USB-C

Swipe to scroll horizontallyValueFor $84, with 2.5GbE Ethernet, HDMI 2.1 and 125W pass-through, this offers exceptional value4.5DesignThe space-grey metal build, decent port spacing, and 17cm cable make it a great option in the office or out.4FeaturesThe 2.5GbE and HDMI 2.1 are surprising additions at this price; it’s just a shame that the SD slots are UHS-I rather than UHS-II.4.5PerformanceThe hub is able to balance the bandwidth well, and through the test, even when downloading from multiple devices, there was only a marginal drop in speed.4OverallThis is the best-spec’d bus-powered USB-C hu

Not all DisplayLink docks are created equal, which is why we test them. But for office workers on Windows, absolutely. For gamers, give it a pass.DisplayLink docking station offers a chance to expand your PC's I/O capabilities, even with hardware that doesn't support Thunderbolt. If you aren't comfortable with this, feel free to return to the relative safety of a either a generic USB-C dongle or a powerful Thunderbolt dock: Both offer simplicity and a known experience.

Laptops have generally begun replacing all of the legacy ports (the boxy USB-A plug, HDMI, SD card slots, and more) with generic USB-C ports. That's fine, but what if you have a wired printer or mouse or external SSD? You'll need to connect it to your laptop, and you might need the right physical port connector.If you have a fast external SSD or hard drive, the external throughput will certainly help you get the most out of your peripheral. And if you want to connect multiple displays, you'll need a USB-C hub (and preferably a docking station) with support for two display connectors.

USB-C hubs and Thunderbolt docks use the same physical USB-C connection. A USB-C port (and USB-C hub or dongle) use a basic 10Gbps connection, while a Thunderbolt port increases the throughput to 40Gbps. Ideally, you should see a small "lightning bolt" icon signal a Thunderbolt port, while an unmarked port may be just a generic USB-C port.Manufacturers, though, aren't forced to label their ports. Your best bet is to haul out your laptop's manual and check.Thunderbolt docks will only work with a Thunderbolt connection. You can buy a USB-C hub or dongle and connect it to a Thunderbolt port, but