Plugable USBC-11IN1E vs USBC-9IN1E - USB-C Hub Comparison

Plugable USBC-11IN1E vs USBC-9IN1E: Two Similar Hubs With Different Priorities

The Plugable USBC-11IN1E and Plugable USBC-9IN1E are easy to confuse from a search result. Both are driverless Plugable USB-C hubs. Both use USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode for video instead of DisplayLink software. Both include HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, SD and microSD card readers, USB-C Power Delivery input, USB-A ports, and Plugable’s two-year limited warranty. Both are meant for laptop users who want a practical adapter instead of a full Thunderbolt or DisplayLink docking station.

The difference is the job each one is built to do. The USBC-11IN1E is the desk-focused choice for people who want two HDMI outputs from a compatible Windows or ChromeOS laptop. The USBC-9IN1E is the newer, smaller, faster travel hub for people who need one 4K 60Hz display, stronger charging, and quicker USB data ports.

The short verdict: the Plugable USBC-9IN1E is the better pick for most buyers. It has the higher product score in our YAML data, a much lower MSRP, faster 10Gbps USB ports, higher possible host charging, Linux listed in compatibility, and a smaller 130g body. The Plugable USBC-11IN1E is still the better choice if your setup specifically needs two HDMI screens from a compatible Windows or ChromeOS laptop and you can live with 5Gbps USB data and an 85W host charging ceiling.

If you are not sure whether a USB-C hub is enough or whether you need a larger dock, start with our docking station vs USB hub guide and the broader docking station buying guide.

Quick Specs Comparison

The Core Choice: Two HDMI Outputs or a Better Everyday Hub

The USBC-11IN1E exists because dual HDMI is still the simplest monitor layout for a lot of desks. Its product data lists two HDMI 2.0 outputs, and the display section says it can run dual extended 4K at 60Hz on Windows and ChromeOS when the host supports DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC over USB-C or Thunderbolt 4. That makes it useful for business laptops, Chromebooks, and Windows ultrabooks that have the right graphics path and need two external monitors without installing DisplayLink.

That is the big win. It is also a narrow win. The USBC-11IN1E does not create extra displays through software. It still depends on the host USB-C video capability. Plugable’s YAML warns that DP 1.2 hosts fall back to lower refresh rates or lower resolutions. It also warns that most Mac setups get one extended 4K 60Hz display, with the second HDMI output mirrored instead of extended.

The USBC-9IN1E takes the opposite approach. It does not try to be a dual-monitor desk dock. It has one HDMI output, and the YAML is clear that it does not support two monitors. Instead, it improves the everyday parts of a small USB-C hub: 10Gbps USB, 140W PD input support, up to 125W host charging with PD 3.1 EPR gear, a smaller body, and a lower price. For many laptop users, those advantages matter more than a second HDMI jack they may never use.

That is why the USBC-9IN1E wins the overall comparison. It is the more balanced product for a one-monitor laptop bag or home office setup. The USBC-11IN1E is the specialist choice when the second HDMI port is non-negotiable.

Display Support: USBC-11IN1E Wins on Monitor Count

Display support is the clearest reason to buy the USBC-11IN1E. Its YAML lists a maximum of two displays. The top configuration is dual 3840x2160 at 60Hz over HDMI on Windows and ChromeOS when the host supports DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC over USB-C or Thunderbolt 4. There is also a dual 1920x1080 fallback class for older or lower-bandwidth hosts, plus a single 4K 60Hz mode.

The USBC-9IN1E is simpler. It has one HDMI 2.0 output up to 3840x2160 at 60Hz with HDR support on compatible USB-C, USB4, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, or Thunderbolt 5 hosts that support DisplayPort Alt Mode. It also has a one-display 1080p fallback configuration. There is no MST or DisplayLink path for a second monitor.

For a Windows laptop with the right USB-C video support and two HDMI monitors, the USBC-11IN1E is the obvious pick. It avoids DisplayLink drivers and gives you both HDMI outputs in one small device. For a Chromebook with the right hardware, it is also the better fit if the goal is dual external screens.

For MacBook users, the advantage shrinks. The USBC-11IN1E YAML says most Macs support one extended 4K 60Hz display through the hub, with the second HDMI display mirrored. The USBC-9IN1E also gives you one external HDMI display. If you own a Mac and only expect one monitor, the USBC-9IN1E’s other strengths are more important than the 11-in-1 model’s second HDMI port.

Display winner: Plugable USBC-11IN1E. It is the only one of the two with dual-display support, but that win depends heavily on Windows or ChromeOS host capability.

Charging: USBC-9IN1E Has More Headroom

Charging is the cleanest win for the USBC-9IN1E. Its product data lists USB-C input and host Power Delivery up to 125W. The details matter: Plugable says that ceiling requires a USB PD 3.1 EPR laptop, charger, and cable. With many older PD 3.0 SPR systems, the hub is limited to 100W input and about 85W to the laptop.

The USBC-11IN1E accepts up to 100W USB-C PD input and can provide up to 85W to the host. Its YAML notes that the hub reserves about 8W to 15W for itself and connected peripherals. That 85W ceiling is enough for many ultrabooks and business laptops, but it is not ideal for higher-power machines.

If you are comparing these hubs for a MacBook Air, Chromebook, Dell XPS, Surface, or lightweight business laptop, either charging ceiling may be workable. If you have a laptop that can use higher-wattage USB-C EPR charging, the USBC-9IN1E gives you more room. It is also less misleading for buyers who read the power spec carefully: 140W input and 125W host output are explicitly conditional, while the USBC-11IN1E is capped at 85W to the host from a 100W input.

Charging winner: Plugable USBC-9IN1E. It matches the USBC-11IN1E’s practical 85W class on older PD setups and can go higher with PD 3.1 EPR gear.

USB and Everyday Ports: Speed vs Desk Convenience

The USBC-11IN1E has more total desk-style connections. It lists one USB-C 3.0 data port, three USB-A 3.0 ports, two HDMI 2.0 outputs, Gigabit Ethernet, a 3.5mm combo audio jack, SD, and microSD. If you count a keyboard, mouse, webcam, Ethernet cable, headset, and two HDMI monitors, that port mix makes sense. It behaves more like a small desktop dock than a travel adapter.

The drawback is speed. The YAML lists 5Gbps as the host connection rate, and all USB data ports are 5Gbps class. That is fine for keyboards, mice, webcams, thumb drives, and routine office peripherals. It is less attractive if you move files from external SSDs.

The USBC-9IN1E is faster but less expansive. Its host connection is listed at 10Gbps. It has one USB-C 3.2 data port, two USB-A 3.2 ports, and one USB-A 2.0 port. The USB 2.0 port is best treated as a keyboard, mouse, or dongle port, but the 10Gbps ports are a real advantage for storage and faster peripherals. The 9-in-1 model also keeps Gigabit Ethernet and card readers, so it does not feel stripped down for travel or hybrid work.

The missing ports on the USBC-9IN1E are specific: no second HDMI, no audio jack, no DisplayPort, no downstream USB-C video, and no second USB-C data port. Those omissions matter on a fixed desk. They matter less in a laptop bag.

Port winner: split decision. The USBC-11IN1E has the better desk port mix. The USBC-9IN1E has the better USB speed and a more modern compact-hub layout.

Card Readers, Audio, and Small Workflow Details

Both hubs include SD and microSD card readers, but the YAML details are not identical. The USBC-11IN1E lists SD at UHS-II up to 312 MB/s and microSD at UHS-I up to 104 MB/s. The USBC-9IN1E lists both SD and microSD at UHS-II speeds, written in the YAML as up to 312Mbps. The units are copied here as recorded in the product files, but the practical takeaway is simple: both have card readers, and the 9-in-1 model is positioned as the stronger compact option for fast media-card workflows.

Audio is different. The USBC-11IN1E includes a 3.5mm combo audio jack. The USBC-9IN1E does not list an audio port and calls out no audio jack as a feature limitation. If you use wired headsets, speakers, or a conference-room audio cable at a desk, the 11-in-1 model saves you another adapter.

Cable and body details also point in different directions. The USBC-9IN1E YAML calls it a small 130g body with a built-in 7.48 inch USB-C cable. It also lists the short captive cable as a moderate usability con, because the hub can hang awkwardly from a raised laptop or stand. The USBC-11IN1E YAML says a cable is included, but does not list the same 130g travel-body positioning. In daily use, that makes the 9-in-1 model more of a bag hub and the 11-in-1 model more of a compact desk hub.

Compatibility: Both Are Driverless, But Not Universal

Neither product requires DisplayLink. That is good for managed laptops, security-sensitive environments, and users who do not want display software running in the background. It also means neither product can solve every monitor problem.

Both hubs need a host USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode for HDMI output. A data-only or charge-only USB-C port will not drive the display. Both also depend on the laptop’s graphics path and firmware for the display modes listed in YAML.

The USBC-11IN1E compatibility section lists Windows 10 and newer, macOS 11 and newer, and ChromeOS 100 and newer. It also lists Linux systems as not officially supported. Its known incompatibilities include USB-C ports without DisplayPort Alt Mode, most Mac setups that need two extended monitors, Linux systems, and laptops that need more than 85W through the dock.

The USBC-9IN1E lists Windows 10 and Windows 11, macOS 11 and newer, ChromeOS 100 and newer, and Linux compatibility with host-dependent caveats. Its known incompatibilities include USB-C ports without DisplayPort Alt Mode, users who need two external monitors, USB-C monitors, and PD 3.0 laptops that require more than 85W.

For Windows and ChromeOS dual-monitor users, the USBC-11IN1E has the more valuable display feature. For Mac users, Linux users, and anyone who wants the fewer-surprises single-monitor experience, the USBC-9IN1E is easier to recommend.

Value: USBC-9IN1E Costs Less and Scores Higher

The price gap is large enough to matter. The USBC-11IN1E has an MSRP of $87.95. The USBC-9IN1E has an MSRP of $49.95. The newer 9-in-1 model is not just a little cheaper. It is positioned at a different price tier while still keeping HDMI, Ethernet, card readers, fast USB, and pass-through charging.

The product scores also favor the USBC-9IN1E, 7.6 versus 7.4. That is a narrow win, but it matches the spec story. The USBC-9IN1E gives most single-monitor users the things they will notice every day: lower cost, 10Gbps USB, higher possible charging, a smaller body, and broad OS compatibility. Its main limitation, one HDMI output, is obvious before buying.

The USBC-11IN1E justifies its higher price when the second HDMI output prevents you from buying a bigger dock. If your Windows laptop can run dual 4K 60Hz through DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or Thunderbolt 4, paying more for the 11-in-1 model is reasonable. If you only use one external monitor, it is hard to defend the extra cost unless you specifically need the audio jack or the third 5Gbps USB-A port.

Value winner: Plugable USBC-9IN1E. It is cheaper, faster for USB data, better for high-wattage charging, and slightly higher scoring.

Which One Should You Buy for a Home Office?

Choose based on the monitor plan first.

If your home office uses two HDMI monitors and a Windows or ChromeOS laptop with the right USB-C video support, choose the USBC-11IN1E. It is designed around that exact need. You get two HDMI outputs, Ethernet, three USB-A ports, a USB-C data port, audio, and card readers in one driverless hub.

If your home office uses one monitor, choose the USBC-9IN1E. You get a clean 4K 60Hz HDMI path, faster USB ports, stronger possible charging, Ethernet, card readers, and a lower price. It is also easier to move between a desk and a laptop bag.

MacBook home offices need extra care. The USBC-11IN1E’s second HDMI port usually mirrors on most Macs, so it is not a real dual-extended-display Mac solution. If you need two independent external displays from a Mac that does not support them natively, look at DisplayLink options and read our best docking stations for dual monitors guide.

Verdict: Plugable USBC-9IN1E Wins for Most Laptop Users

The Plugable USBC-9IN1E wins this comparison because it is the better general-purpose USB-C hub. Its YAML score is higher. It costs less. It supports 10Gbps USB data instead of 5Gbps. It can pass up to 125W to a compatible PD 3.1 EPR laptop. It lists Linux support with caveats. It is a small travel-friendly hub that still covers HDMI, Ethernet, SD, microSD, and everyday USB peripherals.

The Plugable USBC-11IN1E remains useful, but its advantage is narrower. Buy it when dual HDMI from a compatible Windows or ChromeOS laptop is the main goal. Its two HDMI ports, audio jack, and extra USB-A count make it more desk-friendly than the 9-in-1 model. Just do not buy it expecting dual extended displays from most MacBooks, 10Gbps USB speeds, Linux support, or more than 85W host charging.

Choose the Plugable USBC-11IN1E if:

• You need two HDMI outputs from one USB-C hub
• Your Windows or ChromeOS laptop supports DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC over USB-C or Thunderbolt 4
• You want a compact desk hub with Ethernet, audio, SD, microSD, and three USB-A ports
• 5Gbps USB data is enough for your peripherals
• 85W host charging is enough for your laptop
• You understand that most Macs will mirror the second HDMI output instead of extending it

Choose the Plugable USBC-9IN1E if:

• You only need one external HDMI display
• You want the lower MSRP and slightly higher product score
• You care about 10Gbps USB for external storage or faster peripherals
• You have a PD 3.1 EPR laptop, charger, and cable and want up to 125W host charging
• You want a smaller travel-friendly hub for a laptop bag
• You use Linux or want Linux listed in the compatibility data, with the usual host-dependent caveats
• You do not need a built-in audio jack or second HDMI output

For most buyers searching these two model numbers, the USBC-9IN1E is the safer default. The USBC-11IN1E is the right answer only when its dual-HDMI layout solves a real monitor problem.

For adjacent options, compare both against our best home office docking stations picks and the USB-C vs Thunderbolt docking stations guide.