When shopping for a USB hub, it’s important to consider what devices you plan to connect and how fast you need them to communicate. Here’s a quick breakdown of where to look and what to look for:
🛒 Where to Look
Here are reliable places to buy USB hubs:
Online Retailers
🔍 What to Look For
✅ 1. USB Type
- USB-A: Standard rectangular port.
- USB-C: Newer, smaller, reversible connector (common on newer laptops).
⚠️ Make sure the hub matches the port on your laptop (or get a hub that supports both).
✅ 2. Port Types & Quantity
- How many USB ports do you need? (e.g., 4, 7, 10)
- Do you need USB 3.0 or 3.1 for fast file transfers?
- Want extras like:
- HDMI or DisplayPort for video output?
- SD card reader?
- Ethernet port?
- Charging port (Power Delivery / PD)?
✅ 3. Power
- Bus-powered: Gets power from your laptop. Good for mice, keyboards, small devices.
- Self-powered: Has its own power adapter. Needed for charging phones, running external hard drives, etc.
✅ 4. Build Quality & Brand
- Look for aluminum housing and overheat protection if using it all day.