Plugable’s New And Affordable USB Hubs Are Now Shipping

Suitable for laptops and desktops, the two types of Plugable USB hubs can work with Windows, macOS, ... [+] ChromeOS and Linux devices.

Sometimes the best gadgets are the ones that do exactly what they promise without costing a fortune. A case in point is these new USB hubs from the US accessory brand Plugable. I get so used to testing expensive Thunderbolt hubs and docking stations with support for multiple monitors, it’s all too easy to overlook that what many people need when traveling is a lightweight USB hub for expanding a laptop’s connectivity without breaking the back.

Affordability is especially important for corporate IT departments who often need to buy hubs by the hundred and they can all too easily become lost so there’s no point in buying anything too expensive These two new USB hubs from Plugable are available in two flavors: USB-A and USB-C.

While many hubs these days are made with aluminum casing and include extra bells and whistles, like card slots or audio jacks, these two models are made from plain old black plastic. There’s absolutely nothing fancy about them at all and they feel very light.

Choose between a USB-A or USB-C connector. Both hubs are bus powered and offer four USB 3.0 Type A ... [+] ports.

The main benefit of having a plastic hub is that you can slip it into your computer bag without worrying about it scratching the surface of your laptop as a sharp-edge aluminum hub might. Plugable even provides a protective plastic cap for the end of the USB plug on the integrated cable that connects to the computer, reducing the chance of accidental damage when it is in the bag.

Each of these two basic hubs has four high-speed USB 3.0 ports with data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps. That’s not as speedy as the 10Gbps offered by more expensive hubs but it is more than adequate for connecting mice, trackpads, keyboards or external storage devices.

Both hubs are bus powered so there’s no need for a power supply. The Plugable USBC-HUB4A has a USB Type C connection for more modern laptops while the USB3-HUB4A has a USB Type A connector. The hubs are plug-and-play and will work with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, ChromeOS and Linux, making them ideal for switching between multiple devices.

There's nothing fancy about the new USB hubs from Plugable. The best bit is the price which is ... [+] affordable while the quality is good enough for the work environment.

Verdict: If you want an affordable, no-nonsense USB hubs for life on the road or for a child to use at school, these two new hubs from Plugable offer excellent value for money. They are well made and have good quality connectors. Best of all they won’t scratch your laptop and you won’t lose too much sleep if you leave them somewhere by mistake.

Pricing & Availability: Plugable’s USB-C hub (USBC-HUB4A) is on sale now and costs $12.95 with a $3 launch coupon. The USB A hub (USB3-HUB4A) is also now on sale and also costs $12.95 with a $3 launch coupon. Both can be ordered from Amazon.com.

More info: plugable.com