Anker USB-C Hub, 8-in-1 Multiport Ethernet Adapter with 4K@60Hz HDMI Port

Why it's worth it

Anker's 8-in-1 hub adds HDMI, Ethernet, two USB-A ports, a USB-C data port, SD and microSD slots, and pass-through charging to a laptop that probably has two ports total. It's plug-and-play on Mac, Windows, and ChromeOS.

Port scarcity is the most universal complaint in modern laptop life, and it's the reason a hub is such a reliable gift. Your recipient has a thin laptop with two or three USB-C ports, and one of those is always the charger. This gives them a 4K HDMI output, gigabit Ethernet, two USB-A ports for the mouse dongle and the old flash drive, plus SD and microSD readers.

The real gifting advantage is that it can't miss on compatibility. It works with USB-C, USB4, and Thunderbolt, and supports macOS 12 and newer, Windows 10 and 11, and ChromeOS. There's no driver to install and no account to make. If you don't know exactly what machine your recipient uses — a common situation for a team gift or a new-hire kit — this is the item you can send without asking.

From our review of 8 gifts for remote workers

What we like

• +Port scarcity is the most universal complaint in modern laptop life, and it's the reason a hub is such a reliable gift
• +The real gifting advantage is that it can't miss on compatibility
• +Pass-through charging up to 85 W means it doesn't cost them a port to use
• +It's palm-sized and weighs about a quarter pound, which makes it the rare useful gift that also travels

What to know

• –The built-in cable is short — about 7.5 inches — and several owners wish it were longer
• –The hub needs 15 W just to run itself, so a weak charger will leave the laptop charging slowly or not at all
• –Ethernet throughput can drop below gigabit speeds depending on how the laptop allocates bandwidth across the hub's ports