Best USB Hubs to Connect Your Devices
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AmazonBasics 7-Port USB Hub -
D-Link 7 Multi Port USB Hub -
Belkin SuperSpeed 4-Port USB Hub -
Tripp Lite 7-Port USB Hub -
Sedna Advanced Electronics SE-USB-IHUB-100 10 Port USB 2.0 Internal Hub -
Buyer's Guide
A USB hub lets you easily connect numerous USB cables to a single device and acts as part of a larger network. This lets you work around limitations you may have on the number of USB ports in your computer and can make it easy for multiple devices to be shared within a network. The best type of hub for you will depend primarily on two things: the version of USB technology and how many ports. Most models out there support USB 2.0 because so many devices still use that standard, but the best performance comes from a USB 3.0 hub. While a wide range of different models is available, most of them have about half a dozen ports, which is plenty for most uses.
We’ve chosen these as the best USB hubs in 2022 because they offer you support for at least USB 2.0 specifications. You get at least four ports on these hubs to give you a lot of options for connecting your devices, and some of them also provide you with seven (or even 10) ports if you have a lot of devices to connect. All of these hubs include backward compatibility so you can choose a model that’s a bit better than what you need but it will still work with older hardware. Keep scrolling for our top picks and buyer's guide.
What Are the Best USB Hubs of 2022?
AmazonBasics 7-Port USB Hub - Best USB Hub Overall
While manufacturers like D-Link and Belkin have been industry leaders for many years, the AmazonBasics series of hardware is an inexpensive and very nice option if you are looking for a USB hub. It includes seven ports, which should be enough for most setups, with full USB 3.0 connectivity and speed. Each port is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and supports low, full, high, and super speeds depending on the hardware you connect. If you need few or more ports there are similar models available with either four ports or 10 respectively which gives you a lot of connectivity options. Despite the USB 2.0 backwards compatibility, there are also versions of all three of these hubs available as USB 2.0 ports, though the 3.0 models really are a better choice. All in all, this is a simple, straightforward hub that works well and just gives you everything you need.
D-Link 7 Multi Port USB Hub - Runner Up
This is a great little USB hub, and though it only has four ports it works well for a wide range of setups. It supports USB 3.0 standards though it's backwards compatible for USB 2.0 and 1.1. This means it should work with just about any modern device which uses a USB connection. The USB 3.0 support also means data rates through this hub can be quite a bit faster than many other models out there.
One of this models’ best features is it supports cascading hub setups; you can get three or four of these and have them all connected to each other to extend your network significantly, up to 127 total ports across multiple connected hubs. One thing to keep in mind with this model is it only supports Windows 7, Vista, and XP SP3 or higher, so it's not a great choice if you run Windows 8 or another OS. It may still work with other operating systems, but there's no guarantee so keep that in mind. However, this USB hub is easy to set up and use, so take a good look at it if it supports your OS.
Belkin SuperSpeed 4-Port USB Hub - Honorable Mention
This USB hub has four ports that support USB 3.0 standards, though they are backwards compatible to USB 2.0. If four ports is not enough for your setup, then you will need to choose another option because there is no ability to easily expand on this system or other models with more ports. However, for a simple, four-port USB 3.0 hub this is a great option. This option is not only simple to set up and use, it’s nice and small to go with a laptop or tablet. You can easily pack this into a laptop back, small piece of luggage, or other bag and take it anywhere with you. Since laptops and tablets often have only a few USB ports, this is a great option for expanding on the amount of hardware available to you.
Tripp Lite 7-Port USB Hub - Consider
This rather unassuming USB hub is one of the most popular models on the market. It has seven USB 2.0 ports that are backwards compatible to work with USB 1.1 specifications. Five of them are located on one side of the hub along with the power and upstream connections, while the other two ports are on the other side of the device. One great feature of this model is you can easily set it up lying on its side, but there's also a stand so this pick can be positioned upright in a vertical configuration.
This USB hub supports all major operating systems which makes it easy to use with just about any setup and all of the ports are hot-swappable so you can quickly switch out devices as needed. While it doesn’t have any options for expansion if you need additional connections, it’s a perfect choice if you just need a seven-port USB 2.0 hub.
Sedna Advanced Electronics SE-USB-IHUB-100 10 Port USB 2.0 Internal Hub - Best USB Hub
The design on this USB hub is quite nice and gives you an excellent option for internal port additions. You get 10 USB 2.0 ports with this model and they are all backwards compatible with USB 1.1. The price on this one is quite reasonable but you're not likely to find it in a lot of retail stores; additionally, ordering it online requires a fairly long shipping time since it comes from Hong Kong. This pick takes up a 3.5 inch bay in the front of your computer so you need to make sure you have room and it also uses a standard four plug connector from your power supply. Once installed, you can easily swap in and out USB devices and you don't have to worry about another device sitting around your computer.
Buyer's Guide
A USB hub device is an important device that allows you to expand a single Universal Serial Bus port into multiple ports connected to the host system. It is very similar to the power strip. This device is very popular nowadays because laptops and other computers have fewer ports to make them more lightweight and thin. Due to this, you may need to buy a USB hub so other accessories like a keyboard, mouse, and other things can be plugged in. Looking to buy the best USB hub for your evolving needs? Below is a comprehensive guide of all the essential things you should look at when purchasing one for yourself:
What Are the Different Types of USB Hubs Available?
There are two types of hubs for USB that you can consider buying after carefully evaluating your needs:
Bus-Powered Hubs
This type of hub will draw the power from a computer or other self-powered hub, so it is unnecessary to put it directly into an AC outlet. Moreover, you can plug low-powered USB devices like a mouse or joystick into a bus-powered hub. For your information, the Apple USB keyboard contains a bus-powered hub. As a result, you are not able to connect two bus-powered hubs. To join them, one hub should be self-powered.
Self-Powered Hubs
This hub has an AC adapter that is going to provide you with external power to the hub. Remember that your computer is also self-powered. Using this hub, you will have to plug the adapter cord into an electrical outlet or a power strip. The hub will supply its power, allowing you to connect most USB devices to it. The typical self-powered hub comes with four or seven USB ports.
What Are Features to Consider When Buying a USB Hub?
Now, we are going to take a look at some of the important features one has to look at when buying a USB hub for daily use:
Connectivity With Host
Traditionally, the connection present in the hub is Type A, but now you will also see the USB-C connector in most of the new computers and devices. When buying the hub, you have to pick the right type of connector for your particular device. The USB-A connector is a large rectangular type that has been in use for many years; USB-C is very small and has round corners on the connector.
If we look at the performance, the USB-C connector is for use with USB 3.0 and high standards, providing faster operation than older USB 1.0 and 2.0 standards.
Check Connectivity & Ports
Today, many interfaces can be connected. You need to check that the USB hub you are going to select should have the required connectivity. Don’t just check the ports, but check other required connectivity as well. The hub can provide different USB connections, making it useful especially when hubs are used as docking systems. The reason behind this is that with other keyboards or mice, you have to connect a USB flash memory stick and a variety of USB leads for charging devices and syncing. So, ensure that there are some extra ports in your hub for future use.
Portability and Size
General portability and size matter a lot! If you want to use the hub on the go, a small hub with a limited number of connections will be enough for you. Un-powered USB hubs usually have only four ports, so this may be the right choice for you. However, in the case of a home docking system, a powdered USB hub offers great levels of connectivity for use and can have lots of ports available.
Latest Standard
You should pick the latest standard like USB 3. USB 2.0 is still used and many devices for the newest standard are backward compatible, but USB 1.0 is obsolete now! You can only get it if someone has stored it for ages. As the data transfer speed is rising, it is always good to pick the latest standard. USB 3.0 hubs are available with a type A connection to the host. If buying this is a problem for you, then go for a USB 2.0 hub, but know that the speed of data transfer is slower. Keep in mind that the release of USB 3.1 and 3.2 will provide you with a high level of performance compared to USB 3.0.
How Have We Chosen Our Top Products?
To pick the best product for our readers, we keep the following factors in mind:
Customer Reviews
On online retail stores like Amazon and many others, you will see a section for customer reviews. We read these to determine if a product really holds up to its specifications, and you should too. Read them to know about the quality of the product and people’s experience with that particular product. If you have lingering questions about a product, consulting the reviews can often be the best place to find your answers.
Brand Reputation
Brand value or reputation is also one of the vital considerations when picking up the products. You should always buy a product from a company with a good reputation in the market to be sure about the quality. If the brand is new or doesn't have much of a reputation, be sure to do thorough research on those products. And, a brand that is more well-known may likely have better customer service, warranties, and return policies.
What is the Price Range for USB Hubs?
To buy a USB hub, expect to pay between $7 to $60. The price variation will be depending on the brand, the number of ports, type of connectivity, and build quality. The hubs offered by companies like Ankers are very good in quality, and they come with multiple ports and different connectivity options. Always buy a quality hub to ensure a better connection with the host system and fast data transfer.
Best USB Hubs FAQs
Q: How much power does a USB need?
A: The power will be dependent on the number of devices you are going to use. A USB port provides the power of 5 volts, so you need 2 amps or 10 volts per device. If you connect four devices, you need an output of 8 amps at 5 volts, or you can say 40 volts.
Q: Is performance affected by the USB hubs?
A: A powered USB hub will not affect the device’s performance with which you are going to connect.
Q: Are USB hubs worth it?
A: Hubs are very useful as they provide you with a way to get more out of a single USB port. They are widely used for laptops that have limited numbers of USB ports so you can connect as many devices as you need.
