This makes it perfect for connecting multiple gaming controllers, keyboards, and other devices. The hub also has a built-in SD and microSD card reader, which is ideal for gamers who use these types of cards for storage (Switch gamers!). Pros: So now you know what they are used for. In this article, we have briefly talked about powered and unpowered USB hubs. USB hubs are a great way to power all your peripherals from the convenience of your desk. And if you plan to get a powered USB hub, you get more freedom while connecting multiple devices. We hope this article will help you to choose the right USB hub. FAQ about Do I Need a Powered USB Hub What is the point of a powered USB hub? It's often a good idea to get a USB hub to extend one USB port into several other ports. Modern laptops are getting compact and have no more than two USB ports. Such a limited number of USB ports may not be enough if you want to connect multiple IT peripherals over USB. So, in such a situation, you may be wondering, do I need a powered USB hub ? If you are thinking of getting a USB hub, then this article is there to help you. Do I Need a Powered USB Hub?

HDMI: A hub can be very useful at a desk, especially if you want to hook your computer up to an external monitor. We connected each of the hubs via HDMI to a Philips 272P7VUBNB/27 monitor with the resolution set to 4K, and we used the Blur Busters UFO Motion Test to confirm the refresh rate. Most hubs support only a 30 Hz refresh rate (the image refreshes 30 times a second) at 4K resolution, but a handful now support a smoother 60 Hz rate, and we prefer those hubs that do. There are still a couple of caveats here. First, your device needs to support a DisplayPort 1.4 video output over USB-C, which will count out many Chromebooks and some MacBooks and Windows laptops. Second, the hub itself takes 15W of power, which means that – even with a 100W USB-PD charger – you may find some laptops not charging at their highest speeds. But if you’re happy to live with these compromises, this is one of the best USB-C hubs we’ve seen. Some USB-C hubs go further by incorporating USB-PD passthrough. Here the idea isn’t so much to power the connected devices as to power the laptop the hub connects to, so that you just connect the laptop to the hub, and it charges as you use it without the charger taking up the spare USB-C port. The key thing here is how much power the hub can supply. Most will deliver 80W or more when used with a 100W charger, which should more than cover any laptop. However, with some you’re looking at 50W or less, which might mean missing out on fast-charging modes on some of those laptops that support them.

The hub supports fast data transfers up to 5Gbps for expanding USB ports or connecting multiple devices. It also has USB on the go and simultaneous transfers across all ports. It’s plug-and-play, and no extra drivers are needed for PC, Mac, or select versions of Linux (2.6.14 or later). An integrated safety chip offers overcurrent, overcharge, overvoltage, overheat, and short-circuit protection for both the hub and any connected devices. A lot of times, there are situations where you have multiple devices that need to be plugged into your computer but you can’t because there are not enough USB ports to go around. It can be quite frustrating and leaves you handicapped. But what if I told you that there is a way around it now? Thankfully, with USB hubs, you can connect whatever device you want directly to your computer. In this blog post, we will delve into everything you need to know about what is a USB hub, including the different types available, their functions, features, and what you should consider before purchasing one. Without much ado, let’s dive right in! What is a USB Hub?

To begin with, it is important to know the different types of USB hubs available. There are two main types: powered and unpowered. Powered USB hubs have their power supply and can provide more power to connected devices. Unpowered USB hubs rely on the power from the computer to function. A powered USB hub is recommended for gaming as it can provide the necessary power to devices such as gaming keyboards and mice. To get 85W charging, use a USB-C wall charger and a USB-C to C cable that both support 100W PD charging. The USB-C hub’s aluminum surface dissipates heat, and the braided nylon cable is designed to withstand up to 2000 bends.The SD and microSD card slots support virtually all SD card formats for seamless access to photos and other media files. The HDMI port supports a variety of resolutions up to 4K@30Hz and 1080p@60Hz, including 1080p, 1080i, 720p, and 480p. If you opt for a powered USB hub, your data transfer speed will be significantly increased, but to really maximise the efficiency, you need to look at the transfer speed. If you only occasionally transfer files, this won't be much of an issue, but if transferring is a big part of your work, this could be worth noting.