laptops.

At just 106g, it’s the lightest of the truly multifunctional (display plus Ethernet) hub/docks available.







Kingston Nucleum 7-port USB-C Adapt