If you’re thinking about getting a USB hub for one of your devices but are struggling to figure out whether you should go with the powered or non-powered option, you’re not alone. With all the technology and mobile devices currently on the market, figuring out which option is best may not be as straightforward as one may think. But we’ve detailed the differences in this article between the powered and non-powered USB hubs so you have a better idea of which would work best for your situation.
What Are USB Hubs?
A USB is a method of connecting a computer with an external device. They allow for the connection and interface of devices such as keyboards, printers, mice, flash drives, and other such devices. USBs are what are called backwards and frontwards compatible, meaning they have a standard that can be utilized by both older models and new technology.
Hubs connect the USB ports and increase the number of devices that can be connected to the computer by adding more ports. The one provision of adding multiple USB ports is that they all draw from the same power supply and bandwidth, which, depending on the number and types of devices attached, may negatively impact the way both the device and the computer functions.
Powered USB Hubs
Powered USB hubs are just that: USBs that are powered by AC adapters plugged into electrical outlets. They are also referred to as self-powered USB hubs. Because they are able to generate stronger amounts of power through the outlets, self-powered hubs are better suited to power PC components that require larger amounts of charge. Think scanners and printers, external hard drives or disk drives, and devices along those lines—all of which are recommended to utilize a powered USB hub.
Other than being more expensive than non-powered USB hubs and not as portable, there isn’t much drawback to these devices. Some experts even go as far as saying that all PC components should use only powered USB hubs.
Non-Powered USB Hubs
Also known as bus-powered USB hubs, non-powered USB hubs get their energy from the internal power supply of the computer to which they are attached. The best part about non-powered USB hubs is the fact that an electrical outlet is not needed for them to function. That means they are more portable and able to power smaller-scale PC components like tablets or even cell phones.
The main drawback is that non-powered USB hubs don’t work well with larger-scale devices. Plus, plugging multiple devices into the port can slow the computer.
Ohming Technology offers the Charge M.E., a powered USB hub that can charge up to eight devices without needing any connection to a computer. Even better than a standard four-port USB hub, the Charge M.E. features eight ports, four of which offer network functionality. Visit our web site for more information on how the personal “Charge M.E.” can benefit you while you are at home, at the office, traveling on the road, or charging multiple devices in your dorm room. To order your Charge M.E. today, visit our online shop.
Paul Romanenko
Latest posts by Paul Romanenko (see all)
- Why Households with Multiple Devices Need Multi-Device Chargers - August 7, 2019
- 5 Situations Where You Don’t Want Your Phone Battery to Die - July 24, 2019
- Visiting National Parks: Travel Essentials to Pack for the Great Outdoors - July 17, 2019