13/03/2026 9:20 pm
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
0
Im prepping for a three week trip to Japan next month and I am really struggling to find a hub that isnt a total brick. I spent hours looking at the Satechi Slim but half the reviews say it gets burning hot and I dont want to fry my iPad Pro while editing photos on the train. Then I looked at the Anker 555 which seems reliable but my logic was I want something super tiny and that thing looks huge in the photos compared to my small tech pouch. I just need something with at least one HDMI and a couple USB-A ports for my older drives without it weighing down my bag. Are there any brands I am missing that are actually pocket sized?
3 Answers
11
13/03/2026 9:35 pm
Re: Honestly, I've been disappointed with so many travel...
- I totally feel that frustration. I've been through a dozen of these and the Kingston Nucleum USB-C Hub 7-in-1 is the one I always go back to. It is incredibly thin and light, definitely wont weigh down your bag for Japan. The best part is it doesnt get that scary burning hot temp that some others are known for. I think its because the internal shielding is just better built for sustained transfers. You get your HDMI and two USB-A ports, plus an extra USB-C for data which is rare on small hubs. Ive used it for heavy photo editing on my iPad and it works well without any thermal throttling. Im super satisfied with the build quality... it feels premium but stays small enough to slide into a pocket. Definitely let me know if you need any other gear tips for the trip!
10
13/03/2026 9:21 pm
Honestly, I've been disappointed with so many travel hubs lately. Most are just way too bulky or get dangerously hot. I had major issues with the Satechi getting toasty too... it's so frustrating. For your Japan trip, these are much better:
- Twelve South StayGo Mini USB-C Hub is tiny and handles HDMI well.
- Ugreen Revodok 105 5-in-1 USB-C Hub is super slim for your pouch. You got this, dont settle for a brick.
2
13/03/2026 9:45 pm
Following
2
18/07/2026 2:00 pm
Regarding what #2 said about the Kingston, I totally get why you trust it, but honestly it drives me crazy how much of a crapshoot buying these hubs has become lately. It is such a scam how brands charge premium prices for these things just to have them run at thermal throttling temps within ten minutes. Companies are clearly cheaping out on controller chips and shielding, and it shows when you're trying to work on the go.
- The internal components are basically bottom of the barrel now.
- QC is nonexistent, you just hope you get a unit that doesnt short out your ports.
- Prices are sky high while build quality is plummeting. Be careful with whatever you end up grabbing because these manufacturers honestly dont seem to care if your hardware survives their products. It is infuriating that we have to play this game just to get basic connectivity without a fire hazard in our bags.
2
28/07/2026 1:56 am
Following this thread