Kingston Nucleum USB–C Hub

A compact, affordable dock

$69.99 From kingston.com

Features Type–C data transfer, aluminum casing, SD and microSD slots Needs Mac with USB–C

There’s no shortage of USB–C docks and hubs these days, but Kingston’s new Nucleum provides a good selection of ports and connectors, along with a compact, portable design for under $70.

The Nucleum measures just 1.2-in thick, 4.6-in wide, and 7.1-in deep, and weighs 0.23lb, so it’s easy to slip it into a bag, or to carry it around in a jacket pocket. It’s well–built too, with a sturdy USB–C cable for connecting to your laptop.

The low price means that it loses out on Thunderbolt 3 ports, but it does have HDMI for an external display — although 4K resolution only supports 30Hz refresh rate. There are two USB–C ports — one for data transfer, and one to provide 60W power for charging your devices — and two USB 3.1 ports for connecting older USB accessories. The Nucleum even manages to squeeze in two slots for SD and microSD memory cards, making it a good choice for photographers.

THE BOTTOM LINE. If you just need an affordable, portable USB–C dock for your laptop, then the Nucleum is great value.

KINGSTON NUCLEUM USB–C HUB

Very competitive price

Sturdy, lightweight design

Good connectivity for your laptop

No Thunderbolt 3 ports