As working professionals who travel, people on the move value portability and design. The newest line of the iPad Pro has ensured that this demand is met by a big margin. Packing state-of-the-art technology with the M1 chip, the iPad Pro can pretty much do anything. However, users who like to travel light also want room for expansion when they sit down to work. This is where USB-C hubs for the iPad. You can hook up your iPad to multiple storages and connected devices, including external monitors, by attaching a hub to your device. If you’re in the market for a USB-C hub for your iPad Pro, iPad Air, or the new iPad mini, keep reading as we have compiled a list just for you.
The list below contains a wide variety of USB-C hubs for the iPad Pro and the iPad Air. If you’re certain of a specific brand or model, use the table below to find it on the list. However, if you’re new do read on what to look for in a USB-C hub.
Does My iPad Support a USB-C Hub/DongleWhat to Look for in USB-C Hubs
Extra USB-C Port with Power Delivery (PD)Gigabit EthernetA Thunderbolt ConnectorUSB-A PortsBest USB-C Hubs for iPad Pro and Air
HyperDrive 9-in-1 USB-C HubSatechi Aluminum Stand & HubBaseus 6-in-1 Adapter for iPadBelkin USB C Hub, 7-in-1 MultiPort Adapter DockHyperDrive iPad Pro USB C Hub Adapter 6-in-1 DongleSatechi Aluminum Type-C Mobile Pro HubNOVOO USB C Hub 8 in 1Anker USB C Hub for iPad ProUGREEN USB C Hub 6 in 1 DongleZedela USB C HUB
Extra USB-C Port with Power Delivery (PD)Gigabit EthernetA Thunderbolt ConnectorUSB-A Ports
HyperDrive 9-in-1 USB-C HubSatechi Aluminum Stand & HubBaseus 6-in-1 Adapter for iPadBelkin USB C Hub, 7-in-1 MultiPort Adapter DockHyperDrive iPad Pro USB C Hub Adapter 6-in-1 DongleSatechi Aluminum Type-C Mobile Pro HubNOVOO USB C Hub 8 in 1Anker USB C Hub for iPad ProUGREEN USB C Hub 6 in 1 DongleZedela USB C HUB
Does My iPad Support a USB-C Hub/Dongle
Apple’s change to the USB-C ports on the iPad Pro and Air design is breath of fresh air for users who want to increase its capability. However, that inherently means that your iPad model needs to have a USB-C port to be able to connect to the hubs below. Currently, the following models have a USB-C port:
If your iPad qualifies from the above list, keep reading the best USB-C hubs you can get for it.
Buying a USB-C hub/dongle can be confusing. If you’ve been looking at the various models online, you already know they are all chock full of various ports. However, to ensure you’re not overwhelmed by the options, we have created a small checklist of the things you should look for in a USB-C port. Have a look below:
1. Extra USB-C Port with Power Delivery (PD)
Since the iPad Pro/Air comes with a single USB-C port, it will occupy that no matter what hub you connect to it. While your iPad might be able to power all the devices for some time, its battery is still finite. Make sure whatever USB-C hub you buy for your iPad has an additional Type-C port that supports Power Delivery (PD).
If you’re using a USB-C Hub for your iPad Pro/Air, you’re most likely sitting at a desk while working. And chances are you’ve got access to a wired Internet connection you can plugin. A USB-C hub with a Gigabit Ethernet port will make you can tap into that wired Internet speed and get access to insane amounts of bandwidth. Look out for it.
While the new iPad Pro uses a Type-C port, it supports a Thunderbolt connection which provides extremely fast bandwidth compared to USB. If you’re the owner of the new iPad Pro, make sure the USB-C hub you get has a Thunderbolt port that can support high speeds for connecting to displays and devices.
While the USB-C connector is slowly but surely taking over the world, the classic USB-A connection is still used by the majority of everyday devices. If you’re going to be using your iPad for office work, you’ll most likely connect it to external hard and pen drives that require USB-A. Make sure the USB-C hub you get has USB-A ports that support the connection.
These are just some of the things you can look out for. If you prefer other stuff such as connection to external displays and the like, look for an HDMI port in your USB-C hub for iPad.
Now that you know a bit more about USB-C hubs, here are the best of them for your iPad models. Check them out:
Starting with the perfect combination of functionality and design, the HyperDrive 9-in-1 USB-C Hub tops our list of the best you can get for the iPad. Packing a stylish and modular design that accents well with the iPad Pro, the USB-C Hub sits quietly beside the iPad while plugged in the Type-C port.
The Satechi Aluminium USB-C is another fine choice for the iPad Pro/Air with a chock-full of features and a unique design that makes things comfortable. The Satechi Hub works double duty and props up the iPad on a stand while doing everything else. The stand also has protective padding along the side to prevent any damage.
3. Baseus 6-in-1 Adapter for iPad
Users looking for a USB-C hub that all but disappears with their iPad will love this Baseus 6-in-1. Featuring a design that rounds the iPad’s corner and simply tucks away, this USB-C does its work and stays out of the way. This is made possible by the L-shaped holder that props up against the iPad’s corner and easily connects. See that small switch near the iPad’s port? You can toggle it and turn off the entire hub if you want to. Pretty neat right?
We have no doubt you’re heard of Belkin and its long history of creating accessories. This intuitive 7-in-1 USB-C hub for the iPad is one of them. This hub employs the same standard design you saw in HyperDrive. However, what separates this hub is its massive Type-C PD rate.
In addition to having a 4K HDMI 1.4, 2x USB-A 3.0, 3.5 mm audio in/out, the hub has a MicroSD and an SD 3.0 card reader. So no matter what form factor of a card you have, you can fit it in this hub. Moreover, the provided USB-C PD port is packed with 100Watts of power for all your needs. So you can fast charge your iPad and connects all the devices you could want.
The Hyperdrive 6-in-1 is a different take on the same USB-C hub for the iPad. Considering another unobtrusive design that instead sits flat on the port, the HyperDrive is a good choice for your iPad. To make the design accessible to all iPad models with various attachments like the Smart Folio, the Hyperdrive USB-C hub comes with interchangeable grips.
The HyperDrive 6-in-1 comes in a neat form factor that packs all the wires tightly. While the extra SD card reader should have been replaced by a USB-A port, this hub is useful for photographers transferring data across the iPad easily.
If you’ve been looking at the USB-C hubs above but don’t want so many ports in one go, consider this Satechi model. This Satechi 4-in-1 USB-C hub is for iPad Pro/Air users who want a step above minimum functionality.
The NoVoo USB-C Hub is another entry in hubs for the iPad Pro/Air that come with an Ethernet port. However, that’s not the special thing about this one. This particular USB-C port has a special hidden cable that wraps around its chassis while not in use. Whenever you feel like connecting the hub to your iPad, simply pull out the cable and hook it up.
8. Anker USB C Hub for iPad Pro
Aesthetically designed for the iPad 2018 and 2020 series, the Anker USB-C Hub is an excellent addition to our list. However, before we go into detail do be aware this hub does not support the 2021 iPad Pro so skip this product if that’s what you want.
We found this one under Reddit threads and this USB-C Hub is loved for a good reason. Being extremely affordable and functional, the UGreen Hub puts storage capabilities above everything else.
This USB-C Hub for iPad while small in design has three different USB A 3.0 ports for storage opportunities. Users looking to hook up pen drives and multiple external drives will find plenty of room to do so. The USB-C Hub also comes with dual SD/MicroSD card readers for even more data transfer routes. If you feel your iPad’s screen is not enough, feel free to hook it up to an external display through the given HDMI port that gives 4K @ 30Hz. You can even hook it up to your Macbook or an XPS if you need it.
The Zedela USB-C is based in a similar vein to the UGreen model above but is instead bolstered with a USB-C PD port. While the design is not as modern as we would like it to be, we understand it is foolish to judge a book by its cover.
While the Zedela is not the most feature-rich USB-C Hubs for the iPad Pro/Air, the inclusion of two separate Type-C ports is a big plus for power users. Combine that with three USB-A ports, you have yourself an efficient machine. Get it right now.
