USB-C is the latest standard of USB that allows transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps, as opposed to the maximum 5Gbps rate available with the older USB-A, while it also offers faster charging times. It’s no one-trick pony, either—USB-C handles data transfer, video output and power input. 

You’ll find Type C on the old 12in MacBook, and faster variants of it (called Thunderbolt 3 or 4) on the MacBook Pro (post-2016 models), MacBook Air (post-2018), the iMac (after 2017) and Mac mini (2018 and later).

Thunderbolt 3 and 4 Macs can use USB-C accessories, but may lose some of their extra bandwidth—Thunderbolt’s 40Gbps significantly outpaces USB-C’s 5-10Gbps. USB4, like Thunderbolt, boasts 40Gbps bandwidth, although note that there is also a 20Gbps version to look out for.

From an Apple user perspective, Thunderbolt 3 and 4 are very similar. Both have 40Gbps bandwidth but TB4 has a few extra benefits; find out more in our Thunderbolt 4 vs Thunderbolt 3 comparison.

If you need super-fast data transfer, read our roundup of the best Thunderbolt 4 hubs.

Similar to Apple’s Lightning connector and Thunderbolt, USB-C doesn’t have to be plugged in at a certain orientation, which means that you can wave bye-bye to the age-old USB guessing game of “Which way does it go in?”.

Few people have a full range of USB-C or Thunderbolt gear, so you’ll likely need a USB-C hub to add different ports—such as old-school USB-A—to your Mac.

In general, an “adapter” works with a single port (such as USB-A or Ethernet) while a “hub” gives you multiple ports. If you require even more, then look for a “dock” or “docking station”.

If you’re after a full desktop setup for your MacBook, look out for our recommendations for the best USB-C and Thunderbolt docking stations for MacBooks.

Apple has a range of adapters, too, but at a (high) price. We have tested them here, but other gadget makers offer more budget-friendly alternatives, along with a range of other USB-C cables, chargers and accessories–and we present the best ones below. 

Here we have tested and reviewed the premium USB-C hubs and adapters. There are many much cheaper versions out there, but we recommend these for quality and robustness.

Which extra ports do you need

You’ll likely need some old non-reversible USB-A ports, and most adapters and hubs have at least one for your non-USB-C memory sticks and drives. Look for at least USB 3.0, which has a speedy bandwidth of 5Gbps compared to the sluggish USB 2.0’s 480Mbps. if you want to use these older USB slots for charging your phone, look out for chargers that include IQuick Charge 3.0 (35W) or BC 1.2 (7.5W) ports.

If your smartphone is compatible, you can charge your phone up to 80% in just 35 minutes. To fast-charge an iPhone, you need a minimum of 18W and USB-C, so look for extra USB-C slots, which are more capable than USB-A.

Other ports to look for include Gigabit Ethernet for faster wired Internet access (without the flakiness of Wi-Fi), and an SD or microSD card reader for adding inexpensive portable storage to your system. Card readers come at different speeds: UHS-I at 104Mbps, and UHS-II at 312Mbps; although some are slower at 60Mbps.

Look for hubs that offer passthrough charging, so you can charge your laptop even though you are using up one of the laptop’s USB-C ports for the hub itself. Most don’t ship with a charger, so you’ll need to add your own, and remember that it needs to be a 100W charger to give 85W and above charging if offered by the hub. Lower wattage chargers are fine but will limit the hub’s charging potential.

Check the Power Delivery (PD) charging power each hub or adapter offers connected laptops or iPads. 12in MacBook and MacBook Air charge at 30W; the 13in and 14in MacBook Pro at 67W, the 15in MacBook Pro at 87W; and the 16in MacBook Pro at 96W. You can certainly use a charger at lower power, but remember that it will power up slower than when using a higher-wattage charger, and if too low your laptop might run out of juice altogether when maxed out on power-hungry apps and devices.

You can also buy USB-C adapters for the many display standards out there, such as VGA and DVI.

Most of the products tested here work with non-Apple USB-C laptops too, but you can read Tech Advisor’s more general roundup of the best USB-C hubs.

Many hubs and docks aren’t compatible with Apple’s SuperDrive CD/DVD drive. We’ve found only one USB-C dock that is compatible with the SuperDrive, the Caldigit USB-C Pro Dock.

Anker 555 PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C Hub – Best overall USB-C hub

Pros

• 8 ports inc Ethernet, 60Hz 4K HDMI
• 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A
• 85W PD

Cons

• Can get warm during use
• UHS-I SD reader

Best Prices Today:
$74.99 at Amazon

The Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB-C Hub is compact and powerful, offering greater specs than some of the other leading options on this list.

It offers two USB-C ports—one that supports 85W USB-C Power Delivery, while another supports data transfers up to 10Gbps. You also get speedy 10Gbps transfer rates through two additional USB-A ports, where many rivals max out at 5Gbps. 

The Anker PowerExpand is special as it offers an HDMI port that supports 4K 60Hz resolutions, where most are limited to 4K 30Hz. For 4K 60Hz resolution, your device must support DP 1.4. This includes MacBook Air (from 2020), MacBook Pro 15in (from 2018), MacBook Pro 16in (from 2019) and iPad Pro (from 2018).

Also included are an SD card reader (that can support a microSD card with an adapter). This is rated at UHS-I (104MBps) so not the fastest but speedier than some other hubs tested here offer.

The Gigabit Ethernet port is great for those times when Wi-Fi just won’t do.

It’s also incredibly light at just under 130g and compact so you can take it anywhere. At $79.99/£79.99 it’s hard to deny this hub’s value for money. In our experience, it does get warm with use but Anker says this is normal.

Ugreen 4-in-1 USB 3.0 Hub – Best hub for multiple USB-A ports

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Four 5Gbps USB-A ports
• 10W device charger

Cons

• Limited to USB-A ports
• No passthrough charge to host

Best Prices Today:
$14.99 at Amazon

If all you need from an adapter is the ability to connect a bunch of older USB-A devices to your MacBook, this simple adapter should do the trick.

The Ugreen USB-C 4-port hub is a slim and inexpensive adapter that allows you to add four full-size USB 3.0 ports that can handle data transfer at up to 5Gbps. It has recently been upgraded to feature a further USB-C port that can supply a 10W charge for connected devices, but not the host computer. While all four ports can be used simultaneously, a maximum of two hard drives can be connected at one time.

It looks the part with most modern MacBooks, and is an easy way to connect memory sticks, a printer or other older devices that don’t come with USB-C.

Satechi Pro Hub Max Adapter – Best 40Gbps USB4 hub for Mac

Pros

• USB4
• 40Gbps data transfer
• 7 ports inc 4K 60Hz HDMI, Ethernet

Cons

• No device charging from USB-A and USB-C ports

Best Prices Today:
$99.99 at Amazon

All of the portable USB-C hubs reviewed here are compatible with the Mac’s Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports, but most feature slower USB-C connections (5Gbps or 10Gbps) compared to Thunderbolt (40Gbps).

The Satechi Pro Hub Max, available in either Silver or Space Gray, features USB4 ports that are both compatible with Thunderbolt and can reach the same 40Gbps maximum throughput.

Connecting directly to two of the MacBook’s Thunderbolt ports, it boasts a bunch of ports that should be enough for most of us. The hub receives 40Gbps from each of the Thunderbolt ports on the Mac (so a total of 80Gbps). 40Gbps is used for the USB4 pass-through port, while the second Thunderbolt port distributes 40Gbps of bandwidth to the rest of the ports on the hub.

The USB4 port supports up to 96W charging—easily fine for a 14-inch MacBook Pro and punchy enough to keep a 16-inch Pro going and charged pretty quickly. This same USB4 port can be used to connect to an external display—up to 6K at 60Hz display output, transferring data at 40Gbps.

It should allow video output and passthrough charging simultaneously. In a test connection from a MacBook to an LG 4K UltraFine Display, the MacBook was able to output video to the monitor, while the monitor was able to provide power to the MacBook, all through the single connection. Owners of the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro and M2 Air can charge via the MagSafe connector at the same time as using the Pro Hub.

The HDMI 2.0 port can also be used to connect a 4K 60Hz display, so you can achieve a dual 4K monitor setup on any Pro or Max M1 or M2 MacBook. Plain M1/M2 MacBook Airs are limited to just one external display.

Also onboard are a 5Gbps USB-A port and a 5Gbps USB-C port—although neither can charge connected devices. There are both SD and MicroSD card readers (UHS-I), a Gigabit Ethernet port, and 3.5mm combo audio jack port.

In the same family, Satechi also offers the Pro Hub Mini (the same as the Max but without the HDMI port) and the Pro Hub Slim (which swaps the Ethernet port for an extra USB-A port, and boasts 10GBps USB-A and USB-C ports compared to the Mac and Mini’s 5Gbps). If you don’t need wired Internet access, the Pro Hub Slim edges out the Pro Hub Max. If you don’t need more than one external screen or you want to save the USB4 for passthrough charging only, consider the Pro Hub Mini or the Plugable 5-in-1 USB-C Hub reviewed below..

All three requires a MacBook with two adjacent Thunderbolt ports on one side.

Plugable 5-in-1 USB-C Hub – Best budget 40Gbps USB-C hub for Mac

Pros

• 40Gbps data transfer
• 5 ports inc Ethernet
• Affordable

Best Prices Today:
$32.95 at Amazon

While not certified as either USB4 or Thunderbolt 4, this compact and very portable 5-in-1 USB-C hub (AMS-5IN1E) offers 40Gbps data-transfer via its USB-C port, and is designed for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros introduced in 2021, or MacBook Airs introduced in 2022. A smart cutout keeps access to those MacBooks’ MagSafe charger port.

The inclusion of the 40Gbps USB-C port is useful as the hub uses the two Thunderbolt or USB4 ports in its flush side connection to the MacBook. But, in return, it gives you two 5Gbps USB-A ports (4.5W charging) and Gigabit Ethernet. The audio jack port is also covered but replicated on the hub.

The 40Gbps USB-C port can be used to connect a display up to 6K at 60Hz, or offer passthrough charging at up to 100W—15W for phones and other devices.

Its closest rival is the Satechi Pro Hub Mini (reviewed above), which features an extra USB-C port (5Gbps) but is more expensive, so this hub wins our budget 40Gbps hub award.

Twelve South StayGo – Best portable USB-C dock

Pros

• Lightweight
• 8 ports inc Ethernet, 4K HDMI
• 85W passthrough PD

Cons

• 4K at 30Hz

Best Prices Today:
$91.21 at Amazon

The StayGo is, as its name suggests, one for the home, office and on your travels. It’s lightweight and much more compact than most USB-C docks.

It features a full array of 8 ports, including: USB-C 3.1 for 85W Power Delivery (PD) charging of the laptop; an HDMI port (4K at 30Hz) for attaching to an external display; two 5Gbps USB-A 3.0 ports and another USB-A port with 7.5W for faster charging; Gigabit Ethernet for wired Internet; and SD and Micro SD card readers.

It comes with a 1m USB-C cable to connect with your laptop, plus a detachable travel cable that hides inside the dock when not in use. While not Thunderbolt 3 or 4 it is compatible with Thunderbolt MacBooks – its data transfer is just limited to 5Gbps rather than TB’s 40Gbps.

It’s pricier than most of the hubs reviewed here, but it’s got the lot if you need everything, and we like it a lot. It feels more robust than some of the cheaper hubs, yet weighs just 150g.

It’s available in either Black or White.

Twelve South StayGo mini – Best budget portable USB-C dock

Pros

• Works with iPad Pro and MacBook
• Super portable
• 85W passthrough PD

Cons

• USB-A port is slow for data transfer

Best Prices Today:
$59.53 at Amazon

The StayGo mini is, at its name suggests, a cut-down version of Twelve South’s admirable StayGo portable USB-C hub. It’s primarily designed for the iPad Pro but will also work with a MacBook.

While it lacks its bigger sibling’s Ethernet port and SD/microSD card readers, it still packs a HDMI Port (4K at 30Hz), USB A-port, USB-C Port for passthrough 85W PD charging, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

The StayGo’s singular USB-A port features BC 1.2 for up to 7.5W fast charging, but is USB 2.0 so limited to 480MBps data transfer compared to the StayGo’s three 5Gbps USB-A ports.

It can connect directly to a tablet USB-C port, and also ships with a 0.5 meter USB-C cable if you want to use it with a MacBook. And if your iPad is in a protective case, the cable will mean the hub can still connect to the tablet.

Available in Black only.

Baseus 8-in-1 USB-C Hub – Best value USB-C hub

Pros

• 8 ports inc Ethernet, 4K HDMI
• 100W PD
• 3x USB-A (5Gbps, 7.5W)

Cons

• 4K at 30Hz
• Slow card readers

Best Prices Today:
$39.99 at Amazon

The Baseus 8-in-1 USB-C Hub is an affordable multiport dock with a lot on offer, including three 5Gbps USB-A ports that can charge devices at 7.5W, Gigabit Ethernet and a 100W passthrough power USB-C port.

The HDMI port supports 4K displays at 30Hz, so might not be suitable for gamers or movie watchers.

There are ports for an SD card and microSD/TF cards, although at 60MBps this is not as speedy as even the UHS-I standard.

The integrated 6.6in (17cm) USB-C cable can be minimized for travel with its neat cable-tidy port that creates a loop. And there’s an LED that shows you when the the hub is in use.

Satechi 4-Port USB-C Hub – Best hub for multiple USB-C ports

Pros

• 4x USB-C ports
• Compact

Cons

• Data-only ports

Best Prices Today:
$39.99 at Amazon

Sick of hubs that still think USB-A is a thing? If what you want is more USB-C ports, the Satechi 4-Port USB-C Hub has plenty for you. Each port is USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 so 5Gbps, although that should be fast enough for most.

The USB-C ports don’t support passthrough charging or video output, and can handle only two hard drives or SSDs at the same time.

Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub – Best dual-4K hub for M1/M2 Macs

Pros

• 10 ports
• 100W PD
• 4K at 60Hz
• Supports two displays on M1 MacBook

Cons

• UHS-I card readers

Best Prices Today:
$189.99 at Best Buy$218.50 at Amazon

This hub has enough different ports to call itself a docking station. It has two HDMI ports, two USB-C ports (one PD and one 5Gbps), SD/microSD/SD readers (UHS-I), two 5Gbps USB-A ports, a 3.5mm audio combo jack for headphones, and Gigabit Ethernet.

It doesn’t have its own power supply but offers passthrough PD charging at a more than healthy 100W.

That’s a great set of ports, but it’s not it’s biggest plus for users of Apple’s original M1/M2-based MacBooks.

The standard M1 and M2 chips in Apple’s recent MacBooks are powerful but have a major limitation: unlike Intel-based Macs, they don’t support more than one external display. The smarter M1 Pro and M1 Max chips do support multiple displays.

If that is a problem for you there is a hardware solution in the Hyperdrive Dual 4K HDMI 10-in-1 USB-C Hub, which lets M1 Macs connect two external displays. There is some light software installation involved for M1/M2 users, and you need to allow InstantView access to your Privacy settings in System Preferences.

One HDMI port allows for 4K at 60Hz, and the other 4K at 30Hz.

Satechi USB4 Multiport Adapter w/2.5G Ethernet – Best adapter for USB4 and 2.5G Ethernet

Pros

• USB4 40Gbps bandwidth
• 2.5G Ethernet
• 4K at 60Hz HDMI
• 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A
• Passthrough 100W PD

Cons

• USB-C not for video

Best Prices Today:
$149.99 at Amazon

If you want the fastest Internet and network speeds, you need to push past Gigabit Ethernet to Multi-Gig Ethernet, ranging up to 10Gbps. This six-port hub from Satechi boasts a 2.5Gbps (2.5GbE) Ethernet port—2.5x faster than regular Gigabit Ethernet. 2.5GbE development is becoming more commonplace now that WiFi 6 enables wireless connection to over 1GbE LAN, and you can find 2.5G ports on some WiFi 6 routers. Current CAT5e Ethernet cables are compatible so there’s no need for rewiring.

Aside from this super-fast Ethernet this hub boasts 4K at 60Hz HDMI, 10Gbps USB-A and two 10Gbps USB-C ports (one with 100W passthrough charging) and a combo 3.5mm audio jack. Note that neither USB-C port supports video transfer so it’s a one-display hub.

This hub also stands apart from standard USB-C ports by being USB4, which means you get to play with your Mac’s full 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 bandwidth.

Satechi USB-C Dual 4K HDMI Adapter – Best adapter for dual 4K displays (non M1)

Pros

• 2x HDMI at 60Hz 4K
• Lightweight
• Passthrough PD

Cons

• Requires 2-port laptop

Best Prices Today:
$49.99 at Amazon

Satechi promises that this adapter can handle two 4K displays at 60Hz – most display-friendly USB-C hubs can handle 4K displays only at 30Hz, a lower frame rate that is fine for most tasks but not ideal for high-resolution gaming or broadcasts.

This simple double-HDMI adapter also includes a USB-C PD charging port (at up to 60W) so you can keep your MacBook charged while it’s in use.

It is compatible with MacBook models with two side USB-C ports, and weighs 62g (2.2oz). Note that it doesn’t support two external displays on M1 Macs.

It is available in either Silver or Space Grey. 

Plugable USB-C to HDMI Multiport Adapter – Best alternative to Apple AV Multiport Adapter

Pros

• Inexpensive AV adapter
• Passthrough PD

Cons

• 4K at 30Hz

Best Prices Today:
$24.95 at Amazon

Apple got a lot of flack when moving to USB-C because it meant that many of its users had to buy one or more adapters to replicate the ports they were used to, and needed.

It wasn’t so much that we needed adapters, but more to do with the price Apple was charging for its simple USB-C hubs and adapters.

Take, for example Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, which cost a lot for just an HDMI port, one USB-A port and a passthrough-power USB-C port.

Plugable has a much cheaper alternative, at about a third of the price. And it looks pretty identical.

Aside from the price, the one drawback is that the HDMI connection can connect a 4K external display at 30Hz rather than the full 60Hz, which may put off gamers.

But otherwise, this is a great alternative at a fraction of the price, and can charge at 60W.

Satechi Stand Hub for Mac Mini – Best USB-C hub for Mac mini

Pros

• Neat USB-C hub for Mac mini
• Thunderbolt 3

Cons

• No device charging

Best Prices Today:
$79.99 at Amazon

We tend to think of hubs for laptops, such as Apple’s MacBooks, which lack more than one or two USB-C ports and so require a dock to add further devices.

The Mac Mini, you’d think, has an army of ports in comparison to Apple’s laptops.

The latest models boast two Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 (fast USB-C) ports, two old-school USB-A ports, HDMI 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and 3.5mm headphone jack.

That sounds like a lot, but Apple accessory specialist Satechi believes the Mini needs maxing.

Satechi’s Type-C Aluminum Stand & Hub for Mac Mini expands these capabilities with six ports: including a USB-C data port, three USB-A ports, micro/SD card readers, and another 3.5mm headphone jack port.

(Note that you can’t charge devices connected to the USB ports, as they are there for syncing and data transfer only.)

The crucial point is that these points are front-facing, and not tucked around the back with the unwieldy and unsightly power supply. It also lifts the Mini off the desk, and its built-in air vents help regulate temperature and encourage airflow.

HyperDrive 6-in-1 USB-C Hub for 24in iMac – Best hub for iMac

Pros

• 6 ports
• 2x USB-C (10Gbps)
• USB-A (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• HDMI 4K at 60Hz
• Color matches your iMac

Cons

• UHS-I card reader
• 24in iMac only

Best Prices Today:
$96.78 at Amazon

You might not think a desktop Mac needs a hub, but the 24in iMac is quite lacking, having either just two Thunderbolt ports on the entry-level model or two Thunderbolt and two USB-C at the top-end. These ports are also all hidden away at the back, which can mean snaking cables all over your desk.

Five of the ports on this hub that clamps to the underside of the iMac are front-facing ports for easy access to memory cards, USB storage, or storage cards. There are two USB-C ports and one USB-A port (all rated at a speedy 10GBps). The USB-A port can charge a phone at 7.5W.

The UHS-I (104MBps) SD and microSD card readers aren’t the fastest but should suffice. Such memory cards are an affordable way of adding portable storage, and will also delight camera users.

At the rear of the hub is an HDMI port that can support an external 4K display at 60Hz.

Hyper also sells a 5-in-1 iMac USB Hub with two USB-C (5Gbps) and three USB-A (5Gbps and one that charges at 7.5W).

Quite brilliantly, the hubs can color-match with your 24in iMac, with 7 iMac color faceplates included.

Moshi Symbus Q – Best adapter with Qi wireless charging

Pros

• Powered PD dock
• Wireless phone charging
• 4K HDMI at 60Hz

Cons

• Not portable
• No USB-C port

Best Prices Today:
$219.95 at Amazon

If you don’t mind spending a little more, the Symbus Q dock from Moshi offers a lot of functionality in a seriously slick package—it just doesn’t come cheap.

There are dual USB-A 3.1 ports, along with Gigabit Ethernet and HDMI on the other, and it supports USB-C PD passthrough charging (60W), so it will double as the charger for your MacBook. Best of all, the top of the dock is also a 15W wireless Qi charger – above the max charging capacity of the latest iPhones.

The main body is aluminium, with a soft fabric and rubber top to keep any charging devices from slipping around. The whole things feels solid but slick, a perfect match for your Apple gear.

One downside is that this is very much a desk dock—it won’t function at all unless plugged into the mains, so you can’t use it on the go, meaning it’s more for beefing up your MacBook at your desk. There’s also no USB-C port, so if your laptop only has the one port then you won’t be able to use this dock along with any other USB-C accessories.

This is the only docking station with Qi wireless charging for your iPhone.

SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Card USB-C Reader – Best USB-C SD Card adapter

Pros

• Simple UHS-II SD card reader
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Requires adapter for microSD cards

Best Prices Today:
$20.99 at Amazon

If you’re a digital professional or just a photography enthusiast, chances are you might be slightly peeved that the new MacBook Pro you held out for doesn’t have an SD card slot. 

SanDisk is here to save the day. This neat SD card reader is USB-C compatible and will allow Thunderbolt 3 speed transfers of all your high-resolution photos and videos. 

SD cards are also a very inexpensive way to add portable storage to your laptop, from 32GB up to 1TB.

Cable Matters USB-C to VGA Adapter – Best USB-C to VGA Adapter

Pros

• VGA and HDMI ports

Cons

• 4K at 30Hz

Best Prices Today:
$14.39 at Amazon

This simple adapter makes a USB-C port into a VGA port for older displays and projectors, and also can handle two external displays.

VGA was once the most popular video connector but is seen less these days, being overtaken by DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort and direct USB-C.

It supports 920×1200@60Hz HD resolutions via VGA, and 4K at 30Hz through its HDMI port. It isn’t compatible with supporting two displays on an M1 MacBook.

Cable Matters USB-C to DVI Adapter – Best USB-C to DVI Adapter

Pros

• DVI port

Best Prices Today:
$39.99 at Amazon

If you need to connect to a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) display or projector, this adapter does the trick. 

It can support resolutions up to 1,920-x-1,080 at 60Hz.

Plugable USB-C 7-in-1 Hub with HDMI

Pros

• 7 ports inc Ethernet, 4K HDMI
• 87W PD
• Lightweight

Cons

• 4K at 30Hz

Best Prices Today:
$39.95 at Amazon

Slim and sturdy while still being very portable, the latest version of Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C hub comes with HDMI port that can support an external 4K display at 30Hz.

There are also two 5Gbps USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet, UHS-I SD and microSD Card readers, and a USB-C port for PD passthrough charging at up to an impressive 87W—enough for most laptops.

At just 106g, it’s the lightest of the truly multifunctional (display plus Ethernet) hub/docks available.

Kingston Nucleum 7-port USB-C Adapter

Pros

• Robust
• Passthrough PD

Cons

• No Ethernet port
• 4K at 30Hz

Best Prices Today:
$39.99 at Amazon$54.99 at Adorama

This is a very well-constructed USB-C hub that adds access to seven ports from one USB-C connection.

It includes two 5Gbps USB-A 3.1 ports, and two USB-C ports—one of which allows for passthrough charging at up to 60W.

There’s no Ethernet port with this adapter, but most of us are fine with Wi-Fi anyway. But if you need a wired Internet connection, look elsewhere.

There’s also an HDMI port for adding an external display (4K at 30Hz), and an SD and Micro SD Card reader slot.

Moshi Symbus Mini 7-in-1 USB-C Hub Adapter

Pros

• Built-in USB-C cable
• 7 ports inc Ethernet, 4K HDMI
• PD

Cons

• 4K at 30Hz
• Flimsy Ethernet port

This neat hub/dock has seven ports: two 5Gbps USB-A, both SD and microSD card readers, HDMI for an external 4K display at 30Hz, USB-C for pass-through charging at up to 70W, and Gigabit Ethernet.

That’s a pretty full line-up in a 140g compact and portable package, with its short cable tucked away during travel.

You have to pull open a flap for the RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port, which looks fragile but seems robust to the touch, and does nicely reduce the size of the hub.

Satechi USB-C Dual Multimedia Adapter

Pros

• Two 4K HDMI ports (one at 60Hz)
• Ethernet
• Passthrough PD

Cons

• Requires 2-port laptop

Best Prices Today:
$109.99 at Amazon

This multimedia adapter uses the dual USB-C ports of a MacBook to connect to a hub of ports, including two USB-A ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, SD and Micro SD Card reader, a USB-C charging port (60W) and two HDMI ports.

It is compatible with MacBook models with two side USB-C ports on the same side. It does not support MacBook models with a single USB-C port.

One of the HDMI ports can handle 4K at 60Hz port, while the other supports 4K at 30Hz.

It’s available in either Silver or Space Grey, and weighs 102g (3.6oz).

Satechi USB-C Multi-Port Hub Adapter

Pros

• Lightweight
• Passthrough PD

Cons

• No Ethernet
• 4K at 30Hz

Best Prices Today:
$44.99 at Amazon

The brushed aluminium Satechi USB-C Multi-Port Hub Adapter offers two 5Gbps USB 3.0 Type-A ports and 4K HDMI. It’s very lightweight at just 51g (1.8oz).

It lacks an SD card slot but does include a USB-C pass-through port (60W) so you don’t sacrifice your laptop’s Type-C port – allowing you to charge your laptop while using the adapter’s other outlets. This is especially handy for owners of the 12in MacBook, which has just one USB-C port.

It doesn’t feature an Ethernet port, so you’ll have to stick to Wi-Fi.

it’s designed to complement Apple’s MacBook range with availability in Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, and Space grey colors.

Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport – Apple adds HDMI

Pros

• Passthrough PD

Cons

• Expensive
• HD not 4K

Best Prices Today:
$62.85 at Amazon$63.99 at Best Buy$69.00 at Apple

Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter allows you to connect your USB-C enabled MacBook port to an HDMI display, a standard USB device, and a charging cable – all at the same time. The USB port allows you to connect incompatible USB accessories (flash drives, cameras) to your USB-C enabled MacBook.

The adapter supports full 1080p HD video output to your TV (HDMI-enabled, of course) where you can mirror your MacBook’s display or play movies. 

Apple USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter

Pros

• Passthrough PD

Cons

• Expensive

Best Prices Today:
$64.99 at Best Buy$69.00 at Apple

Some older displays and especially projectors still use the VGA standard for connection. Unveil your shiny new 12in MacBook or Touchbar MacBook Pro at your next meeting, then die of frustration when the projector has a VGA connection.

All is not lost, except that meeting then and there, and a pile of cash, as Apple’s USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter doesn’t come cheap.

Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

Pros

• Thunderbolt 2 adapter

Best Prices Today:
$45.99 at Amazon$46.99 at Best Buy$49.00 at Apple

This adapter is designed to help you smoothly transition to using USB-C. You may well have devices such as hard drives and external displays that use Thunderbolt 2 connections. This little gadget lets you keep using them with your MacBook or new MacBook Pro.

It also allows new Thunderbolt 3 devices to connect to a Mac with Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 ports – but to take advantage of it this way round Apple advises you need to be running macOS Sierra or above.

Nonda USB-C to USB-A Adapter – Best simple USB-C to USB-A adapter

Pros

• Simple single USB-A adapter
• Small

Cons

• Just the one port

Best Prices Today:
$9.64 at Amazon

There’s a misconception that USB-C is an inconvenience, hence the existence of little adapters like this one from Nonda. USB-C isn’t so much an inconvenience as a completely new tech standard, so products like this are just there to help us bridge the gap. Positivity, people.

This cute little adapter is simply to allow you to plug in one standard USB device or cable at a time, great for charging or syncing your iPhone or using a USB stick. Just don’t misplace it, it’s tiny.

Also, read our roundups of recommended USB accessories:

• Best USB-C to Lightning cables

• Best USB-C and Thunderbolt cables

• Best USB-C power chargers