Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter Review: A Great Mobile USB-C Adapter with Hidden Storage

Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter Review

If you only have one USB-C port, you need a USB-C adaptor that will deliver the ports you need to get your work done. That usually means a monitor and at least one USB-A port for memory sticks. But what if the USB-C adaptor also doubles as external SSD storage. Enter the USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter, one of Satechi’s excellent USB-C adaptors that brings more game than most expect.

What we like

Storage. Let’s start there. All USB-C adaptors add ports. That’s their job. But push back that cover and the USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter eSATA M.2 SSD slot ready to take on your SSD of choice. Imagine only carrying one item beyond your laptop or tablet and your power supply. For a short day, you might not even need your power supply.

For most people, the first impetus for buying this adapter would be to drive a monitor. And that it does—the HDMI port supports 4K video at 60Hz.

The HDMI port is joined by two USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 ports that transfer data at up to 10 Gbps. Plenty fast even for video production. So think about this as a multimedia production hub, with USB content coming in and loading onto the internal SSD very quickly.

I popped in a Western Digital 500GB WD Blue 3D NAND internal PC SSD and all went well. A great companion that lets me easily backup an HD while expanding the host device’s ports. The enclosure will support M.2 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 sizes.

Like all Satechi products, the aluminum Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter looks attractive, but more importantly, they engineered the adapter for hand-holding and bag storage with rounded edges that won’t snag in a bag or cut a fingertip like some lesser products are apt to do.

The USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter runs 5.3 x 1.8 x 0.6 inches and weighs only 3.8 ounces. The enclosure comes in space gray or black.

A great travel companion that may also be all you need on the desktop.

What could be improved

I evaluate all USB-C docks through the eyes of an iPad Pro owner. Although the cable is plenty long so the adapter won’t dangle in the air, it lacks an audio port that would make it a one-stop device for the iPad. Satechi sells other hubs like their excellent Aluminum Stand and Hub for iPad Pro that does the job. 

I would, however, love this to be a universal hub that goes back and forth between an iPad and a MacBook or other device. Of course, most of those other devices won’t need a headphone jack, but it would be a nice-to-have feature for iPad owners.

Beyond that, this is a great hub that does exactly what it says it does—and what it doesn’t do. Despite a Power Delivery input, this hub will not power external mechanical drives like Apple’s SuperDrive, and it will not charge phones or tablets. 

Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter: The Bottom line

If you are looking for an all-in-one USB-C adapter primarily for data transfer and video output, Satechi made the $89.99 USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter a device worthy of your attention. The built-in eSATA bay supports backup and local storage, so regardless of the use case the Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter will likely fit the need. iPad owners looking for an audio jack on their USB-C dock will need to look at other solutions.

Satechi provided the Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter for review. Images courtesy of Satechi.

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