Best USB 3.0, 3.1 and 3.2 Hubs in 2021 with Optional USB-C Passthrough

Are you looking for the best USB 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 hubs? In the day and age of thin and light computers, laptops and desktops come with a limited number of USB ports. When you need to add more and more peripheral devices to your computer or laptop, you need a USB Hub for further expansion. They are indeed the best technological advancements and work efficiently to add more devices to your computer easily.

From that perspective, we will have a look at the best USB hubs in today’s post.  For the sake of this post, we will be focussing on the USB 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 based USB hubs.

Best USB 3.0 3.1, and 3.2 Hubs:

We will explore the popular and widely used USB 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 USB Hubs you can check out in 2019 here. Please note that most of the devices listed here come with backward compatibility to USB 2.0 standards.

Having understood that, here are our top choices for the best in the USB Hubs.

Lexar Professional “LRW500URBNA” USB 3.1 Reader:	Check on Amazon
Sabrent 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub	Check on Amazon
Victorlink 4-Port USB 3.0 USB Hub	Check on Amazon
AmazonBasics USB-A 3.1 10-Port Hub	Check on Amazon
Heron Cable USB-C 3.1 USB Hub	Check on Amazon
iHaper C001 USB C Hub	Check on Amazon
Anker USB 3.0 9-Port Hub	Check on Amazon
HooToo USB C Hub	Check on Amazon
Vava 7-in-1 USB-C Hub (VA-UC017)	Check on Amazon
Ugreen USB hub with Ethernet	Check on Amazon
Anker 10-Port 60W USB 3.0 Hub	Check on Amazon
Dell D6000	Check on Amazon

Lexar Professional “LRW500URBNA” USB 3.1 Reader:

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The Lexar Professional Multi-Card 3-in-1 USB 3.1 Reader is a helpful way to transfer files linking multiple cards and your computer instantly. This multi-card reader leverages the USB 3.1 technology to deliver high-speed file transfers of up to 312MB/s for SD cards and microSD plus 160MB/s for CompactFlash systems. This allows you to maximize USB 3.1 equipped desktop and laptop computers’ speed and bandwidth and carries CompactFlash (including UDMA 7), SD, SDHC, SDXC memory cards, and SD UHS-I and UHS-II memory card types. This makes the reader an excellent choice for photo and video professionals looking to improve workflow significantly.

• Supports Secure Digital SD, microSD, and CompactFlash cards
• Transfer speeds of up to 312MB/s for SD and microSD and up to 160MB/s for CompactFlash cards
• Extremely adaptable multi-card reader with speedy file transfers
• Backward compatible with older SD and microSD UHS-I cards (up to 170MB/s)
• Compatible with both USB 3. 1 and 2. 0 ports, and comes with the two-year limited product support

Sabrent 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub

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The hub comes with four-port connectivity along with power switches. You can convert your laptop’s USB 3.0 port into four easily with this hub. The lightweight design and construction will make it one of the best options as your travel mate. The availability of a power switch for each of the ports will make it an excellent choice for individualized control. And yes, not to forget – the hub is backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 devices as well.

You can be assured of transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps with the USB 3.0 ports. Plug and play and hot-swap functionality should make it a more accessible option for even those who are not tech-savvy enough. You also have LED indicators for each of the ports and their active or non-active status. The device is made of plastic and is thus quite light in construction.

Victorlink 4-Port USB 3.0 USB Hub

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This is another excellent option for the best USB 3.0 hubs you can opt for and enhance your connectivity. It can even sync and charge up to four devices simultaneously. While the USB 3.0 functionality offers you excellent data transfer speeds, you can also use it with devices with older generations of USB standards, thanks to the backward compatibility available.

The USB hub does come with intelligent multiple protection technologies. You can be assured of over-voltage, over-current, and Short-Circuit protection features on the hub. It also comes with a USB 3.0 extension cable for easy usage of the hub. The plug-and-play compatibility of the hub makes it quite simple and easy to use. The product is travel-sized and offers a portable design.

AmazonBasics USB-A 3.1 10-Port Hub

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You will have access to seven USB 3.1 ports and three additional charging ports on the hub and offers you backward compatibility with the older versions as well. The charging ports can also be used for data transfers. The hub also comes with a power adapter to ensure a safer option for taking care of your USB hub.

As with most of the USB hubs, you can be assured of the plug-and-play compatibility, making it easy to use with any of the systems right away without the need for any software or driver support. The USB Hub also supports Apple charging. The portable design will make it an excellent choice for your traveling requirements. The Amazon branding provides you with a world-class performance that you have always come to trust.

Heron Cable USB-C 3.1 USB Hub

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The USB hub comes with One USB 3.1 type C port, two USB 3.0 ports, and one 4K HDMI video output. The hub also offers you access to an SD card and TF card slot. That should ideally make it one of the best options for use with your laptop and desktop. Apart from acting as your USB hub, you will also be able to work with other features and packed in one single application.

The card slots are compatible with  SDHC, SDXC, micro SDHC, and micro SDXC cards. The ports will provide you access to the 60 Watts power delivery options. You can work with both charging and data transfer needs simultaneously. The USB Hub also works in a well-designed manner. The wide range of tests across the PCB test, electromagnetic compatibility test, and other essential tests.

iHaper C001 USB C Hub

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You can check out the best in class USB Hub from Amazon here

The USB hub comes with a 7 in 2 port functionality and provides access to the perfect feature. The multipoint connectivity would give you a great option to enhance the connectivity level on your desktop and laptops. You have access to one USB Type C Thunderbolt 3, one 4K HDMI port, and three USB 3.0 ports along with the SD and micro SD card slot.

The hub can handle multiple flash drives, but you will use only one external drive because of the power consumption bottlenecks. You can have access to the best in class 100 Watts SuperSeed power delivery option for your needs.

This can be an excellent option for charging your devices. The three USB 3.0 ports will ensure that better data transfer speeds at 5 Gbps. The USB hub is compatible with 13’’ MacBook Pro 2018/2017/2016, 15’’ MacBook Pro 2018/2017/2016, and 13’’ MacBook Air 2018.

Anker USB 3.0 9-Port Hub – (Recommended best USB 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 Hubs)

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Add up to 10 USB 3.0 ports to your desktop or laptop. You can be assured of high-speed performance with access to 5 Gbps high data transfer with faster sync times. You also have access to charging for up to 2 amps. Top-end power options at 60 Watts should make it one of the prominent choices for enhanced output. It will ensure higher data transfers and enhanced stable connectivity.

Do note that only one of the ports is dedicated to charging while the rest of the data transfers. The charging port can also double up as a data transfer option as well. The USB hub comes equipped with a 2.6 feet USB 3.0 cable. Get an overwhelming 18 monthly warranty with the product.

HooToo USB C Hub

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This USB comes with a six-in-one functionality and offers you access to a high level of compatibility. It works efficiently with your MacBook and similar other devices. The device’s six-in-one feature would include power delivery, HDMI output, 3 x USB 3.0 ports, and an SD card slot. It should be something that meets almost all your requirements in one go.

You can be assured of an excellent 5 Gbps speed, but you may not get the exact rate when you use multiple devices to one hub. The 2.5D unibody aluminum alloy ionized finish should ideally provide you access to the best in terms of looks and appearance. The hub also supports EMI protection. This ensures that the USB hub is not affected by wireless interference.

It should be noted that we could not find many options for the USB 3.1 USB hubs. Maybe we would need to wait for a few more months to access the best prospects in the USB 3.2 genre. It should be noted that the USB 3.2 standard is expected to come with USB Type C compatibility alone. In any case, the restrain ourselves from making any comments until we lay our hands on the best available USB 3.2 USB hubs.

Even the USB 3.1 USB hubs are quite lower in number and ideally come in a combination of USB 3.0 and 3.1 in one single hub.

The lack of ports on most modern computers is the reason why USB-C hubs are gaining popularity. Chiefly, slim laptops like MacBooks need expansion hubs because they lack ports like Ethernet, HDMI, USB-A, etc. When you want to connect anything that does not offer a USB-C interface, it is found that a hub is an efficient way for external peripheral expansion. It is popular because it provides various kinds of ports in a relatively compact form factor. Our favorite pick is a 7-in-1 USB-C hub (VA-UC017) from Vava. The aspects like affordable price, support for various ports that transfer data faster, durability, and sleek design make it our favorite pick. This hub is lightweight and small enough to carry in a bag.

Our pick: Vava 7-in-1 USB-C Hub (VA-UC017) – The best USB-C hub:

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Vava presents this portable hub equipped with all the major ports you will possibly need. It is equipped with an HDMI port (support for displays with up to 4K resolution), 3 USB 3.0 ports, and a USB-C power pass-through port (can pass power to a laptop from a charger). Also, there is the inclusion of SD and microSD card readers.

With all the mentioned ports, this USB hub offers the connectors that most people typically require. Its efficiency is enough to stay at your desk all the time in the form of a docking station. Moreover, it is compact enough to accommodate in a laptop bag. It is devoid of an Ethernet port; however, the price is half compared to the models that possess it.

Why is it our favorite pick?

Offering great portability and a durable metal body, along with a comparatively low price, this hub is the most acceptable way to append the maximum number of ports possible to your USB-C PC interface. The ports mentioned above are adequate to make it work as a semi-permanent desk accessory.

Compared to the competitor hubs, this aluminum-made hub is lighter and smaller. Its length is approx. 4 inches long; width is 1.5 inches, and approx. 0.75 inches at its thickest point. The size of the USB-C cable is 7 inches. It is long enough that you can position the hub as required. The line is well-built; however, it not highly stiff that sometimes it becomes difficult to position. Weighing around 2.2 ounces, it feels comfortable to carry around.

A few types of ports every hub requires, and a few of them are not necessary. It is found that this Vava hub possesses all the essential ports and does not have any extra. In our tests, every port worked as anticipated, and they offer super-fast performance. Each of the 3 USB 3.0 ports conveyed data to a portable SSD with speed identical to what was observed from the other hubs we already tested. The average read speed is 414.7 MB/s, whereas the average write speed is 415.7 MB/s. Moreover, with the HDMI output, the hub displays 4K video from the MacBook Pro at a refresh rate of 30 Hz. It is precise as per the expectation.

Contrasting the cheaper, USB-A–only hubs we recommend, the VA-UC017 is also equipped with microSD and SD card slots. They facilitate the transfer of photos and videos. The average read speed and write speed of the full-size SD card slot are 74.7 MB/s and 65.3 MB/s, as found in our tests. Though these speeds are not the fastest, they will be enough for most people, specifically keeping in mind the price of this hub. The speeds from the microSD are approximately the same as those for the SD card; they are a bit slower on other hubs.

When our 16-inch MacBook Pro was connected to the hub through Apple’s 96 W charger, it received 86 Watts. This much power is ample to continue working and sufficient to charge at a tad slower than full speed. Specific hubs provided more power (max 94 Watts), but the VA-UC017 can pass a lot of energy for most laptops charging at full speed. This holds true for an ultrabook, Macbook, or Chromebook.

Flaws but not dealbreakers:

The 3 USB-A ports in VA-UC017 are closely arranged alongside. So, perhaps, you cannot connect 3 flash drives or thicker plugs simultaneously.

Vava assures maximum 100 Watts pass-through charge speed. However, in our tests, the hub restricted the power to 86 Watts. This power was the output from our 96 W power adapter.

Like several USB-C hubs we already tested, the Vava becomes warm during use. The measurement was done at 99.7 °F after 15 minutes through the USB-C power cable and with a USB drive connected. When you touch the hub, it feels warm but not so much that it becomes hazardous. Your skin will not burn, and it is within the standard operating temperature.

Upgraded pick: UGreen 9-in-1 USB C Hub: Includes Ethernet and VGA.

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With a size slightly more significant than our main pick, this Ugreen USB C hub includes the same ports and VGA and Ethernet. A nesting cable is also included.

The performance is identical to that of the Vava VA-UC017. With a VGA connector and an Ethernet port, the price is twice that of the Vava hub. The included VGA connector helps connect conventional projectors and displays. If you require these additional connectors, choose this hub; else, save some money and choose our top pick.

Expensive but includes more ports:

The cost of this 9-in-1 USB-C hub is twice that of the Vava VA-UC017. But the price is justifiable considering the inclusion of a VGA connector and a Gigabit Ethernet port. These features are helpful if you want to connect to a wired network or if you require connecting to VGA on some older projectors or monitors or projectors. Except for these ports, this hub is identical to the Vva hub discussed above. The nested cable design helps a lot.

In our tests, every port worked as per the anticipation. This hub’s USB read and write speeds are equivalent to those found in all other hubs we tested. Also, we noted a refresh rate of 30 Hz at 4K resolution when connected to the MacBook Pro. Hence, there must be no issues while connecting an HDMI monitor that supports high resolution. The MacBook Pro showed 89 W (slightly higher than but identical to the Vava VA-UC017) when connected to pass-through power.

Moreover, the included Ethernet port proves beneficial if you want a hard-wired internet connection. The measurement from this port is 1 GB/second. The included VGA port is not necessary; consider it as an extra.

All the ports most people require are included. However, the size of this hub is quite bigger. Its length and width are respectively 5.25 inches and 2 inches. The thickness is slightly less than half an inch. When not in use, the flat cable nestles in the body of the hub. It avoids possible damage and appears more beautiful than other cables.

Also great: Anker 10-Port 60W USB 3.0 Hub: The maximum number of ports

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The 3 high-speed charging ports and 7 USB 3.0 data ports face upward in this Anker USB hub. Therefore, the cables and plugs occupy less space on a desk and let it look clutter-free. So, there will not be lots of USB plugs coming out in all directions.

If you are merely concerned about plugging in as maximum as you can to your PC, then this Anker hub is a great pick. In each of its 7 USB-A 3.0 data ports, a LED indicator is available. Moreover, it supports 3 power ports, each rated at 12 Watts/2.4 A for charging. The physical appearance is such that it does not resemble the USB hubs of ’90s technology. The package contains a USB-A–to–USB-B cable. Hence, you need to purchase USB-B–to separately–USB-C cable to connect it to several modern PCs.

Useful to connect plenty of USB-A accessories simultaneously:

It is among the few multiport USB-A hubs that we believe are still available as the USB-C turns out to be the new standard.

In our test, we have connected this hub to 7 of our favorite flash drives. Subsequently, we transferred data to them and charged an iPad simultaneously on one of the charging ports. Compared to other big hubs we already tested, this one is speedy.

Anker advertises the 3 charging ports as offering 10.5 Watts/2.1A each, but our measurements showed 12 Watts/2.4A. Anker mentioned that distinct ports might not attain the maximum 2.4A value when every port is in use. So, the company’s promise on performance is not fulfilled. The measured results of this hub depict that it can efficiently charge smartphones, tablets, and other devices at quick paces. There is no damage when you connect a phone to a 12W charging port. The phone will draw the current it requires.

Furthermore, this Anker hub keeps all our devices connected as well as provided charging power simultaneously. No disconnections were found during our tests. The available charging ports function even when the hub is plugged into its AC adapter instead of a PC.

The USB cord and AC cords are long enough for a hassle-free setup. This hub contains a USB-A cable. Hence, if you want to connect a USB-C PC, you require a USB-C to USB-B cable.

Upgraded pick: Dell D6000 Universal Dock: Reliable power for docking at a desk

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This universal dock presents a costly alternative for a permanent setup on a desk. There are various ports available, and for charging, no need to use an additional power adapter.

All included docks are more extensive and typically equipped with more diverse ports compared to hubs. Out of the 5 USB-C docks being tested, this Dell dock is the finest. It is equipped with a USB-C port, 4 USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and 2 DisplayPort video ports. Also, it comes with a 3.5 mm audio connector and a Gigabit Ethernet.

The working mechanism is flawless with Mac and PC. However, the latest versions of macOS might need a software update to let it function properly. The output power is 65 Watts, the highest charging power compared to any other docks being measured. This much power is enough to charge MacBook Pro and most laptops. Therefore, this dock offers versatility. The charging speed is faster than other docks we have tested.

Why is it the best USB-C dock?

A portable hub can serve most people in the best way because such hubs are more reasonable. They can accomplish many tasks as docks perform. However, if you want a stationary option that does not require an extra laptop charger, this dock is recommended. An example of a standing choice includes connecting your laptop to accessories and display at a desk. If your Mac or PC supports Thunderbolt 3 and willing to connect your PC to multiple displays with high-resolution or high-speed external hard drives, a Thunderbolt 3 dock is better than a USB-C dock.

When compared with a portable hub, this Dell dock provides plenty of video output options. It is the most affordable dock option being tested. The price is lesser than other docks being tested.

Discussing the physical appearance, the D6000 is designed in the form of a practical black plastic rectangle. It is equipped with a non-slip base made up of rubber. The dimensions are 6.5 inches x 3 inches. The 3 feet long USB-C cable is permanently connected, and it originates from the left side. Moreover, a USB-A 3.0 adapter available on the cord helps you connect to an older computer. At the front, from left to right, there are multiple ports available. They are a USB-C port, 2 USB 3.0 ports, and combined audio in/out jack. The included USB-C port provides a maximum of 12 W power. When you turn over the dock to the back, there is an HDMI port, Gigabit Ethernet, a pair of USB-A ports, 2 DisplayPort outputs, and an audio-out jack.

All its data ports transmitted data at rates analogous to what we observe from all other hubs and docks we tested in our tests. We measured video resolution at 4K with a refresh rate of 60 Hz from the DisplayPort connectors. The output from any high-resolution display appears outstanding. If you observe that your Mac does not function with DisplayPort, a software update is required. However, on any PC, the resolution limit of monitors is 1080p while connected through HDMI.

One aspect to bear in mind is the enormous power brick. It is nearly the identical size to the dock. However, since the dock is designed to remain on a desk, your investment does not go futile. The cable originating from the charger towards the dock is approx. 6 feet long. Hence, you can align the power brick in a suitable place to ensure it does not create a hindrance.

The Parting Thoughts

Those were a few top-end options you can check out for the best-in-class USB hubs. Of course, when we began, our efforts were directed towards finding out the best USB 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 USB hubs. However, given the fact that USB 3.2 USB hubs are quite conspicuous by their absence across every possible route we checked, our focus has been limited to USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 USB hubs only. We may need to update the post when new USB hubs become available in the USB 3.2 category – that is, if the manufacturers come up with support for the functionality.

We hope you like our article on the Best USB 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 Hubs currently available on the market. We welcome your questions or suggestions in the comments section below. Thanks for visiting!

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