Apple's new MacBook Air is out and comes with a brand spanking new Retina Display, Touch ID, new keyboard, improved battery life, and two Thunderbolt 3 ports, also known as USB-C. But if you need more than two ports, or need to use equipment that utilizes older port types, then you're going to need a USB-C adapter or hub for your stuff. Fortunately, we've rounded up some of the best in the market just for you!
Universal adapter
The HyperDrive SOLO brings seven legacy ports back to your new MacBook Air. With this hub, which only takes up one USB-C port, you'll add HDMI, USB-C with Power Delivery, two USB 3.1 ports, micro SD, SD, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The HDMI connection even supports 4K displays for the perfect picture. The hub is also slim, compact, and securely sits flush with your MacBook Air.
Flexibility and Gigabit Ethernet
Another HyperDrive product, this hub utilizes a cable with a USB-C connector so it can plug into virtually any USB-C device. This hub adds three USB 3.1 ports, USB-C Power Delivery, 4K HDMI, and even Gigabit Ethernet so you get the best connections. It's made of sturdy aluminum and comes in colors to match your MacBook Air.
More displays
If you need more support for displays with your MacBook Air, then the HyperDrive 8-in-1 Ultra Slim is what you need. This adapter dongle adds a Giganet Ethernet port, USB-C Power Delivery, two USB 3.1 ports, SD, micro SD, 4K HDMI, and 4K Mini DisplayPorts for all of your display needs. Again, it's made from aluminum and comes in colors to match your computer.
Budget cable
If you're using a MacBook Air but have a mobile phone or tablet that uses USB-C to charge, you'll want a cable to go with it. If you don't want to break the bank, then the AmazonBasics cable should get the job done. It's made from a sturdy material and the 6-foot length should be plenty.
Durable cable
Anker is a trusted name in mobile accessories, and the PowerLine+ USB C to C cable is no exception. This 6-foot cable is made of heavy-duty braided nylon materials so it's sturdy, durable, and won't give out on you. It provides fast syncing and charging, so everything gets juiced up in no time at all.
Classic and minimal
These small adapters plug into your USB-C ports and let you use any legacy devices that utilize older USB ports. Why spend money on all new gear when your old stuff isn't broken? These adapters are also cheap and come in packs of two, so you can just use what you have without spending a lot of extra dough.
Go to HDMI
If you just need to hook up your MacBook Air to an HDMI display and nothing more, then this cable from Uni is a good pick. It's made from a braided nylon material so it's durable, and it's intuitive with plug-and-play compatibility. You can also use this with your USB-C smartphone or tablet to stream onto an HDMI display too, so it's universal.
Budget adapter
If the adapters from Hyper are a bit expensive, you can grab Anker's USB-C hub as a cheaper option. This 5-in-1 hub gives you three USB 3.0 ports, one HDMI port, and one Ethernet port. It may not have all of the other additions that Hyper provides, but the price is right.
Just USBs
If all you need are USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, then this 4-in-1 hub from Lention gets the job done. The adapter is attached by a cable with a USB-C port and gives you one Type C, one USB 2.0, and two USB 3.0 ports. If you don't need displays, SD card readers, or wired Internet connections, then this option from Lention works out fine.
These are some of the best USB-C adapters and cables that we found on the market today. With these products, you should have no issues with using legacy peripherals and devices with your USB-C MacBook Air. Our favorite is the HyperDrive Ultra Slim 8-in-1 Hub (opens in new tab), because it covers all of our bases.
