Recommend a reliable USB hub for my Macbook
August 6, 2021 1:49 PM Subscribe
I need a USB hub for my Macbook Pro that will deliver enough juice to keep all my devices happy.
I have a 2020 Macbook Pro, which only has two USB-C ports. I have a lot of USB devices I need to plug in. I currently have a USB hub plugged into each of the laptop's ports -- one hub is made by VAVA and the other by TOTU -- which gives me just enough connections for my needs.
However, I've had sporadic but persistent issues with my USB devices suddenly powering off or losing connection to the laptop. My hunch is that the hubs can't consistently deliver sufficient power to all the devices, and that a USB hub with a dedicated power adapter would work better.
Is that the likely issue or could it be something else? If a powered hub would be better, can you recommend a reliable one? I need a minimum of 5 USB-A connections. An ethernet port and HDMI would help too but I can handle those with another device if needed.
I have a 2020 Macbook Pro, which only has two USB-C ports. I have a lot of USB devices I need to plug in. I currently have a USB hub plugged into each of the laptop's ports -- one hub is made by VAVA and the other by TOTU -- which gives me just enough connections for my needs.
However, I've had sporadic but persistent issues with my USB devices suddenly powering off or losing connection to the laptop. My hunch is that the hubs can't consistently deliver sufficient power to all the devices, and that a USB hub with a dedicated power adapter would work better.
Is that the likely issue or could it be something else? If a powered hub would be better, can you recommend a reliable one? I need a minimum of 5 USB-A connections. An ethernet port and HDMI would help too but I can handle those with another device if needed.
I suspect your problem is that your Mac cannot provide enough power to the hub that is not the one the power from the outlet goes through.
You have two good options.
1. Get a bigger Mac power adapter. The biggest one they currently sell is 96W. If you don't already have one of those, you could give that a try. Pass it through the hub. I am skeptical this will work given your current need to spread things over two hubs. But if it works it involves the fewest changes to your current setup.
2. Get a real powered dock that has its own AC adapter, not a hub. Your need for five (!) USB-A connections is going to limit your options, but here's one that fits the bill.. See Wirecutter for more.
There is also a third option: get a beefy powered USB-A only hub, and then another hub for your USB-C stuff (power, video). 60W is the beefiest I could find. Having two docks is a hassle but this should work.
There is a fourth option (go insane trying to moving the devices between hubs in an effort to distribute the more demanding devices such that everyone has enough power), but I don't recommend it, especially if any of the devices involve data integrity. On that subject, if any of these devices are hard drives and you don't mind the loss of portability, you could (and possibly should, given you appear to be at the limit of what's possible) swap them out for powered hard drives that don't draw power over USB.
And re: your need for 5 USB-A options, you might be able to use a (cheaper) dock with fewer USB-A ports if you switch some of your USB-A hardware over to USB-C. You can do this with $5 cables like these (obviously choose the right port, but that cable worked for my hard drive, and freed up a USB-A port on my hub).
posted by caek at 2:41 PM on August 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
You have two good options.
1. Get a bigger Mac power adapter. The biggest one they currently sell is 96W. If you don't already have one of those, you could give that a try. Pass it through the hub. I am skeptical this will work given your current need to spread things over two hubs. But if it works it involves the fewest changes to your current setup.
2. Get a real powered dock that has its own AC adapter, not a hub. Your need for five (!) USB-A connections is going to limit your options, but here's one that fits the bill.. See Wirecutter for more.
There is also a third option: get a beefy powered USB-A only hub, and then another hub for your USB-C stuff (power, video). 60W is the beefiest I could find. Having two docks is a hassle but this should work.
There is a fourth option (go insane trying to moving the devices between hubs in an effort to distribute the more demanding devices such that everyone has enough power), but I don't recommend it, especially if any of the devices involve data integrity. On that subject, if any of these devices are hard drives and you don't mind the loss of portability, you could (and possibly should, given you appear to be at the limit of what's possible) swap them out for powered hard drives that don't draw power over USB.
And re: your need for 5 USB-A options, you might be able to use a (cheaper) dock with fewer USB-A ports if you switch some of your USB-A hardware over to USB-C. You can do this with $5 cables like these (obviously choose the right port, but that cable worked for my hard drive, and freed up a USB-A port on my hub).
posted by caek at 2:41 PM on August 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
I expect you’re right about your diagnosis - if you’re running multiple storage devices etc off a USB C mini hub you’ll run into power limitations. I’d echo the recommendations above to chain a big USB A hub off one of your USB C hubs. I actually own the one recommended by caek, bought it some years back, and it has worked perfectly for me.
posted by doomsey at 3:07 PM on August 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by doomsey at 3:07 PM on August 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
I asked a related question recently; some of the responses might be helpful.
posted by adamrice at 6:16 PM on August 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by adamrice at 6:16 PM on August 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
I've done two different things.
First, on my home laptop, I have recently bought an Anker passthrough-power USB C hub - it docks 15W of power from the USB C supply as it passes power through, in order to power its own ports. I checked; this is what the laptop believes is happening, it reports PSU power minus 15W (on a Mac, this is in system info). I haven't tried things like phone charging yet, and no doubt the laptop will charge slower because of the reduced supply (though I'm sure while I'm using it on power - which is most of the time - it will run fine) but I'm comfortable with that. I can't speak to long term use as I've had it a couple of weeks, but I feel that requesting, rather than leaching, power is the right thing to do.
Anker is not a 'no name' brand; they trade on their reputation for their stuff, and I've used other of their bits with good results. They are, however, a lot more cost effective than Belkin and similar. I buy them when I need something to work.
Second, on my work laptop, I run a humongous 7 port usb A hub from my usb C hub that has external power supply, since almost everything I have is still usb A. Downside: I need another outlet to get it to work. Upside: my backlit keyboard, which clearly draws more power than most things, has stopped flaking out. It was a no-name hub, and it wasn't the first I bought (just the first that worked), so again I would suggest a reputable brand if you do that. I dangle it off a usb C hub with usb A ports along with other things like a monitor output and power passthrough. Your current widgets should serve.
I would judge that the clue to a reputable brand is that they don't have exactly the same picture as 15 other suppliers.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 9:22 PM on August 6, 2021 [2 favorites]
First, on my home laptop, I have recently bought an Anker passthrough-power USB C hub - it docks 15W of power from the USB C supply as it passes power through, in order to power its own ports. I checked; this is what the laptop believes is happening, it reports PSU power minus 15W (on a Mac, this is in system info). I haven't tried things like phone charging yet, and no doubt the laptop will charge slower because of the reduced supply (though I'm sure while I'm using it on power - which is most of the time - it will run fine) but I'm comfortable with that. I can't speak to long term use as I've had it a couple of weeks, but I feel that requesting, rather than leaching, power is the right thing to do.
Anker is not a 'no name' brand; they trade on their reputation for their stuff, and I've used other of their bits with good results. They are, however, a lot more cost effective than Belkin and similar. I buy them when I need something to work.
Second, on my work laptop, I run a humongous 7 port usb A hub from my usb C hub that has external power supply, since almost everything I have is still usb A. Downside: I need another outlet to get it to work. Upside: my backlit keyboard, which clearly draws more power than most things, has stopped flaking out. It was a no-name hub, and it wasn't the first I bought (just the first that worked), so again I would suggest a reputable brand if you do that. I dangle it off a usb C hub with usb A ports along with other things like a monitor output and power passthrough. Your current widgets should serve.
I would judge that the clue to a reputable brand is that they don't have exactly the same picture as 15 other suppliers.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 9:22 PM on August 6, 2021 [2 favorites]
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posted by hanov3r at 2:00 PM on August 6, 2021 [2 favorites]