UtechSmart USB-C Hub 6-in-1 Review: A Quality Petite Hub for Everyday Work

UtechSmart USB-C Hub Review

Most companies that sell USB-C hubs sell them with all manner of ports. It becomes difficult to distinguish among the white or gray, or silver slabs, most of which sprout a single USB-C connector from their metallic bodies. One differentiator is price. Another differentiator is the target audience. While most USB-C hubs will work with various USB-C-enabled devices, the marketing usually hints at a bias. Other differentiators include the number of ports, build quality, the types of ports, and the speed. Many of the characteristics require a careful reading of the specifications as the ports don’t give away their secrets upon a simple glance.

Such is with the UtechSmart USB-C Hub (UCN3273), a low-cost ($39.99) USB-C hub with Ethernet, 4K video, and 3 USB-A ports. A 6-in-1 USB-C that will support many basic use cases, but it may not be the perfect choice for media producers as reading media would require adapters.

What we like

Pros

The 4.06 x 6.46 x 0.87-inch, 3.04-ounce UtechSmart USB-C Hub is about as small as it can be. An easy fit in any bag or backpack.

The UtechSmart USB-C Hub includes all the necessary basics for a work environment, most notably fast Ethernet and 4K video. The Ethernet port supports Gigabit speeds while remaining compatible with 100/10MPs legacy Ethernet.

The HDMI port supports 4K maximum output, and all less resolutions.

100W Power Delivery translates into the ability to deploy a 100W (or larger) power supply capable of not only charging the target laptop, but also charging other devices.

As for the target audience, while UtechSmart lists a number of PCs among compatible devices, the marketing focuses on MacBook Pros. To be contrary, I tested it with the latest Lenovo X1 Carbon (Gen 11) that arrived recently. It worked just fine. The X1 Carbon is listed on the compatibility chart, though without any generational distinctions. I also brought it to my UW class, and my students used it on various MacBooks and PCs. The only issue we had was with a late-model Surface Pro, which didn’t seem to like any hub attached to it.

UtechSmart also seems to be leaning into the Chromecast with Google TV.

The precision-milled aircraft-grade aluminum, as the marketing suggests, does look good next to a MacBook. Exploring the Amazon listing reveals a number of colors and finishes that make the USB-C hub aesthetically compatible with a laptop covered in unicorns, be they pink or purple. One splattered treatment looks very Jackson Pollock. Black, blue, and gray are also available.

I found the hub to work reliably in most situations with a style that complemented my other devices.

What could be improved

Cons

Those looking for superfast Thunderbolt™ speeds will need to look elsewhere. The 5Gbps speeds do not approach the 40Gbps found in Thunderbolt™ 4.

Media slots for SD cards may be the most missed element of this hub, making it unattractive for media producers and photographers who will not only want those slots but will also look for hubs with higher data transfer rates.

The lack of extra USB-C ports means that this hub isn’t ideal for those who have abandoned USB-A on their peripherals.

For the most part, the packaging is environmentally forward with its brown basics, but a plastic wrapper around the box takes stars away from the sustainability rating.

UtechSmart USB-C Hub: The bottom line

UtechSmart’s USB-C Hub offers hub basics that will get the job done for most home-based, office-based or mobile workers. The lack of media ports and support for Thunderbolt™, however, limits its appeal, especially to those who need to manage large media files, requiring media ports and fast transfer rates.

UtechSmart provided the USB-C hub for review. Images courtesy of UtechSmart unless otherwise noted.

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