The number of USB ports on a laptop or a desktop is very limited. These days, it is not uncommon to use several devices at once. What if you want to connect more devices than just the regular external hard drive, keyboard, and mouse? You may also want quick access to your smartphone while it is charging beside you. A USB hub is a must-have device in everyone's house or office to meet the demands of today's world.
But do you know the different types of USB hubs available in the market? What about USB versions and how it affects data transfer and charging speeds? Don't worry. Our top 10 list featuring the best USB hubs from top brands like Anker, Amkette, Sabrent, and more will help you choose the right one for your daily needs. Don't forget to refer to our buying guide that follows. It has enough information to help you choose the best.
Image | 1 ![]() QZ | 2 ![]() Sabrent | 3 ![]() PEATOP | 4 ![]() ORICO | 5 ![]() Anker | 6 ![]() TP-Link | 7 ![]() Gizga Essentials | 8 ![]() QZ | 9 ![]() ORICO | 10 ![]() Portronics |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Active Powered USB 3.1 Hub | 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub | 7 in 1 USB-C Hub | 7-Port USB3.0 Hub | Data Hub | 4-Port USB Hub | USB Hub 5 in 1 | USB 3.1 Type C Hub | USB3.0 HUB | Mport 24 |
Features | Connect and Operate Power-Hungry Devices Without Any Drop in Performance | With Individual Power Switches for Each Port | More Than Just a USB Hub | Option for Supplying Additional 5V for Running High-Power Devices | Extremely Compact Design for Ultra-Portability | Foldable Cable Design Prevents Damages to Laptop Surface | Comes With SD/Micro SD Card Reader | For Macbooks and Chromebook Pixels | Durable Aluminum Body With Desk Clip | USB 2.0 Ports That Can Reach 480 Mbps Data Transfer Speed |
Price Starts at | ₹1,799.00 | ₹1,299.00 | ₹2,248.00 | ₹1,599.00 | ₹1,599.00 | ₹1,549.00 | ₹349.00 | ₹985.00 | ₹1,599.00 | ₹449.00 |
Self-powered/bus-powered | Self-powered | Bus-powered | Bus-powered | Bus-powered | Bus-powered | Bus-powered | Bus-powered | Bus-powered | Bus-powered | Bus-powered |
USB version | USB 3.1 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 3.1 | USB 3.0 | USB 2.0 |
Number of ports | 4 | 4 | 3 x USB-A 3.0 Ports | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Extra features | - | Individual power switches for each port | 1 x USB-C Power Delivery, 1 x 4K HDMI, 1 x SD, 1 x Micro SD Card | Option | Foldable cord | SD and micro SD card reader | - | Clip type | Velcro strips | |
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Here are our top 10 recommendations for the best USB hubs you can buy online in India from brands like Anker, Amkette, and more. You can find both self-powered and bus-powered models in the list below. Decide on the number of devices you want to connect and go through our specifications table before you make a choice.
QZ-HB05
From ₹1,799.00
Self-powered/bus-powered | Self-powered |
---|---|
USB version | USB 3.1 |
Number of ports | 4 |
Extra features | - |
HB-UM43
From ₹1,299.00
Self-powered/bus-powered | Bus-powered |
---|---|
USB version | USB 3.0 |
Number of ports | 4 |
Extra features | Individual power switches for each port |
From ₹2,248.00
Self-powered/bus-powered | Bus-powered |
---|---|
USB version | USB 3.0 |
Number of ports | 3 x USB-A 3.0 Ports |
Extra features | 1 x USB-C Power Delivery, 1 x 4K HDMI, 1 x SD, 1 x Micro SD Card |
From ₹1,599.00
Self-powered/bus-powered | Bus-powered |
---|---|
USB version | USB 3.0 |
Number of ports | 7 |
Extra features | Option |
A7516011
From ₹1,599.00
Self-powered/bus-powered | Bus-powered |
---|---|
USB version | USB 3.0 |
Number of ports | 4 |
Extra features |
UH400
From ₹1,549.00
Self-powered/bus-powered | Bus-powered |
---|---|
USB version | USB 3.0 |
Number of ports | 4 |
Extra features | Foldable cord |
From ₹349.00
Self-powered/bus-powered | Bus-powered |
---|---|
USB version | USB 2.0 |
Number of ports | 5 |
Extra features | SD and micro SD card reader |
From ₹985.00
Self-powered/bus-powered | Bus-powered |
---|---|
USB version | USB 3.1 |
Number of ports | 4 |
Extra features | - |
From ₹1,599.00
Self-powered/bus-powered | Bus-powered |
---|---|
USB version | USB 3.0 |
Number of ports | 4 |
Extra features | Clip type |
POR-717 M
From ₹449.00
Self-powered/bus-powered | Bus-powered |
---|---|
USB version | USB 2.0 |
Number of ports | 4 |
Extra features | Velcro strips |
Need more help to choose the right USB hub for your needs? Scroll down and read our buying guide. We discuss topics like types of USB hubs, port versions, port types, and many more in the sections below. Feel free to go back to our top 10 list after you have read our buying guide.
There are two types of USB hubs available in the market: self-powered and bus-powered. A self-powered USB hub draws power from the AC mains, while a bus-powered USB hub needs to be connected to a USB port on your laptop or desktop.
The USB ports on a PC only produce small amounts of current, which is not sufficient to charge devices like smartphones and external hard drives. That's when you need a self-powered USB hub. You can find this type of USB hub with data transfer provisions as well.
A bus-powered USB hub can be used to connect flash drives, keyboards and mice, controllers, etc. Bus-powered USB hubs are compact, portable, and much less expensive than the self-powered type. Consider the use case and buy one that gives you the biggest bang for your buck.
Do you have devices that can leverage the fast data transfer capability of USB 3.0? Then it's wise to buy a USB hub with version 3.0 ports. You won't see any speed increases if you connect a USB 2.0 device to a 3.0 port. But if you plan on buying any new devices, it is best to invest in a USB hub with version 3.0 ports.
When it comes to charging, a USB 3.0 port "could" charge your device faster. Well, it depends. Most devices will not draw the maximum power, which is 900mA, a USB 3.0 port can provide if it detects that the device is connected to a bus-powered USB port. So, it is unlikely that you will see any improvement in charging speeds. So, consider the port version only for data transfers.
Before you buy a USB hub, count the number of devices you already have. Also, the ones that could get added to your gadget collection in the future. Searching for a USB hub with the number of ports you require is not the important thing. You should check how many of those support fast charging and the number of ports dedicated to data transfer.
You should look for at least two charging ports if you have more than two devices that you need to charge through the hub. As for data transfer and connecting peripherals, decide how many devices you want to connect at once. For example, you may most probably want to connect a keyboard, mouse, and a hard disk at the same time.
Here is something worth considering. If you connect too many devices to a bus-powered USB port, the performance and charging time of the connected devices will get affected. We recommend going for a self-powered USB hub that also allows high-speed data transfer.
Whether you are a student or a professional, a laptop and an external storage device are some things that you will need at some point in life. Below are the links to articles featuring the best laptops for college students, external SSD's, and external hard drives you can buy online in India. We have also included a comprehensive buying guide in every article to help you make the right choice.
We learned a lot while researching for this article. Hope you learned some new things too. Here is everything you need to know before you buy a USB hub. A self-powered one will need to be connected to the AC mains, so it can charge your devices and allow data transfer with no drops in performance.
If you are choosing a bus-powered USB hub, make sure that you pick one with USB 3.0 ports. You will get the maximum transfer speed the technology allows and also charge supported devices comparatively faster. Check the number of ports the USB hub has. Before that, count the number of devices you already have. Also, include the ones that you will buy in the future.
Author - Arun F Xaviour
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