USB-C hubs compared 2022: Top docking stations for laptops and Macs

Lighter, thinner, faster – that is the top priority of many computer manufacturers when it comes to new laptop models. This is nice on the one hand and annoying on the other: In order to save space, manufacturers are increasingly doing without popular connection options such as HDMI or USB-A sockets. Instead, they rely on the flat USB-C connector with Thunderbolt or USB 3.1 Gen. 2 protocol.

This is practical in many respects, because not only can files be transferred from the USB stick via the Thunderbolt or USB 3.1 interface, but image signals can also be connected to the monitor, Internet, electricity or input devices such as a mouse and keyboard. In many cases, however, you will need an adapter for this, because Ethernet or HDMI cables, mouse and keyboard naturally do not fit into the oval USB-C port.

However, because most new laptops only have two to four USB-C sockets, working from home requires a multiport adapter, so-called USB-C hubs. They connect the laptop to power, the Internet and the screen at the same time via USB-C and also offer other connection options for a mouse, keyboard, USB sticks, external hard drives and, in some cases, microSD cards.

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USB-C hub: The standard variant

There is not much to consider with most USB-C hubs. Simple devices like this ugreen USB-C hub cost around 50 euros. Compared to higher quality devices, it differs in throughputbecause the manufacturer only uses the USB 3.0 protocol.

Means a maximum bandwidth of 5 gigabits per second. That’s more than enough for most users. However, if you want to transfer 4K video material to your laptop via a USB connection, you should make sure that the USB-C port supports at least USB 3.1 Gen.2. This is due to the size of the files. Move those at 5 gigabits per second via USB 3.0 protocol, wait quite a while for the 4K footage to transfer to the laptop.

Otherwise, the ugreen hub offers a carefree package: People with a 4K screen are pleased that the 7-in-1 hub can handle 4K at 60 Hertz refresh rate. You should also pay attention to this, because many manufacturers save here and equip their USB-C hubs with too little data throughput, so that they only allow a maximum refresh rate of 30 Hertz at high resolutions. And that leaves a clunky feeling even with simple office work.

Nice: Laptops can also be charged with a maximum of 100 watts via the USB-C hub if you connect the laptop charger to the hub. Provided, of course, that the charger connects via USB-C!

Alternative for 4K at 60 Hertz

ugreen’s USB-C hub is similar to the Dockteck USB-C hub. Again, the manufacturer relies on USB 3.0 for the USB protocol, so you move data just as slowly as with the first hub. Nice: Dockteck’s USC hub also transmits image signals with a maximum of 60 Hertz at 4K resolutions. 60 Hertz is completely sufficient for office work. However, gamers who connect a gaming laptop to the screen will not be happy with it.

Compared to the first 7-in-1 USB hub, the Dockteck hub also offers two convenient features: First, you can connect USB-C chargers with up to 100 watts of power connect to the hub. This leaves a USB-C port on the laptop free and the device is still charged. Second, it offers an Ethernet port for wired internet. Practical for all home office workers who are fed up with poor WiFi.

11-in-1 docking station

The goes one step further Novoo docking station. Unfortunately, it also only uses USB 3.0, but you can connect two monitors with up to 4K resolution at 60 Hertz to the laptop via HDMI. On top of that, it offers a DisplayPort connection if your monitor does not offer an HDMI input. Of course you can also charge the laptop via this USB-C hub with a maximum of 100 watts of power.

USB-C hub with USB 3.1

Photographers and videographers know the annoying wait for high-resolution photos or videos to end up on the computer from the SD card. You should use a USB-C hub that works with the USB 3.1 protocol. In comparison to USB 3.0, with a maximum data throughput of 10 gigabits per second, it ideally offers twice as fast transmission.

One of the few USB-C hubs with USB 3.1 is offered by the manufacturer CallDigit. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have as many connection options as the 12-in-1 hub, but it still has many amenities that you don’t want to do without in the home office. Of course, this includes an Ethernet port for a wired Internet connection, a USB-C and a USB-A socket with 3.1 protocol and up to 10 gigabits of data throughput per second, a USB-C port for charging the laptop, a microSD and an SD card reader as well as an HDMI and a DisplayPort socket with enough data throughput for 4K up to 60 Hertz.

USB-C hub with Thunderbolt 3

Only Thunderbolt 3 offers even more data throughput than USB 3.1. Unfortunately, the interface is particularly expensive and USB-C hubs that offer it are particularly rare. Premium manufacturer Belkin still has one USB-C hub with Thunderbolt 3 port on offer. Up to 40 gigabits of data per second squeeze through the interface. But you can only use it if your laptop also has Thunderbolt 3. That’s like with most premium models MacBooks from Apple or the top models Dell XPS series the case.

The other connection options of the Belkin USB-C hub are also convincing: It offers four USB-A sockets with USB 3.0 (up to 5 gigabit data per second), a DisplayPort input (4K at 60 Hertz), a USB -C socket (with USB 3.1, 10 gigabits per second), two Thunderbolt 3 sockets (40 gigabits per second), a jack plug for headphones or a microphone, an SD card reader and of course the Gigabit Ethernet socket for the Internet.

Docking Station, Hub or Adapter: What’s the Difference?

When looking for a USB hub, buyers usually stumble across docking stations and adapters. The differences to the hub are easy to explain: An adapter usually does not offer the option of connecting the charger to it in order to charge the laptop. USB-C hubs, on the other hand, already offer this. The docking station goes one step further: it usually has a built-in charger, so you don’t have to bother with the laptop’s own charger. However, the manufacturers are not always very precise with the designations. Therefore, you should always double-check what the advertised device can really do.

Charging speed slower with USB-C hub?

Most USB-C hubs pass up to 100 watts of power from a power adapter. This is usually sufficient for the supplied power packs, since they usually do not offer more power than the rumored 100 watts. However, fast charging is not included. For example, if you use the 140-watt USB-C charger from Apple for your MacBook Pro to pump your battery to more than 50 percent charge level in 30 minutes, you must not connect the charger to the USB-C hub, you must connect it plug directly into MacBook Pro.

Note: The article was first published in October 2021.

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