The best USB hubs include four or more ports to expand the total number of usable spaces. Most hubs are designed for data transfers and file syncing, but some will also charge your devices. More capable USB hubs have additional ports such as USB-C or HDMI, and can be used to connect multiple devices.  If you’re concerned only with charging your devices, you should check out our list of the best charging stations. For the best USB hubs, read on. One of the ten ports delivers fast charging, at speeds up to 2A, while the other nine deliver 0.9A each. An integrated surge protector ensures any devices plugged in won’t be damaged by electrical issues. Hot swapping is also possible, which means you can plug and unplug devices while connected to a computer without rebooting or shutting it down. The hub comes with a 2.6-foot USB 3.0 cable and a power adapter. It’s easy to set up, simple to use, and has a minimal, albeit attractive, design. Interface: USB, DisplayPort, Ethernet, HDMI, USB 3.0 | Number of Ports: 10 | Data Transfer Rate: Up to 5Gbps It supports fast data transfers at speeds up to 5Gbps for expanding USB ports or connecting multiple devices. It also supports USB on the go and simultaneous transfers across all ports. It’s plug-and-play, and no extra drivers are needed for PC, Mac, or select versions of Linux (2.6.14 or later). An integrated safety chip offers overcurrent, overcharge, overvoltage, overheat, and short circuit protection for both the hub and any devices connected to it. The durable aluminum shell rounds out the features list, and also offers a sleek look. It matches particularly well with aluminum Chromebook and laptop models, as well as most Macbooks. Interface: USB | Number of Ports: 4 | Data Transfer Rate: Up to 5Gbps It comes with a power adapter and has a dedicated power supply, which makes sense considering it’s so large. It should be noted that both the power and main USB cable must be connected for it to work. The chassis is plastic, so no premium materials were used here, but it’s so big it’s hard to imagine anyone breaking this thing without some serious force. It’s about the size of your average surge protector and measures 7.9 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches. It’s not exactly portable, but it’s certainly a good option for anyone who needs a huge boost in available USB ports. The option to fast-charge four mobile devices at once is ultra convenient. Moreover, it’s plug-and-play compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux systems. Interface: USB 3.0 | Number of Ports: 11 | Data Transfer Rate: Up to 5Gbps You’ll notice right away it features brilliant blue LED indicators for each port, with an on/off switch for each one, as well. You can turn individual ports on or off without disabling power to the rest of the hub. Each port supports fast data transfers up to 5Gbps, and the unit is both plug-and-play and hot-swap compatible. The chassis is plastic, not a premium material like aluminum, but it’s still plenty durable. What’s most exciting is that this model can be upgraded to seven- and ten-port variants. Both of the larger models feature a similar design, with power switches for individual ports. In that way, this hub is incredibly versatile, as you can choose which size best matches your needs. Interface: USB 3.0 Type A | Number of Ports: 4 | Data Transfer Rate: Up to 5Gbps It features one USB 3.0 port and three USB 2.0 ports on the side. The 3.0 port can handle fast data transfers up to 5Gbps, but it is a shame there’s only one. There is no dedicated power, and it doesn’t support charging. The trade offs mean this isn’t the ideal device for home or office setups, but it’s a good choice for anyone who’s constantly on the move with a lot of devices in tow. Interface: USB 2.0, USB 3.0 | Number of Ports: 4 | Data Transfer Rate: Up to 5Gbps This beast is almost 9 inches long and weighs 1.8 pounds. Every port has a power switch, and a bright blue LED indicator. You can turn ports on and off individually, and the light will tell you what’s powered and what’s in use. It’s plug-and-play compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux systems. Plus, it has a built-in surge protector to keep all your devices and the hub safe and secure from electrical failures. The chassis is aluminum, so it’s tough yet lightweight, and it looks great too. This is the ultimate hub for anyone who wants to connect several devices or transfer data from multiple USB sources at once. It’s worth noting that when plugged into a computer, there is some connection latency for the higher-count ports. But the first four ports are fast and responsive. Interface: USB 3.0 | Number of Ports: 16 | Data Transfer Rate: Up to 5 Gbps The TS3 Plus allows you to maximize the capabilities of a Thunderbolt 3 connection. It features two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one DisplayPort 1.2 port, five USB 3.1 Type-A ports, two USB 3.1 Type-C ports, an SD Card Reader (SD 4.0 UHS-II), a Digital Optical Audio (S/PDIF) port 1x Gigabit, Ethernet, an Analog Audio In and an Analog Audio Out port. It’s capable of outputting to dual 4K displays (or a single 5K display), 10 GB/s USB 3.1 Gen. 2 capability, and it has the ability to charge Thunderbolt 3 laptops with 85W power delivery. It’s also designed to be used either horizontally or vertically to better accommodate different setups. Interface: Thunderbolt 3 | Number of Ports: 15 | Data Transfer Rate: Up to 10 Gbps Briley Kenney lives in the always-exciting state of Florida where he works as a freelance copywriter and technology enthusiast. He’s been around computers and electronics his entire life, which has earned him plenty of experience and knowledge in the field.  Jonno Hill has been obsessed with technology ever since he built his first computer in middle school, and began writing for Lifewire in January 2019. He specializes in computers and their peripherals, and he has reviewed several of the USB hubs on this list. Patrick Hyde lives in Seattle where he works as a digital marketer and freelance copywriter. He has a job in Seattle’s booming tech industry and is an expert in consumer electronics, including personal computers and their peripherals.

What to Look For in a USB Hub

Number of Ports

There is no ideal number - it just depends on what you’re looking for. If you want something lightweight and portable then you’ll want to choose something with fewer ports, sacrificing quantity. If you want something with a lot of ports, you’ll be choosing a much larger hub, sacrificing portability. Typically, the smaller hubs have about three or four ports, while the larger ones can have as many as 16 or more.

Versatility

Some USB ports offer additional functionality such as fast charging, extra ports, and sometimes extra hardware like an SD card reader. If you need only the standard USB ports, then it doesn’t matter what else the hub offers. If you want something with a little more versatility, however, consider some of those extra features.

Compatibility

Almost all hubs are plug-and-play and hot-swappable. The former means they can plug into most computers and you don’t need to install drivers or third-party software. The latter means you can plug in, unplug, and remove USB devices all while the hub is plugged into a computer, and without turning off the system or rebooting. For added compatibility, it depends on what ports and functions are available. A USB-C port, for example, ensures compatibility with Apple devices and other USB-C systems like some Chromebooks.

Safety Features

Surge protection, overcharge protection, and overvoltage protection are all important especially when you have several devices simultaneously plugged into a hub. They’re also important when you’re transferring data, especially if you have a hard drive or flash drive plugged in. An energy surge can corrupt the data and ruin those drives.