Plugable USBC-4IN1 Review 2026 - Specs, Pros & Cons

Name: Plugable 4-in-1 USB-C Hub with 4K HDMI and 100W Charging
Brand: Plugable
SKU: USBC-4IN1

The Plugable USBC-4IN1 is a small USB-C hub for people who need the ports most laptops and tablets keep dropping, but do not want a full desk dock. It connects through a captive USB-C host cable and adds one HDMI 2.0 output, one USB-A 10Gbps port, one USB-A 2.0 port, and one dual-purpose USB-C port. That USB-C port is the interesting part: Plugable says it can work as either a 10Gbps data port or a USB-C Power Delivery input that accepts up to 100W. The hub then passes up to 92W to the laptop when a charger is connected, with the rest reserved for the hub and attached devices. Video is native USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode, not DisplayLink, so there are no display drivers to install. The trade-off is that your host device must support USB-C video output. On a full-featured USB-C, USB4, or Thunderbolt laptop, the HDMI port can run one display up to 4K at 60Hz with HDR support. On weaker or older Alt Mode implementations, 4K 30Hz is the more realistic expectation. At a $34.95 direct price, 56g weight, and 4.5 x 1.3 x 0.5 inch body, this is a travel adapter first and a desk dock second.

Compact USB-C Hub 4K 60Hz HDMI

Pros & Cons

What We Like

Single 4K 60Hz HDMI output is useful for travel, classrooms, TVs, and one-monitor desks
Dual-purpose USB-C port can handle 10Gbps data or accept up to 100W Power Delivery input
One 10Gbps USB-A port is faster than the 5Gbps ports on many budget hubs
No display driver is required, which keeps setup simple on managed laptops and borrowed machines
Small 56g aluminum body is easy to keep in a laptop bag
Two-year Plugable warranty and lifetime support are stronger than most generic travel hubs

What Could Be Better

Only one external display output
Workaround: Choose a dual-monitor MST, DisplayLink, USB4, or Thunderbolt dock if you need more than one external display.
No Ethernet, card reader, audio jack, or second high-speed USB-A port
Workaround: Use a larger Plugable USBC-7IN1E, USBC-9IN1E, or USBC-11IN1E if those ports matter more than size.
HDMI depends on host DisplayPort Alt Mode support
Workaround: Check the laptop or tablet manual for DisplayPort Alt Mode, USB4, or Thunderbolt video support before buying.
USB-C port cannot be used for a USB-C monitor
Workaround: Connect the display through HDMI. Reserve the USB-C port for data devices or charger input.
Short captive cable can hang awkwardly from raised laptops or tablet stands
Workaround: Keep the hub beside the host device and avoid uncertified USB-C extension cables if video or charging reliability matters.

Display Support

Max Displays: 1

1 display (Single 4K@60Hz HDMI 2.0 output with HDR support on compatible USB-C, USB4, or Thunderbolt hosts that provide enough DisplayPort Alt Mode bandwidth.)

3840x2160 @ 60Hz

1 display (Likely fallback for hosts with restricted DisplayPort Alt Mode bandwidth, older firmware, or DP 1.2 reduced-lane implementations.)

3840x2160 @ 30Hz

1 display (Common fallback for projectors, TVs, older monitors, and hosts where 4K output is not needed.)

1920x1080 @ 60Hz

Ports & Connectivity

USB Ports

1x USB-C 3.2 7.5W

1x USB-A 3.2 7.5W

1x USB-A 2.0 2.5W

Video Outputs

1x HDMI 2.0

Full Specifications

General
Manufacturer	Plugable
Model	USBC-4IN1
Release Date	2023-08
MSRP	$34.95
Connectivity
Host Connection	USB-C
Max Data Rate	10 Gbps
Driver Required	No (native)
Display Output
Max Displays	1
1x Display	3840x2160 @ 60Hz (Single 4K@60Hz HDMI 2.0 output with HDR support on compatible USB-C, USB4, or Thunderbolt hosts that provide enough DisplayPort Alt Mode bandwidth.)
1x Display	3840x2160 @ 30Hz (Likely fallback for hosts with restricted DisplayPort Alt Mode bandwidth, older firmware, or DP 1.2 reduced-lane implementations.)
1x Display	1920x1080 @ 60Hz (Common fallback for projectors, TVs, older monitors, and hosts where 4K output is not needed.)
Ports (4+ total)
USB-C 3.2	1x (7.5W)
USB-A 3.2	1x (7.5W)
USB-A 2.0	1x (2.5W)
HDMI 2.0	1x
Power
Power Input	USB-C
Laptop Charging	Up to 92W

Compatibility

Windows (10+)

Plugable lists Windows 10 and newer. HDMI output requires a USB-C, USB4, or Thunderbolt port with DisplayPort Alt Mode, and charging requires USB-C Power Delivery support.

macOS (11+)

Plugable lists macOS 11 and newer. The hub works as a one-display adapter on compatible Mac systems with USB-C video output and does not bypass Apple Silicon external-display limits.

ChromeOS (100+)

Plugable lists ChromeOS 100 and newer. Chromebook video and charging behavior still depends on the USB-C port supporting DisplayPort Alt Mode and USB-C Power Delivery.

Android

Plugable lists USB-C iPad models and recent iPhones separately, and third-party tests cover iPad use. Android support depends on the device supporting USB-C video output or desktop mode.

Known Issues

USB-C ports without DisplayPort Alt Mode

HDMI output will not work

Users who need two external monitors

Only one HDMI output

USB-C monitors

The downstream USB-C port does not output video

USB-C ports without Power Delivery support

Pass-through charging may not work

7.1 /10

Our Verdict

Very Good

The USBC-4IN1 works best when you want a clean, cheap way to add HDMI and a couple of USB ports to a MacBook Air, iPad Pro, Chromebook, Surface, Dell XPS, ThinkPad, or similar USB-C laptop. It is not trying to be a cable-management station. There is no Ethernet, card reader, audio jack, second display output, or detachable host cable. That sounds limiting, but it also keeps the hub small enough to live in a bag and simple enough for conference rooms, hotel desks, classrooms, and one-monitor home setups. Cult of Mac gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars and confirmed 4K 60Hz output plus fast 10Gbps transfers from both the USB-C data port and the fast USB-A port. G Style Magazine reached the same basic conclusion: it is compact, portable, driverless, and useful when you only need a few extra ports. Amazon shows ASIN B0CB95R3VM with a 4.1 out of 5 rating from 99 reviews during this review pass, while Plugable's own product page links the same 99-review Amazon count. Buy it if you want a minimal driverless HDMI hub with better USB speed than most cheap adapters. Skip it if you need Ethernet, SD cards, two monitors, a USB-C monitor output, or a hub that can sit neatly behind a fixed desk setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Plugable USBC-4IN1 support 4K 60Hz?

Yes, on compatible hosts. Plugable lists one HDMI 2.0 output up to 4K at 60Hz with HDR support, but the laptop or tablet must support DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C, USB4, or Thunderbolt.

How much power can the Plugable USBC-4IN1 pass to a laptop?

Plugable lists up to 100W USB-C Power Delivery input and up to 92W to the host when a charger is connected. The exact charging rate depends on the charger, cable, laptop, and connected USB devices.

Does the Plugable USBC-4IN1 need drivers?

No display driver is required. The hub uses native USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode for HDMI output and standard operating-system support for USB and USB-C Power Delivery.

Can I connect a USB-C monitor to the Plugable USBC-4IN1?

No. The downstream USB-C port is for 10Gbps data or Power Delivery input, not video output. Cult of Mac also tested this and found that a USB-C monitor did not work through that port.

What ports are on the Plugable USBC-4IN1?

It has one HDMI 2.0 output, one USB-A 10Gbps port, one USB-A 2.0 port, one USB-C 10Gbps data or 100W Power Delivery input port, and a captive USB-C host cable.