USB Hubs

USB-A, USB-C, and Thunderbolt Hubs for Every Desk and Deployment

Modern laptops keep getting thinner and port counts keep shrinking, leaving users one USB-C connector short of a functional workstation every time they need to plug in a keyboard, mouse, headset, and external drive at the same time. USB hubs and Thunderbolt hubs turn a single port into four, seven, or ten connections, restoring full peripheral access without the cost and complexity of a full docking station. The selection covers USB-A and USB-C hubs in bus-powered and externally powered configurations, Thunderbolt 4 hubs for 40 Gbps creative workflows, and industrial-grade models with DIN-rail and wall-mount brackets from StarTech, Eaton (Tripp Lite), Plugable, and IOGEAR.

USB Hubs for Every Use Case

• Laptop expansion at the desk — add a keyboard, mouse, webcam, headset, and external drive to an ultrabook with only one or two USB-C ports, turning a slim laptop into a full workstation
• Creative and video production workstations — Thunderbolt 4 hubs deliver 40 Gbps bandwidth for NVMe storage arrays, audio interfaces, and video capture devices used by editors, colorists, and music producers
• Industrial and kiosk installations — DIN-rail and wall-mount hubs in metal enclosures with ESD protection connect barcode scanners, receipt printers, and PLC controllers in manufacturing, warehousing, and outdoor environments
• Shared desks and hot-desking offices — powered USB-C hubs with pass-through charging let any employee sit down, plug in one cable, and immediately access a full set of shared peripherals
• IT workbenches and repair stations — 7-port and 10-port powered hubs provide enough connections for diagnostics, firmware flashing, data recovery drives, and multiple test devices running simultaneously
• Classroom and lab charging stations — multi-port powered hubs with dedicated high-amperage ports charge tablets, Chromebooks, and phones overnight for next-day deployment across student carts

How to Choose the Right USB Hub

Start with the upstream connection your host device offers. USB-A hubs plug into the traditional rectangular port found on most desktops and older laptops. USB-C hubs use the reversible oval connector standard on current-generation laptops, tablets, and Chromebooks, and most USB-C hubs also work with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 hosts. If your connected devices include NVMe external SSDs, high-resolution capture cards, or multi-stream audio interfaces, a Thunderbolt 4 hub with 40 Gbps aggregate bandwidth prevents bottlenecks that a USB 3.2 Gen 1 hub running at 5 Gbps shared across all ports cannot avoid.

Powered versus bus-powered determines what you can reliably connect. Bus-powered hubs draw current from the host port and work well for low-power peripherals like keyboards, mice, and flash drives, making them compact and travel-friendly. Powered hubs include an external adapter that delivers dedicated current to each downstream port, which is essential when connecting charging devices, external hard drives, or more than four peripherals at once. Some USB-C powered hubs also support Power Delivery pass-through at 60 W to 100 W, charging your laptop through the hub while simultaneously connecting all peripherals.

Port count and mounting options complete the decision. A 4-port hub covers the basics for travel. A 7-port powered hub suits a permanent desk setup with room to grow. For IT labs, industrial cabinets, and digital signage installations, 10-port and larger models from StarTech offer metal enclosures, surge protection, and DIN-rail or VESA mounting brackets that keep cabling organized and equipment secure in non-traditional environments.

USB Hubs by Brand

• StarTech — the widest selection of USB-A, USB-C, and industrial-grade hubs with wall-mount, DIN-rail, and VESA mounting options for every environment
• Eaton — Tripp Lite powered USB hubs and surge-protected models built for enterprise desktops and rack-adjacent deployments
• Plugable — USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 hubs designed for creative professionals, developers, and multi-monitor workstations
• IOGEAR — compact USB-A and USB-C hubs for portable connectivity and desktop expansion at an accessible price point

USB Hubs by Port Count

• 4-port USB hubs — compact bus-powered hubs that fit in a laptop bag for travel or slide under a monitor stand, providing enough downstream connections for a keyboard, mouse, flash drive, and headset
• 7-port USB hubs — the sweet spot for permanent desk setups where a keyboard, mouse, webcam, headset, external drive, and one or two additional peripherals all need dedicated USB connections without contention
• 10-port and larger USB hubs — powered industrial-grade and enterprise hubs from StarTech with metal enclosures, DIN-rail or wall-mount brackets, and surge protection for IT labs, kiosks, and manufacturing installations

Complete Your USB Hub Setup

• Docking Stations — when you also need video output, Ethernet, and higher-wattage charging, a full docking station complements or replaces a hub
• Keyboards — wired and wireless keyboards that connect through USB hub downstream ports for a clutter-free desk
• Mice — wired and wireless mice with USB-A or USB-C receivers that pair with any hub-equipped workstation
• Monitors — external displays that pair with USB-C hub video pass-through or a dedicated docking station for dual-screen setups
• Cables — USB-A, USB-C, and Thunderbolt cables in the right lengths to connect hubs to hosts and peripherals cleanly
• Storage — external SSDs and hard drives that connect through powered hub ports for fast file transfers and backup