EDIT: You can watch a video version of this review down below.
This is a review of this Anker Product; at the time of my purchase, it cost $29.99 and had 4-Star review.
Overall: I WOULD recommend this product.
Background/Use:
My use of this product is as a college student with a Macbook Pro 13" 2015 (Base Model). I use this product with
WesternDigital EasyStore 4tb
WesternDigital My Passport Wireless Pro 4tb
Lexar 16gb Flashdrive
Lexar 32gb Flashdrive
1 Micro-USB as a speaker charger
I keep my USB hub continually plugged into the power cable into the wall.
Review:
I needed a powered usb hub to be able to connect both of my hard drives at once. My Macbook has two usb ports but one is perpetually used with a 128gb flashdrive that I seldom remove and I dislike very much connecting a hard drive directly to my computer for fear of moving the hard drive too much and potentially scratching the disk (not a common occurrence but I prefer to be safe). Once I got it, I just plugged in my other two flashdrives for convenience.
Performance:
This hub performs exceptionally well. With 4 data drives plugged in plus a powered micro-usb cable, the performance of the hub has not faltered yet. The speeds I get with this hub are nothing less than expected with a USB 3.0 hub. I am constantly backing my computer and two other drives using TimeMachine and I am importing pictures from my SD Card slot to my external hard drive and I have not noticed any slow speeds.
Pros:
7 Ports
USB 3.0
Can power at least 2 hard drives plugged in
Can power my speaker attached
Aluminum Body has premium feel
Cons:
(According to Manual when plugged into wall) Can only support a combined power output of 3A
Meaning: No phone/tablet/watch charging
USB Cable that connects to computer is hardwired to the USB Hub, I wish it was removable so I could use my own, longer cable
USB cable is only 1.3feet