USB devices with their own power supplies on hub

[ScottR]

I want to attach multiple USB 3 hard drives to my iMac; since they presumably wouldn't be relying on the hub for power, is there any reason to use a powered USB hub?

They're currently sharing a powered USB hub, but it has run out of ports. I want to add a second hub but I already have a lot of power bricks running to multiple UPS's and surge protectors.

 

[joevt]

is there any reason to use a powered USB hub?

1) For when you have devices that need more power.
2) The iMac is not portable so your hub doesn't need to be portable.
3) There's always surge protectors/power bars with more power sockets.

but if everything you connect to the hub has it's own power, and you want to save having one power brick, then go with unpowered hub.