As the number of devices we use daily continues to grow, the need for additional USB ports becomes increasingly apparent. USB hubs are a convenient solution for expanding the number of USB ports available on your computer, allowing you to connect multiple peripherals such as keyboards, mice, printers, external drives, and more. However, not all USB hubs are created equal. They generally fall into two categories: powered and unpowered (also known as passive) USB hubs. Understanding the differences between these two types can help you choose the right hub for your needs.
What is a USB Hub?
A USB hub is a device that expands a single USB port into several additional ports, allowing you to connect more devices to your computer. The key distinction between different types of USB hubs lies in how they are powered and how they distribute that power to connected devices. USB hubs come in two different forms. They include powered and unpowered.
Powered USB Hub
A powered USB hub, also known as an active USB hub, comes with its own external power supply, usually in the form of a power adapter that plugs into a wall outlet. This external power source allows the hub to provide more power to connected devices than what is available from the USB port on your computer alone.
Pros and Cons of Powered Hubs
Pros
- Provide consistent, stable power up to 2000mA
- Allow connection of multiple power-hungry devices
- Prevent overload and resulting damage or performance issues
- No worry about power fluctuations causing problems
Cons
- More expensive than unpowered
- Require a nearby power outlet to function
- Larger and heavier for less portability
Un-Powered USB Hub
These types of USB hubs, also known as passive USB hubs, rely exclusively on the power of a host system to function. For example, a non-powered hub that’s plugged into a computer will draw its power from the computer’s current to power peripheral devices. It should be noted that these hubs can only provide a limited amount of power to peripherals, since they are drawing their power from another system.
Pros and Cons of Unpowered Hubs
Pros
- They are cheaper
- They are simple plug-and-play connectivity
- Have compact size for portability
Cons
- Have limited power availability, usually only 100-500mA total
- They can overload and damage devices if too many are connected
- Are not suitable for power-hungry devices
- Susceptible to brownouts and power fluctuations
The Difference Between Powered and Unpowered USB Hubs
- Power Supply: Powered USB hubs come with their own AC adapters and can run on an external power source. They do not take any power from your laptop. While unpowered USB hubs take all the power from your laptop or PC.
- Power Output: Another notable benefit of powered USB hubs is their faster speed compared to a standard USB hub. A powered USB hub can speed up charging and data transfer in addition to running a range of high-power devices more quickly.
- The number of connectivity ports: Multiple communication ports are supported via powered USB hubs that are powered outside. For instance, 7 or 12-port Anker-powered USB hubs. Therefore, a powered USB hub can have more ports, whereas unpowered USB hubs are typically only capable of having seven ports.
- Price: Powered USB hubs cost higher as they provide more abilities to connect different big or small devices. While unpowered ones are cheaper for their limited power supply and connection.
Benefits of Having a USB Hub
Improve Data Sharing
It would have been such a strenuous task connecting peripheral devices that work hand in hand with your computers at the same time. And that’s where USB hubs come in. They make it easier to connect to and transfer data between these devices.
Improve Workstation
Workstation PCs have powerful technology that enables them to run processing-heavy programs like 4K editing and 3D rendering. Digital artists typically need to connect a variety of devices to their computer, including scanners, hard discs, webcams, and other peripherals. A USB port hub might be helpful to have if such gadgets connect via USB, especially if your workstation doesn’t have many USB ports.
Convenient Data Storage
A USB hub for laptops allows you to connect multiple storage devices to your laptop at the same time. That way, you can easily send files to different storage devices without unplugging or re-plugging them into your computer. Aside from that, some USB hubs come with in-built card readers that help you to transfer data seamlessly from your memory card, not your computer
Easy to Gaming
Most gamers prefer using gaming laptops to a desktop, especially for the ease of carrying them around. However, these gaming laptops do not have as many ports as possible. A USB hub provides a port for connecting other gaming accessories like the gaming keypad, headsets, and other devices used in playing a game.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose a Powered USB Hub if:
- You frequently connect power-hungry devices like external hard drives, printers, or high-resolution webcams.
- You need to connect multiple devices simultaneously and require stable power delivery to each.
- Fast charging capabilities are important to you.
Choose an Unpowered USB Hub if:
- You only need to connect low-power devices, such as keyboards, mice, or flash drives.
- Portability and simplicity are your priorities, especially for travel.
- You are on a budget and do not need the extra power provided by a powered hub.
Conclusion
Both powered and unpowered USB hubs have their place in the tech world, each serving different needs and use cases. By understanding the differences between them, you can make an informed decision and choose the hub that best suits your setup, whether it’s a power-hungry workstation or a simple travel kit. Whether you need the robust power supply of a powered hub or the convenience and portability of an unpowered hub, there’s a solution out there to keep all your devices connected and running smoothly.
