StarTech.com 6 Port USB 3.0 / USB 2.0 Combo Hub with 2A Charging Port – 2x USB 3.0 & 4x USB 2.0

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

For £36.65 ex-VAT, this is one of those “quietly useful” hubs that you buy once and then wonder how you managed without it. The 2A charging port is the real-world win if you’ve got peripherals that need a bit more juice than a standard USB outlet, and the USB 3 + USB 2 split makes sense: you’ll typically run faster storage/printers on the USB 3 ports and keep cheap stuff (keyboards, mice, dongles) on USB 2 without wasting bandwidth. It’s a sensible choice for an office desk, reception area, or a small admin setup where you need extra USB points without turning it into a tangle.

That said, I wouldn’t buy it if you’re expecting “server-grade” throughput or you’re regularly moving large files at full USB 3 speeds through multiple devices at once—hubs like this are fine, but they’re not performance workstations. Also, if you’re plugging in power-hungry devices beyond phone/tablet charging (external HDD arrays, many high-draw USB devices), you’ll want to be more careful and possibly budget for a powered hub or a proper dock instead. Buy this if your goal is straightforward expansion and reliable day-to-day use; skip it if your use case is heavy data transfer or lots of power-hungry gear.