The new 16-inch MacBook Pro has four USB-C ports, but no other ports will be found on the device at all. While USB-C is a fantastic technology, this could leave you wishing for some of those missing port options (especially USB-A). If you want to connect an external hard drive, 4K screen, keyboard, and camera storage to your MacBook Pro, there's really nothing better than a quality USB-C hub.
Best for most people
Satechi's multi-port adapter doesn't support high-speed data transfer or dual-4K displays, but it does have just about everything else you'd need to run your peripherals with your MacBook Pro. You get SD and microSD card readers, 4K HDMI, Gigabit, and three USB-A ports.
Multiple Thunderbolt 3 ports
The Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Dock features two Thunderbolt 3 ports with high-speed data transfer, two USB-A 3.0 ports, a DisplayPort port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. With this versatile machine, you can connect a 5K or 4K display plus one additional display for a yowza of an experience.
Best on a budget
This is the little hub that could. It's nearly as powerful as a docking station, but costs a fraction and doesn't take up almost as much space. It has two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, a microSD and SD card reader, a USB-C port for high-speed data transfer, and a USB-C port for up to 100 watts of charging.
Flexibility and power
With an HDMI port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, a USB-C port with charging, two USB-A ports, and an SD card reader, you can take your MacBook Pro on the road and use just about any of your peripherals. It supports 4K display via HDMI and supplies 5Gbps of data transfer with the USB-A 3.0 ports. It's basic but useful and reliable.
Ultra Slim
For a sleek looking hub, take a peek at HyperDrive's unique hub style. It snaps right into place in your two MacBook Pro ports, turning it into eight different ports (including replacing the two USB-C ports you lost). It supports 40Gbp/s data transfer, 5K display, HDMI, SD and microSD, mini DisplayPort, and USB-A. You'll never have to dangle your dongle from the side of your MacBook Pro again.
Hub, adapter, or docking station: Which one is right for you?
Hubs are designed to make your MacBook Pro more versatile, providing several different ports. They also tend to be more portable because they're lighter and smaller (and don't usually need their own wall plug). When it comes to USB-C hubs, I use Satechi's Multi-port adapter because it's small, versatile, and very reliable.
Adapters are the simplest peripherals for port versatility. They are almost always a single-port changeover, like USB-C-to-USB-A or USB-to-Lightning, though sometimes they may have one or two additional ports, like HDMI. They're the least expensive but also the least versatile. You may not need 4K or 5K display support, high-speed data transfer, or 12 different things plugged into your MacBook Pro at the same time. A simple single-port adapter may be a better solution.
Docking stations are designed for multi-display use with charging support. They usually have their own power supply and can charge your laptop and mobile devices while also providing fast data transfer and 4K or 5K display support. For the most part, they're meant to be stationary to give your desktop workflow more versatility and convenience.
