A USB-C hub turns a modern laptop with only one or two ports into a fully connected desk workstation. One cable in, and you get your monitor, keyboard, mouse, ethernet, and charging all running simultaneously. With so many options on the market — from £15 budget hubs to £200 docking stations — knowing what to look for makes the difference between a hub that works reliably and one that causes dropped signals and overheating.
Hub vs Docking Station — What’s the Difference?
A USB-C hub is a compact multi-port adapter — typically 4–8 ports in a small form factor. It draws power from your laptop and is designed for portability. A docking station is a larger, powered device that sits on your desk and connects to mains power, allowing it to deliver more wattage, support higher resolutions, and handle more simultaneous connections without compromise.
For most home office and hot-desking setups, a good USB-C hub is sufficient. If you’re driving two external monitors, need Ethernet at full speed, or are using it all day every day in a fixed location, a docking station is worth the extra cost.
What to Look For in a USB-C Hub
Power Delivery Pass-Through
If your laptop charges via USB-C (most modern Windows laptops and all MacBooks), make sure the hub supports Power Delivery pass-through — this lets you plug your charger into the hub and it charges your laptop through the hub’s connection. Look for 60W or higher pass-through for laptops; 87W+ for MacBook Pro.
Display Output
For a single external monitor at 1080p or 1440p, any hub with HDMI will work fine. For 4K at 60Hz, check the spec carefully — not all hubs support 4K/60Hz (some are limited to 4K/30Hz, which causes visible lag when moving windows). If you want to connect two monitors, you’ll likely need a docking station rather than a hub.
Data Port Speeds
USB-A ports come in two speeds: USB 3.0 (5Gbps, fast) and USB 2.0 (480Mbps, slow). For connecting a mouse and keyboard, USB 2.0 is fine. For copying files to USB drives, you want USB 3.0. Check what’s in the spec, not just the number of ports.
Ethernet
If your desk has an ethernet socket — and for reliability, it should — get a hub that includes ethernet. A wired connection is significantly more stable than Wi-Fi for video calls and large file transfers.
Best USB-C Hubs for Office Use in 2026
Best all-round: Anker 555 USB-C Hub (8-in-1)
Anker’s 555 delivers 8 ports in a compact body: 100W Power Delivery pass-through, HDMI 2.0 (4K/60Hz), two USB-A 3.0 ports, one USB-C 3.0 data port, ethernet, SD card reader, and microSD. Solid build quality, reliable drivers on Windows and Mac, and genuinely supports 4K/60Hz. Good value at around £40–50. This is the hub most office workers need. Check price on Amazon →
Budget pick: Anker USB-C Hub 7-in-1
If you need a compact hub primarily for adding USB-A ports and HDMI to a MacBook or ultrabook, this Anker 7-in-1 covers the basics well at around £20–25. Don’t expect sustained 4K/60Hz performance, but for everyday tasks — monitor, keyboard, mouse, and charging — it performs reliably. Check price on Amazon →
For MacBook Pro users: CalDigit TS5 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
If you have a MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 4 and want the full docking station experience, the CalDigit TS5 is the benchmark. Multiple ports, high-wattage laptop charging, dual 4K display support, and 10Gbps data speeds. It’s expensive, but it’s designed for Mac power users who need everything connected through a single cable. Check price on Amazon →
For hot-desking: Anker PowerExpand 11-in-1
This hub includes an ethernet port, HDMI, three USB-A ports, USB-C data and Power Delivery, SD/microSD, and a 3.5mm audio jack — all in a form factor small enough to travel with. Useful if you work across multiple offices or regularly present from a laptop. Check price on Amazon →
USB-C Hub Compatibility Note
Most USB-C hubs work with any USB-C laptop regardless of brand. However, some features (particularly multi-monitor support and Thunderbolt speeds) require a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port, not just USB-C. Check your laptop’s spec — the port may look identical but the capability varies. MacBook Pros have Thunderbolt 4; many Windows ultrabooks have standard USB-C or Thunderbolt 3.
