Plugable 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Hub
$159.95 USD
SKU: USB4-HUB3AAmazon Rating : (290 Reviews)
Features
- Thunderbolt 4 and More—The Plugable Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Hub with 60W Charging is Thunderbolt certified and built on the Goshen Ridge Chipset for maximum USB-C, USB4, and Thunderbolt 4 functionality
- Powerful Ports—3x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 ports for speeds up to 40Gbps, and 15W charging for phones and tablets. 1x USB-A up to 10Gbps, 1x upstream Thunderbolt 4 port up to 60W charging to host
- Compatibility—Windows (10+) with Thunderbolt 4 / USB4, macOS (11+). Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 dock supports 2x 4K screens at 60Hz, one 8K screen at 30Hz or 1x 6K on M1 Macs (1x USB-C to HDMI 2.0 adapter included). Thunderbolt 3 Windows systems not recommended
- Exceptional Expansion—Daisy chain up to six Thunderbolt devices with this Thunderbolt hub to make room for all of your USB-C and Thunderbolt devices, or use as a stand-alone charger—no computer necessary
- 2 Year Warranty—We love our Plugable products, and hope you will too. All of our products are backed with a 2-year limited parts and labor warranty as well as Seattle-based email support
The Plugable USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 Hub With 60W Charging Automatically Detects and Adapts to Your Computer
Fast and Reliable Wins the Race
Built around the Goshen Ridge chipset from Intel, the USB4-HUB3A gives you access to everything USB4 has to offer. That means high speed—each port is capable of data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps, the maximum rate available through a USB-C port. But data isn’t the only thing flowing through these ports. Thanks to intelligent power handling, you’ll also get up to 15W of charging power for each of your connected devices, evenly distributed across the ports to ensure a balanced load. And because this USB4 dock ships with the latest certified firmware from Intel, you can count on smooth operation.
USB4 and More
Because the USB 4 hub is Thunderbolt certified and built around a Goshen Ridge chipset, your USB-C, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4 devices are supported, too. And don’t worry if you’re not sure what your system supports. The USB4-HUB3A will detect your computer’s capabilities and adjust accordingly.
The Beauty of 8K is on Display
Don’t limit yourself to the confines of a little laptop screen. With this multiport hub, connect up to two 4K 60Hz displays or one 8K 30Hz display to a USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 PC or a Thunderbolt 3 or USB4 Mac (M1 Macs are limited to one display). It even comes with a USB-C to HDMI 2.0 adapter to make connecting that second screen all the easier. It’s worth noting that external display support is dependent on host computer’s capabilities.
All Boxed Up
- Compatible With
- USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 Windows systems
- Thunderbolt 3/4 and USB4 Macs, including M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, and Intel
- Included USB-C to HDMI Adapter
- 3x USB4 / Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports
- Up to 40Gbps transfer speed on every port
- Provides up to 15W of power to connected devices
- Connected to a computer or as a stand-alone charger
- Backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C peripherals
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port
- Up to 10Gbps
- Up to 60W Charging
- Intel Goshen Ridge Chipset
- Thunderbolt 4 Certification
- 2.5ft/80cm Certified Thunderbolt 4 Cable
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laptop Compatibility |
Thunderbolt 4, USB4, USB-C, and more* |
Thunderbolt 4, USB4, USB-C, and more* |
Thunderbolt 4, USB4, USB-C, and more* |
Thunderbolt 4, USB4, USB-C, and more* |
Product Type |
USB4 Hub |
Pure USB-C Hub Design |
Full Feature Docking Station |
USB-C Hub |
Power Delivery to host |
60W to host and 15W for each attached device |
60W to host and 15W for each attached device |
100W (96W Certified) |
87W pass-through charging |
Number of displays supported |
2x 4K or 1x 8K (1x USB-C HDMI 2.0 adapter included) |
2x 4K or 1x 8K (1x USB-C HDMI 2.0 adapter included) |
2x 4K 60Hz |
1x 4K 30Hz |
Video output types |
3x USB4 Thunderbolt 4 ports (1x USB-C to HDMI adapter included) |
3x Thunderbolt USB-C ports (1x USB-C to HDMI adapter included) |
2x DisplayPort or HDMI |
1x HDMI |
Downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
USB 3.0 ports |
1 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
Included USB-C to HDMI Adapter |
Filter Help Articles and Frequent Questions by Category
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You can always contact support if you need help too!
USB Port Types
USB-A
pietz, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
This is the standard USB connection that most computers offered prior to the introduction of USB Type-C (USB-C). Even after the introduction of USB Type-C, this is still quite common.
It can provide data transfer rates up to the USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 gbps) specification depending on the host and device, but does not directly support video in the way that USB-C Alternate Mode does. This limitation makes DisplayLink USB graphics adapters and docking stations ideal on systems that do not have USB-C, or in instances where more displays are needed beyond available video outputs of a PC.
USB-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
IngenieroLoco, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This type of connection comes in a couple different styles depending on whether USB 3.0 and higher transfer rates are supported (bottom graphic). Usually this type of connection is used to plug into USB devices that do not have a fixed cable connected, such as USB docking stations, USB hubs, printers, and others.
USB Mini-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
One of the first connectors for charging a smartphone, wireless game controller (such as the Sixaxis and DualShock 3), and other small devices such as external hard drives. Not commonly used today, but is still used in some cases. Most devices using USB Mini B are using USB 2.0, though a USB 3.0 variant does exist. This specification also added USB On-The-Go (OTG) functionality, though it is more commonly implemented with Micro USB.
USB Micro-B
Fred the Oyster, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
IngenieroLoco, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
A smaller connector that serves many of the same uses as the Mini B connector, with added optional features such as Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) to allow devices like smartphones to output video to larger displays without requiring a dedicated port for video output.
The larger variant of USB-B is most commonly used for external hard drives for higher 5Gbps transfer rates.
USB-C, Thunderbolt™ 3, and Thunderbolt™ 4
Niridya , CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The most recent USB connection, USB Type-C (USB-C), represents a major change in what USB can do. The connector is smaller, can be connected in two orientations, is able to carry substantially more power and data, and can directly carry video signals of multiple types (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc.) Intel has also adapted the USB-C connector for use with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4.
It is important to note that while all Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 connections are USB-C, not all USB-C connections can be used with Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 devices.
More details regarding physical USB connections can be found on Wikipedia . The graphics depicted here are adapted from Wikimedia Commons by various artists under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Self-Powered vs Bus-Powered USB Devices
While all USB ports provide some amount of power for attached devices, the available power may not be enough for certain high-current devices such as USB hubs or external hard drives. High-current devices usually come with their own power adapter, making them self-powered, in contrast to a bus-powered device that draws all of its power from the host computer's USB interface. Bus-powered devices can cause issues if they need more power than is available from the host machine.
Many of our devices that include power adapters, especially USB hubs, will function in either self-powered or bus-powered mode. However, even though the device may function, each additional device attached to the host computer reduces the total available bus power. If the power runs out, any USB device attached to the computer may suddenly disconnect. If this were to happen to a USB storage device, such an event could result in permanent data loss.
If a device comes with a power adapter, we recommend that the adapter stay connected at all times, otherwise the device may not function as designed.
Self-powered USB device - A device that takes all of its power from an external power supply
Bus-powered USB device - A device that takes all of its power from the host computer's USB interface.
Can I Use a Thunderbolt 4 Cable to Connect to a Thunderbolt or USB-C Device Such as a Phone, iPad, or Docking Stations?
Yes, this Thunderbolt 4 cable is compatible with any USB-C port for data transfer, charging, or video (capabilities will depend on peripheral used).
Do Thunderbolt 4 Cables Support USB-C Power Delivery for Host Charging?
Yes, Thunderbolt 4 cables can support up to 240W of power allowing you to keep your devices charged, but some cables may not offer the full 240W capability and instead offer a maximum of 100W of Power Delivery.
Are Thunderbolt 4 Cables Compatible With Thunderbolt 3 Computers and Devices?
Yes, Thunderbolt 4 cables are backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C devices.
Does the USB4-HUB3A Hub Charge the Host PC?
The USB4-HUB3A hub can provide up to 60W of power to charge the host PC, provided that the PC supports being charged via Thunderbolt or USB-C.
Please note - not all Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, or USB-C systems can be charged via their Thunderbolt or USB-C ports. Please consult your PC’s manual or technical specifications in order to determine if your PC supports charging via Thunderbolt or USB-C.
What Are the Capabilities of the USB4-HUB3A Hub Ports, and What Types of Devices Can Be Connected?
You can then connect many different types of Thunderbolt and USB-C devices to the three Thunderbolt/USB-C ports on the back of the hub. The type of functionality provided by the three ports on the back of the hub is ultimately determined by the capabilities of the host PC.
To put that another way, if the host PC has Thunderbolt 4 technology built-in, then all three ports on the back of the hub will function as Thunderbolt 4 ports.
If the host PC has Thunderbolt 3 technology built-in, then all three ports on the back of the hub will function as Thunderbolt 3 ports.
If the host PC has USB-C technology built-in, then all three ports on the back of the hub will function as USB-C ports.
Devices that use a USB 3.0/3.1/3.2 Type-A connection can be connected to the USB 3.2 Type-A port located on the front of the hub.
Can I Use My Display With a Native USB-C Video Input With the USB4-HUB3A Hub?
External displays that have a native USB-C video input can be used in conjunction with the Plugable USB4-HUB3A hub.
However, in our experience helping others we have found that some portable USB-C displays may not work as expected when an external USB-C power source is connected to the display.
If your portable USB-C display has an external USB-C power source, please disconnect the external power source from the display when using the display in conjunction with the hub.
The hub can provide up to 15W of power to the portable USB-C display, which will take the place of the external power source.
An example of such a display would be the ViewSonic VG1655 display → https://www.viewsonic.com/us/vg1655.html
A video that demonstrates the capabilities of this display is here → https://youtu.be/ferq4xz_A3M
What Amount of Power Can the USB4-HUB3A Hub Provide to Connected Devices?
What amount of power can the USB4-HUB3A hub provide to connected devices?
Each of the three ports on the back of the hub have the ability to provide up to 15W of power to connected devices, and this is typically used to power an external device (such as a Thunderbolt or USB-C storage drive).
However, this power can also be used to charge devices that have an internal battery, for example a mobile phone or a tablet.
An additional useful component of this feature is that the charging capability can be used even when the hub is not connected to your PC.
To put that another way, when your PC is not connected to the hub, the hub can be used as a charging station for up to three different devices.
The USB 3.2 Type-A port on the front of the hub can provide up to 5V 900mA of power to connected devices. The USB 3.2 Type-A does not support any other device charging standards (such as BC 1.2)
Do I Need To Install Any Drivers To Use the USB4-HUB3A Hub? Does the Hub Need To Be ‘Approved’ in Windows?
Speaking in general, there are no driver installations necessary in order to use the hub in macOS or Windows.
If the PC you are connecting the hub to is running Windows and has Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 technology built-in, when you first connect the hub you may be prompted to ‘Approve’ or ‘Authenticate’ the device via the Intel Thunderbolt software that should already be installed on your Windows PC.
We have a video that demonstrates how to ‘Approve’ the device using the two different types of the Intel software (known as either the ‘Intel Thunderbolt Software’ or the ‘Intel Thunderbolt Control Center’) here → https://youtu.be/aRN2aEzmsyo
Depending on how your Windows PC is configured, the Approval process may happen automatically and as a result you may not be prompted to Approve the hub.
** Note - we have had reports that the hub needed to be manually Approved when used with some Windows Thunderbolt 3 systems before USB devices connected to the hub would function properly. If USB devices are not working properly via the hub, please check the Approval status and manually Approve if necessary. Please note that the USB4-HUB3A is officially supported in conjunction with Windows PCs that have Thunderbolt 4 technology built-in. **
If the PC you are connecting the hub to is running macOS and has Thunderbolt 3 or USB4 technology built-in, the approval process will happen automatically.
If the PC you are connecting the hub to has USB-C technology built-in, the hub does not need to be approved (device Approval is not part of the USB-C standard).
Can I Connect External Displays to the USB4-HUB3A? What Are the Hub’s Display Capabilities?
Included in the box with the hub is one Plugable USB-C to HDMI video adapter. You can connect this adapter to the hub in order to attach one HDMI display (up to 3840x2160 resolution at a 60Hz refresh rate) to the hub using a HDMI to HDMI video cable (a cable with a HDMI connector on both ends, not included).
Please note that the amount of displays that can be connected to the hub is ultimately determined by the capabilities of the host PC.
A PC that has Thunderbolt 4 technology will be capable of driving two displays via the hub. This is because the Thunderbolt 4 specification requires a single Thunderbolt 4 port to be capable of driving two displays.
A PC that has Thunderbolt 3 technology will be capable of driving one or two displays via the hub. This is because manufacturers have a choice when designing a Thunderbolt 3 system in regard to how many displays can be driven via a single Thunderbolt 3 port. Some Thunderbolt 3 PCs can support two displays, while other Thunderbolt 3 PCs can support only one display. ** Please note that the USB4-HUB3A is officially supported only in conjunction with Windows PCs that have Thunderbolt 4 technology built-in. **
A PC that has USB-C technology will be capable of driving only one display via the hub.
Please note that not all USB-C systems are capable of providing video output over USB-C. Please consult your PC’s manual or technical specifications in order to determine if your USB-C PC is capable of providing video output.
What Kind of Devices Can Be Connected to the USB4-HUB3A Hub?
It is possible to connect many different types of Thunderbolt and USB-C devices to the three ports on the back of the hub. You can also connect a variety of USB Type-A devices to the USB 3.2 Type-A port located on the front of the hub.
Devices that are Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C can connect directly to the hub using Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB-C cables, respectively. Examples of some of these various types of devices are:
Storage drives
- Thunderbolt 3 storage drives (INSERT LINK)
- USB-C storage drives (INSERT LINK)
USB-C video adapters
- USBC-HDMI (INSERT LINK)
- USBC-TDP (INSERT LINK)
- USBC-DVI
- USBC-VGA
USB 3.0 Type-C hubs
- USBC-HUB7BC
Devices that use a USB 3.0/3.1/3.2 Type-A connection can be connected to the USB 3.2 Type-A port located on the front of the hub.
Virtually any type of USB 3.0/3.1/3.2 Type-A device can be connected to the hub's USB Type-A port. Examples of some of these various types of devices are:
DisplayLink USB docking stations
- UD-3900Z
- UD-6950Z
Can the Plugable USB4-HUB3A Hub Be Used Without Connecting the Included Power Adapter? In Other Words, Can It Be ‘Bus Powered’ From the Host System’s Thunderbolt 4 Port?
The USB4-HUB3A requires that the included power adapter be connected to the hub in order for the hub to function properly. The hub will not work if the included power adapter is not connected.
The hub cannot be ‘bus powered’ from the host system’s Thunderbolt 4 port.
I Have Connected the Plugable USB4-HUB3A to My Windows PC With Thunderbolt 3. Video Output via the Included USB-C to HDMI Adapter Is Working, However USB Devices Connected to the Hub Are Not. Why Is This?
Please note that the USB4-HUB3A is officially supported in conjunction with Windows PCs that have Thunderbolt 4 technology built-in.
While the hub can work with some Thunderbolt 3 Windows PCs, the level of functionality of the hub when used with a Thunderbolt 3 Windows PC cannot be guaranteed.
That said, we have had reports that the hub needed to be manually Approved within the Intel Thunderbolt application when used with some Windows Thunderbolt 3 systems before USB devices connected to the hub would function properly.
If USB devices are not working properly via the hub, please check the Approval status and manually Approve if necessary.
We have a video that demonstrates how to ‘Approve’ the device using the two different types of the Intel software (known as either the ‘Intel Thunderbolt Software’ or the ‘Intel Thunderbolt Control Center’) here → https://youtu.be/aRN2aEzmsyo
Replacement Docking Station Power Adapters
Below is a list of pre-tested power adapters and corresponding power prongs/cables for Plugable docking stations that can be purchased on eBay if a replacement is needed.
If the power adapter for your docking station or region is not listed or if it out of stock on eBay please contact us at support@plugable.com and we will be happy to assist further.
We offer a 30-day return period for our replacement power adapters listed on eBay.
| Dock Models | Power Supplies |
|---|---|
| USB Products | |
| UD-3900 UD-3000 UD-5900 UD-PRO8 |
|
| UD-3900H | |
| UD-3900PDZ | |
| UD-3900Z | |
| UD-6950 | |
| UD-6950H | |
| UD-6950Z | |
| UD-CA1 UD-CA1A |
|
| UD-ULTCDL (MK1 original and MK2 updated version) |
|
| UD-ULTC4K (MK1 original and MK2 updated version) | |
| USB4-HUB3A | |
| Thunderbolt Products | |
| TBT4-UDZ |
North America plug |
| TBT3-UDC1 | |
| TBT3-UDV | |
| TBT3-UDZ | |
| TBT3-UDC3 | |
| TBT4-HUB3C | |
Do Plugable products support the Apple SuperDrive?
Unfortunately Plugable products do not support the Apple SuperDrive.
The Apple SuperDrive has stringent power requirements that can only be met by directly connecting the SuperDrive to your host laptop. As a result at this time Apple recommends only using their USB-C adapter cables. You can find more information on that here -→ How to connect the Apple USB SuperDrive
If you have purchased a Plugable product to use with your Apple SuperDrive, and would like some additional assistance please do not hesitate to reach out. You can do so by emailing support@plugable.com, or going to Plugable.com/Support.
Can I Use a USB-C to Barrel Adapter to Power My USB4-HUB3A?
In general, we only recommend using the included power adapters with all of our products, as it minimizes the risk of damaging the docks or hubs. However, with GaN chargers delivering higher wattages over USB-C in a more compact package, many people are wanting to use these chargers to power their hubs, as they tend to be more compact than the included charger.
We have gone ahead and done some limited testing with a 100W power delivery source and a 100W USB-C to barrel adapter to see if this is possible. Note that we tested here with a USB4-HUB3A, as the power supply it comes with has a maximum rating of 100W as well.
Below is a diagram of the setup that we used with our USB4-HUB3A:
We used our USBC-VAMETER3 to measure wattage outputs at the 100W PD supply as well as the host connection from the hub to the host.
Below is the connection from the 100W PD power supply to the USB4-HUB3A through the USB-C to barrel connector with all peripherals connected to the hub:
Below is the connection from the USB4-HUB3A to the host (M2 MacBook Air):
With our limited testing, the hub was able to function and output to a display as well as charge both the host MacBook and a phone, all while being powered by a USB-C PD power supply. It even seems that there was a little bit of headroom for the power supply to supply a little bit more power if needed.
While the testing shows a proof of concept, it is still not recommended to connect any other power supply besides the included one that comes with your hub or dock, as there is a serious chance that you can damage the device and it would not be covered by our warranty.
