5 Must-Have Ports for Your New Mac Hub

Before we even talk about expanding your connectivity, we must address the core function: keeping your MacBook alive. A hub with a USB-C Power Delivery (PD) pass-through port is arguably the most critical feature. This single port allows you to plug your Mac’s original charger directly into the hub, which then channels power to your laptop. The beauty of this setup is that it frees up your Mac’s other Thunderbolt port for data transfer or connecting a high-resolution display, all while ensuring your device never runs out of juice during intensive tasks.

When shopping, look for a hub that supports at least 85W or higher of PD to match the power requirements of most MacBook Pro models. For MacBook Air users, 60W may suffice, but future-proofing with higher wattage is always a wise move. This feature consolidates your cable clutter into one clean power solution, making it the foundational element of any effective workstation.

An HDMI port is the most common and versatile option, supporting high-definition video and audio on most modern TVs and monitors. For users requiring higher performance, some hubs feature DisplayPort, which can offer better support for higher refresh rates and resolutions like 4K at 60Hz or even 5K. When choosing a hub, consider your display needs. If you’re a creative professional, ensure the hub’s video output can handle the resolution and color accuracy your work demands. A multi-monitor setup, often facilitated by a combination of these ports, can transform your workflow entirely.

We live in a transitional period. While the world is moving toward USB-C, a vast ecosystem of essential devices still relies on the familiar rectangular USB-A connector. From wireless mouse and keyboard dongles and external hard drives to flash drives and audio interfaces, USB-A remains deeply embedded in our daily tech lives.

Therefore, your hub should include multiple USB-A ports. Ideally, look for a model with at least two or three. Pay attention to their specification as well—USB 3.0 (or higher, like USB 3.1 Gen 1) is crucial for speed. These ports offer data transfer rates of up to 5 Gbps, which is essential for quickly backing up files to an external drive or working directly off one. Without these, you’ll find yourself constantly swapping dongles, defeating the purpose of a consolidated hub.

This eliminates the need for a separate, often easily lost, card reader dongle. When evaluating this feature, check for support for the latest card standards like UHS-II for significantly faster transfer speeds, which can save you precious minutes on every import. Some hubs also include a microSD slot, which is a welcome bonus for users of action cameras, drones, and certain mobile devices. Integrating this directly into your hub streamlines the post-production process, keeping you in your creative flow.

In an age of Wi-Fi 6 and 7, it might seem odd to champion a wired internet connection. However, for anyone who values speed, stability, and security, a Gigabit Ethernet port is a game-changer. Wireless signals can be inconsistent, susceptible to interference from other devices, and often can’t match the raw, low-latency performance of a physical cable.

Whether you’re a competitive gamer, a video editor transferring large files to a network server, or someone working in a congested wireless environment, a stable Ethernet connection ensures you have the most reliable internet possible. Plugging in an Ethernet cable through your hub provides a direct, high-speed pipeline that is essential for video calls without dropouts, large uploads/downloads, and seamless cloud synchronization.