Since the Liquid Retina redesign in 2018, Apple’s higher-end iPads have used the universal USB-C connector port rather than Apple’s own Lightning connector. You’ll find a USB-C port on the 11-inch iPad Pro (1st and 2nd gen) and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd and 4th gen), and iPad Air. The latest M1 iPad Pro uses a USB-C-style Thunderbolt/USB4 port that is even more capable. Additionally, you can find free SVG images of these devices online.
That one USB-C or Thunderbolt port will suffice if all you use it for is charging or wired earbuds, but Apple’s tablets can also be used with many other peripherals that transform it into a versatile computer. As such, iPad Pro and iPad Air owners have a wide range of USB-C accessories available to them.
Best USB-C hubs for iPad Pro and iPad Air
HyperDrive 6-in-1 USB-C Hub – Best overall USB-C hub for iPad
Pros
- 6 ports inc HDMI and SD/microSD
- 4K at 60Hz
- Also works with laptops
Colors: Space Gray
Ports: USB-C PD (5Gbps/60W), USB-A (5Gbps), HDMI, UHS-I microSD, SD card, 3.5mm audio
Why we love it: The HDMI port means you can add an external display, and it can handle 4K displays at 60Hz, although that might be a push if you are using all the other ports at the same time.
This good-looking hub, with built-n USB-C connector, features a grip that secures it onto an iPad Pro without damaging the surface. However, you can remove the grip if you use a third-party iPad case. It connects direct to the iPad but handily also comes with a USB-C extender cable so you can use it as a USB-C hub for your MacBook or another USB-C device, too. It’s also lightweight at just 47g (1.6oz) and at 3.66-x-1.3-x-0.39in (93-x-33-x-10mm) it’s small enough to slip into a pocket.
Twelve South StayGo mini – smallest USB-C hub for iPad
Pros
- 4 ports inc HDMI
- Super small and lightweight
- 85W passthrough charging
Cons
- Slower USB-A
- 4K at 30Hz
- No card reader
Colors: Black
Ports: USB-C (to iPad), USB-C PD (85W), USB-A (480MBbps, 7.5W), HDMI 2.0, Audio Out
Why we love it: This small hub can connect to your iPad (or MacBook) via either the integrated USB-C connector or a detachable cable (20in). The cable is useful if your iPad is in a protective case, and you could use your own longer cable if required. StayGo mini adds just four ports, but enough for you to attach an external display (4K at 30Hz), a USB-A device and headphones as well as powering your tablet or laptop at the same time–especially handy for tablets that have just the one port.
It weighs just 36g and measures 2.8-x-1.25-x-0.3in (72-x-32-x-8mm), making it the smallest USB-C iPad hub we have tested.
Twelve South also sells a less-mini but still highly portable StayGo USB-C hub that boasts nine ports, including Gigabit Ethernet and SD and Micro USB card readers alongside the HDMI, USB-A and USB-C passthrough power delivery.
Satechi USB-C Mobile Pro Hub SD – lightest USB-C hub
Pros
- 6 ports inc HDMI, card readers
- 4K at 60Hz
- Lightweight
Colors: Space Gray
Ports: USB-C (to iPad), USB-C PD (5Gbps/60W), USB-A (5Gbps), HDMI, SD and microSD card readers, 3.5mm audio
Why we love it: Made for the new iPad M1, this is the lightest USB-C hub we tested weighing just 33g (1.16oz). It’s longer than the Twelve South StayGo mini but a few grams lighter, and includes both SD and microSD card reader slots.
The HDMI port can push a 4K monitor at 60Hz. And the hub can charge a device at up to 60W via the USB-C PD passthrough charger port. It ships with a detachable USB-C extension cable if you want to use it with a device other than an iPad or use with an iPad in a case.
Satechi also sells a slightly cheaper USB-C Mobile Pro Hub that doesn’t include the card readers and isn’t compatible with the 2021 iPad Pro M1, which the Mobile Pro Hub SD does work with.
StarTech.com USB C Multiport Adapter – best USB-C hub for passthrough charging
Pros
- 5 ports inc HDMI
- 92W passthrough charging
- 4K at 60Hz
- Two USB-A ports
Colors: Space Gray, silver
Ports: USB-C (to iPad), USB-C PD (5Gbps/92W), USB-A (5Gbps), USB-A (5Gbps, BC 1.2 Fast Charge), HDMI, 3.5mm audio
Why we love it: The 92W passthrough charging is impressive. Although this may be overkill when used with a tablet, it makes a big difference when you use it with a laptop. The HDMI port means you can add an external display, and it can handle 4K displays at 60Hz.
This compact hub, with built-in USB-C connector, is the lightest we have tested, at just 44g (1.5oz). It’s also small, at 3.5-x-1.3-x-0.3in (90-x-32-x-8.5mm). As well as the HDMI and audio port, it features two USB-A ports, one for data (5Gbps) and one for fast charging (7.5W).
Satechi 6-in-1 Aluminum Stand & Hub – best mini USB-C dock
Pros
- 6 ports inc HDMI
- 4K at 60Hz
- Built-in iPad stand
Colors: Space Gray
Ports: USB-C (to iPad), USB-C PD (5Gbps/60W), USB-A (5Gbps), HDMI (4K at 60Hz), 3.5mm audio, and UHS-I microSD and SD Card readers
Why we love it: Combining both a stand and a handy array of easy-access ports at the back, this iPad Pro hub raises your iPad to a better angle for viewing and Zoom calls as well as enabling simple device connection. It folds into a neat portable package (283g, 10oz), and connects to the iPad with its integrated USB-C cable so everything is included.
HyperDrive 6-in-1 USB-C Hub for iPad Pro/Air – best USB-C hub for media controls
Pros
- 6 ports inc HDMI
- 4K at 60Hz
- Media controls
Colors: Gray
Ports: USB-C (to iPad), USB-C PD (5Gbps/60W), one USB-A (5Gbps), one HDMI 2.0 port, UHS-I SD and microSD Card readers, 3.5mm audio, Play/Pause/Fast-forward/Rewind buttons
Why we love it: Alongside the handy extra ports, this mini hub adds a row of large Play/Pause/Fast-forward/Rewind buttons on the top for media control of your movies, songs or podcasts without interrupting your workflow.
We’ve seen faster ports on the other hubs reviewed here, but it’s the media buttons that make the difference here.
It can connect in a tight fit to the iPad or via a detachable longer 2in cable if you need the extra length.
At 3.85-x-1.14-x-0.47in (98-x-29-x-12mm), it’s a little longer than other iPad hubs tested here, but it’s lightweight at just 41g.
It works with iPad Pro 11in & 12.9in, iPad Air 4th Gen or iPad mini 6th Gen.
Caldigit USB-C SOHO Dock
Pros
- 7 ports inc HDMI and DisplayPort
- Fast USB-C ports
- 4K at 60Hz
- Small for a dock
Colors: Silver
Ports: USB-C (to iPad), USB-C (10Gbps), USB-C PD (10Gbps/100W), USB-A (10Gbps), DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, UHS II SD, UHS II microSD
Why we love it: Coming with a separate USB-C cable, this aluminium mini dock has the highest-spec ports.
Although pretty small (3.66-x-2.53-x-0.75in or 93-x-64.3-x-19mm) for a docking station, it’s larger than the dedicated iPad hubs tested here, so there’s space for both DisplayPort and HDMI ports so you can choose your preferred connection to add an external display to the iPad.
As the cable is detachable, you can use your own longer cable if necessary, but you’ll need one rated to handle 10Gbps. And because of the high bandwidth, the dock can easily handle a 4K display at 60Hz, even with other ports in use.
Read the full Caldigit SOHO Dock review.
CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub – best Thunderbolt 4 hub for multiple USB devices
Pros
- Four Thunderbolt 4 ports
- Four fast USB-A ports
- 5K at 60Hz
- Multiple external displays
Cons
- No card reader
- Large for an iPad hub
Colors: Space Gray
Ports: Upstream Thunderbolt 4 (to iPad; 60W PD), three downstream Thunderbolt (40Gbps, 15W), four USB-A (10Gbps, 7.5W)
Why we love it: Apple’s iPad Pro (2021) models use 40Gbps Thunderbolt rather than 5Gbps USB-C, so to gain that full bandwidth a Thunderbolt hub is the best you can get.
This is a hub that you can also use for maximum MacBook bandwidth as well as with your iPad Pro. Choosing a hub or dock with the latest Thunderbolt 4 connection standard makes perfect sense as TB4 is backwards compatible with USB-C and so will work with any USB-C iPad too.
You won’t find more modern USB ports on a hub than you get here, and they are all rated at top speeds.
As such, it’s larger than other dedicated iPad hubs, measuring 4.48-x-2.74-x-0.7in (114-x-70-18mm) and weighing 6.2oz (180g).
Recommended if you require multiple devices to connect to your iPad, and if you use it with a MacBook, too.
Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C Multiport Adapter – best USB-C hub with gigabit ethernet
Pros
- 7 ports inc HDMI and Ethernet
- Integrated cable so also works with laptops
- 87W passthrough charging
Cons
- Larger than most
- 4K at 30Hz
Colors: Dark Gray
Ports: USB-C (to iPad), USB-C PD (5Gbps/87W), three USB-A (5Gbps), HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, and UHS-I microSD and SD Card readers
Why we love it: The integrated USB-C cable on this USB-C hub means it is a universal hub that works with all USB-C devices and not just the iPad. There’s not much missing here when it comes to ports, which explains its slightly larger size and weight. At 3.7oz (106g) it’s heavier than most of the other hubs tested here, but it is still light enough not to register in a travel bag, and small enough to slip into a trouser pocket. And when you’re at a desk, it’ll push a 4K monitor at 30Hz with its USB port.
Choosing a USB-C hub
With a hub you can add extra USB ports (Type-C and the older Type-A), SD and MicroSD card readers, gigabit ethernet, wired headphones, cameras, keyboards, and more. You can also connect your iPad Pro to your computer or to an external display using a hub’s USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort outputs. The newest iPad Pro can even connect to Apple’s Pro Display XDR display.
Some USB-C hubs are specially designed for the iPad Pro, but you can also use an array of generic USB-C hubs. And you can take it one step further with a full docking station that can also work with your laptop. Depending on which model you buy, a hub or dock connects to the iPad and offers an array of extra ports.
USB-C
Whatever hub you buy will use up the iPad’s sole port, so you’ll need at least one extra USB-C port on the hub for pass-through charging, as you don’t want your tablet’s battery to fade mid use. Make sure at least one of the hub’s USB-C ports is capable of Power Delivery (PD) for charging. And look for high charging power if there is a maximum wattage on the hub. The iPad requires at least a 20W charger for fast charging, which all the hubs can handle but a more powerful charger may enable speeds up to 30W.
More USB-C ports on the hub mean you can use them for more modern peripherals and an external display that connects via a USB-C cable. The minimum bandwidth of USB 3 is 5Gbps, so this is the most common speed on hubs, but some offer 10Gbps that is more capable for things like connecting an external monitor.
Thunderbolt
The M1 iPad Pro uses the more capable Thunderbolt connection. It uses the USB-C connector, but Thunderbolt has bandwidth up to 40Gbps compared to just 5Gbps or 10Gbps for USB. Thunderbolt hubs and docks are more expensive than their simpler USB-C cousins, but power users will benefit from the extra bandwidth.
For example, a Thunderbolt hub or dock can use this bandwidth to connect a 4K display running at 60Hz and still have data-transfer capacity for other devices such as hard drives.
USB-A
Universal and reversible, USB-C is a great connector, but most of us still have a few devices that connect via the more common Type-A USB port, such as flash memory sticks, hard drives, and input devices. USB-A ports are mainly used for lower-powered devices, but the ports do come in different speeds. USB 2.0 is the slowest at 480MBs. USB 3.2 Gen 1 is rated at 5Gbps and USB 3.2 Gen 2 is 10Gbps. Some hubs boast multiple USB-A ports, so consider how many you might need to use at the same time.
SD and microSD Card readers
You can connect a camera or a card reader directly to the iPad’s USB-C port, but a more flexible option is to use a hub with either an SD or microSD Card reader, and many hubs have both. These little memory cards are also an inexpensive portable storage and backup solution, with capacities of up to 1TB. Look for the faster UHS-II type reader, which can handle up to 312MBps data transfer, compared to UHS-II’s maximum 104MBps.
Gigabit ethernet
Wired internet or network access is much faster than WiFi, so if you’re using your iPad at a desk, make sure the hub you choose has a gigabit ethernet port. Otherwise, you’ll need to use a USB-C-to-gigabit ethernet adapter that plugs directly into your iPad.
Audio
If you want to hook up some wired headphones or a microphone, look for a hub with 3.5mm audio jack port since neither the iPad Pro nor the iPad Air has one.
External displays
A hub is basically essential when using an external display because the iPad has just one USB-C port and you can’t simultaneously charge the tablet at the same time. So, you’ll want to look for a hub with either two USB-C ports (one for charging) or a hub with an HDMI or DisplayPort (or even VGA if you have an older display).
It you want to mirror your iPad’s screen to a larger one, it’s possible to connect an external display direct with a USB-C cable, but unless the monitor has its own USB-C input, look for a hub with a DisplayPort or HDMI port. Using a hub’s USB-C port, you will need either a USB-C-to-HDMI or USB-C-to-DisplayPort cable or adapter.
For general productivity purposes, 30Hz screen rates are acceptable for 4K monitors, but 60Hz is better for gaming or action-graphics video. Depending on the cable, you might get varied refresh rates. It’s a little confusing, but for the most part, 5Gbps USB-C is mostly limited to 30Hz (but can be pushed to 60Hz if the bandwidth is not taken up by the other ports), a 10Gbps USB-C connection should allow 60Hz 4K, and Thunderbolt will easily push 6K displays with high refresh rates.
