iPad Air iPad USB-C Hub Recommendation Please

[getrealbro]

I’m looking for a USB-C hub for our iPad Air 4. But I’m getting bogged down wading though so many choices with prices from $25-80. So I’m looking for a recommendation for a USB-C hub that has a USB-C PD port to power the iPad, while uploading photos from our iPhones & SD cards, then saving a copy to an external SSD.

I’d prefer a USB-C hub that attaches via a short USB-C cable. The must have ports are:
- USB-C PD (power in)
- SD and Micro SD card readers
- at least 2 USB 3.0 ports (iPhone and external SSD
Other optional ports include:
- USB-C
- HDMI

Background info:
I’m currently using a Sabrent USB 3 hub (with an Amazon Basics USB to USB-C adapter)

SABRENT Premium 3 Port Aluminum USB 3.0 Hub with Multi in 1 Card Reader (12" Cable) for iMac, All MacBooks, Mac Mini, or Any PC (HB-MACR)

Sleek Apple-style design ideal For Mac Pro, iMac, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, MacBook, and Mac mini Instantly Add 3 USB 3.0 Ports to Your Computer Supported Cards: CF, SD, SDXC, SDHC, MicroSD, MMC, M2 Easy to Setup, Plug-n-Play, Hot Swappable, Hot Pluggable Compatible With All Windows/Mac/Linux Sys...

smile.amazon.com

to upload photos from our iPhones, a Canon camera’s SD card and then save a backup copy to a Samsung T7 SSD. It works, but it drains the iPad’s battery. And the various cables and adapters are messy.

Thanks in Advance — GetRealBro

 

[sparksd]

I use this with my 2018 12.9 Pro and it works great -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZVKTP53

Anker is a great brand.

Edit: note that this does have a USB-C data port. $28.

 

[salamanderjuice]

I have this one. Works fine with powering my 15" Macbook Pro (don't have a USB C iPad, but the MBP requires more power anyways). Cheap. USB C data ports are still kinda rare and expensive on these things.

 

[getrealbro]

Thanks for the recommendations!

I had looked at both of these. Glad to hear that they work well. And they are at the low end of the price range too

Thanks again - GetRealBro

 

[AutomaticApple]

I’m looking for a USB-C hub for our iPad Air 4. But I’m getting bogged down wading though so many choices with prices from $25-80. So I’m looking for a recommendation for a USB-C hub that has a USB-C PD port to power the iPad, while uploading photos from our iPhones & SD cards, then saving a copy to an external SSD.

I’d prefer a USB-C hub that attaches via a short USB-C cable. The must have ports are:
- USB-C PD (power in)
- SD and Micro SD card readers
- at least 2 USB 3.0 ports (iPhone and external SSD
Other optional ports include:
- USB-C
- HDMI

Background info:
I’m currently using a Sabrent USB 3 hub (with an Amazon Basics USB to USB-C adapter)

SABRENT Premium 3 Port Aluminum USB 3.0 Hub with Multi in 1 Card Reader (12" Cable) for iMac, All MacBooks, Mac Mini, or Any PC (HB-MACR)

Sleek Apple-style design ideal For Mac Pro, iMac, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, MacBook, and Mac mini Instantly Add 3 USB 3.0 Ports to Your Computer Supported Cards: CF, SD, SDXC, SDHC, MicroSD, MMC, M2 Easy to Setup, Plug-n-Play, Hot Swappable, Hot Pluggable Compatible With All Windows/Mac/Linux Sys...

smile.amazon.com

to upload photos from our iPhones, a Canon camera’s SD card and then save a backup copy to a Samsung T7 SSD. It works, but it drains the iPad’s battery. And the various cables and adapters are messy.

Thanks in Advance — GetRealBro

This is my personal favorite hub.

HyperDrive Hub Adapter 6-in-1 Dongle, USB-C 3.0 PD 60W, 4K60Hz HDMI, Audio Jack, SD/MicroSD, USB-A Compatible with iPad Pro Air 2020 2019 2018, M1 iPad Pro 2021, Space Gray

NA

www.amazon.com

 

[getrealbro]

I use this with my 2018 12.9 Pro and it works great -...

Thanks for your recommendation. The Anker USB-C Hub

Anker 7-in-1 USB C Hub with 4K HDMI, 100W Power Delivery, USB-C and 2 USB-A 5 Gbps Data Ports, microSD and SD Card Reader

A8346

smile.amazon.com

does everything we need and even has the 2 optional ports, as described in the OP

But despite the USB-C Hub’s extra ports, our iPad Air 4 running iPadOS 14.2 seems determined to remain a cripple:
- External Monitors just mirror the smaller iPad screen, except in some presentation and video apps.
- Files app won’t “mount’ SD cards that are formatted HFS+ (but it does mount APFS).
- Files app won’t access data files on our iPhones (but the Photos app does import the photos).

Our other iPad is the original iPad Mini purchased in 2013. iPad functionality/flexibility has gotten better in the last 7 years. But there is still a long way to go

GetRealBro

 

[Allan in T.Dot]

I feel your pain buddy. I got back onto the IPP train this year and although it was better than my experience 2 years ago, there is still a long way to go for the OS.

With regards to the external monitor mirroring the IPP - that's the way that goes! Not very multifunctional.

Files App issues - try FileBrowser. I liked it but am still trying to get used to it. But this should address the issues you mentioned and also issues with copying and pasting file errors that you probably haven't experienced yet if you cannot even access data on the phone.

‎FileBrowser: Documents Manager

‎Use your iPad or iPhone to connect to your home computers, network drives and cloud storage. Easily upload/download/copy files and folders from one location to another, and browse your content using a variety of built-in viewers. *** FileBrowser remains the best option if you're looking for a...

apps.apple.com

I did ask a few questions about this app in the forums from other users and from what I hear, the devs are really good at responding to questions also.

Edit - I did use the Anker hub but the cable was too short. So that the hub was barely flat on the surface when the IPP was attached to the magic keyboard. Right now, I am using my ThinkPad hub which connects perfectly.

Thanks for your recommendation. The Anker USB-C Hub

Anker 7-in-1 USB C Hub with 4K HDMI, 100W Power Delivery, USB-C and 2 USB-A 5 Gbps Data Ports, microSD and SD Card Reader

A8346

smile.amazon.com

does everything we need and even has the 2 optional ports, as described in the OP

But despite the USB-C Hub’s extra ports, our iPad Air 4 running iPadOS 14.2 seems determined to remain a cripple:
- External Monitors just mirror the smaller iPad screen, except in some presentation and video apps.
- Files app won’t “mount’ SD cards that are formatted HFS+ (but it does mount APFS).
- Files app won’t access data files on our iPhones (but the Photos app does import the photos).

Our other iPad is the original iPad Mini purchased in 2013. iPad functionality/flexibility has gotten better in the last 7 years. But there is still a long way to go

GetRealBro

 

[sparksd]

I feel your pain buddy. I got back onto the IPP train this year and although it was better than my experience 2 years ago, there is still a long way to go for the OS.

With regards to the external monitor mirroring the IPP - that's the way that goes! Not very multifunctional.

Files App issues - try FileBrowser. I liked it but am still trying to get used to it. But this should address the issues you mentioned and also issues with copying and pasting file errors that you probably haven't experienced yet if you cannot even access data on the phone.

‎FileBrowser: Documents Manager

‎Use your iPad or iPhone to connect to your home computers, network drives and cloud storage. Easily upload/download/copy files and folders from one location to another, and browse your content using a variety of built-in viewers. *** FileBrowser remains the best option if you're looking for a...

apps.apple.com

I did ask a few questions about this app in the forums from other users and from what I hear, the devs are really good at responding to questions also.

Edit - I did use the Anker hub but the cable was too short. So that the hub was barely flat on the surface when the IPP was attached to the magic keyboard. Right now, I am using my ThinkPad hub which connects perfectly.

Regarding the short cable - I have two different solutions that work: a 90-degree USB-C adapter and a short (6") USB-C extension cable.