StarTech.com 7-Port Self-Powered USB-C Hub with Individual On/Off Switches, USB 3.0 5Gbps Expansion Hub w/Power Supply, Desktop/Laptop USB-C to USB-A Hub, USB Type C Hub w/BC 1.2

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

For £60.78 ex-VAT, this StarTech 7‑port hub is one of those “boring but reliable” choices that actually earns its keep in a UK office. The self‑powered design matters: it’s much less temperamental than bus‑powered hubs when you plug in power-hungry peripherals (especially if you’re using a dock-adjacent setup like webcams, external drives, or multiple dongles). The individual on/off switches are also genuinely useful for day-to-day admin—turn off a noisy USB device without unplugging, and you’re less likely to get weird behaviour when laptops sleep/wake or when a peripheral hangs.

Who it’s for: users who need extra USB‑A ports on a USB‑C laptop/PC and want something that behaves consistently without needing a full docking station. It’s also a good fit for IT rollouts where you want predictable power management and fewer “it works at home but not here” complaints. Who might want to skip it: if you only need 2–4 ports occasionally, or you’re mainly attaching low-draw devices (keyboard/mouse only), you might find better value with a smaller, simpler hub—and if your workplace already standardises on a specific docking station, this may feel like a step sideways rather than a core solution.

Overall, I’d buy this for a shared office desk, a support tech kit, or any role with multiple USB peripherals and a desire to reduce hassle. It’s not the cheapest option, but the power + per-port switching is exactly what makes these hubs stop being headache-inducing.