The new iPad Pro comes with a Thunderbolt ready USB-C port that makes it comparable to a fully-fledged laptop if equipped with the right accessories, notably the Magic Keyboard. However, what if you need some different ports such as HDMI or USB for compatibility with all the legacy devices out there.
Well, then you will need to get yourself a USB-C hub that will use the brilliant USB-C connection on your iPad Pro to allow access to multiple different ports and connectivity standards. So, let’s take a look at the best products out there and see if you should be buying a new USB-C hub.
Why should you get a USB-C Hub?
A USB-C hub helps you bring compatibility and extra functionality with a lot of other accessories and devices, and you can also expect the following benefits:
HDMI Connection – You can connect all your displays and monitors with the help of this port.
SD Card Slots – Do you need extra storage or need to get data out from your camera, then use a USB-C Hub to get multiple SD card slots for all your storage expansion needs.
Ethernet/LAN internet – LAN/Ethernet connections have always been faster than regular WiFi, and if you’re looking to get your iPad working with the fastest internet connectivity, then an Ethernet port on your USB-C hub will be a perfect choice.
USB-A Ports – USB-A ports have been in use for years and are still prevalent with many devices, from mouse to headphones, and if you need to use them with your iPad, then a USB-C hub will solve all your connectivity issues.
Audio Jack – Many complained when Apple removed the audio jack or the 3.5mm port from its iPhones and iPads, and if you need a 3.5mm jack, you can use the USB-C hubs to get yourself the headphone jack back.
PD – Finally, most USB-C hubs come with a PD USB-C pass-through port that can help you charge your iPad at blazing fast speeds and can get up to 100W of power.
Things to consider before buying the USB Hub
There are few things that you should look at before you go on getting the USB-C hub for your iPad Pro and these are:
Price and Performance – Look for a great price tag and a good selection of ports with USB 3.1 Data transfer rates. You can also check if the hub has Thunderbolt speeds for that extra oomph in performance.
Build and Materials – Most of the USB-C hubs on the list are made out of aluminium and have braided cables, but you should stay away from anything made out of plastic or hubs with below-average build quality.
Cable Length – Some hubs directly connect to your iPad with no cables and straight through a port connection. This is beneficial for a small compact size, but it may provide compatibility issues with other devices. So, if you don’t have a problem with your hub occupying a little more space, then get an ample cable length hub to work with all your devices efficiently.
Port Selection – Look for many ports on your hub and check if they will suit your needs and workflow before deciding.
Power Delivery and Safety – Finally, check if the hubs have overcharge protection and good capacitors as the hubs can deliver power up to 100W to your devices. Hence, it needs to be built and shielded well so that all your devices remain safe to use.
10 Best USB-C Hubs for iPad Pro
- Best for iPad Pro: HyperDrive 9-in-1 USB-C Hub Adapter
- Best Built: Baseus iPad Pro USB-C Hub and Docking Station
- Budget Friendly: Zedela 6-in-1 USB-C Hub
- Best for Casual Users: UGreen USB-C Multiport Adapter
- Most Portable: Anker PowerExpand Direct
- Best for Power Users: Anker PowerExpand+
- Best Thunderbolt Dock: UtechSmart 12 in 1 Docking Station
- Best for Work: Satechi Aluminum Type-C
- Most USB ports: NXPGKEA USB C HUB for iPad Pro
- Best for Home Setups: Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock
1. HyperDrive 9-in-1 USB-C Hub Adapter
Price: $80
The HyperDrive USB-C hub is our best pick for the iPad Pro as it has a lot of ports and comes at a reasonable price tag. The speed it features on all the USB ports are excellent, and the overall aesthetic of the hub is perfect with the iPad design. It also has a braided cable which makes it a little bigger than most hubs, but it doesn’t have any compatibility issues.
Build Quality
The aluminium build of the hub is great, and all the cables are covered with a thick rubber layer for extra durability. It also has a slanted design which makes it easy to store in any laptop bag or sleeve, and the internal circuits have premium materials and over surge protection.
Port Selection
- 1 x USB-C PD (max 60W)
- 1 x Gigabit Ethernet
- 1 x 4K HDMI 4K@30Hz
- 3 x USB 3.1 5Gb/s
- 1 x SD & 1 x MicroSD reader (UHS-I, 104MB/s)
- 1 x 3.5mm Audio Jack
Pros
- Best in the slot for the iPad Pro
- Has all the ports you can need
- It comes at an affordable price tag
Cons
- The overall build is a little larger compared to other hubs
2. Baseus iPad Pro USB-C Hub and Docking Station
Price: $40
Baseus are famous for their GAN chargers, and this USB-C hub uses some of their similar technologies for power delivery and USB ports. The overall ports selection is impressive, and it also comes with a small display to show all the connection and power delivery notifications. Finally, the cable is rugged and makes the entire build feel robust.
Build Quality
The build quality of the hub is fantastic and is made up of aluminium and high-quality plastic. It also uses a metal housing for the USB-C port and rubber cables for better durability and easy management. However, the overall build can feel a little clunky and may require you to store it in your bag and not the laptop compartment.
Port Selection
- 1x USB-C PD port
- 1x 4K HDMI port
- 2x SD/TF card slot
- 1 x 1000M ethernet Port
- 3 x superspeed USB 3.0 Ports
Pros
- It has a display for notifications
- It comes with multiple valuable ports
- It has an attractive price tag
Cons
- The build can feel a little bulky
Price: $32
This third party hub from Zedela isn’t well known, but it delivers a great overall build for a budget-friendly price tag. You get all the basic features, but it misses out on an Ethernet port and a 3.5mm jack. However, if that is not what you’re looking for with your hub, this is the perfect option. It has 6 ports with a gold plated HDMI port for better connectivity.
Build Quality
The build is excellent and compared to every other hub, and you can feel it to be much denser as it is compact and has ports condensed into a tiny frame. The body is of aluminium, and the cable is made out of rubber for extra ruggedness. The rectangular design can be beneficial for travel, and it has clear labels on top of the metal housing.
Port Selection
- 1 x 4K HDMI
- 3 x USB 3.0
- 2 x USB-C PD
Pros
- Decent build quality
- Compact design
Cons
- It could’ve housed more ports
4. UGreen USB-C Multiport Adapter
Price: $50
UGreen has been particularly famous for its USB ports hub, and this USB-c Multiport hub is another excellent example. The build is perfect, and it has an inlaid slot for the USB-C cable. The overall aesthetic resembles the older iPhone design and fits well with the new iPads. So, if you need a great value and a decent selection of ports, get the UGreen USB-C hub.
Build Quality
The build quality is fantastic and has a two-tone metal and rubber finish with an inlaid slot for the durable rubber USB-C cable. It also has all the ports that you can need, but the overall design can feel a little larger for some users.
Port Selection
- 3 x USB 3.0
- 1 x HDMI
- 1x VGA
- 2x SD/TF card slot
- 1x USB-C PD
- 1x Ethernet
Pros
- Very compact
- It has an inlaid slot for the USB-C cable
- It comes at an attractive price point
Cons
- The build can feel a little larger than usual
Price: $50
Anker is famous for its chargers and other USB-C accessories. The PowerExpand Direct is made for the iPad Pro and fits perfectly with the iPad USB-C port. However, being so compact comes with its own issues, and the PowerExpand direct doesn’t feature a lot of ports, and the price makes it expensive for what it delivers.
Build Quality
The all-aluminium build is excellent, and the USB-C port is durable for everyday use. However, the small design means that you don’t get many ports, but if you can live with the limited selection, this would be perfect for an overall cleaner aesthetic for your iPad.
Port Selection
- 1 x HDMI 4K@60Hz
- 1 x USB-C PD (60W)
- 1 x 3.5mm Headphone Jack
- 1 x USB-A 3.0
- 2 x Micro SD/TF card slots
Pros
- Small compact build
- East to use
Cons
- Limited ports
- Expensive cost
Price: $30
So, if you like Anker and need a branded USB-C hub with all the bells and whistles at a reasonable price point, then you should take a look at the PowerExpand+ USB-C hub. It has a lot of ports but misses out on the Ethernet connectivity but bumps up the PD Port to 100W. So, if that’s your jam, then get the PowerExpand+ without another look.
Build Quality
The build quality is superb, and it is constructed out of a metal and rubber housing that makes it safe; and the internals comes with Japanese capacitors and overcharge and surge protection for all your devices. Hence, the overall build is perfect for the price it comes at.
Port Selection
- 1 x HDMI 4K@60Hz
- 1 x USB-C PD (100W)
- 1 x USB-C Data Transfer
- 2 x USB-A 3.0
- 2 x Micro SD/TF card slots
Pros
- Best in class build
- Great selection of ports
- 100W PD port
Cons
- No Ethernet port
7. UtechSmart 12 in 1 Docking Station
Price: $70
This USB-C hub isn’t just a regular hub; it has all the features from a Thunderbolt connection and can power any and all devices. The port selection is massive, and the affordable price makes it a perfect choice for anyone in the market for a decent Thunderbolt ready hub for their iPads.
Build Quality
The build is great, but housing all the ports requires it to be bigger than the standard hub, making it perfect for home use but bad for travelling. So, if you can live with the big size and need the best of the best Thunderbolt hub, then this is the perfect option for you.
Port Selection
- 2 x HDMI
- 1 x USB-C PD and 1 x USB-C Thunderbolt
- 2 x Micro SD/TF
- 1 x Ethernet
- 1 x VGA
- 2 x USB 2.0
- 2 X USB 3.0
Pros
- Fantastic port selection
- Great build quality
- Amazing affordable price tag
Cons
- A large build
Price: $60
This all aluminium USB hub is fantastic for a portable iPad Pro setup and makes work on the go easy and seamless. It has an HDMI port for all your presentations and fast charging support with a USB-C PD port. So, if you need a compact hub for your work, this Satechi hub is the best choice.
Build Quality
This Satechi USB-C hub is built out of pure aluminium, which is great for the build quality but drives the price up. The compact design is great for portability, and it has all the major ports but is limited to a small number.
Port Selection
- 1x USB-C PD (5Gbps/60W)
- 1x USB-A (5Gbps)
- 1x HDMI
- 1x 3.5mm audio
Pros
- Compact design
- Good selection of ports
Cons
- A little expensive
9. NXPGKEA USB C HUB for iPad Pro
Price: $38
If you’re looking for many USB ports on a single hub for all your USB accessories and devices, this NXPGKEA hub is the perfect option for you. It is built well and houses 5 USB ports in total. The price Is excellent too and has other ports for better connectivity. However, it doesn’t have an Ethernet port, and if that’s something you need, you should look at the alternatives.
Build Quality
The USB-C hub is made out of aluminium and rubber, making the overall build durable and robust. The port selection is excellent too and makes for a fantastic budget-friendly choice. It fits easily in your tablet bag and is portable enough for everyday use.
Port Selection
- 1 x HDMI port
- 1 x USB-C PD port
- 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack
- 1 x USB-C Data Port
- 3 x USB 3.0 port
- 2 x SD/microSD card reader
Pros
- Great selection of ports
- Compact design
Cons
- No ethernet port
10. Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock
Price: $260
Corsair is a well-known brand for gaming peripherals and accessories, and this Thunderbolt 3 dock is a great example for when a gaming company makes a productivity centric device. The hub has an angular look, and the port selection is perfect for anyone looking for a Thunderbolt hub, but the price is high, and we would suggest you get this only for their homes and gamer setups with your iPad Pro.
Build Quality
The angular design of the Corsair TBT100 hub is made entirely out of aluminium, and the construction feels solid and robust. It houses nearly all the ports on the back and makes for a clean home setup for your iPad Pro. However, it is not made for portability, and the large design will make it a little difficult for travelling.
Port Selection
- 1 x USB-C Thunderbolt PD 85W Charging
- 2 x 4k 60Hz HDMI
- 2 x USB-C Gen 2 (15W)
- 2 x USB-A 3.1 (7.5W)
- 1 x Gigabit Ethernet
- 1 x SD Card Slot
- 1 x 3.5mm Jack
Pros
- Great build quality
- Gamer aesthetic
- Fantastic port selection
- USB-C 85W charging support
Cons
- A large build
- It has an expensive price tag
FAQs
Is there an adapter for iPad Pro to USB?
Yes, all the adapters on the list have USB ports and can quickly get you up and running with a primary USB-C connection. All you need to do is connect your hub with your iPad Pro and then connect all your USB devices.
Is USB 3.0 the same as USB C?
No, USB-C is a port and can consist of various USB speed certifications from USB 2.0 speeds to 3.1 speeds, and USB 3.0 is a certification for the port and what data transfer speeds it can reach. They are very different from each other and are used in various aspects.
Are Thunderbolt and USB-C the same?
No, USB-C is a general USB port specification that can have speeds up to the 3.1 standard. However, Thunderbolt is a technology developed by Intel with the same USB-C connection port but has higher standards for data transfer and better power delivery ratings.
[ Related: The Best Thunderbolt Chargers & Cables for iPad Pro ]
USB vs Thunderbolt Hubs – Which should you get?
There are minor differences between USB and Thunderbolt Hubs, but the most significant factor that you should consider before getting either of them is:
- Thunderbolt USB hubs are faster, deliver more performance and are expensive
- Regular USB-C hubs are comparatively slower and are much more affordable.
In Short, if you need the best of the best, then get yourself a Thunderbolt hub and if you are okay with some performance hits and want to save some money, then get yourself a regular USB-C hub.
Final words
Getting a USB-C hub would make your life a whole lot easier but picking the right one can get different. However, a general rule of thumb is to get a reputable brand option with all the ports you need at a fairly reasonable price tag. With that said, we end this blog and hope that you have found your perfect choice and if there’s any other query you want an answer to, then comment down so that we can help you out in a jiffy.
You may want to take a peek at:
USB-C Chargers, Hubs, and Cables for the New iPad Mini
Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks for iPad
Best Thunderbolt and USB-C Docking Station for iPad Pro
Add comment