Sabrent HB-U14P thirteen-port USB 2.0 hub review

Many connections for a modest data workload

The Sabrent HB-U14P is a thirteen-port USB 2.0 hub, intended to keep many traditional USB-A devices connected to one computer. It includes a power adapter and has two group switches. It is a different kind of purchase from a modern high-speed storage hub: the main benefit is connection count, rather than bandwidth.

That can be appropriate for a collection of lower-bandwidth accessories, provided their power and software needs suit the setup. It is a poor fit when the reason for adding ports is to move large files quickly between modern external drives. Start with what the devices need to do together, rather than treating thirteen sockets as a universal upgrade.

Thirteen downstream ports, not thirteen fast channels

The current manufacturer specification explicitly states thirteen downstream ports. The original cover and layout distinguish the attached USB-A computer lead from the downstream sockets, including the socket on the end of the strip. The upstream plug is not counted as an extra data outlet.

The documented interface supports up to 480 Mbps, the USB 2.0 high-speed class. That is an advertised line rate, not our measured transfer performance. All active devices share the computer connection. A keyboard may not need much bandwidth, whereas a storage copy, webcam or other busy accessory can place very different demands on the same shared link.

Connecting the HB-U14P to a newer computer port does not turn its downstream sockets into 5 Gbps USB 3.0. If fast storage transfer is essential, choose a hub whose actual downstream data interfaces meet that speed class. Backward compatibility is useful for connecting devices, but it is not an automatic speed upgrade.

Two switches control groups

The quick reference says each of the two switches controls a group of six devices. This is grouped power control, rather than one button for every port. Do not choose the HB-U14P expecting the individual socket controls found on a different Sabrent hub.

The documentation does not establish a separate individual switch for the remaining downstream connection. If precise port-by-port control is the reason for buying a switched hub, use a model that explicitly provides that arrangement. For storage, complete transfers and safely eject the device before turning off its group; a power switch does not replace the operating system's normal removal procedure.

Group control can also affect more than the one device you intended to disconnect. Consider which accessories belong together before wiring a permanent desk. A printer and an idle accessory may tolerate being switched as a group differently from an active external disk.

An included supply is still hub power

The manufacturer lists a power adapter in the package. That supports the hub's operation without making this a laptop-charging dock. There is no USB-C Power Delivery connection or other documented charging output to the computer, so the notebook keeps its own charger.

The reviewed original quick reference does not state a precise adapter voltage, current or total downstream power budget. We do not fill those fields from a similar-looking model. Check the exact supplied adapter and device requirements when several accessories need significant power; the number of sockets does not guarantee that every possible device combination can run at maximum demand.

Choose it for the right generation of accessories

Sabrent names Windows, MacOS and Linux and describes the hub as plug-and-play without an extra hub driver. Connected accessories can still require their own drivers or applications. The original material does not provide a chip-by-chip current Mac compatibility table, and it includes no display output, Ethernet or card reader.

The HB-U14P is worth considering for a large set of USB 2.0-era or otherwise modest-bandwidth devices where grouped control is acceptable. Choose a faster or individually switched data hub when those are the real requirements, and choose a video and PD dock when the computer needs screens and charging. Its value becomes clearer when connection count, speed and power control are treated as separate needs.