Here at GearLab, we push our gear to the limits. From day-to-day average use to the wildest scenarios, we try it all when testing everything we review. This is how we tested USB hubs for this review. We tested the following four metrics, using them in our home offices and in lab settings as well.
Functionality
This metric measures how well each USB hub works as it should. It quantifies the number of ports each hub has and how useful all those ports are in real world scenarios. This metric also measures how quickly and easily a device connects to the computer with each USB hub and whether it connects with USB 3.0 or USB-C.
Material Quality
We test the material quality of each USB hub by closely inspecting each device and noting the materials used in its construction. We further tested this by using them extensively to see how these materials stacked up in real-world use.
Portability
We tested the portability of every USB hub by weighing and measuring each device. This allows us to accurately quantify how large or small a USB hub is, and, therefore, how easy it is to carry with your laptop. We also took note of any other features that made these USB hubs more portable, like carrying cases or a lack of cables.
Style
To test style, we recorded how every mouse looked on our desk. While style is probably not as important as function, a good-looking workspace is important. We looked at how each USB hub looked next to our computer. We inspected the design choices and generally considered how easy on the eyes each USB hub was. We made note of which USB hubs looked sleek and subtle, and which looked like the design project of someone who doesn't care about aesthetics.
