Reliable USB-C Hub/Dock under $100

donnot on 04/06/2020 - 17:07
Last edited 04/06/2020 - 17:31

Hi all,

So far I've had 3x Type-C hubs that were supposedly well-reviewed and all of them have failed in under a month :(. Looking for something based on people's actual experiences (vs Amazon which are often paid-reviews as I've found after digging deeper).

The first two were being used together and died a few days apart (one used for HDMI and USB, and HDMI for the other). The ethernet port on the third gave in after a week.

Need something with HDMI, USB and ethernet, with huge points for something with VGA. Don't need power input, but I'd assume they all come with it.

Can anyone comment on the Dell/Lenovo docks? Was a bit worried about the complaints with DisplayLink and MacOS.

For a MacBook Pro 16".

Thanks!!

EDIT: Tempted to give this a try (been happy with their $1 OzB special cables).

Computing

Comments

  • cauilfield on 04/06/2020 - 17:13

    satechi is good. also apple is good but the ports are limited.

  • vik27kum on 04/06/2020 - 17:16

    This https://www.amazon.com.au/Satechi-Aluminum-Type-C-Multi-Port… has served me pretty well, going strong for about 3 years.

    And this is something I highly recommend https://www.amazon.com.au/CalDigit-Thunderbolt-Mini-Dock-Dua…, not cheap though. For the last 3 years, I use this on my laptop for almost 12-14 hours a day, never skipped a beat.

    I have recently bought this https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B07QQ11BP6 (for $45) but can't say much about it now, need to use it a bit longer to recommend.

    • donnot on 04/06/2020 - 17:29

      Thanks, had a look at the VAVA but the reviews were suspiciously positive (and a reviewer for the same hub on Amazon US talked about receiving a $20 Amazon gift card to review it). Back up to $76 now though :(.

      • vik27kum on 04/06/2020 - 17:38

        Well, if I were you, I would buy the Satechi hub. It should do the job for you.

  • lunchbox99 on 04/06/2020 - 19:11
    +1

    I use one of these https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07YB2ZNRN/

    Excellent build quality and does 100W power delivery - compares well to my $500 TB3 dock from dell for 1/10 of the cost.

  • Randxyz123 on 04/06/2020 - 19:44

    The Lenovo USB C docks work very well. They are about $240 so more than you want to spend but I got mine for $180 on gumtree. Highly worth it. If your work has a corporate agreement with Lenovo (eg if they use Lenovo devices) then ask if they have staff pricing.

    Otherwise I’ll add my vote for Satechi. When I got my 2016 MBP the apple store guy recommended them. They aren’t cheap but look fantastic and it has served me well for the last 3 years.

    These are what dell hands out to corporations with their laptops now https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/dell-adapter-usb-c-to-hdmi-v…. Has USB, HDMI, Ethernet and VGA for those times you need it. No power pass through though.

    Not sure where to get them on their own either.

  • stirlo on 04/06/2020 - 20:26

    "Don't need power input, but I'd assume they all come with it"

    Not at all. Theres heaps of great HDMI, USB, Ethernet USB-C adapters for under $30 but none have power passthrough/delivery. If don't need it then get one of those…

  • yippy on 04/06/2020 - 20:27

    I've been using an Anker usb c hub on my Chromebook. No issues with it and very well made.

    https://www.amazon.com.au/Anker-1-Gigabit-Ethernet-Compatibl…

  • conan2000 on 04/06/2020 - 21:43

    I picked one of these up a couple of years ago: https://www.amazon.com.au/CableCreation-Multiport-adapter-Di… was under $90 when I got it, unfortunately it seems to be a fair bit more now. But worth checking out and has the VGA as well that you wanted.

  • donnot on 10/06/2020 - 03:21

    UPDATE: Thanks all for the suggestions. After going through the reviews for everything (on Amazon AU/US/IN/UK), it seemed like most all-in-one dongles were going to have reliability issues (probably due to the amount of heat in such a small space) unless you're spending a substantial amount of money. I ended up buying a cheap, local $26 Type-C to ethernet + USB 3 dongle (Simplecom CHN411). Uses the same RTL8153 as in most dongles and has plenty of space for heat dissipation. Downside is now all of my (4) type-C ports are used with 2x external monitors :(.

  • donnot on 13/09/2020 - 02:43

    Final update: started having issues with the type-C to ethernet/USB hub and one of my HDMI adapters died, so I ended up buying a Caldigit Mini dock which has been flawless for the few weeks I've had it.

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