Plugable
Plugable 3-Port USB 3.0 Hub with Gigabit Ethernet
Bottom line: The Plugable 3-Port USB 3.0 Hub with Gigabit Ethernet ($34.95 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Gigabit Ethernet plus three USB 3.0 ports in one bus-powered adapter; main trade-off: bus-powered only; stand-alone charging not supported.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Gigabit Ethernet plus three USB 3.0 ports in one bus-powered adapter
- ✓ Includes detachable USB-C and USB-A 3.0 cables, each 19 in (50 cm)
- ✓ Built-in drivers on Windows 11/10/8.x, macOS, ChromeOS and most Linux distros
- ✓ Compact aluminum body; all ports on one side, usable upright or on its side
- ✓ 2-year defect coverage plus lifetime North American support
Cons
- ✗ Bus-powered only; stand-alone charging not supported
- ✗ Not compatible with game consoles
- ✗ Windows 7 requires a separate driver download
- ✗ Limited to three USB ports; no video output or card reader listed
Manufacturer description
The Plugable 3-Port USB 3.0 Hub with Gigabit Ethernet adds a wired RJ45 network connection and three USB 3.0 ports to your laptop through one bus-powered adapter. It comes with two detachable 19-inch (50cm) cables, one USB-C and one USB-A 3.0. That lets the same hub work with a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, Microsoft Surface Pro, Dell XPS, Lenovo ThinkPad, Chromebook or an older desktop. Windows 11, 10 and 8.x, macOS, ChromeOS and most Linux distributions already include the drivers, so you plug it in and it works. Windows 7 users can download a driver. The aluminum housing fits easily in a…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Plugable 3-Port USB 3.0 Hub with Gigabit Ethernet using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the networking category. Plugable's networking lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for networking of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this Plugable hub work with my USB-C MacBook and an older USB-A laptop?
Yes. It includes two detachable 19-inch (50cm) cables, one USB-C and one USB-A 3.0, so you can connect it to either type of host, including MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Surface Pro, Dell XPS, ThinkPad and Chromebooks.
Do I need to install drivers for the Ethernet port?
Not on most systems. Drivers are built into Windows 11, 10 and 8.x, macOS, ChromeOS and most Linux distributions. Windows 7 users need to download the driver separately.
Can I use this hub to charge my phone or laptop?
No. The hub is bus-powered from your computer and does not support stand-alone charging.
Does it work with a PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch?
No. Plugable states the hub is not compatible with game consoles. It is designed for laptops, tablets and desktops running Windows, macOS, ChromeOS or Linux.
What warranty comes with the Plugable USB 3.0 Ethernet hub?
It is covered against defects for 2 years and includes lifetime support from Plugable's North American team, which you can also contact with questions before you buy.
Key Features
- Connect Anywhere—Upgrade your laptop, tablet, or desktop with reliable Gigabit Ethernet and expand your USB 3.0 connectivity—all through a single, travel-ready 3-port USB 3.0 Hub. Includes both USB-C and USB-A 3.0 cables for universal compatibility
- Flexible Connectivity—Includes two detachable 19in (50cm) cables for compatibility across both USB C and USB A 3.0 host devices, including MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Microsoft Surface Pro series, Dell XPS, Lenovo ThinkPad, Chromebooks and more
- Portable Design—Featuring a lightweight and sturdy aluminum build, this hub is compact and travel-friendly. All three USB ports are located on one side, and can be positioned upward or to the side to reduce cable clutter and maximize accessibility
- Simple Plug and Play Setup—Drivers are built-in to Windows 11/10/8.x, macOS, ChromeOS, and most Linux distributions. Windows 7 drivers available via download. Stand-alone charging not supported. Not compatible with game consoles.
- 2-Year Coverage, Lifetime Support—Every Plugable product, including this USB hub, is covered against defects for 2 years and includes lifetime US-based support. Reach out to our expert North American-based team—even before purchase
Full Specifications
| Brand | Plugable |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Model Number | USB3-HUB3ME |
| Compatibility | Mac, Linux |
| Built-In Media | USB 3.0 Hub with Ethernet GbE |
| Mfr Part Number | USB3-HUB3ME |
| Number of Ports | 3 |
| Special Feature | Powered |
| Total Usb Ports | 3 |
| Data Transfer Rate | 1 Gigabits Per Second |
| Enclosure Material | Aluminum |
| Hardware Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Additional Features | Powered |
| Warranty Description | 2 Year Limited Parts and Labor |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 5.71"L x 2.95"W x 2.28"H |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00819927010531 |
| Full listing title | Plugable 3-Port USB 3.0 Hub with Gigabit Ethernet | Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS | Portable USB-C/USB-A Bus-Powered RJ45 GbE LAN Adapter for Laptops, MacBooks, Chromebooks |
Ready to buy?
Plugable 3-Port USB 3.0 Hub with Gigabit Ethernet | Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS | Portable USB-C/USB-A Bus-Powered RJ45 GbE LAN Adapter for Laptops, MacBooks, Chromebooks is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Related Networking
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- Handheld Gaming PC Near Me: Where to Buy in 2025
- Best Sim Racing Wheel for Beginners: G29 vs HORI vs Thrustmaster
- Ryzen 5 5600G vs Ryzen 7 5700X for a Budget Gaming Build
- Best Budget Build for Local LLMs in 2026: How Far a Ryzen 5 5600G + RTX 3060 Gets You
- How Fast Is Local LLM Inference on a Ryzen 7 5800X (CPU-Only, No GPU)?
- How to Run DeepSeek-R1 32B on Apple M4: Which Mac You Need + Real tok/s
- Cut AI API Bills: Run Local LLMs on an RTX 3060 12GB (2026)
- Best CPU for a Local-LLM Homelab Under $300 in 2026
- China Mobile JT-4.1 Flash 236B: A Token-Efficient MoE and What It Takes to Self-Host
- Is the KOORUI 27" 4K QD-Mini LED Worth It for RTX 3060 Gaming?
- Best Controller for PC Emulation: 8BitDo Pro 2 vs GameSir G7
- Self-Hosted Personal Finance: n8n + Actual Budget + Claude
- Best SATA SSDs for Gaming and Retro PC Builds in 2026
- Best Retro Gaming Storage Adapters for Win98 and DOS PCs in 2026
- Homelab Month One: Raspberry Pi 4 or a Ryzen 5 Mini-PC?
- 768GB Optane Ran a 1T-Param LLM: What It Means for Home Rigs
- Intel Arc Pro B60 vs RTX 3060 12GB for Local LLM
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on Apple M3 Ultra
- Best Gaming Controllers for PC in 2026: 5 Picks Tested Across Genres
- DeepCool AK620 vs Noctua NH-U12S for the Ryzen 7 5800X
- Steam Deck OLED vs ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: 2025 Comparison
- Dual RTX 3090 PC Builds: PSU, Cooling, and Cost in 2025
- Buying Pre-Owned SSDs and HDDs: Good Idea in 2026?
- Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen 7 5800X for 1440p Gaming in 2026
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090