Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub review: This sleek and durable dock transformed my two-port laptop into a capable desktop workstation

by · TechRadar

TechRadar Verdict

This impressive hub enables you to connect multiple accessories to your laptop via a single cable. Speeds are capped at 10Gbps in total, with each device consuming part of that bandwidth. The SD card reader is also limited to UHS-I. However, the premium build, boost to 10 ports, power passthrough and impressive 2.5Gbe network connection balance performance, build and cost exceptionally well.

Pros

  • +2.5GbE Ethernet
  • +125W pass-through
  • +Connection through a single cable

Cons

  • -SD reader is UHS-I
  • -Speed slows with more connections
  • -Gets warm under load

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Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub: 30-second review

The Plugable USBC-10IN1E is a USB hub that, once plugged into your machine, usually a port-limited laptop, expands the port selection from one or two to 10.

In this test, I plugged the hub into several machines, including the Asus ProArt PZ14 - a tablet PC with only two USB-C ports that with the addition of the hub, turned a machine that required careful port rationing into a full desk setup with monitor output, Ethernet, keyboard, mouse, storage, and charging, and all connected through a single cable. The same result followed with the MacBook Air M3 and Pro M1 Max, for which the design matches perfectly.

The space-grey metal body of the hub gives it a clean aesthetic that matches Apple hardware, and at 109g and 216mm, it slips into any laptop bag neatly, although its length can be a little tricky to accommodate in a standard backpack pocket.

Connecting the hub to your chosen machine is easy enough with a single 17cm USB-C that enables you to tuck the hub neatly behind the machine. As I maxed out the ports during the test, I was also pleased to see that the port spacing along the hub's row of ports, which are all positioned along one side, enabled all ten connections to be used at the same time without the plugs blocking each other.

Through the test, the features that impressed me the most were the 2.5GbE Ethernet port that enabled fast wired network connections in the studio and office and the HDMI 2.1 output that enabled the hub to be used with my 4K monitors without reducing their potential resolution. For that alone, this is one of the best docking stations around.

The one surprise was that the SD card reader is only UHS-I rather than UHS-II, which features on the company's cheaper Plugable 9-in-1. If you’re a photographer offloading files from a Sony A7 IV, the reader works, but it is not the fastest option available; it’s still good if your laptop lacks port connectivity as standard.

Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? From $74
  • When is it out? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Directly from Plugable or Amazon

The Plugable USBC-10IN1E is priced at $84 USD and is available directly from Plugable's website, as well as retailers including Amazon.com, Best Buy, and Staples.

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