Belkin 4-Port USB-C Mini Hub

$75 | WWW.BELKIN.COM/AU Connect your extra devices when on the go.

USB-C is great, but it is not yet universal enough to replace all your peripherals. The Belkin hub expands the available options, by turning one USB-C connection into multiple ports. Rather than opting for one or the other, the hub has two USB-C connections, as well as two normal Type-A ports. It’s rated for 5Gbps transfer rates, so can easily handle the full speed of most external drives. The Belkin hub is designed for travel, and the enclosure won’t scratch other devices easily. It also has a built-in recess for the cable, which can be tucked completely away. The whole thing measures in at 98 x 16 x 88mm and weighs 81 grams.

In testing, the Belkin hub happily provided full bandwidth to our flash drives, and could power USB HDDs. The USB-C connection cable is a little short though, but not enough to limit its use. The hub is fully compatible with any USB-C port, and does not need any drivers. That said, official support (at this stage) is only for the MacBook and Chromebook Pixel.

The biggest flaw (albeit mostly for MacBook users) is that the Belkin hub does not support pass through charging. This means that any time the hub is plugged in, you need to be running on battery power, including when charging a tablet. It also limits any peripherals connected to the hub to 900 mAh overall, whereas powered hubs can handle up to 3A. Of course, devices with more than one USB port don’t have this issue.

Verdict

A handy and compact travel hub, but be aware it does not support pass through charging.