The more advanced full-featured options can run up to $70 or so, depending upon which ports are included. Of course, it’s also a handy way to add an HDMI connection, an SD card reader, or simply more USB ports for storage.įortunately, there are so many USB-C hubs available with various combinations of legacy I/O that finding one to meet your particular needs is as easy as ordering off a menu. We’ve divided our picks into two categories: basic and full-featured, the latter denoting hubs that offer greater extensibility, including the ability to charge phones.Įxpect to pay about $20 for the “basic” category of hubs that combine USB-A ports and SD card slots and little more. Some laptops only have USB-C connections-which means a USB-C hub is essential if you want to connect a wired USB-A mouse or keyboard, or an older wired printer.
Laptops with USB-C ports are now almost ubiquitous, as the world moves away from slower USB-A ports to this faster, more versatile connection standard.