Do USB-C hubs support Power Delivery (PD) charging?

Yes — every hub on this page includes a dedicated USB-C Power Delivery input. Plug your existing USB-C charger into the PD port and the hub charges your laptop (up to 100W) while running all peripherals through one cable.

Updated June 2026 — 5 Hubs & Docks Tested

Best USB-C Hubs & Docking Stations UK 2026

Q: USB-C hub vs Thunderbolt dock — what is the difference?

A USB-C hub costs £30–70 and adds common ports. A Thunderbolt dock costs £200–350 but delivers 40 Gbps bandwidth for professional workflows and multiple 4K displays.

Q: Can I use a USB-C hub with a MacBook Air?

Yes. All MacBook Air M1/M2/M3 models work with any USB-C hub. A hub with HDMI + USB-A + SD + PD pass-through turns your laptop into a full workstation.

Q: Will a USB-C hub charge my laptop?

Only with PD pass-through. All hubs on this page support 100W USB-C PD pass-through — one cable from hub to laptop handles power and data.

Q: How many external monitors can I connect?

USB-C hubs: 1–2 monitors. Thunderbolt 4 docks: 2+ displays natively at full 4K 60Hz.

Q: What is PD pass-through?

PD pass-through means the hub has a dedicated USB-C port for your charger, passing power to your laptop while connecting all peripherals through a single cable.

Q: Best USB-C hub for MacBook Pro?

Portable: UGREEN Revodok Pro 11-in-1 (£69.99). Desktop dock: CalDigit TS4 (£349.99) or UGREEN Revodok Max 213 (£249.99) for Thunderbolt 4.

Q: Do I need a Thunderbolt 4 dock?

Only if you work with large video files, need 2+ external 4K displays, connect high-speed external SSDs, or want a single-cable desk setup. For general use, a USB-C hub is sufficient.

Q: What is the best USB-C hub with HDMI?

For a single 4K 60Hz HDMI output the Anker 556 (£54.99) gives native HDMI with no drivers. For dual display (HDMI + DisplayPort) the UGREEN Revodok Pro 11-in-1 (£69.99) is the best USB-C hub with HDMI for 2026. Avoid budget hubs limited to HDMI 4K 30Hz if you watch video or game.

Q: What is the best USB-C hub for MacBook Air?

The Anker 556 8-in-1 (£54.99) is the best USB-C hub for MacBook Air M1/M2/M3 — it adds HDMI, Ethernet, USB-A and SD while passing 100W of charging back to the laptop. MacBook Air supports one external display natively, so a single-HDMI hub is the right match.

From £30 travel hubs to £350 Thunderbolt 4 workstation docks — we tested the best USB-C expansion options for MacBook, Dell XPS and Windows laptops. Add monitors, storage, Ethernet and more with a single cable.

Dual 4K display output

100W PD pass-through

Up to 40 Gbps Thunderbolt

⚡ Quick Picks by Budget

💰 Budget Hub

Baseus 7-in-1

£29.99

HDMI + USB-A + SD

⚡ Best Everyday

Anker 556 8-in-1

£54.99

HDMI 4K60 + Ethernet + SD

🏆 Best Overall

UGREEN Revodok Pro

£69.99

Dual display + 10 Gbps

👑 Professional

CalDigit TS4

£349.99

Thunderbolt 4 · 18 ports

Best USB-C Hubs & Docks 2026 — Comparison Table

A quick side-by-side of every hub and dock we tested — ports, display output, charging and price. Scroll horizontally on mobile to see all columns.

Hub / Dock	Type	Ports	Max Display	PD Charging	Rating	Price
UGREEN Revodok Pro 11-in-1🏆 Best Overall	Hub	11	Dual 4K 60Hz	100W	⭐ 4.8	£69.99
Anker 556 8-in-1	Hub	8	4K 60Hz	100W	⭐ 4.7	£54.99
CalDigit TS4	Dock	18	Dual 4K / 8K	98W	⭐ 4.9	£349.99
Baseus 7-in-1	Hub	7	4K 30Hz	100W	⭐ 4.5	£29.99
UGREEN Revodok Max 213	Dock	13	8K 30Hz	96W	⭐ 4.7	£249.99

Prices and availability last verified June 2026. We may earn a commission from purchases — this never affects our test results or rankings.

USB-C Hub vs Thunderbolt Dock — Which Do You Need?

USB-C Hubs · £30–£70

For Most People

Adds HDMI, USB-A, SD, Ethernet via USB-C
Portable — fits in a laptop bag
Plug-and-play, no drivers (usually)
5–10 Gbps USB data transfer
100W PD pass-through charging
Usually 1 external display (2 with DisplayLink)

Best for: Students, remote workers, general productivity

Thunderbolt 4 Docks · £200–£350

For Professionals

40 Gbps bandwidth for video/photo workflows
2+ external 4K displays natively
10+ ports including 2.5 GbE networking
Daisy-chain Thunderbolt devices
Single cable = power + data + displays
Requires Thunderbolt 4 port on laptop

Best for: Photographers, video editors, developers, studios

Top 5 USB-C Hubs & Docks — Full Reviews

Each hub and dock was tested on MacBook Pro M3 and Dell XPS 15 for port performance, display output quality, thermal stability and real-world workflow reliability.

#1🏆 Editor's ChoiceHub

UGREEN Revodok Pro 11-in-1

Best for: MacBook Pro / Air desktop setup with dual monitors

£69.99

4.8

Ports & Connectivity

2× USB-C 10 Gbps

2× USB-A 10 Gbps

1× HDMI 4K@60 Hz

1× DP 4K@60 Hz

1× RJ45 Gigabit

1× SD + 1× microSD

1× 100W PD pass-through

Pros

11 ports covers virtually every connectivity need
Dual display output (HDMI + DisplayPort) at 4K 60 Hz
100 W pass-through — charges MacBook while connected
10 Gbps USB-C and USB-A for fast external storage

Cons

Dual 4K 60 Hz requires DisplayLink on M-series Macs
Slightly large form factor for travel

#2⚡ Best EverydayHub

Anker 556 USB-C Hub (8-in-1)

Best for: Reliable everyday hub with single monitor

£54.99

4.7

Ports & Connectivity

2× USB-A 5 Gbps

1× USB-C 5 Gbps

1× HDMI 4K@60 Hz

1× RJ45 Gigabit

1× SD + 1× microSD

1× 100W PD pass-through

Pros

Anker's proven reliability with 18-month warranty
Compact aluminium body runs cool under load
Native 4K 60 Hz HDMI — no drivers needed on any OS
Slim cable design doesn't block adjacent ports

Cons

Single display output (HDMI only)
USB ports capped at 5 Gbps (USB 3.0 gen)
No DisplayPort for dual-monitor setups

#3👑 Professional GradeDock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

Best for: Professional studio / creative workstation

£349.99

4.9

Ports & Connectivity

3× Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps)

5× USB-A 10 Gbps

1× USB-C 10 Gbps

1× DisplayPort 1.4

1× HDMI 2.0

1× SD UHS-II

1× 2.5 GbE RJ45

1× 3.5mm Audio

Pros

18 total ports — the most comprehensive dock available
Thunderbolt 4 delivers 40 Gbps for video production workflows
2.5 GbE networking — 2.5× faster than standard Gigabit
UHS-II SD card slot reads at 300 MB/s for photographers
Single cable powers and connects your entire desk

Cons

£349.99 is a serious investment — justified for professionals
Requires Thunderbolt 4 port (not USB-C compatible)
Large desktop footprint (not portable)

#4💰 Best BudgetHub

Baseus USB-C Hub 7-in-1

Best for: Budget hub for presentations & basic expansion

£29.99

4.5

Ports & Connectivity

2× USB-A 5 Gbps

1× USB-C 5 Gbps

1× HDMI 4K@30 Hz

1× SD + 1× microSD

1× 100W PD pass-through

Pros

Under £30 — best value USB-C hub on the market
Compact enough to slip into any laptop bag
100 W PD pass-through at this price is exceptional
Plug-and-play — no drivers needed on Mac, Windows or Chrome OS

Cons

HDMI limited to 4K 30 Hz (not smooth for video editing)
All USB ports are 5 Gbps only
No Ethernet — need a separate adapter
Aluminium feels slightly thinner than Anker/UGREEN

#5🏅 Best Value DockDock

UGREEN Revodok Max 213 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

Best for: Best value Thunderbolt 4 dock

£249.99

4.7

Ports & Connectivity

2× Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps)

3× USB-A 10 Gbps

1× USB-C 10 Gbps

1× HDMI 2.1 8K@30Hz

1× DP 1.4

1× RJ45 2.5 GbE

1× SD 4.0 UHS-II

1× 3.5mm Audio

Pros

£100 less than CalDigit TS4 with comparable ports
HDMI 2.1 supports 8K — most future-proof display output
96 W host charging powers MacBook Pro 16″
Upright compact design saves desk space

Cons

Slightly fewer total ports than CalDigit TS4
Newer brand in the dock market (but proven in chargers)

How to Choose the Best USB-C Hub (2026 Buying Guide)

The best USB-C hub for you depends on three things: how many screens you drive, how fast your storage and network need to be, and whether your laptop needs charging through the same cable. Here is exactly what to check before you buy, based on testing every hub on a MacBook Pro M3 and a Dell XPS 15.

Display output: HDMI vs DisplayPort, and the 30 Hz trap

If you only need one external screen, a hub with a single HDMI 4K 60 Hz output (like the Anker 556) is all you need. The number that catches people out is the refresh rate: cheap hubs advertise “4K HDMI” but cap it at 30 Hz, which looks juddery for video and is uncomfortable for everyday desktop use. For two monitors, you need a hub with both HDMI and DisplayPort (the UGREEN Revodok Pro), and remember that M1/M2 MacBook Air and 13″ Pro models only drive one external display unless the hub uses a DisplayLink driver. A Thunderbolt 4 dock removes that limit entirely and runs two native 4K 60 Hz screens.

Power Delivery (PD): will it charge your laptop?

A hub with 100 W PD pass-through has a dedicated USB-C input for your charger, so a single cable carries both power and data to your laptop. Watch the “pass-through tax”: a hub rated 100 W input typically delivers around 85 W to the laptop after the hub takes its share, which is still plenty for a MacBook Air or 14″ Pro but worth checking for a 16″ Pro under heavy load. Every hub and dock on this page supports PD charging — pair one with a good 100 W USB-C charger for the cleanest single-cable desk.

Data speed: 5 Gbps vs 10 Gbps vs Thunderbolt 40 Gbps

Most budget hubs run USB ports at 5 Gbps (USB 3.0) — fine for keyboards, mice and flash drives. If you move large files off an external SSD, look for 10 Gbps ports (UGREEN Revodok Pro). Only a Thunderbolt 4 dock hits 40 Gbps, which matters for 4K/6K video editing, RAID enclosures and daisy-chaining. Don’t forget the cable: a hub is only as fast as the USB-C cable connecting it, so use a 10 Gbps or Thunderbolt-rated cable, not a charge-only one.

Ethernet, SD cards and the ports that actually matter

Gigabit Ethernet is the most overlooked port — for video calls and large downloads, a wired connection is far more stable than Wi-Fi, and docks now offer 2.5 GbE for even faster networking. Photographers should prioritise a UHS-II SD slot (300 MB/s) over the slower UHS-I slots on budget hubs. Beyond that, count the USB-A ports you genuinely use day to day and avoid paying for an 18-port dock if a tidy 8-in-1 hub covers your desk.

Hub or dock? Match it to your laptop

For a MacBook Air or any single-screen setup, a £30–£70 hub is the right call. For a MacBook Pro, Dell XPS or a multi-monitor home office where the laptop lives on the desk, a Thunderbolt 4 dock pays for itself in cable tidiness and screen real estate. If you want the full breakdown of permanent desk setups, see our dedicated best docking stations UK guide. Still unsure? Our smart finder recommends a hub or dock based on your exact laptop and screen count.

Frequently Asked Questions

USB-C hub vs Thunderbolt dock — what is the difference?

A USB-C hub connects via standard USB-C and costs £30–70. It adds common ports like HDMI, USB-A and SD cards. A Thunderbolt dock connects via Thunderbolt 4 (which uses the same USB-C connector) and costs £200–350, but delivers 40 Gbps bandwidth for professional workflows, multiple 4K displays, and daisy-chaining capabilities. Choose a hub for basic expansion, a dock for a full desktop replacement.

Can I use a USB-C hub with a MacBook Air?

Absolutely. MacBook Air M1/M2/M3 all have USB-C/Thunderbolt ports that work with any USB-C hub. For MacBook Air specifically, a hub with HDMI + USB-A + SD + PD pass-through (like the Anker 556) turns your single-port laptop into a full workstation.

Will a USB-C hub charge my laptop?

Only if it has PD pass-through. All hubs on this page support 100 W USB-C PD pass-through — you plug your charger into the hub, and the hub passes power to your laptop while also connecting peripherals. This means one cable from hub to laptop handles everything.

How many external monitors can I connect?

USB-C hubs: 1–2 monitors depending on the hub. M-series MacBooks natively support only 1 external display via USB-C (except M3 Pro/Max/Ultra). Hubs with DisplayLink drivers can work around this. Thunderbolt 4 docks: 2 or more displays natively, with full 4K 60 Hz on each.

Do USB-C hubs work with Windows laptops?

Yes — USB-C hubs are plug-and-play on Windows 10/11, macOS, Chrome OS, and most Linux distributions. Thunderbolt 4 docks require a Thunderbolt-compatible port (most Intel 12th+ gen laptops and all recent MacBooks have this).

What is PD pass-through?

PD (Power Delivery) pass-through means the hub has a dedicated USB-C port where you plug in your charger. The hub then passes charging power to your laptop while simultaneously connecting all your peripherals. This eliminates the need for a separate charging cable — just one cable from hub to laptop does everything.

Best USB-C hub for MacBook Pro?

For a portable hub: UGREEN Revodok Pro 11-in-1 (£69.99) — dual display, 10 Gbps ports, 100 W PD. For a permanent desk dock: CalDigit TS4 (£349.99) or UGREEN Revodok Max 213 (£249.99) for Thunderbolt 4 with 40 Gbps bandwidth.

Do I need a Thunderbolt 4 dock?

You need Thunderbolt 4 if you work with large video files (40 Gbps matters), need 2+ external 4K displays, connect high-speed external SSDs, or want the cleanest single-cable desk setup. For web browsing, presentations, and general productivity, a USB-C hub is perfectly sufficient.

What is the best USB-C hub with HDMI?

For a single 4K 60 Hz HDMI output, the Anker 556 (£54.99) gives you native HDMI with no drivers on any OS. If you need two screens, the UGREEN Revodok Pro 11-in-1 (£69.99) is the best USB-C hub with HDMI plus DisplayPort for dual 4K displays. Avoid budget hubs limited to HDMI 4K 30 Hz if you watch video or play games — 30 Hz feels noticeably choppy for motion.

What is the best USB-C hub for MacBook Air?

The Anker 556 8-in-1 (£54.99) is our pick for MacBook Air M1/M2/M3. It adds HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, USB-A and SD while passing 100 W of charging back to the laptop through a single cable. Because MacBook Air drives one external display natively, a single-HDMI hub is the ideal match — you do not need a pricier dual-display hub unless you add a DisplayLink driver.

Is UGREEN or Anker the best USB-C hub brand?

Both are excellent and sit at the top of our testing. UGREEN wins on ports-per-pound and offers dual-display models like the Revodok Pro. Anker wins on warranty length (18 months) and runs cool and reliable for all-day everyday use. If you are also weighing up chargers and power banks from the two brands, see our full Anker vs UGREEN comparison.

What is the best docking station for a laptop in 2026?

For most laptops, the UGREEN Revodok Max 213 Thunderbolt 4 dock (£249.99) is the best value — 8K-capable HDMI 2.1, 2.5 GbE Ethernet and 96 W host charging for around £100 less than the competition. If you want the absolute maximum number of ports and proven studio reliability, the CalDigit TS4 (£349.99) is the best docking station overall.