Best USB-C hub (EU)

[Luca Quinci]

Hi all!

I've recently bought an iPad Pro 2020 and am looking for a usb-c hub that I can connect to the iPad to use usbs, hdmis and maybe I saw some has ethernet as well. Have you got one? If so, which one do you feel it's best?

My current case doesn't allow for the ones that attach to the sides, but am planning on returning it for a different one.

A more important question, does ANY hub work or is it possible the iPadOS generates some problems with some of them?

 

[johnnylarue]

I bought the Kingston Nucleum after doing a bunch of research and all of its functions work perfectly with my 2020 iPP. The only issue I came across in reviews was its inability to power more than one USB drive at a time, so bear that in mind if you’re wanting to connect two USB drives to your iPad.

Otherwise it’s been great for all my photo and music accessory needs. I also believe it’s one of the few hubs that has a data-through USB-c port (as opposed to power-only) which is useful.

 

[Luca Quinci]

Thanks for the advice, I looked it up. It seems exactly what I need. It's a shame you can't power two USBs but I don't think I'll ever need to. I need an hdmi and sd card slot and usb.

Could you like put a usb receiver such a mouse and transfer file from an hdd? If that isn't the case maybe could be a problem from me.

 

[Probably James]

I went for zendure hub on Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/project...ized-charging-data-and-video-hub-with-dual-pd

Found a confusing array of features and some cheap looking hubs when looking on amazon etc. Fancied the twelve south one but the zendure one seemed to tick all of the boxes.

 

[007p]

I’ve been thinking about the Nucleum. I wonder if a usb-c to Ethernet would also work with it.

Fairly certain a usb receiver and a hdd should work just fine, the power can’t be that much for receivers.

 

[Luca Quinci]

I’ve been thinking about the Nucleum. I wonder if a usb-c to Ethernet would also work with it.

Fairly certain a usb receiver and a hdd should work just fine, the power can’t be that much for receivers.

Yeah i hope so. I’ll wait some more answers but if there is no better option I’ll go for it.

i have seen some hubs which attach to the ipad directly, but they had few things I didn’t like. Either they had very few ports, or wouldn’t fit on if you have a case which isn’t the folio from apple. So yeha I’m trying to find the best one that i could use with my pc as well if needed

 

[johnnylarue]

Thanks for the advice, I looked it up. It seems exactly what I need. It's a shame you can't power two USBs but I don't think I'll ever need to. I need an hdmi and sd card slot and usb.

Could you like put a usb receiver such a mouse and transfer file from an hdd? If that isn't the case maybe could be a problem from me.

Good question. I don’t have a receiver to test this myself but the power draw should be relatively minimal compared to a second HDD.

Regarding using it with a case, the plug is a bit too big to fit the hole in my budget Moko folio (ymmv), and the cable is also a bit short when I have the iPad standing in landscape mode, so I intend to buy a 90 degree extender for it to hopefully solve both of these minor problems.

I opted for this one mainly because it’s known for working without a hitch with different audio interfaces—which is apparently pretty rare for these things. So that made my decision very easy, but maybe a different/cheaper unit would be fine for your needs...

 

[007p]

So I went ahead and ordered it.

Really impressed so far to be honest. Jonnylarue is right, the usb-c connection for the hub is slightly larger than most, so cases will be a problem if they only have a cut out for the port.

Other than that, all good for me.

I am currently using the hdmi to mirror to a monitor (1080p), typing this on my Logitech keyboard/mouse going over the logitech receiver (if it makes a difference, I plugged it into the usb 3 that is on the opposite side of the hub to the power pass through).

This is all while watching a movie in PiP streaming from a 4tb hdd (WD My passport) in airplane mode with a usb-c Ethernet adaptor - so the network is only coming via ethernet.

I haven’t tried the sd card yet but I’m sure that is fine.

I did try a second WD 4tb hdd, that struggled. Which is probably to be expected unfortunately. I think a usb stick worked but that’s got very low power draw in comparison. Even plugging in a second hub via the usb-c resulted in the drive struggling too - though that was unpowered, I expect powered could be fine).

Regardless though, pretty successful test. The hub is getting a lot less warm than I expected it to too. Very happy for now, at least until I need 4k 60fps (though now I‘m wondering what will happen if I try usb-c to hdmi 😅).

Oh meanwhile, my ipad charged from 90% to 100% too as well

 

[jamesdean74]

CalDigit USB-C Pro Dock - 85W Charging, Thunderbolt 3, UHS II SD Card Slot, USB C Gen 2, USB A x 3, Dual DisplayPort 1.2, LAN, 3.5mm Audio for Thunderbolt and USB-C Computers (0.7 Meter Cable - Gray) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VL675DT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hThNEbAC1FVY0

This is what I use in my setup, works with either my iPad Pro or MacBook. Either device I plug in with a single usb c and I have a samsung 28” 4K display attached via DP, I have a Samsung t5 attached to the hub, I have a focusrite 4i4 attached via usb for recording music, I also have my fender acoustic amp connected via usb to use that for a sound input for GarageBand, of course, this is strictly desktop hub, I wouldn’t want to carry it with me everywhere I go, as it requires plugging it in, but so far it has worked perfectly for me and my needs.

 

[Luca Quinci]

CalDigit USB-C Pro Dock - 85W Charging, Thunderbolt 3, UHS II SD Card Slot, USB C Gen 2, USB A x 3, Dual DisplayPort 1.2, LAN, 3.5mm Audio for Thunderbolt and USB-C Computers (0.7 Meter Cable - Gray) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VL675DT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hThNEbAC1FVY0

This is what I use in my setup, works with either my iPad Pro or MacBook. Either device I plug in with a single usb c and I have a samsung 28” 4K display attached via DP, I have a Samsung t5 attached to the hub, I have a focusrite 4i4 attached via usb for recording music, I also have my fender acoustic amp connected via usb to use that for a sound input for GarageBand, of course, this is strictly desktop hub, I wouldn’t want to carry it with me everywhere I go, as it requires plugging it in, but so far it has worked perfectly for me and my needs.

That seems nice, i’m looking for something more portable and cheaper So i think I’ll go for the Kingstone Nucleum as soon as this period ends (amazon stopped shipping some items so i have to wait). Thanks everyone for your answers! Been extremely useful

 

[sparksd]

So I went ahead and ordered it.

Really impressed so far to be honest. Jonnylarue is right, the usb-c connection for the hub is slightly larger than most, so cases will be a problem if they only have a cut out for the port.

Other than that, all good for me.

I am currently using the hdmi to mirror to a monitor (1080p), typing this on my Logitech keyboard/mouse going over the logitech receiver (if it makes a difference, I plugged it into the usb 3 that is on the opposite side of the hub to the power pass through).

This is all while watching a movie in PiP streaming from a 4tb hdd (WD My passport) in airplane mode with a usb-c Ethernet adaptor - so the network is only coming via ethernet.

I haven’t tried the sd card yet but I’m sure that is fine.

I did try a second WD 4tb hdd, that struggled. Which is probably to be expected unfortunately. I think a usb stick worked but that’s got very low power draw in comparison. Even plugging in a second hub via the usb-c resulted in the drive struggling too - though that was unpowered, I expect powered could be fine).

Regardless though, pretty successful test. The hub is getting a lot less warm than I expected it to too. Very happy for now, at least until I need 4k 60fps (though now I‘m wondering what will happen if I try usb-c to hdmi 😅).

Oh meanwhile, my ipad charged from 90% to 100% too as well

For the large plug issue, you can use a 90-degree USB-C adapter that is smaller and also keeps the hub from dangling on a short cable -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077XBGN5M

Also works nicely with charging cables that stick straight out.