Picking up one of the best USB-C hubs on the market is vital if you want to boost your productivity — especially if you’re looking to pair it with a laptop that’s lacking in ports and input options.
Apple’s MacBook Pro designs have slowly been improving when it comes to available ports, but devices like the MacBook Pro 13-inch M2 are still lacking in I/O, while previous generations have really suffered from a dearth of port options. Even the latest Apple computers are missing some still-handy ports, like full-size USB and DisplayPort plugs.
You can fix that with an external USB-C hub, which plugs into a USB-C port on your machine and splits and converts it into all manner of differing port options. Such hubs usually offer HDMI ports and SD card readers, as well as several USB-A ports so you get great compatibility with older accessories and devices. Most are lightweight and portable too, so you can easily throw the hub into your bag when moving between locations. Below, we’ve picked out the best USB-C hubs for MacBook Pro users.
The best USB-C hubs for MacBook Pro to upgrade your connections
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Professional power
A powerful hub made with professionals in mind, Belkin’s Thunderbolt 4 hub isn’t for messing around with. It’s also not for those on a budget but if you need the fastest and most accurate data transfer possible for Mac, you can’t go wrong. It also has an SD card reader, HDMI, audio, and ethernet port along with many USB ports.
Ports for price
Offering a sizeable eight ports and pass-through charging, Baseus’s USB-C hub is fantastic value for money. It has both USB-A and USB-C ports as well as two SD card slots, HDMI, audio, and ethernet ports. When we reviewed the Baseus USB-C Hub, we were fans of how you can charge multiple devices at once. It’s a highly useful tool for MacBooks lacking in port options.
Great video support
At this price, it’s impressive that Green’s 6-in-1 USB-C Hub still supports full 4K video playback at 60Hz alongside its many port options. It has a small footprint too plus it’s lightweight and easy to carry around with you. It’s the ideal portable option for many.
Best for most people
The Satechi USB-C Hub may lack high-speed data transfer and dual-4K display support, but it still has all the essentials at a good price. It has SD and microSD card readers, 4K HDMI, Gigabit ethernet, and three USB-A ports so it should cover most needs.
Great value
The Anker PowerExpand Direct is the little hub that could. It’s nearly as powerful as a full docking station while being a fraction of the cost. It has two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, micro SD and SD card readers, a Lightning audio port, a USB-C port for high-speed data transfer, and a USB-C port for up to 100 watts of power delivery. When we reviewed the Anker PowerExpand Direct, we were impressed.
Cyberpunk screen
With its 10 high-spec ports, clear design and cool color screen, the Dockcase Smart USB-C 10-in-1 Explorer Edition is as stylish as USB-C hubs get. With support for 100W passthrough charging and 8K displays, it’s a future-proofed hub, with a high price tag to match — expect to pay close to $160. It’s worth the money though for the demanding MacBook owner, with only a lack of Thunderbolt ports holding it back from perfection.
Best MacBook Pro USB-C hubs: Which one is right for you?
We were delighted to see that Apple added more ports to the MacBook Pro (M1 Pro/Max, 2021), but since then, things haven’t progressed enough for our liking. The entry-level MacBook Pro with M2 chip (2022) still has just the two USB-C ports, for instance, and a headphone jack which is rarely enough for most people.
To enjoy all the essential MacBook Pro accessories, you need more than that. If you’re a professional who needs high-speed data transfer rates such as for advanced graphics work, you want a Thunderbolt option like the Belkin CONNECT Pro. This one has all the power you need to power multiple monitors, as well as plenty of other ports like HDMI and SD card slots.
However, if quantity is everything, check out the TOTU 11-in-1 with its ability to connect up to six USB devices at once. Before you choose a hub, think about the tasks you need to use it for. A pricey Thunderbolt hub might be a worthwhile investment if you’re regularly transferring photos but other people may fare well with a cheaper alternative.