Sabrent takes the mantle for being the master of producing USB hubs and docking stations for pretty every use. The Sabrent 4-Port USB 2.0 Data Hub is one of the company’s popular USB hubs, delivering a versatile experience in a no-fuss, stylish little kit.
While the USB hub market is now dominated by USB-C dongles, the USB 2.0 data hub still reigns supreme, especially among Chromebook and budget-laptop users who need to connect more peripherals but are limited with one or two USB 2.0 ports on their laptops.
With four ports, the Sabrent USB 2.0 Data Hub has dominated the hub market for years now, but the device goes one step further by being prices for pennies. It’s a value that’s hard to beat.
Along with fantastic port variety, a small yet elegant design and hot-swappable port capabilities, the Sabrent 4-Port USB 2.0 Data Hub is easily one of the best USB 2.0 hubs on the market.
Sabrent 4-Port USB 2.0 Data Hub Specs
- Ports: 4 USB 2.0
- Supports: Chromebook, Windows 10 laptops, MacBook, Linux with USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Weight: 2 ounces
- Dimensions: 3.4 x 1.4 x 0.61 inches
Design
Measuring 3.4 x 1.4 x 0.61 inches (HWD), the Sabrent 4-Port USB 2.0 Data Hub is a small, ABS black-colored box with a connecting cable extending from the left edge and terminating in a USB 2.0 connector. All four USB 2.0 ports sit on one side, with four illuminated individual switches positioned on the top.
That’s all design-wise, it just works as it is supposed to, no extra ports like HDMI, USB-C or SD card slot – sometimes you need it this simple. It has the looks of an expensive USB hub, but in real sense it costs less that it peers. The extra USB ports make it a perfect travel companion for anyone who is always on the move.
Works with Notebook PCs, MacBooks, Chromebooks, and more
I needed to connect my camera, transfer some projects from an external HDD and a flash drive all from my HP Chromebook 14, all I did was plug the cable into the USB 2.0 and I was sorted. Each of the four USB 2.0 ports work simultaneously and perfectly, but you can as well switch them on and off individually. The external drive and camera showed up as external storage, and I even connected an external mouse that worked as soon as it was plugged in, and the flash drive was also detected.
The Sabrent 4-Port USB 2.0 Data Hub Hub doesn’t require external power to function, so you really don’t need to keep it plugged into your charger if the powering device has enough power to run. Also, it doesn’t support charging, so you’ll only use it for data transfer, which is still fine for a gadget this cheap. It’s impressive to see a decent hub that doesn’t cost much but deliver good connectivity over pricey headphones.
Apart from the Chromebook, I tested it over an iMac and a 14-inch MacBook Pro. It works just as reliably, detecting a wired mouse and three storage devices I connected to the hub. I didn’t experience any hiccups with everything hooked, and the MacBook was responsive as usual. The Sabrent works with Windows laptops as well. You can comfortably use this hub with any gadget ranging from a notebook, a desktop PC or even digital cameras with ease.
Verdict
The Sabrent 4-Port USB 2.0 Data Hub is thin, usable, functional and very reliable. It is very inexpensive compared with most USB 3.0 hubs available online, but those hubs have very short connector cables, and more importantly aren’t nearly as reliable based on the ones we’ve tested, especially those with individual switches that sometimes fail.
The Sabrent Data Hub works exactly as it should, a channel for managing external storage, peripherals and data transfers from notebooks, desktops, MacBooks and Chromebooks with ease. If you pack light enough that your notebook doesn’t offer the full array of ports for your taste, the Sabrent 4-Port USB 2.0 Data Hub can sit alongside an external battery pack as your best itinerary for travelling.
Recommended Configuration
Sabrent 4-Port USB 2.0 Data Hub with Individual LED lit Power Switches [Charging NOT Supported] for Mac & PC (HB-UMLS)
$7.95 in stock
3 used from $6.49
The Review
Sabrent 4-Port USB 2.0 Data Hub
The Sabrent 4-Port USB 2.0 Data Hub manages to deliver some extra ports for your USB 2.0 supported devices in a neat, compact design and you won’t spend much to buy it.
PROS
- Multiple USB 2.0 ports
- Small and lightweight
- Very affordable
CONS
- Doesn’t support charging
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING