I Tested 12 Different USB-C Hubs - Here Are My Top 5

Summary

The video script reviews various USB-C hubs, highlighting their performance in charging speed, data transfer, and build quality. The Zumi ping ranks fifth due to its slow charge speed and high temperature. The Anchor Power Expand 7 in 1 is criticized for its portability and below-average performance. The Power Expand 8 in 1 from Anchor offers better performance but at a higher price. The Beny USB-C Hub is budget-friendly but has a poor SD card reader. The UGREEN 7 in 1 Hub stands out for its metallic design and superior performance in all criteria, except for SD card speed, making it the top pick.

Takeaways

• 😕 The reviewer has tested many USB-C hubs and found that most only meet the bare minimum of performance.
• ⚡ The Zumi Ping hub ranked #5 due to poor charging speed, even losing 1% charge in 50 minutes.
• 🔥 Zumi Ping hub also runs hotter than average at 110°F, which is a concern for electronics.
• 🐢 USB 3 data transfer on the Zumi Ping hub was noticeably slower, though it has two USB-C ports for data transfer, a rare feature.
• 💼 The Anker PowerExpand 7-in-1 ranked #4; it's bulky and has poor USB 3 performance, especially under heavy load, but its SD card reader is better than many competitors.
• 💰 Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 (#3) is more expensive, but offers faster data transfers and better performance overall, although its flow-through charging is 10% slower.
• 💡 The reviewer appreciates the metallic build and faster USB 3 ports on the Anker 8-in-1 compared to the 7-in-1 version.
• 🛠️ The Benfei USB-C hub offers good overall performance for $20, but its SD card reader is slow, making it unsuitable for creatives.
• ⚙️ The Ugreen 7-in-1 hub ranked #1, with excellent performance in most tests, especially in USB-A data transfer and charging speed.
• 🔋 The Ugreen hub also includes two USB-C ports for data transfer, a rare and useful feature, although it lacks an ethernet port.

Q & A

What were the main issues with the Zumi Ping USB-C hub?

The Zumi Ping had poor charging speed, with a 1% loss of charge over 50 minutes, ran the hottest at 110°F, and had noticeably slower USB3 data transfer speeds. However, it does have two USB-C ports, one for data transfer and one for power, making it somewhat future-proof.

Why did the Anchor PowerExpand 7-in-1 rank lower in the review?

The Anchor PowerExpand 7-in-1 was one of the larger hubs and underperformed in both USB 3.0 data transfer and charging tests. Its SD card reader, while not terrible, was slower compared to dedicated card readers. The hub also struggled when fully loaded with power-hungry devices.

How did the Anchor PowerExpand 8-in-1 perform compared to the 7-in-1?

The PowerExpand 8-in-1 outperformed the 7-in-1 in almost every regard, offering 25% faster USB 3.0 data transfer speeds and 15% better charging performance during a fully loaded test. However, it is more expensive at $50 and still has slower SD card reading speeds.

What is the main selling point of the Benfei USB-C hub despite its flaws?

The Benfei USB-C hub is budget-friendly, costing around $20, and performed well in non-SD card-related functions like data transfer and charging. However, its SD card reader was extremely slow, reading at 30 MB/s, making it unsuitable for creatives.

Which hub was considered the best in the review, and why?

The Ugreen USB-C hub was ranked the best. It had a fully metallic build, performed exceptionally in almost all tests, had fast USB-A data transfer speeds (800 MB/s), and was 25% faster at charging than the average hub. It also featured two USB-C ports, which is rare among the hubs tested.

What was the reviewer’s main concern with USB-C hubs in general?

The reviewer’s main concern was that many USB-C hubs don’t deliver the full power they claim. For example, a hub might advertise 100W power, but only 87W is passed through to the connected device. This becomes problematic when charging power-hungry devices like laptops.

What was the issue with SD card readers in most of the hubs tested?

Most of the tested hubs, including the Anchor and Ugreen, had SD card readers that performed far below the maximum read speeds of modern SD cards. While some hubs managed 90 MB/s, others, like the Benfei, read as slow as 30 MB/s, making them unsuitable for high-speed data transfer.

Why did the reviewer think the build quality of the Ugreen hub was important?

The Ugreen hub's fully metallic build was highlighted as important because it not only gave the hub a premium feel but also contributed to its durability and better thermal performance compared to plastic builds in cheaper hubs.

What was a unique feature of the Ugreen hub that set it apart from other hubs?

The Ugreen hub had two fully functional USB-C ports for both power and data transfer, which is a rare feature in most USB-C hubs, making it more versatile for users with multiple devices.

What did the reviewer think of hub portability, and why was it a factor in their ranking?

Portability was an important factor because some hubs, like the Anchor PowerExpand 7-in-1, were larger and less convenient to carry around. The reviewer also appreciated hubs with longer cables, as they could rest flat next to devices like iPads instead of dangling awkwardly.