As undeniable as the efficiency of Apple’s MacBooks is, one unfortunate shortcoming they have is inadequate ports. Granted, the latest MacBook Pros/Airs have media card slots and an HDMI port added to their traditional USB-C ports. However, this is not enough for someone who wants to maximize an Apple laptop’s benefits. For instance, it doesn’t have the USB-A port that most gamers and other users want. That is why USB-C hubs have become the saving grace for every MacBook Pro/Air user that wants to be able to connect secondary hardware to their laptops.
But before reaching out to any purchase outlet to buy a USB-C hub for your MacBook Pro/Air, you must consider some factors. These include:
- The number of external hardware you plan to connect. For instance, if you plan to connect a wired mouse and keyboard plus a display screen, the USB-C hub you’ll be looking for must have USB and HDMI ports.
- Functionality. Suppose you hope to charge your MacBook with the USB-C hub; you must be sure that such hub supports charging.
- It’s always better to purchase from a brand that has established itself in producing quality accessories for electronic gadgets to avoid wasting your money. ESR is one of such reputable brands.
- That something is expensive does not always mean it’s authentic. Also, in trying to cut costs, you might buy fake products. Be prepared to pay a mid-range reasonable price for this accessory. Again, ESR helps tremendously in this aspect.
- Delivery & Return Policy. In case anything goes wrong, you must be able to return your order with little to no hassle.
Best USB-C Hubs For MacBook Pro/Air In 2022
- ESR 8-in-1 Portable Hub
- Satechi Type-C Multi-Port Adapter
- HyperDrive Mac USB C Hub Adapter
- Anker USB-C Hub For MacBook
- Moshi Symbus Mini 7-in-1 USB-C Hub Adapter
-
ESR 8-in-1 Portable Hub– $39.99(With 20% Off Code: BLOG20)
Features
- Tangle-Free Cable
- 100W Power Delivery
- Multiple Compatibility
- 30-day Returns
For whatever reason you need a USB-C hub for your MacBook, this ESR product meets all. It has two USB-A 3.0 ports, one USB-A 2.0 port, 100W USB-C PD for charging, SD and MicroSD slots, and an RJ45 Ethernet port. Of course, it also comes with a 4K HDMI port that refreshes at 30Hz. These make it the right USB-C hub for charging, on-screen display, and secondary hardware connections.
There are at least three reasons why this ESR USB-C hub comes first on our list. First, it’s about the cheapest for the features it packs. Second, it is compatible with MacBook Pro/Air, tablets, laptops, iPads, and several other gadgets. The third reason is that this USB-C hub by ESR is very portable. You can take it to your office or even on a journey effortlessly. The integrated cord is easy to stretch and pack, and the hub has heat-dissipating technology that keeps it cool even after several hours of usage.
Features
- Sleek Aluminium Body
- Power Delivery
- Multiple Compatibility
- 15-Day Free & Easy Return
Most customers who purchased this USB-C by Satechi rated it high for its connectivity to MacBooks. That is not to say that it doesn’t work for other USB-C devices. It has a V2-4K HDMI port, SD and Micro ports, RJ-45 Ethernet, USB-C, and one USB-A port. So, it essentially has all the ports that the ESR 8-in-1 hub above has, although lesser.
The only challenge buyers have pointed out in this hub is that it gets hot when used. Save for that, its sleek aluminum material and plethoral of ports for almost any connection are some of the reasons it made this list. As per the price, you can say it’s more expensive than ESRs, but it is among the cheapest you can find around. This product also comes with a year warranty in case of any quality concerns.
-
HyperDrive Mac USB-C Hub Adapter– $99.99
Features
- Sleek and Design’
- 8 Connection Ports
- 30-day Returns
Here’s an 8-in-2 USB-C hub like no other on the list. It stands out as the only hub with two USB-C ports that support data and power simultaneously. The first USB-C port on this hub supports super-fast 40 Gbps data transfer and 100 W power delivery all at once. There are eight ports: two USB-A 3.0 ports, MicroSD/SD card slots, 2 USB-C ports, and 2 HDMI (4k/4K MiniDP). It’s not surprising why its price is $100.
For many people, the price is a big turn-off. However, the convenience it affords explains its price if you can afford it. It’s, however, best used with MacBook Pro/Air and may not offer the same features if used with other devices. Also, the 30-day returns keep everything simple if there’s the need to return it. This USB-C hub contains instructions on installation and what you must not do for it to last.
-
Anker USB-C Hub For MacBook– $69.99
Features
- 8-in-2 Ports
- Compact And Sleek Design
- 18-Month Warranty
- 30-day Returns
Anker is a renowned name in accessory manufacturing, and this 8-in-2 USB-C hub by them closely resembles that by Hyper, except that the former has some distinguishing features. However, in design, they are almost the same. The ports available on this hub are one multipurpose USB-C port, one USB-C data port, SD & MicroSD card slots, two USB-A ports, an audio port, and one HDMI port.
The popularity of this Anker USB-C hub is by no means an accident, as more than 761 buyers on Amazon gave it an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. The design is compact, and it does its work efficiently. The HDMI gives up to 5K resolution, just like the previous two above, but the refreshing rate is 60 Hz.
Features
- Multiple connectivities
- Magnetic Cable Management
- 30-day Returns
- 10 Years Warranty
Here’s another $100 USB-C hub on our list. This USB-C hub is arguably the most powerful, considering its extensive connectivity support for 3.0 and 3.1 ports, SDXC/SDHC/SD, and 4k HDMI to maximize your MacBook’s potential. What is unique about it is the USB-A ports that are 3.1 compared to others on this list that are 3.0. Also, it uses magnets to keep the cable in place while you are on the move.
Final Verdict
All the five USB-C hubs on this list have similar ports, although with some differences. The more expensive ones have technologies and upgraded supports absent in the low-end types. However, these additions have little marginal difference in performance. All still achieve the same thing at almost the same speed. Based on this, our pick from the five is the ESR 8-in-1 portable USB-C hub because of its favorable price and simple design. It offers everything you need in a USB-C hub without straining your pocket.
