USB Hubs

USB Hubs

A USB hub turns one port into several. NXP stocks 21 hubs and multi-port adapters from StarTech.com, Unitek, Targus, Alogic and Kensington — from a simple 4-port splitter to an 11-in-1 multi-port hub, a rugged 7-port industrial unit and a full dual-display docking station.

Bus-powered or powered — the decision that matters most

This is the one thing to get right.

A bus-powered hub draws all its power from the host computer's USB port. It's small, needs no power adaptor, and it's ideal for a mouse, a keyboard, a flash drive or a headset. What it won't do is run several power-hungry devices at once — the port only supplies so much, and the symptom of overloading it is devices randomly disconnecting.

A powered (self-powered) hub has its own mains adaptor and supplies full power to every port. Use one if you're connecting portable hard drives, optical drives, printers, scanners, charging phones, or more than about three devices at once. If you've ever had an external drive drop out mid-transfer on a hub, this is the fix.

Several StarTech hubs here accept optional auxiliary power, which gives you the flexibility to start bus-powered and add the adaptor if you hit a limit.

USB-C or USB-A

Match the hub's host connector to the port on your machine.

USB-C hubs connect to the small oval USB-C port on modern laptops and tablets. Most of this range is USB-C, and it's the right choice for anything bought in the last few years.

USB-A hubs connect to the older rectangular port — still the correct choice for desktops, older laptops, thin clients and industrial PCs.

Note the two are separate questions from what the hub gives you out: many USB-C hubs here connect via USB-C and provide USB-A ports downstream, which is exactly what you want if your peripherals are older than your laptop. If you just need longer reach rather than more ports, a USB cable is the cheaper answer.

Power Delivery pass-through — for single-port laptops

If your laptop charges over USB-C and only has one or two USB-C ports, a plain hub creates a problem: plug in the hub and you can't charge.

Power Delivery (PD) pass-through solves it. The hub takes your laptop charger on one side and passes power through to the laptop while also running your peripherals. The 100W PD models in this range cover most business laptops. Check your charger's wattage — a hub rated below your laptop's charger will charge more slowly, or not keep up under load.

This is the single most useful feature to specify for anyone working from a laptop at a desk.

Speed: USB 2.0 vs USB 3.0

USB 2.0 (480Mbps) is fine for a mouse, keyboard, headset or printer. Nothing about those devices needs more.

USB 3.0 / 3.1 at 5Gbps is roughly ten times faster and is what you need for external drives, flash drives, cameras, docking stations and anything moving files. Bandwidth is shared across the hub's ports, so two drives copying at once will each get less than the full rate.

There's no reason to choose USB 2.0 for a new purchase unless price is the only consideration.

Hubs with Ethernet, HDMI and card readers

Once a hub adds video, network or card slots it's really a multi-port adapter, and it's often the better buy for a laptop user:

• Ethernet — a wired network connection on a laptop with no RJ45 port. More reliable than Wi-Fi for video calls and large transfers.
• HDMI — an external monitor. This requires the laptop's USB-C port to support DisplayPort Alt Mode; most business laptops do, but check.
• Card readers — SD and microSD, for anyone working with cameras.

The Unitek 11-in-1 is the most comprehensive option here. If you want one cable to handle monitors, network, peripherals and charging every time you sit down, look at a docking station instead — the Kensington SD3500v in this range is a dual-display dock rather than a hub.

Industrial and mounted installations

For a workshop, production line, kiosk, vehicle or lab, a standard desktop hub sitting loose on a bench won't survive. StarTech's rugged mountable 7-port industrial hub is built to be screwed down and to tolerate a harsher environment.

NXP has no minimum order quantity, orders placed by 3pm dispatch the same day from the nearest branch, and freight is free on orders over $50.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a powered USB hub?

Yes, if you're connecting devices that draw significant power — portable hard drives, optical drives, printers, scanners, or charging a phone — or more than about three devices at once. A bus-powered hub is fine for a mouse, keyboard, flash drive and headset. Devices randomly disconnecting is the classic sign of an overloaded bus-powered hub.

What's the difference between a USB hub and a docking station?

A hub multiplies USB ports. A docking station adds video outputs, Ethernet, audio and usually laptop charging as well, and is designed as a single-cable connection for a laptop at a desk. If you want one cable to handle everything when you sit down, buy a dock.

Will a USB-C hub charge my laptop?

Only if it supports Power Delivery pass-through. Those models take your laptop's own charger and pass power through to the laptop while running peripherals — the 100W PD hubs in this range suit most business laptops. Match or exceed your charger's wattage, or charging will lag under load.

How many devices can I connect to a USB hub?

As many as it has ports, but power and bandwidth are shared. A 4-port bus-powered hub comfortably runs low-power peripherals; a 7-port or 11-in-1 hub with its own power supply is what you want for a fully loaded desk. Two external drives transferring at once will each run slower than one alone.

Can I connect a monitor through a USB hub?

Only through a hub or adapter with an HDMI or DisplayPort output, and only if your laptop's USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. Most current business laptops do — check the port marking or spec sheet before ordering, and see the HDMI cable range if you need the lead as well.