The MacBook Air M2 and M3 are incredibly capable machines — but Apple only gives you two Thunderbolt ports. Here are the best USB-C hubs to expand your connectivity with 4K@60Hz video, fast data, and reliable power delivery.
The MacBook Air M2 and M3 are nearly perfect laptops. Light, silent, and fast enough for almost everything. But Apple made a trade-off: you get exactly two Thunderbolt / USB-C ports. That's it. No HDMI, no SD card slot, no USB-A. If you want to connect a monitor, charge your laptop, and plug in a peripheral at the same time, you need a hub.
Here's the thing — not all hubs work well with the MacBook Air. The M2 and M3 chips support a single external display at up to 6K, but many cheap hubs cap HDMI output at 4K 30Hz, which feels laggy and flickery. You want 4K at 60Hz for smooth cursor movement and video playback. You also want reliable power delivery pass-through so your MacBook actually charges while the hub is connected.
We tested and researched the best options. Here are our picks.
Anker's 341 series (also sold as the 555 in some regions) is the sweet spot for most MacBook Air owners. It delivers 10Gbps data throughput on both USB-C and USB-A ports, which is fast enough for SSDs and large file transfers.2 HDMI output runs at a proper 4K 60Hz, so your external monitor works without the stutter you get from 30Hz hubs.
The 100W Power Delivery pass-through means you can plug your MacBook's charger into the hub and keep the laptop topped up while using all ports. The aluminum body matches the MacBook Air's finish and helps with heat dissipation — an underrated feature when you're pushing data and video through a compact hub.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Data speed | 10Gbps |
| Video | 4K @ 60Hz HDMI |
| PD pass-through | 100W |
| Ports | 7 (USB-C PD, USB-C data, 2× USB-A, HDMI, SD, microSD) |
If you need more ports and reliable Ethernet, the EZQuest USB-C Multimedia Hub is a strong contender. It includes Gigabit Ethernet for stable wired networking — useful if your Wi-Fi is flaky or you're transferring large files over a local network. The 100W PD pass-through works as advertised, and the HDMI port supports 4K at 60Hz.
The aluminum construction keeps thermals in check, and the 8-port layout gives you flexibility without feeling cramped. It's slightly larger than a dongle-style hub, but that's the trade-off for having Ethernet and extra USB-A ports.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Data speed | 10Gbps |
| Video | 4K @ 60Hz HDMI |
| PD pass-through | 100W |
| Ports | 8 (USB-C PD, USB-C data, 2× USB-A, HDMI, SD, microSD, Gigabit Ethernet) |
Not everyone needs 10Gbps speeds or Ethernet. If you just want to connect a monitor, an SD card, and a couple of USB-A devices without spending much, the Hiearcool 7-in-1 hub gets the job done. It supports 4K at 60Hz over HDMI, has 100W PD pass-through, and includes both SD and microSD card slots.
The build is plastic rather than aluminum, so it won't match the MacBook Air's aesthetic as nicely, and it runs a bit warmer under load. But for the price, it's a perfectly functional hub that covers the basics. Just don't expect Thunderbolt-level speeds — the data ports are USB 3.0 (5Gbps), which is fine for mice, keyboards, and card readers.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Data speed | 5Gbps |
| Video | 4K @ 60Hz HDMI |
| PD pass-through | 100W |
| Ports | 7 (USB-C PD, 2× USB-A, HDMI, SD, microSD, 3.5mm audio) |
4K at 60Hz is non-negotiable. Many budget hubs only output 4K at 30Hz, which makes the cursor feel sluggish and video playback choppy. Every pick above supports 60Hz. Double-check before you buy — if the product page doesn't mention 60Hz, assume it's 30Hz.
Power delivery matters. The MacBook Air M2 and M3 charge at up to 67W. Your hub should support at least 65W PD pass-through so the laptop charges at full speed while connected. All three picks above handle 100W, which leaves headroom for powering the hub itself.
Aluminum helps. USB-C hubs can get warm, especially when passing through power and video simultaneously. An aluminum body acts as a heatsink. Plastic hubs (like the budget pick) run hotter, but they're still safe — just something to be aware of.
USB4 vs Thunderbolt 4. The MacBook Air M2 and M3 don't support Thunderbolt 4's full 40Gbps bandwidth — they top out at USB4 40Gbps, which is essentially the same speed but with different branding. For most people, a good USB 3.2 Gen 2 hub at 10Gbps is plenty. You only need USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 if you're regularly moving huge video files or connecting multiple high-res displays.
The Anker 341/555 is the best all-around hub for most MacBook Air owners. It's fast, well-built, and covers all the essential ports. If you need Ethernet, the EZQuest adds that without sacrificing quality. And if you're on a tight budget, the Hiearcool handles the basics at a fraction of the price.
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