Laptops keep losing ports. A USB-C hub gives them back. But hubs are sold as a list of ports with no explanation, so here is what each one actually does and which you need.
The specification most people miss: Power Delivery pass-through
Start here, because it is the one that causes regret. Most thin laptops charge over USB-C. If you plug a hub into your only USB-C port, you have just given up charging — unless the hub supports Power Delivery pass-through, which lets you plug your charger into the hub and power the laptop through it.
Look for 100W PD. Less than that and a power-hungry laptop will charge slowly or not at all under load. A hub without PD pass-through is only useful for short sessions.
HDMI: check the resolution and refresh rate
Most hubs offer 4K HDMI. What varies is the refresh rate — many budget hubs do 4K at only 30Hz, which is visibly choppy for anything but static documents. For comfortable use, 4K at 60Hz is the target. If a listing just says "4K" with no refresh rate, assume 30Hz.
USB 3.0 vs USB 2.0, and what 5Gbps means
USB 3.0 at 5Gbps is fast enough for external drives and file transfers. USB 2.0 at 480Mbps is fine for a keyboard, mouse or dongle but painfully slow for storage. A good hub mixes both — there is no point spending on 3.0 ports for a mouse.
Ethernet: still worth it
RJ45 Ethernet feels dated until you are on a video call over a crowded Wi-Fi network. A wired connection is more stable and lower latency. If you work from home on shared broadband, or present in offices with unreliable guest Wi-Fi, the step up to a 6-in-1 hub with Ethernet pays for itself the first time it saves a call.
Which configuration to buy
- 3-in-1 or 4-in-1: extra USB ports for peripherals. Cheapest, no display output. Good if you just need a mouse and a drive connected.
- 5-in-1: adds 4K HDMI and 100W PD. The sensible default for most laptop users — see the SAL-DS-15H.
- 6-in-1: adds Ethernet. Worth it if your Wi-Fi is unreliable or you present regularly.
Two practical warnings
Hubs get warm. That is normal, particularly when charging a laptop through them. Aluminium bodies handle it better than plastic.
Bandwidth is shared. One USB-C connection carries everything. Driving a 4K display while copying from an external SSD will slow both. This is a limitation of the format, not of any particular hub.
Compare the range in USB-C hubs, or see all cables and adapters.