In the past two decades, the rise of USB devices has made it a big player in the tech market as it is now present in almost every device from external hard drives to portable fans. And while they are useful, the problem with this is that there never seem to be enough ports, especially with laptops becoming slimmer as time passes.
As such, to solve this problem, many tech manufacturers came up with the USB hub solution. These devices essentially allow you to expand the number of connectivity ports that are available on your Mac. They are convenient, as you no longer have to keep unplugging your devices one at a time, but instead, you can plug in a whole host of peripherals at once.
Types of USB Hubs
Before you start purchasing these accessories, it’s always good to know what different types of hubs are available out there to choose from. There are usually two different types of USB hubs; bus-powered hubs and self-powered hubs. A bus-powered hub essentially works by receiving power from connecting it to your Mac. In other words, it requires no external power source, unlike self-powered hubs which need to be connected to a power source to work.
Bus-powered hubs are generally cost-effective and the most popular hubs sold in the market as they are very portable and can be plugged in almost anywhere, anytime. In most cases, self-powered hubs will usually have between 4 to 7 USB ports. For instance, Lention’s CB-C36B 7 in 1 usb c hub is a bus-powered hub that allows you to connect over 7 different peripherals concurrently. This makes multitasking so much easier, especially if you are working on creative projects like music production and video editing. It is also a popular choice because it is relatively affordable yet it comes with all the general features and functionalities you could ever need. It features 3 USB 3.0 ports that allow up to 5Gbps data transfer speed, two SD-Card Readers that can transfer data at a speed of up to 104MB/s, and comes with the fast power delivery of up to 100W. It also comes with a 4K video and audio output for mirroring or extending your screen to any HDMI-compatible TV, monitor, or projector.
However, keep in mind that you may need a specific type of hub, depending on what you want to connect. For instance, if the device requires more than 100mA power output, it won’t work on a bus-powered hub. You will need to purchase a self-powered hub that can usually handle up to 500mA. Some USB hubs are designed to work with mobile devices instead of laptops. Case in point, Lention’s ipad pro hdmi adapter, the CB-C48 model is a highly portable device that expands your iPad’s port, providing you with; 2 SD/Micro SD card slots, 2 USB 3.0, 1 60W USB-C charging port, 1 USB 2.0, 1 4K HDMI port, and 1 Gigabit Ethernet port. This makes it the ultimate choice if you may prefer using iPads over Macs, especially if you tend to work remotely.
Factors to consider when buying a USB Hub
Although USB Hubs are generally expansive and highly versatile devices, there are a few important details t consider before making a purchase. After all, not every brand makes the same type of USB hubs, and not all of them offer the same level of performance and reliability. Apart from cost, you also have to consider its features and durability.
So let’s quickly dive into each one of these categories:
Features:
One of the first things you need to ask is how many ports does the USB hub hold? You need to ensure that it has all the necessary functionalities that you need for your work. Moreover, you may also need to check if it comes with its cable or if you will have to buy your own. If you are in the market for a usb c to usb c hub, there is no better pick than the CB-C35H-1M model from Lention.
This accessory is universally compatible with most computers and will help expand your connectivity ports. It features 4 USB 3.0 ports and is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices. As a result, you can connect up to 4 different external devices like keyboards, mousepads, or storage drives, all at the same time. It also offers a maximum data transfer speed of 5Gbps and up to 60W integrated charging for any peripherals you may own. Plus, it comes with a 3.3ft extra cable extension, which is useful in clearing your workspace and giving yourself some extra room to work with.
Durability:
You must purchase a hub that is not only powerful but dependable enough to handle the amount of data placed through it. In this respect, you are better off gathering information from user’s reviews about how the hub handles. You should also check how tough the device is, as some tend to break easily or even overheat.
In this respect, you should also make sure that the manufacturer offers a good warranty to ensure that if something unexpected does happen, you can return it and exchange it for a replacement. Some brands even offer a lifetime warranty, so it depends on what brand you decide to go for. However, you will not go wrong by choosing Lention as they offer the widest varieties and have the best quality in the market to boot.
