Thin laptops gave us great batteries and almost no ports. A USB-C hub or docking station gives them back, and done right it also turns your desk into a one-cable workstation: plug in a single USB-C cable and your monitor, keyboard, mouse, wired network and charger all connect at once.
The catch is that "USB-C hub" covers everything from a $20 dongle to a $300 Thunderbolt dock. Here is how to narrow it down in five minutes.
Step 1: Know what your laptop's USB-C port can do
Not all USB-C ports are equal. Look for a small lightning-bolt (Thunderbolt) or "DP" symbol beside the port, or check the spec sheet for "DisplayPort Alt Mode" or "Thunderbolt 3/4/USB4." Without video output over USB-C, no hub can drive a monitor from that port. Most laptops sold since 2020 support it, but budget models sometimes do not.
Step 2: Hub or docking station?
Hubs (portable)
A hub is bus-powered, pocket-sized and typically offers HDMI, one or two USB-A ports, a card reader and a USB-C power pass-through. Ideal for travel and small desks. All six products in our table except the last two fall in this category.
Docking stations (desk-bound)
A dock usually has more ports, supports two or more displays, often adds Ethernet, and may come with its own power adapter so it can charge the laptop at full speed while running everything else. If the hub never leaves your desk, a dock is the better long-term buy.
Step 3: Match the Power Delivery wattage
"Pass-through" or "PD" wattage is how much power the hub can forward from your charger to the laptop. A hub keeps a little for itself, so a 100W-rated hub typically delivers around 85W to the laptop. Rules of thumb:
- 13-inch ultrabooks and MacBook Air: 45 to 65W is plenty; even the 85W Anker 7-in-1 hub has headroom.
- 14- and 15-inch work laptops: aim for 85 to 100W.
- 16-inch creator laptops and gaming machines: 100W pass-through is a minimum, and many still need their own barrel charger for full performance.
Step 4: HDMI refresh rate and dual monitors
A hub that lists "4K 30Hz" will drive a 4K monitor, but mouse movement looks choppy; it is fine for a 1080p or 1440p monitor, which will run at 60Hz. If you own a 4K display, pick a hub that explicitly says "4K 60Hz," such as the Anker 7-in-1 (85W) or the BENFEI 7-in-1. For two external screens, you need a hub with two video outputs like the Selore dual-HDMI dock, and note that base-model Apple silicon MacBooks only support one external display natively.
Six USB-C hubs and docks compared
| Product | Key specs (from the listing) | Price (CAD) | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
|
UGREEN Revodok USB-C Hub 5-in-1, 4K 30Hz HDMI, 95W Charging, 5Gbps USB, Gold rated 4.5/5 by 32,200 buyers |
5-in-1, 4K 30Hz HDMI, 95W pass-through charging, 5Gbps USB | $37.99 | Students and travellers who need HDMI plus a couple of USB ports in a pocketable hub. |
|
BENFEI 7-in-1 USB-C Hub with 4K HDMI, 100W PD, 3 USB 3.0 Ports, SD/TF Card Reader rated 4.4/5 by 13,000 buyers |
7-in-1, 4K HDMI, 100W PD, 3 USB 3.0 ports, SD/TF card reader | $35.99 | Photographers and anyone who wants card slots without spending more. |
|
Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub, 4K 60Hz HDMI, 85W Power Delivery rated 4.5/5 by 9,900 buyers |
7-in-1, 4K 60Hz HDMI, 85W laptop charging, 2 USB-A 3.0 + USB-C data at 5Gbps, SD/TF | $49.99 | Office workers who want a smooth 60Hz 4K monitor and one-cable charging. |
|
Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub, 4K HDMI, 100W Power Delivery rated 4.6/5 by 27,800 buyers |
7-in-1, 4K HDMI, 100W Power Delivery | $97.99 | Owners of power-hungry 15- and 16-inch laptops that need the full 100W. |
|
Selore Docking Station for Laptop Dual Monitor, USB-C Hub with 2 HDMI Ports rated 4.3/5 by 18,600 buyers |
Docking station with 2 HDMI ports for dual monitors | $56.99 | Windows users who want two external screens from one USB-C port. |
|
Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Laptop Docking Station rated 4.2/5 by 16,100 buyers |
8-in-1 USB-C PD laptop docking station | $112.99 | A fixed desk setup where the hub stays plugged in and the laptop comes and goes. |
Who each one is for
- UGREEN Revodok USB-C Hub 5-in-1, 4K 30Hz HDMI, 95W Charging, 5Gbps USB, Gold — Students and travellers who need HDMI plus a couple of USB ports in a pocketable hub.
- BENFEI 7-in-1 USB-C Hub with 4K HDMI, 100W PD, 3 USB 3.0 Ports, SD/TF Card Reader — Photographers and anyone who wants card slots without spending more.
- Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub, 4K 60Hz HDMI, 85W Power Delivery — Office workers who want a smooth 60Hz 4K monitor and one-cable charging.
- Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub, 4K HDMI, 100W Power Delivery — Owners of power-hungry 15- and 16-inch laptops that need the full 100W.
- Selore Docking Station for Laptop Dual Monitor, USB-C Hub with 2 HDMI Ports — Windows users who want two external screens from one USB-C port.
- Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C PD Laptop Docking Station — A fixed desk setup where the hub stays plugged in and the laptop comes and goes.
Buying checklist
- Confirm your laptop's USB-C port supports video (DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt).
- Decide on 4K 30Hz vs 60Hz based on the monitor you actually own.
- Pick PD wattage at or above your laptop charger's rating; remember the hub keeps roughly 10 to 15W.
- Count the USB-A devices you keep plugged in (keyboard, mouse receiver, webcam, printer) and buy one more port than you need.
- Need wired internet? Look for Gigabit Ethernet; most compact hubs skip it.
- Card slots: SD and microSD (TF) readers are handy for camera owners and Raspberry Pi tinkerers.
- Keep the cable short and sturdy; a built-in cable is less to lose on the road.
FAQs
Will a USB-C hub charge my laptop without its original charger?
The hub only passes power through; you still plug your USB-C charger into the hub. Barrel-style chargers cannot be connected.
Why is my 4K monitor stuck at 30Hz?
Either the hub's HDMI port is rated 4K 30Hz, or the laptop is sharing bandwidth between video and data. A 4K 60Hz-rated hub fixes the first case.
Can I run two monitors from a MacBook Air with a dual-HDMI dock?
Apple silicon MacBook Air models with the base chip support one external display natively. Dual-HDMI docks aimed at Windows laptops will mirror, not extend, on those Macs.
Do these hubs work with iPad and Android tablets?
Most do for HDMI, USB storage and card readers, as long as the tablet has a USB-C port with video output. Check the listing for stated compatibility.
Ready to upgrade?
Browse the full USB Hubs & Docking Stations collection at Nova Toronto Electronics. We ship Canada-wide from Milton, Ontario: flat $7.95 shipping, free on orders over $79, and every order is covered by our 30-day return policy. Prices are in Canadian dollars before HST, so what you see is what a Canadian pays — no surprise duties or currency conversion.