Ultimate Guide to the Anker USB 3.0 High-Powered Hub - A Detailed Evaluation

4.2

Anker USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port USB Data Hub

Lifewire / Jonno Hill

What We Like

• 10 data ports
• Simple design
• Per port LED indicators

What We Don’t Like

• Relatively expensive
• Somewhat cheap construction
• Not many charging ports

The Anker USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port Hub packs a big punch for the price with plenty of data ports and a simple design, but quality control issues and cheap construction give us some reservations.

View On Amazon $56 View On Anker $75

4.2

Anker USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port USB Data Hub

Lifewire / Jonno Hill

View On Amazon $56 View On Anker $75

in this article

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• Design
• Setup Process
• Connectivity
• Performance
• Price
• Competition
• Final Verdict
• Specs

We purchased the Anker USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port Hub so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

If you’re sick and tired of running out of USB ports, and you never want to fumble with the back of your computer again, Anker has you covered. The AnkerUSB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port Hub seeks to end your connectivity woes at once, providing nine USB 3.0 data ports and one charging optimized data port, capable of delivering more than twice as much juice as the rest.

If you need a no-frills solution to your USB port problem, the Anker is a pretty good choice. This straightforward solution does exactly what it sets out to with little fuss. Still, there is competition lurking out there, and some of it is coming from other Anker products. Let’s explore the pros and cons and determine if this is the right choice for your needs.

Lifewire / Jonno Hill

Design: Lots of ports in a standard configuration

At 1.7 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches HWD), the Anker USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port Hub is just about as lean as one might reasonably expect for a device with this many ports. The design is relatively simple, featuring a long rectangular shape, rounded edges, and a thick plastic construction. The device feels very light, but it’s not flimsy.

The top of the device includes the ten USB 3.0 ports, the last of which is marked with a charging icon.

The top of the device includes the ten USB 3.0 ports, the last of which is marked with a charging icon. Each port has a number next to it that illuminates when a device is connected. Above the first port is a power LED to indicate a power connection. Around to the side from this LED is the power port and USB 3.0 type B port.

Lifewire / Jonno Hill

Setup Process: Quick and painless

To set up the Anker USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port Hub, remove the main hub from its packaging and connect the supplied USB (A-to-B) cable to both the hub and your computer. Next, connect the power source to an outlet. After that, the hub works out of the box. The manual provides a cursory overview of the operation of the device, but you likely won’t need it.

Connectivity: Data and fast charging

The Anker USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port Hub comes with a USB (A-to-B) cable to connect to your computer. An AC power adapter is included as well, and comes with a sizable power brick. The hub gives users ten USB 3.0 ports, offering a maximum transfer speed of 5Gbps. The charging port delivers more power than the other 9 making it ideal for charging more power hungry devices like phones and tablets.

Lifewire / Jonno Hill

Performance: A few shortcomings

The Anker USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port Hub performed as promised in our tests, providing the expected 5Gbps speeds. The first nine ports supply the standard 0.9A of power, whereas the final charging port can supply up to 2.0A. If you neglect to connect the hub to a power source, the entire device will have to share the 0.9A of power supplied by your computer’s USB 3.0 port.

This straightforward solution does exactly what it sets out to with little fuss.

One area we take issue with Anker is in their product description online, which cautions against using the hub with high-power consumption devices, such as external hard drives. This might just be to protect themselves from liability, but it’s a frustrating cop-out, as a significant reason for buying a powered USB hub in the first place is to avoid potential issues with external hard drives that stem from inadequate power supply.

Lifewire / Jonno Hill

Price: A little steep for the features

At a list price of $52.99, the Anker USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port Hub is a little expensive for what it offers. We would have expected a price of around $10-13 less given the feature set. Anker itself offers cheaper, newer options that stand a good chance at luring shoppers away from this device.

Anker USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port Hub vs. Anker 10 Port 60W Data Hub with 7 USB 3.0 Ports and 3 PowerIQ Charging Ports

One of the fiercest competitors to the Anker USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port Hub is Anker’s own 10 Port 60W Data Hub. This model, 2 years newer, features 7 data ports and 3 PowerIQ dedicated charging ports at 2.1A. The kicker? This model only costs $42.99, forcing shoppers to decide how badly they_really_ need those extra data ports. If you want to charge more than one device at a time at full speed, the newer 10 Port 60W Data Hub definitely has an advantage.

Interested in checking out more options? Take a peek at our roundup of thebest USB hubs .

Final Verdict

Straightforward hub at a slightly elevated price.

The Anker USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port Hub is a wonderful device that offers expanded USB connectivity and fast charging from one port, but it isn’t priced hyper-competitively. Still, if you want a simple solution to your USB problems, this hub is definitely a good option.

Specs

• Product Name USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 10-Port USB Data Hub
• Product Brand Anker
• MPN AK-68ANHUB-B10A
• Price $52.99
• Weight 3.53 oz.
• Product Dimensions 5.71 x 1.73 x 0.87 in.
• Color black and white
• Inputs/Outputs 9x USB 3.0 ports plus a BC 1.2-compliant 10th port
• Compatibility Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, Mac OSx 10.6-10.12, Linux 2.6.14 or later
• Warranty 18 months

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