Best USB-C adapters and hubs for Surface Pro 8 and Surface Pro 9 in 2024 (2024)

The Surface Pro 8 and Surface Pro 9 are brilliant 2-in-1 Windows laptops, but due to their form factor, they aren't exactly packed with ports. Fortunately, both devices support USB-C and Thunderbolt 4, which means you can easily expand your port options with a USB-C hub or an adapter. If you don't have a Surface Pro, the great thing about our selection of hubs is that all of them will work with all your favorite USB-C-enabled laptops and tablets, including other Surface devices like the Surface Laptop Studio. Here are the best USB-C adapters and hubs for Surface Pro 8 and Surface Pro 9.

Best USB-C adapters and hubs for Surface Pro 8 and Surface Pro 9 in 2024 (1)

CalDigit SOHO dock

Top pick

If you're looking to expand your connectivity, the CalDigit SOHO should be in your basket. It adds six total ports, power delivery to keep charging your Surface Pro 8, and it has a removable host cable. With 10Gbps USB-C performance, it will gobble up everything you can throw at it, as well as support dual 4K external monitors.

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OWC USB-C Travel Dock

Travel companion

The OWC USB-C Travel Dock is, as the name implies, the perfect travel companion. It has an integrated cable that stows away neatly on the bottom, and the port selection is just right. You get Gigabit Ethernet, SD card, USB, HDMI, and 100W passthrough so you can get everything you need on your Surface Pro 8 from this one little puck.

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Anker USB-C 5-in-1 adapter

Budget choice

This 5-in-1 Anker USB-C hub adds two USB-A 3.0, an HDMI port with support for 4K output, as well as SD and microSD card readers. This is one of the more affordable USB-C hubs that is ideal if you just need to add more ports to your Surface Pro 8 without spending a lot of cash.

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Brexlink USB-C adapter

USB-C To USB-A

Sometimes all you need to do is turn USB-C into USB-A. This 2-pack of adapters gets the job done without hassle or taking up any room in your laptop bag. They're well built and won't look out of place sticking out of the side of your Surface Pro 8 while making sure you can hook up any of your legacy USB devices.

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Tecknet USB-C to Ethernet adapter

Get connected

This USB-C to Ethernet adapter from Tecknetwill give your Surface Pro 8 the best possible internet connection with wired speeds up to 1Gbps. It's a sleek little aluminum adapter with status lights on the end to let you know it's working and nothing more. Perfect to toss in your bag, smaller and more affordable than larger docks with ports you might not even need.

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Cable Matters 4K USB-C hub

Multiple displays

If you want to really turn your Surface Pro 8 into a desktop PC with multiple displays, then this is something you need in your arsenal. It includes two DisplayPorts and one HDMI port, so you won't be able to connect any other USB devices to it, but if you need something simple and compact to hook up displays, this is the one to get.

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IOGEAR Dock Pro 6-in-1 4K Dock Stand

Ergonomic focus

Sitting in front of your laptop all day everyday can be neck-breaking work. IOGEAR's Dock Pro helps mitigate that as this USB hub integrates a laptop stand, allowing you to both expand your device's port selection as well as position your notebook's display at an elevated, more ergonomic angle that helps reduce back, neck, and shoulder strain. IOGEAR's hub works best with a laptop, though with a Surface, you can use the most upright angle on the dock without the Type Cover attached.

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DockCase 7-in-1 USB-C Smart HD Display Dock Pro

A smarter USB hub

The DockCase hub comes with a compact HD display to quickly display which connections are used, how much power is consumed, whether you have USB-A drives connected, and how fast data is being transferred. While the display may seem like a gimmick, itis a useful tool in our testing to diagnose why connected devices aren't working properly, whether it's due to a loose connection or an entirely bigger issue. Build quality is superb, and the display adds a new twist to a very utilitarian product.

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Anker USB-C Hub 655

Premium travel companion

Anker's USB-C Hub 655 is an 8-in-1 hub with a braided USB-C cable that's used to connect to your Surface Pro or laptop of choice. The bundled cable means one fewer thing to carry while traveling, and the braided fabric adds extra durability. You'll get access to plenty of ports and card slots, but the downside is that you won't find any extra USB-C ports for connecting more USB-C peripherals.

The bottom line

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Thanks to having a USB-C port, the Surface Pro 8 can be easily expanded to offer a number of additional features. Whether you want to add additional ports, external displays, or memory card readers, there's a compatible dock or adapter that will do the job.

The CalDigit SOHO dock is the best of the bunch, covering off all the main connectors you might want to attach to your Surface Pro 8. It is a tad pricey, but that's OK because there are some great budget alternatives.

USB-C can also be used alongside the Surface Connect port, so if you already have an existing Surface Dock, you can pair it alongside a USB-C hub for maximum connectivity.

If you're at your desk and want to minimize clutter, you can connect your Microsoft tablet to a USB-C monitor. Many of these displays come with a built-in hub on the rear where you'll be able to connect additional peripherals. This way, you'll have just one cable running from the Surface Pro 8 to the monitor.

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Best USB-C adapters and hubs for Surface Pro 8 and Surface Pro 9 in 2024 (10)

Zac Bowden

Senior Editor

Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows onPCs, tablets, phones, and more.Also an avidcollector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter and Threads

Best USB-C adapters and hubs for Surface Pro 8 and Surface Pro 9 in 2024 (2024)

FAQs

Are some USB hubs better than others? ›

If you have multiple USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 devices, it's best to go for a USB 3. x hub to take advantage of faster transfer speeds. But if you only have USB 2.0 devices, a USB 2.0 hub will suffice.

Can I use a USB hub on Surface Pro? ›

Expand the capabilities of your PC with the Microsoft or Surface USB-C Travel Hub. It's designed for professionals who travel, so this adapter can give you the extra ports and connections you need when you work on-the-go. It works with PCs and Surface devices that have a USB-C port.

What is the difference between a hub and a dongle? ›

USB hubs are smaller, cheaper dongles that can add extra USB ports, SD card readers, display outputs, or a headphone jack. These often don't supply extra power, so you might be unable to charge gadgets plugged into them.

How to choose a USB hub? ›

Always think about the type of USB ports you need. Do you only want to connect your USB-A mouse, or do you also want to plug in your USB-C headset? Adjust your choice accordingly by, for example, choosing a USB hub with both USB-A ports and a USB-C port. The number of USB ports on the hub is of course also important.

What are the downsides of USB hubs? ›

If you have several high-voltage devices connected to an unpowered hub, the hub will not be able to transfer enough power from your computer to power all those devices at once. It just can't draw enough power through the single USB. It's best to buy a powered USB hub if you plan on using one.

Should I get a 2.0 or 3.0 USB hub? ›

USB 2.0 –A widely used standard that offers a maximum transfer speed of 480 Mbps. USB 3.0/3.1/3.2 –Offer transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps (USB 3.0), 10 Gbps (USB 3.1), and 20 Gbps (USB 3.2). These are backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices but might reduce the overall transfer speed when a USB 2.0 device is connected.

Can you charge Surface Pro 9 with USB-C? ›

Yes, you can charge your Surface with the USB-C port when using an appropriate USB-C PD charger. For more info about power requirements for charging Surface devices using USB-C, see USB-C and Fast Charging for Surface.

What ports are on a Surface Pro 9? ›

Surface Pro 9 with 5G:

2 x USB-C® 3.2. 1 x Surface Connect port.

How do I connect a USB to my Surface Pro 9? ›

Plug the end of a USB-C cable that's connected to your USB-C dock into the USB-C port on your adapter. Plug the Surface Connect end of the adapter into the Surface Connect port on your Surface. On your Surface, press the power button to turn it on.

Is a docking station better than a hub? ›

Docking stations are, for the most part, more powerful than a hub. They are designed to connect multiple displays, audio sources and a variety peripherals (think keyboard and mice), as well as charge your devices and provide power to your laptop with one connection.

Is it better to use a powered USB hub? ›

Faster speed than a regular USB hub is another bright advantage of powered USB hubs. A powered USB hub can not only run a variety of high-power devices faster, and speed up charging and data transfer. Powered USB hub can rely on the power provided by itself, which can take a lot of stress off your computers.

What is the difference between a docking station and a USB hub? ›

Most USB hubs will provide you with a transfer speed of up to 5 Gbps, but it can be lower in some cases. Docking stations are more powerful and sometimes provide a speed of up to 10 Gbps.

Are expensive USB hubs worth it? ›

Expensive hubs can handle more and handle it much faster.

The most advanced USB-C docking stations have newer ports with technologies, like Thunderbolt 3, that support faster charging and faster data transfer. The more expensive the laptop accessory, the more likely it is to support a high-resolution monitor, too.

What is the difference between cheap and expensive USB hubs? ›

Price: Powered USB hubs cost higher as they provide more abilities to connect different big or small devices. While unpowered ones are cheaper for their limited power supply and connection.

Are Type C USB hubs better? ›

The Best USB Hubs

If you want to plug in anything with a connection other than a USB-C cable, the most efficient and economical option is to use a USB-C hub, which provides multiple types of ports in a relatively compact package.

Are all USB hubs the same? ›

There are mainly two types of USB hubs – powered and unpowered. Both these types differ in the way they work. Powered USB hubs have their external power while unpowered USB hubs are bus-powered. Here, bus-powered means that the USB hub takes power from your PC or laptop to operate.

What is the difference between 2.0 and 3.0 USB hub? ›

Speed -- USB 2.0 offers a transfer rate of about 480 Mbps, whereas USB 3.0 offers a transfer rate of about 4,800 Mbps which is equal to about 5 GB. This super-fast transfer speed of USB 3.0 can be especially useful when backing up or transferring large amounts of data, such as an external hard drive.

Is it worth getting a powered USB hub? ›

They are Recommended by Most PC Manufacturers

Most computer manufacturers recommend purchasing a powered hub for people who are interested in running USB devices. This is because many non-powered hubs are poorly equipped to properly run newer USB devices.

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