Multi-port usb hub that can charge devices at the same time?

captaincool

Hi guys,

I'm wondering if there is any powered usb hub that have more than just one single port to supply the power to the device? For example for charging an iPhone and iPad at the same time? All powered hubs I've tried only have enough for one powered port at a time.

The more ports the better for me. It's really hard to find anything out there. Any recommendation or help would be appreciated!

Nilrem

If you want to charge Iphones and Ipads off USB hubs you're going to need to look for some that can supply far more than the normal USB 1 and 2 specifications allow for (USB 1&2 allow for a max of 500ma per port), especially as most powered USB hubs only allow for say 2000ma from the mains adaptor for a 7 port hub*.

You may find some models that specifically state they have one or two ports that can charge high current devicess, but I can't really remember ever seeing one.

What you might need to look for is a USB 3 hub, which should allow a lot more per port (USB3 was specced to allow for the fact people are running things like full size external hard drives, and tablets off the USB connection), or a specialised hub.
Unfortunately both of those will likely cost more than getting a USB wall adaptor or extension lead with USB ports for charging (I've got a 4 port mains extension which has 2x usb charging ports that can supply 1000ma each - it was about a tenner from Argos).

Another option but quite a messy one, is a USB port replicator, I picked up some EOL ones made by Samsung that offer 4usb ports (2 at 1000ma outputs), and audio/video/printer/serial, but they're big beasts.

One final thing to check is if your motherboard or case can supply more on some of it's ports, some Asus and Gigabyte motherboards have certain USB ports that are specifically allowed more power than normal (and can even be used whilst the PC is "off") to charge devices like phones and tablets.

*I had a lot of trouble powering a Cannon Scanner that needed 500ma from any external USB hub as it was on the limit of what they could supply - I eventually discovered that my Monitor's built in USB hub supplied it reliably (unlike the 3 or 4 normal powered hubs I had lying around).

Oblivion

As Nilrem suggests , amongst other things, a simple USB wall charger might satisfy your needs for charging multiple devices ... such as this 4 port one.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PortaPow-2-5A-Quad-Charger-Guarantee/dp/B0073JB4QU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1375256568&sr=8-5&keywords=usb+charger

fancymic

I recently bought a 6 port plus 2 charing ports USB hub from Amazon(Unitek Y-3181) to go with my iPad 3 and iMac 27" which only has 4 usb 3.0 sockets and I definitely needed more.

The fast charging port is absolutely a bonus and quickly charges my iPad and iPhone while the data ports work perfectly with my desktop.

The lowest price I could find for usb 3.0 multi-port with only one charging socket(clearly not enough for me) is nearly £30. And this one only sells for the same price. So it seems like a pretty decent deal for me.

Hope that helps.

linda0515

fancymic wrote: »

I recently bought a 6 port plus 2 charing ports USB hub from Amazon(Unitek Y-3181) to go with my iPad 3 and iMac 27" which only has 4 usb 3.0 sockets and I definitely needed more.

The fast charging port is absolutely a bonus and quickly charges my iPad and iPhone while the data ports work perfectly with my desktop.

The lowest price I could find for usb 3.0 multi-port with only one charging socket(clearly not enough for me) is nearly £30. And this one only sells for the same price. So it seems like a pretty decent deal for me.

Hope that helps.

thanks for posting, that's exactly what I need. Just ordered it on Amazon.co.uk, hope it arrives soon.

fancymic

linda0515 wrote: »

thanks for posting, that's exactly what I need. Just ordered it on Amazon.co.uk, hope it arrives soon.

Great! Hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do. Cheers.

captaincool

Nilrem wrote: »

If you want to charge Iphones and Ipads off USB hubs you're going to need to look for some that can supply far more than the normal USB 1 and 2 specifications allow for (USB 1&2 allow for a max of 500ma per port), especially as most powered USB hubs only allow for say 2000ma from the mains adaptor for a 7 port hub*.

You may find some models that specifically state they have one or two ports that can charge high current devicess, but I can't really remember ever seeing one.

What you might need to look for is a USB 3 hub, which should allow a lot more per port (USB3 was specced to allow for the fact people are running things like full size external hard drives, and tablets off the USB connection), or a specialised hub.
Unfortunately both of those will likely cost more than getting a USB wall adaptor or extension lead with USB ports for charging (I've got a 4 port mains extension which has 2x usb charging ports that can supply 1000ma each - it was about a tenner from Argos).

Another option but quite a messy one, is a USB port replicator, I picked up some EOL ones made by Samsung that offer 4usb ports (2 at 1000ma outputs), and audio/video/printer/serial, but they're big beasts.

One final thing to check is if your motherboard or case can supply more on some of it's ports, some Asus and Gigabyte motherboards have certain USB ports that are specifically allowed more power than normal (and can even be used whilst the PC is "off") to charge devices like phones and tablets.

*I had a lot of trouble powering a Cannon Scanner that needed 500ma from any external USB hub as it was on the limit of what they could supply - I eventually discovered that my Monitor's built in USB hub supplied it reliably (unlike the 3 or 4 normal powered hubs I had lying around).

Thanks Nilrem, that truly helps a lot!!

captaincool

fancymic wrote: »

I recently bought a 6 port plus 2 charing ports USB hub from Amazon(Unitek Y-3181) to go with my iPad 3 and iMac 27" which only has 4 usb 3.0 sockets and I definitely needed more.

The fast charging port is absolutely a bonus and quickly charges my iPad and iPhone while the data ports work perfectly with my desktop.

The lowest price I could find for usb 3.0 multi-port with only one charging socket(clearly not enough for me) is nearly £30. And this one only sells for the same price. So it seems like a pretty decent deal for me.

Hope that helps.

Sounds great. Thank you, I might give it a shot after I check the reviews.