Best USB Hub 2026 — Top 5 USB-C Hubs Tested & Ranked
Last updated: May 2026 • 9 hubs tested
Modern laptops have too few ports — a good USB-C hub or Thunderbolt dock adds the connections you need without sacrificing desk space. After testing 9 hubs for port reliability, data speeds, power delivery and thermal performance, these five stand out.
Quick Overview
| Model | Best for | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Anker 555 USB-C Hub | Best overall Best Pick | ★★★★½ 4.7 |
| CalDigit TS4 | Best Thunderbolt 4 dock Runner-up | ★★★★☆ 4.9 |
| UGREEN Revodok Max 213 | Best 13-in-1 hub | ★★★★½ 4.5 |
| Satechi Slim Multi-Port | Best for MacBook travel Best Budget | ★★★★½ 4.3 |
| UGREEN 9-in-1 | Best budget hub | ★★★★☆ 4.2 |
1. Anker 555 USB-C Hub — Best Overall
The Anker 555 is an 8-in-1 hub that covers every essential connection: 4K HDMI, 2 USB-A 3.0 ports, 1 USB-C data port, USB-C 100W Power Delivery pass-through, SD card, microSD card, and 1Gbps Ethernet. The aluminium body stays cool under load. At ~£45, it delivers exceptional value for the port selection — particularly the 100W PD pass-through that charges MacBook Pro and large laptops at full speed.
- 100W USB-C PD pass-through
- 4K HDMI + Ethernet + dual card readers
- Aluminium body — stays cool
- Excellent value at ~£45
- Single HDMI output only
- USB-C connection can wobble on some laptops
The 100W PD pass-through is critical for power users — it charges a MacBook Pro 16" at the same rate as the original Apple charger. Cheaper hubs limit PD to 60–85W, causing the laptop to charge slowly or run from battery during intensive tasks.
2. CalDigit TS4 — Best Thunderbolt 4 Dock
The CalDigit TS4 is the most complete Thunderbolt 4 dock available — 18 ports including three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports (supporting 40Gbps daisy-chaining), 5 USB-A 3.2 ports, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, SD card, 3.5mm audio, and 98W host charging. For professionals with MacBook Pros or Thunderbolt Windows laptops who need a single cable that connects everything, the TS4 is the ultimate desk solution.
- 18 ports — the most comprehensive dock available
- 3x Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports
- 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- 98W host laptop charging
- Very expensive (~£350)
- Thunderbolt-only — limited to Mac and TB Windows laptops
3. UGREEN Revodok Max 213 — Best 13-in-1 Hub
The UGREEN Revodok Max 213 packs 13 ports into a compact aluminium body: dual 4K HDMI outputs, 2 USB-C (including 100W PD), 4 USB-A 3.0, SD/microSD, 3.5mm audio, and Gigabit Ethernet. The dual HDMI is the standout feature — enabling true dual-monitor setups from a single USB-C port. Well-suited for MacBook and Windows laptop users who need multi-monitor capability without a full Thunderbolt dock.
- Dual 4K HDMI — true dual monitor from one USB-C
- 100W PD pass-through
- 13 ports in compact aluminium body
- Good value for the port count
- Dual HDMI requires display port alt mode support
- Can run warm under full load
4. Satechi Slim Multi-Port — Best for MacBook Travel
The Satechi Slim Multi-Port V2 is the most compact and elegantly designed hub for MacBook users. The space grey and silver finishes match Apple's laptop colours perfectly. 4K HDMI, 60W USB-C PD, 2 USB-A 3.0, and SD/microSD card reader in a slim, bus-powered body that matches MacBook form factor. Designed for travel and meetings — attaches neatly to the side of any MacBook.
- MacBook colour-matched design
- Slim and portable — ideal for travel
- Reliable 4K output and 60W PD
- 60W PD — not enough for MacBook Pro 16"
- Fewer ports than multi-port hubs
5. UGREEN 9-in-1 — Best Budget Hub
At around £35–40, the UGREEN 9-in-1 delivers solid port coverage: 4K HDMI, 3 USB-A 3.0, USB-C 100W PD, SD/microSD, Ethernet, and 3.5mm audio. UGREEN has built a strong reputation for reliable hubs at accessible prices, and the 9-in-1 delivers on that. The aluminium construction and 100W PD at this price point stand out against cheaper plastic alternatives.
- Excellent value at ~£35–40
- 100W USB-C PD at budget price
- Gigabit Ethernet included
- Single HDMI output
- Can run warm under simultaneous heavy use
What to Look for in a USB Hub
USB-C Power Delivery
A hub that passes USB-C power delivery allows you to charge your laptop through the hub. Look for 100W PD for MacBook Pro 16" and large Windows laptops. 60W PD is adequate for MacBook Air and smaller laptops. Hubs without PD pass-through will drain your laptop battery during use.
USB-C hub vs Thunderbolt dock
USB-C hubs work with any USB-C laptop but have bandwidth limitations — simultaneous 4K HDMI, high-speed storage and data can cause slowdowns. Thunderbolt 4 docks (CalDigit TS4) use 40Gbps bandwidth to handle everything simultaneously without compromise — but require a Thunderbolt 4 port (MacBook, some Dell XPS, HP Spectre).
Display output
Most USB-C hubs support a single 4K HDMI output. Dual 4K (UGREEN Revodok Max 213) is available on select models. For dual 4K monitors at 60Hz, check that your laptop supports DisplayPort Alt Mode and that the hub specifies dual 4K@60Hz — not just dual 4K (which often means one at 60Hz and one at 30Hz).
Ethernet
Gigabit Ethernet provides more stable, faster connectivity than Wi-Fi for video calls and large file transfers. Most hubs above £40 include Ethernet; 2.5GbE (CalDigit TS4, some premium hubs) provides a further speed upgrade for fast NAS and network storage.
Our Verdict
The Anker 555 is the best USB-C hub for most users — the right ports, 100W PD, and reliable performance at ~£45. For a complete one-cable desk solution with maximum bandwidth, the CalDigit TS4 is the definitive Thunderbolt 4 dock for power users. On a budget, the UGREEN 9-in-1 delivers 100W PD and Ethernet at a great price.