BENFEI USB C Hub Review
Explore the BENFEI USB C Hub: an elegantly efficient 5-in-1 gadget like a secret desk compartment, simplifying connectivity while adding a touch of style.
Five ports and a silicone cable that does not tangle. Most USB-C hubs in the 5-port range use a standard rubber or braided cable that stiffens over time, kinks in the bag, and eventually frays at the connector. BENFEI uses a silicone woven cable rated for over 25,000 connection cycles. It stays soft, lays flat, and does not knot when tossed into a laptop bag. At 20cm, it is short enough to keep the hub close to the laptop without dangling off the edge of a café table, but long enough to reach comfortably when the laptop sits on a stand. That cable is the detail that separates this hub from the dozens of identical-looking 5-port hubs that all have the same ports.
One HDMI at 4K@30Hz. One USB-A 3.2 at 10 Gbps. Two USB-A 2.0 for keyboard and mouse. One USB-C PD at 90W pass-through (the hub reserves 10W for itself, so a 100W charger delivers 90W to the laptop). Aluminum case. No Ethernet. No card reader. No audio jack. This is a minimal hub that does four things and does not pretend to do more. 18-month warranty with 24-hour response.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Ports | 5 |
| HDMI | 1 (4K@30Hz, certified) |
| USB-A 3.2 | 1 (10 Gbps) |
| USB-A 2.0 | 2 |
| USB-C PD | 1 (90W pass-through, 10W reserved for hub) |
| Cable | 20cm silicone woven, 25,000+ lifecycle |
| Enclosure | Aluminum |
| DP Alt Mode Required | Yes (for HDMI video output) |
| USB-C Port Function | Power only. No data. No video. |
| Compatible Devices | MacBook Pro/Air, iPad Pro, iMac, iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, Dell XPS, ThinkPad, Surface, Chromebook, Samsung Galaxy |
| Compatible OS | macOS, Windows |
| Weight | Not specified |
| Dimensions | Not specified |
| Manufacturer | BENFEI |
| Warranty | 18 months, 24-hour response |
The 90W Reality
The title says 100W Power Delivery. The hub delivers 90W to the laptop and keeps 10W for its own operations. If you plug a 100W charger into the USB-C PD port, your laptop receives 90W. If you plug a 65W charger in, your laptop receives approximately 55W. The math is simple: whatever your charger provides, subtract 10W. For MacBook Air (30W) and most ultrabooks (45-65W), a 65W charger through this hub provides full-speed charging. For MacBook Pro 14″ (70-96W), a 100W charger delivers the 90W needed for near full-speed charging.
The USB-C PD port handles power only. No data transfer. No video output. If you plug a USB-C drive or monitor into it expecting anything other than charging, nothing will happen. Power goes in through USB-C. Everything else goes out through HDMI and USB-A.
One Fast USB Port, Two Slow Ones
The single USB-A 3.2 port runs at 10 Gbps. That is Gen 2 speed, fast enough for external SSDs that saturate their own controllers. The two USB-A 2.0 ports run at 480 Mbps. Those are for keyboard, mouse, wireless receiver, or any peripheral that does not need speed. The split makes sense for a 5-port hub: one port handles the device that needs bandwidth, two ports handle the devices that just need a connection.
If you need to connect two fast devices simultaneously (two external SSDs, a fast drive and a capture card), this hub cannot do that. One fast port means one fast device at a time. For multiple fast USB connections, a hub with three USB 3.0 or Gen 2 ports serves that need.
4K@30Hz HDMI: Certified
BENFEI specifies that the HDMI port is certified for 4K@30Hz. The “certified” distinction means the port has passed compliance testing rather than just claiming 4K support. 30Hz at 4K is sharp for static work but visibly stutters during scrolling compared to 60Hz. For a single external monitor used for documents, code, video calls, or presentations, 4K@30Hz is functional. For media editing or anything involving rapid cursor movement, 60Hz is noticeably smoother.
The HDMI port requires the host device’s USB-C port to support video output (DP Alt Mode). iPhones and Samsung phones with USB-C support screen mirroring through this HDMI port when their USB-C supports video output.
The Silicone Cable Difference
Most hubs in this price range use a rigid cable that holds its shape after being coiled in a bag. Over months of daily packing and unpacking, the cable develops permanent bends, and the stress point where cable meets connector begins to weaken. BENFEI’s silicone woven cable stays pliable. It does not hold memory of being coiled. It does not stiffen in cold weather. The 25,000+ lifecycle rating means the connector survives over a decade of daily plugging and unplugging at five connections per day.
For someone who packs a hub every morning and unpacks it at a desk, a hotel, or a client office, the cable matters more than most buyers expect. The hub with better ports but a cable that frays in six months is a hub you replace. The hub with a cable that outlasts the laptop is the one you forget about because it just keeps working.
Drawbacks
| Consideration | Detail |
|---|---|
| No Ethernet | Wired network requires a separate adapter or a larger hub. |
| No Card Reader | Photographers need a separate SD reader. |
| No Audio Jack | No 3.5mm output. |
| One Fast USB Port | Only one USB-A at 10 Gbps. Two ports are USB 2.0. |
| 4K@30Hz | Not 60Hz. Scrolling less smooth. |
| USB-C: Power Only | No data or video through the PD port. |
| 90W, Not 100W | Hub reserves 10W. Laptop receives 90W from a 100W charger. |
| Weight/Dimensions Unknown | Not specified. |
Who This Hub Is For
Anyone who needs one HDMI monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and laptop charging from the smallest possible hub with a cable that will not fray: The BENFEI 5-in-1 does four things: video, one fast USB, two slow USB, and charging. The silicone cable and aluminum body are built for daily travel. The 18-month warranty with 24-hour response covers the first year and a half. If your daily setup is laptop, one monitor, keyboard, mouse, and a charger, this hub handles exactly that and nothing more. For a hub with Ethernet and card readers, the Acer 9-in-1 or Anker 555 add those ports at more weight. For a hub with dual HDMI, the Newmight or LASUNEY provide that.
Users who need Ethernet, card readers, dual monitors, or multiple fast USB ports: This hub does not have those. It is a minimal hub by design. For expanded connectivity, see the docking stations hub page.
Final Verdict
The BENFEI 5-in-1 is the hub for the person who knows exactly what they need and does not want to carry anything extra. One HDMI. One fast USB. Two slow USB. 90W charging. A silicone cable that stays soft after a year of daily use. An aluminum case that dissipates heat instead of trapping it. No Ethernet, no card reader, no audio, no second monitor. Five ports, and each one earns its place. The cable is the reason to pick this over the generic 5-port hubs that have the same ports for the same price but use a cable that hardens and cracks by month eight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does it say 100W but deliver 90W?
The hub accepts 100W through the USB-C PD port and reserves 10W for its own operations. 90W passes through to the laptop. Use a 100W charger for full 90W delivery.
Can I transfer data through the USB-C port?
No. The USB-C port handles charging only. Data transfer uses the USB-A ports. Video uses the HDMI port.
Does this work with iPhone 15?
Yes. iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max with USB-C can mirror to the HDMI display and charge through the PD port simultaneously. Standard iPhone 15 models support charging but video output depends on the model.
Why only one fast USB port?
The hub has five ports total. One USB-A runs at 10 Gbps for fast devices. Two USB-A run at 2.0 speed for keyboard and mouse. The split keeps the hub simple and avoids bandwidth contention that slows all ports when multiple fast devices compete.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Docking Station Intelligence
The standards are confusing by design. These three panels decode what manufacturers won’t explain clearly. Applicable to every docking station.
The USB-C Confusion Matrix
The USB-C connector is the single greatest source of buyer confusion in docking stations. The physical plug looks identical whether it carries USB 2.0 at 480 Mbps or Thunderbolt 5 at 120 Gbps — a 250x difference in capability hidden behind the same shape. Manufacturers exploit this by labeling everything "USB-C compatible" without specifying which protocol runs through it. Two docks can look identical on the outside and behave completely differently once you plug them in.
The hierarchy matters because it determines everything: how many monitors your dock can drive, how fast files transfer, whether your laptop charges while docked, and whether you need third-party drivers. Here is the real capability ladder, from slowest to fastest:
The practical takeaway: if your laptop has Thunderbolt 4, buy a Thunderbolt dock. If it only has generic USB-C, verify whether it supports DisplayPort Alt Mode before buying anything with multi-monitor claims. Our buying guide walks through verification steps for every major laptop brand.
Power Delivery: What the Watts Mean
Power Delivery (PD) determines whether your docking station can charge your laptop while you work, or whether you need a separate charger cluttering your desk. The math is simple but rarely explained: your laptop draws a specific wattage under load, and the dock must match or exceed it. If the dock delivers less than your laptop needs, the battery slowly drains even while plugged in — defeating the purpose of a docking station entirely.
Most ultrabooks need 45–65W. Standard business laptops need 65–100W. Gaming and workstation laptops can demand 100–140W or more. The dock’s advertised PD wattage is the maximum it can deliver to your laptop — but this drops if you charge other devices (phones, tablets) through the dock simultaneously. Always leave a 15–20W margin above your laptop’s requirement.
Check your laptop’s original charger wattage — that’s your baseline. Our FAQ covers how to find this for every major brand.
Native Display vs DisplayLink: The Hidden Factor
This is the decision most buyers don’t know they’re making. When a docking station outputs video to your monitors, it uses one of two fundamentally different methods: native (the dock passes your laptop’s GPU signal directly to the monitor) or DisplayLink (the dock compresses video over USB and a software driver renders it). The difference is invisible in marketing materials but profoundly affects your daily experience.
Native output through DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt uses your laptop’s actual graphics hardware. There is zero added latency, full DRM support for streaming services, no CPU overhead, and no driver to install. DisplayLink, by contrast, adds 5–15ms of latency (noticeable in video calls and cursor movement), blocks DRM content on connected monitors (Netflix, Disney+ show black screens), consumes 3–8% of your CPU constantly, and requires a driver that Apple’s macOS security updates occasionally break.
DisplayLink exists for one reason: Apple Silicon base chips (M1, M2, M3) can only drive one external display natively. If you need two or more monitors on a base MacBook Air or 13” MacBook Pro, DisplayLink is your only option. For everyone else — Windows users, Mac Pro/Max chip users, Intel/AMD laptops — native is always the better choice.
Native (Alt Mode / Thunderbolt)
DisplayLink (USB compression)
The bottom line: if your laptop supports native multi-display output, always choose a native dock. DisplayLink is a workaround, not an upgrade. See our glossary for detailed definitions.
COMMAND CENTERCOMMAND CENTER
Six tools that decode the confusion manufacturers create. Port protocols, power budgets, display configurations, compatibility, desk planning, and future-proofing. Full buying guide →
Port Protocol DecoderWhat does your connection type actually support? Glossary
Power Delivery CalculatorCan this dock keep your laptop charged?
Display Configuration PlannerCan your dock push enough pixels?
Laptop-to-Dock CompatibilityWill this dock work with YOUR laptop?
Desk Setup ArchitectWhat ports do you actually need?
Select everything you need to connect: