Best USB-C Hubs For Tablets & iPads
USB-C hubs come in handy when you need to connect several accessories to your iPad/Tablet, such as monitors, mice, keyboards, SD cards, hard drives, thumb drives, wired headphones, etc. You can connect all these external accessories and keep your iPad charged.
USB-C hubs allow iPad users to be more productive and improve their workflow.
While picking the best USB-C hub, figure out what sort of accessories you plan to use and make sure the Hub has these ports available.
Anker USB C Hub — Best Overall
Ports: USB-C x2, USB-A x2, HDMI, microSD and SD card readers.
Anker USB C hub is a universal USB hub. You can use it with your iPad, Android Tablet, MacBook, Windows Laptop, Chrome OS tablet, etc. It’s capable of inputting 100W and outputting 85W. (it loses the 15W for operation)
It’s a good-looking accessory, lightweight, and small enough to be packed in a bag.
Connect your tablet to an external monitor, external keyboard, etc, and transfer movies, photos, and music at speeds up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C data port.
Satechi USB C Hub — With Ethernet Port
Ports: USB-C PD, Ethernet, HDMI, USB-A x3, microSD and SD card slots.
Satechi USB C is a multiport hub. You can use it with iPads, Samsung Galaxy Tablets, MacBooks, WIndows laptops, etc. It has universal compatibility. It supports up to 60W of charging.
It has a beautiful design made from Aluminum. It’s lightweight and portable; you can easily pack it in a backpack or in your laptop bag.
It allows you to connect your tablet to the TV, Monitors, and external keyboards; it also supports DeX mode.
BYEASY USB C Hub with Stand — Docking Station
Ports: HDMI, USB-C PD, USB-C, USB-A x2, Headphone Jack, SD and micro SD slots
BYEASY USB C Hub is a versatile device. It’s a stand and a hub 2-in-1. Or just a docking station for iPads/Tablets. It’s compatible with Samsung Galaxy Tab’s and iPad’s. It supports up to 60W of charging via the USB-C PD.
It has a beautiful design that allows you to place your device on a stand to get a better eye level. This sort of tablet holder allows you to be more productive on your tablet. Connect it with a keyboard and mouse, and you have a computer.
You can connect it to external monitors, keyboards, TVs, earbuds, headphones, hard drives, thumb drives, etc.
Satechi Aluminum Type-C Mobile Pro Hub — Small & Wireless
Ports: HDMI, USB-C PD, USB-A, Headphone Jack
Satechi Mobile Pro hub is specifically designed for iPads but works with other devices as well, including Samsung, Lenovo, and Google Tablets, as long as they have USB-C ports. It features power delivery up to 60W.
It’s small and compact, has no wires, and comes in space gray and silver colors. It easily fits in bags and even pockets, but it’s also small enough, so you won’t have to remove it from your iPad ever. It might not work with iPad cases and covers.
Allows you to use wired headphones with the newest iPads that don’t have headphone jacks, connect them to TVs and monitors with HDMI ports, and, of course, connect wired external accessories like keyboards and mice through the USB-A port.
NXPGKEA USB C HUB for iPad Pro 9-in-1 — Most Ports
Ports: HDMI, USB-C PD, USB-C, USB-A x3, Headphone Jack, MicroSD and SD card slot
NXPGKEA is specifically designed for iPads, but it also works with Samsung Galaxy Tab’s, iPhones, and even Samsung smartphones. It can deliver up to 60W.
It comes in a gray color and, compared to other USB-C Hubs, is long, but it also has the most ports. It’s still compact enough to take it with you wherever you go, and it doesn’t take up much space.
With this hub, you can connect your iPad/tablet to monitors and tvs. Use external accessories like keyboards, mice, trackpads, etc. Connect it to external hard drives and thumb drives.
Things To Consider When Buying a USB-C Hub
There are a few things you need to consider before you buy any USB-C hub for better efficiency and use.
- Number of Ports: If you are using a mouse, keyboard, or external hard drive and monitor all at once, then you will probably require a multi-port USB-C Hub.
- Portability: If you are a frequent flyer or traveler, then you have to consider buying a smaller and narrower design that can fit right into your backpack and can be used on the go.
- Memory Card Slots: Hubs come with micro SD card slots and SD card slots.
- Transfer Data Speed: USB-C Hubs are often used for the transfer of data between two devices. The quality of the USB-C hub determines the amount of transfer speed one might get.
Why Do You Need a USB-C Hub for Tablet/iPad?
A USB-C hub is used for connecting your mouse, keyboard, monitor or even your internet cable to your iPad or tablet. Usually, tablets only have one port, and USB-C Hub allows you to connect multiple devices and SD cards and keep your devices charged at the same time.
There is also an HDMI connection option that might come in handy if you want to connect your device to the TV.
Why USB C Hubs Are So Expensive?
USB-C hubs can be expensive for several reasons. First, they often incorporate advanced technology and high-quality components, which drive up manufacturing costs. Second, these hubs are designed to provide multiple connectivity options, including support for high-speed data transfer and high-resolution video output, which require sophisticated circuitry.
Also, USB-C hubs are generally built to be compact and lightweight, making them more challenging to engineer and produce.
Are USB-C and Thunderbolt the Same?
USB-C and Thunderbolt are similar, but not the same. In short, USB-C PD is faster than classic USB-C.
USB-C is a universal, reversible connector that supports various data transfer protocols, including USB 3.1/3.2, DisplayPort, and even Thunderbolt. USB-C has become the standard connector for many devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, due to its versatility and power delivery capabilities.
Thunderbolt, on the other hand, is a high-speed data transfer protocol developed by Intel and Apple. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 both use the USB-C connector and offer significantly faster data transfer rates (up to 40 Gbps) compared to standard USB protocols. Thunderbolt also supports daisy-chaining multiple devices and can deliver more power to connected devices.
