Best USB-C hubs for Chromebooks 2024
Get more out of your Chromebook with these USB-C hubs.
Chromebooks are built light, lithe, and long-lasting. Still, as more Chromebooks shed USB-A and card-reading ports for future-proof, multifunctional USB-C ports, users are faced with a choice. You can try to upgrade all your peripherals to USB-C, or you can get a USB-C hub and keep using your USB-A keyboard, as well as ripping photos off your camera's SD cards. Many USB-C hubs also support HDMI monitors, Ethernet, and Power Delivery charging, so no matter your needs, there's a great USB-C hub out there for you. Here are some of the best Chromebook USB-C hubs you can buy right now.
What are the best USB-C Chromebook hubs?
Why you can trust Android Central
Works with Chromebook
This USB-C hub from HyperDrive may not look like it's much, but it's arguably one of the most portable options to pair with your Chromebook. It's "Chromebook Certified," and offers dual USB-A ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, an HDMI 4k port, and USB-C Power Delivery up to 86W. Not only is this perfect for your Chromebooks, but it's also a great solution for any of your USB-C tablets and laptops.
Pocket-friendly powerhouse
This credit-card-sized hub allows you to swap out the host cable for a longer C-to-C cable, and keep the hub on your desk while your laptop sits on an elevated stand. It also comes in two sizes: a 6-in-1 without Ethernet, and an 8-in-1 with Ethernet.
Just the essentials
Plugable is better known for its docking stations, making a surprisingly capable and compact USB-C hub for an excellent price. If you need a hub to connect a monitor and a few peripherals, it's hard to beat the Plugable 7-in-1's value and durability.
Everything you need and more
The Baseus 8-in-1 USB-C Hub comes equipped with all the ports you need to make the most out of your Chromebook. These include a full-size SD card slot, microSD card slot, triple USB-A ports, and even Ethernet. Plus, this USB-C hub supports charging speeds up to 100W, removing any potential concerns about keeping your Chromebook charged up.
Compact connections
This hub sports nearly every port you'd want, all in an affordable package. While you don't get an Ethernet port, you get an HDMI port that supports 4K output, full-size SD and microSD slots, and three 3.0 USB-A ports. With this hub, you'll have a spot for almost any cord you need to plug in.
Long and lean
This sleek hub from Anker only has two USB-A ports, but it makes up for that by also featuring HDMI, Ethernet, and the ability to plug in a USB-C peripheral in addition to the USB-C port for pass-through charging. This means that you get exactly the ports you need, a bit of future-proofing, and no wasted space.
Super long cable
Need to reach some peripherals to your Chromebook without crowding everything right next to it? This hub has a 48-inch cord, so you can sneak the cables for your keyboard, USB webcam, and microphone out of sight, out of mind. Just be mindful that this hub doesn't have a USB-C pass-through to recharge your Chromebook.
Certified for Chromebooks
If you need a cable, hub, or adapter, chances are that Cable Matters has something to help you out. The company also offers a USB-C hub that is "Works with Chromebook" certified, while sporting dual USB 3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and HDMI, and provides charging speeds of up to 86W.
Wide compatibility and ports
The Anker 655 is one of the latest USB-C hubs to become available, but this model adds an Ethernet port and offers a unique design. You also get dual USB-A ports, 100W USB-C pass-through charging, 3.5mm audio, 4K HDMI, SD, and microSD card slots.
Pick the hub that's right for you
While the HyperDrive 5-in-1 USB-C hub was announced about a year ago, it's only recently become more widely available. It's supported by the Google "Works with Chromebook" initiative, meaning that you shouldn't have any issue using this with any of the best Chromebooks. Hyper has been in the USB-C hub game for a while, getting its start over on the iPad and Apple side of the world. But this USB-C Chromebook hub adds all of the ports you might need.
Since I got the Uni USB-C hub two years ago, I've been absolutely in love with it. I can swap out the short cable it comes with for a longer USB-C to USB-C cable to organize cables further away from my Chromebook on my standing desk (it'll probably come in handy for you if you work from home). Just be mindful that if you're using it for an external monitor, you'll need the best USB-C cable rated to 10Gbps to ensure the picture doesn't stutter. It's also the size of a credit card with the cables detached, making it one of the easiest hubs to pack for frequent travelers or students.
Want something beefier and more stationary for your office desk? You may consider upgrading from a USB-C hub to a full-fledged docking station. Docking stations usually have their own power supply, a wide variety of ports, and longer cables so you can keep your desk less cluttered.
Note: Unless you know you're going to be using headphones through it every time you plug it in, you might want to avoid USB-C hubs with a headphone jack. When I use hubs and docking stations with headphone jacks, it sometimes mixes the input/outputs while using video calling services like Google Meet and Zoom.
Be an expert in 5 minutes
Get the latest news from Android Central, your trusted companion in the world of Android
Andrew Myrick is a Senior Editor at Android Central. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is collecting different headphones, even if they all end up in the same drawer.
- Ara Wagoner
- Chris WedelSmart Home Writer