Power surges can damage circuits or drain power unnecessarily.

Be sure to unplug the device from the hub when not in use.Power surges can damage circuits or drain power unnecessarily.
Be sure to unplug the device from the hub when not in use.Power surges can damage circuits or drain power unnecessarily.
As laptops and tablets have gotten thinner and lighter, some features have been eliminated.The first thing to disappear is usually multiple USB ports.If you’re lucky, you can buy a laptop with more than two ports today.But gadgets like Apple’s MacBook have only one USB port.If you already have a wired keyboard or mouse plugged in, you’ll have to make another plan to access the external hard drive.
That’s where a USB 3.0 hub comes in.Typically, the size of a laptop’s power adapter, a USB hub takes one USB slot and expands it to multiple.You can easily find up to seven or eight additional ports on the hub, and some even offer HDMI video slots or access to memory cards.
When looking at the specifications for a USB 3.0 hub, you’ll notice that some ports are designated differently than others.That’s because ports usually come in two varieties: data and charging.
As the name suggests, the data port is used to transfer information from the device to your computer.Think thumb drives, external hard drives, or memory cards.They also work with phones, so you can download photos or transfer music files.
Meanwhile, the charging port is exactly what it sounds like.While it can’t transfer data, it’s used to quickly charge any connected device.In this case, gadgets such as mobile phones, power banks or wireless keyboards can be charged.
But as technology improves, it’s becoming more common to find ports on USB 3.0 hubs that do both.This allows you to access and transfer data while the connected device is charging.
Remember, the charging port needs to draw power from a power source.If the hub is not connected to a wall outlet’s power adapter, it will use the laptop’s power to charge the device.This will drain the laptop’s battery faster.
Of course, the hub is connected to your computer or laptop via a USB cable.The key is to make sure it’s compatible.Most connection cables use male USB 3.0, but for Apple’s MacBooks, you must use a hub with a USB-C connector.However, this isn’t a problem for Apple’s desktop iMac computers, which have both USB 3.0 and USB-C ports.
The most important aspect that most people will look for is the number of USB ports on the hub.Simply put, the more ports you have available, the more gadgets you can connect or charge.Anything from phones and tablets to keyboards and mice can go through the hub.
But as mentioned before, you have to make sure you connect it to the correct port.For example, a keyboard that plugs into the charging port isn’t going to be much use — unless it’s a wireless model that needs fast charging.
If you need to connect a lot of gadgets, this hub has 7 USB 3.0 ports that can transfer data at 5 Gb per second.It also features three PowerIQ charging ports, each with an output of 2.1 amps, allowing you to charge your device while connected to a laptop or computer.Sold by Amazon
Connecting multiple USB-C gadgets to your computer can often be cumbersome.But this hub has four in addition to four USB 3.0 ports.It comes with a 3.3-foot USB-C cable and an external power adapter.Sold by Amazon
The hub has seven USB 3.0 data ports and two fast-charging USB ports.The chip inside automatically recognizes the connected device to provide the fastest charging speed.It has built-in protection against overcharging, overheating, and power surges.Sold by Amazon
If you process data on numerous storage systems, this hub is a great solution.In addition to two USB 3.0 ports, it has two USB-C ports and a slot for two types of memory cards.There’s also a 4K HDMI output so you can connect your laptop to an external monitor.Sold by Amazon
Featuring four USB 3.0 ports, this data hub is a slim, compact solution to connectivity issues.While it can’t charge any connected device, it can transfer data at 5 gigabits per second.The hub is compatible with Windows and Apple devices.Sold by Amazon
To save power, this hub has a unique feature where each of the four USB 3.0 ports can be turned on or off with a switch on the top.LED indicators show the power status of each port.The 2-foot cable is enough to keep your workspace clutter-free.Sold by Amazon
Compatible with Apple’s Macbook Pro, the hub has seven ports.There are two USB 3.0 connections, a 4K HDMI port, an SD memory card slot, and a 100-watt USB-C Power Delivery charging port.Sold by Amazon
When you have more gadgets than everyone else, you’ll need this 10-port USB 3.0 hub.Each port has an individual switch so you can turn them on or off when needed.The included power adapter protects against overvoltage and overcharging.Sold by Amazon
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Charlie Fripp writes for BestReviews.BestReviews helps millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.