The 10 Best USB Hubs for Business in 2021 - Investopedia
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At a time when we rely more and more on external keyboards, mice, memory keys, and all sorts of peripherals, new business computers shortchange us on the ports needed to use them. The typical new laptop has one, maybe two USB ports and nothing else.
The answer is to get a USB hub that does modern-day magic by turning a lone port into as many as your digital work requires. A great variety of USB hubs are out there that deliver several USB ports to help you get work done. Others take this idea a step further by adding ports for video, networking, and access to SD cards. Some can even deliver enough power to charge a phone, tablet, or notebook, although you'll need an AC adapter to provide the juice.
When shopping for a USB hub to help your small business, your biggest decision is likely whether to get a USB 3.0 or USB C hub. Both are available in a wide variety of models, but the former is for older computers. These port hubs are less expensive. The latter is for newer computers. The hubs can cost more but can perform more tasks.
Here are some of the best models on the market.
Best USB Hub Overall: Anker PowerExpand 8 in 1 USB C PD 10Gbps Data Hub
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There are USB hubs with lots of ports: ones with video and networking, as well as ones that that can straddle the worlds of USB C and USB 3.0 accessories. Only Anker's PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB C PD 10Gbps Data Hub does it all in a small and light package that will enable you to do more for your small business from one laptop. The PowerExpand 8-in-1 connects via a 7-inch USB C cable, turning the hub into connection central with two USB 3.1 and one USB C ports, and HDMI video capable of up to 4K resolution and a 60-hertz refresh rate.
In addition to Ethernet networking, the 8-in-1 hub can also accommodate an SD and micro SD card from a camera or phone. A big bonus is that the hub tops out at a claimed data flow of 10Gbps and can supply up to 85 watts for charging a phone, tablet. or laptop.
It works with everything from a six-year-old MacBook to any recent Windows 10 notebook, expanding a computer's single USB C port into a multitude of connection choices. The 8-in-1 hub comes with an 18-month warranty and a soft cloth pouch for when it's not being used.
Best Budget USB Hub: Sabrent 4-Port USB 3.0 Data Hub
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The Sabrent 4-Port hub is for those who only want and need a simple USB hub that turns a single USB 3 port into four downstream outlets for anything from a mouse and keyboard to a printer or scanner to help run your small business. At less than the cost of a fast-food meal for two, this hub is far from basic, however, with LED indicators that show which ports are active and moving data back and forth. Each port can be turned on and off by pressing a square button. Able to support speeds of up to 5Gbps, the USB 3.0 hub is backward compatible to work with USB 1.1 and 2.0 systems and accessories but can't charge or power accessories. The black plastic hub is 3.5 × 1.5 × 0.5 inches and has the flexibility needed to stash the hub under a desk or behind a desktop computer. It works with Windows (from Windows 2000 to Windows 10), Macs (Apple MacOS 9.1 or newer), and Linux (version 2.4 or higher) computers, making it one of the simplest, least expensive, yet versatile ways to add USB ports.
Best USB Hub for Multimedia: Belkin USB-C Multimedia Hub
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Not much bigger than an Altoids tin and weighing just 4 ounces, Belkin's USB-C Multimedia Hub squeezes a lot of video power into a small package. Topping out at a maximum bandwidth of 5Gbps, the USB-C Multimedia Hub has an HDMI port that can send a 4K video stream at a 30-hertz refresh rate to a display or projector, transforming any recent laptop into a presentation powerhouse for your small business.
If that were all the Belkin hub did, then it would be a winner, but the hub also has an SD flash card slot and Ethernet port for wired networking. It doesn't shortchange when it comes to ports, with a USB 2, a USB 3, and a USB C port. A big bonus is that the USB C connection can reportedly deliver up to 60 watts of power for powering a computing accessory or charging a phone.
It may be among the most expensive USB hubs available, but the Belkin USB-C Multimedia Hub works with recent Windows and Mac computers and can pay dividends with its two-year warranty.
Best USB Hub With Most Ports: ioGear USB-C Laptop Docking Station
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If more ports are all you're after for work, then ioGear's USB-C Laptop Docking Station with Power Delivery 3.0 fits the bill. Better known as the GUD3C35, it's a monster USB hub that should satisfy all connection needs. The long and narrow device can link with up to 10 devices through a single USB C cable while charging a phone or tablet with up to 85 watts of power.
In addition to three traditional USB 3 ports, the GUD3C35 has a pair of next-generation USB C ports, as well as SD and micro SD card readers and Ethernet wired networking. It does multimedia exceptionally well, with an audio jack for headphones or external speakers and the choice of connections for mini DisplayPort, HDMI and old-school VGA monitors. In fact, the USB-C Laptop Docking Station with Power Delivery 3.0 can support up to three video streams at 4K resolution.
In addition to Windows and Mac compatibility, the USB-C Laptop Docking Station with Power Delivery 3.0 works with Chromebooks. A big bonus for laptop users is that the 14-inch-long dock can prop up a computer at a comfortable typing angle while allowing more cooling air to flow in from below.
Best USB Hub for Macs: Anker PowerExpand Direct 7 in 2 USB C Adapter
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While other USB hubs connect via a single cable, Anker's Anker PowerExpand Direct 7-in-2 USB C Adapter has a pair of USB C ports that plug right into the side of recent MacBooks. It tops out at 40Gbps and works with MacBook Pro and Air models from 2016 through 2020 to produce the best integrated USB hub available.
The Anker PowerExpand Direct 7-in-2 USB C Adapter not only takes advantage of the MacBook's Thunderbolt 3 abilities, but its HDMI port can also drive a 5K monitor. In addition to 100 watts of power for charging a phone, the hub has a USB C port as well as a pair of USB 3 connections for a variety of accessory connections. There are also SD and micro SD card readers for moving images and videos. Like other Anker products, it includes an 18-month warranty and a soft fabric pouch, but the Anker PowerExpand Direct 7-in-2 USB C Adapter is for Mac users who want their notebook to be as versatile as it is good looking.
Best USB Hub for Desktops: Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock
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The silver and black Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock may be big and heavy, but no USB hub does as much for turning a laptop into the equivalent of a desktop system ready to do serious business. By using Thunderbolt 3 technology, the Belkin Express Dock is reportedly capable of a top speed of 40Gbps and can be used to daisy-chain up to five Thunderbolt devices. It has the expected ports, including three USB C and two USB 3 connections, as well as Ethernet wired networking.
Its DisplayPort video might not be as versatile as an HDMI port, but it is incredibly capable, with the ability to drive a pair of 4K displays. The hub has the bonus of two audio-out jacks for headphones or external speakers. It is the rare USB hub that comes with a 170-watt AC adapter that powers the device and can supply up to 85 watts of phone-charging power. In other words, the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock is the best way to turn a notebook into a full desktop computer for business.
Best USB Two-For Hub: Plugable USB 2.0 2-port Hub/Splitter
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If all you need is an extra USB port, then why go through the expense, hassle, and bulk of having a hub with a slew of ports that you'll never use? The Plugable USB 2.0 2-port Hub/Splitter is a one-trick pony that turns a single USB port into a pair of connections for anything from a memory key to a wireless keyboard and mouse set. Simple, basic, and self-powered, the Plugable USB 2.0 2-port Hub/Splitter is based on a powerful NEC USB chipset. Small and light, the black plastic Hub/Splitter is a two-for that lets you share a single USB port with two devices that can run at a claimed top speed of 480Mbps. It can't handle the faster speeds of USB 3 or USB C but has a 16-inch USB cable for plugging the device into a port-deficient computer. On the downside, the Plugable USB 2.0 2-port Hub/Splitter can't charge phones or power accessories. However, the hub includes a two-year warranty.
Best USB Hub With Monitor Stand: Urbo Monitor Stand with Type C USB Hub
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