Best
USB-C Hubs for Chromebooks
Android Central
2021
Chromebooks are built light, lithe, and long-lasting, but as more Chromebooks shed USB-A and card-reading ports for future-proof, multi-functional USB-C ports, users are faced with a choice. You can try to upgrade all your peripherals to USB-C, or you can get a USB-C hub and keep using your USB-A keyboard and ripping photos off your camera’s SD cards. Many USB-C hubs also support HDMI monitors, Ethernet, and Power Delivery charging, too, so no matter your needs, there’s a great USB-C hub out there for you!
Best Gets Better:
AUKEY Link PD Pro USB-C Hub
Staff pick
This is another refinement of our previous favorite USB-C hub, the Aukey Link PD, but this model adds an Ethernet port yet is somehow more affordable. You also get 3 USB-A ports, 100W USB-C pass-through charging, 4K HDMI, SD, and microSD card slots.
Pocket-Friendly Powerhouse:
Uni USB-C Hub
This credit-card sized hub allows you to swap out the host cable for a longer C-to-C cable and keep the hub on your desk while your laptop sits in an elevated stand. It also comes in two sizes: a 6-in-1 without Ethernet and an 8-in-1 with Ethernet.
USB-C Peripherals:
Anker PowerExpand+ 7-in-1 USB C Hub
Anker makes a wide, wide array of USB-C hubs, but this one stands out. In addition to having a PD port for pass-through charging, there’s also a extra data port for plugging in a USB-C peripheral like a USB-C flash drive or keyboard.
Just the Basics:
AUKEY Ultra Slim 5-in-1 USB-C Hub
If you just need to add some ports to a Pixelbook Go or a Chrome OS tablet that lacks USB-A ports entirely, this affordable little block will give you enough for a mouse, keyboard, flash drive, and a memory card. Not bad for the price of a small pizza.
Ethernet for stablity:
VAVA 8-in-1 USB C Hub
Does the Wi-Fi in your dorm suck? Do you need a constant, top-speed internet connection while you’re streaming an uber-important conference for work? Then you need a USB-C hub with Ethernet. While most of those will run you a pretty penny, VAVA packs one into its 8-in-1 hub while keeping prices reasonable.
Compact Connections:
HooToo 6-in-1 USB-C Hub
This hub sports most of the same ports as the AUKEY into a hub that’s narrower and more affordable. The HDMI port supports 4K output, the pass-through charging supports 100W speeds, and the aluminum housing will wear scratches and scuffs better than Aukey’s black plastic.
Long and lean:
Anker PowerExpand 6-in-1 USB-C PD Ethernet Hub
This sleek hub from Anker only has two USB-A ports, but it makes up for that by also featuring HDMI, Ethernet, and the ability to plug in a USB-C peripheral in addition to the USB-C port for pass-through charging. This means that you get exactly the ports you need, a little bit of futureproofing, and no wasted space.
Super long cable:
Uni USB-C Hub with 4ft Cord
Need to reach some peripherals to your Chromebook without crowding everything right next to it? This hub has a 48-inch cord so you can sneak the cables for your keyboard, USB webcam and microphone out of sight, out of mind. Just be mindful that this hub doesn’t have USB-C passthrough to recharge your Chromebook.
Need all the ports?:
VAVA 12-in-1 USB-C Docking Station
This isn’t a USB-C hub, it’s a docking station with a dedicated power supply, but sometimes that’s what you need. The long, lean profile here allows it to sit flush against the bottom of your monitor or across the back of your Chromebook, and you get four USB-A ports alongside the HDMI, SD, and Power Delivery passthrough.
Pick the hub that’s right for you
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
The AUKEY Link PD Pro has been with me through chaotic deadlines, editing on the go, and beyond on both my Chromebooks and on my coworkers’ Windows laptops. I’ve also used them with Android phones more than once.
However, since I got the Uni USB-C hub two years ago, I’ve been absolutely in love with it. I can swap out the short cable it comes with for a longer USB-C to USB-C cable to organize cables further away from my Chromebook on my standing desk (it’ll probably come in handy for you if you work from home). Just be mindful if you’re using it for screen mirroring that you’ll need the best USB-C cable rated to 10Gbps to ensure the picture doesn’t stutter. It’s also the size of a credit card with the cables detached, making it one of the easiest hubs to pack for frequent travelers or students.
Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central
Want something beefier and more stationary for your office desk? You may want to consider upgrading from a USB-C hub to a full-fledged docking station instead. Docking stations usually have their own power supply, a wide variety of ports, and longer cables so you can keep your desk less cluttered.
Note: Unless you know you’re going to be using headphones through it every time you plug it in, you might want to avoid USB-C hubs with a headphone jack. When I use hubs and docking stations with headphone jacks, it sometimes mixes up the input/outputs when using video calling services like Google Meet and Zoom.
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Need a USB-C hub for your Chromecast with Google TV? No problem!
The Chromecast with Google TV is powered by USB-C, which means that adding Ethernet wired internet or a nice big hard drive of movies is as easy as plugging in a good USB-C hub and ensuring everything has enough power. However, not every hub plays nice with the Chromecast with Google TV, but these have been tried and tested.
