let’s face it and say it out loud, USB-C is sort of a nightmare. Sure one day we might get to the point where every cable every gadget every screen uses the same next-generation connector. But we’re nowhere near that point today.

Which means if you’ve got a new USBC laptop like a MacBook Pro or the latest XPS 13 from DELL and you want to use those old ports from your old computer. Stuff like regular USB, HDMI, Ethernet, DisplayPort, SD, Micro SD all those old connectors that you used to use every day. You’re gonna need a USB-C Hub.

To be clear for the sake of this comparison, we’re only looking at a small subset of USB-C Hubs. That means that we’re only talking about ones that offer some sort of pass-through powers that you can keep charging your computer while you’re using other stuff and ones that don’t need their own integrated power supply. That means, unfortunately, all those super cool $300 Thunderbolt 3 hubs are out.

At the best of USB-C hubs, should have all the ports you need while still being thin and light enough to keep in your bag at all times. It shouldn’t get too hot and also should be reliable enough to get thing connected at any time.