Today we will be showing you the best-powered USB 3.0 hubs for Raspberry Pi 4. Updated for 2023!.
We have researched the market and done extensive testing on many different USB hubs. We fully tested them all to ensure compatibility with the Raspberry Pi 4.
We recommend for the best compatibility that you purchase a powered USB Hub. This is due to the Raspberry Pi 4 having power supply limitations.
Out of all our tests, these fared the best in terms of speed and reliability. We put them all through their paces by trying out different drives and passing small and large files back and forth and testing the read and write performances.
We decided to keep this post simple and just let you know the outcome. Below is the best-powered USB hub for Raspberry Pi 4.
Best powered USB Hub for Raspberry pi 4:
USB 3.0 – Server Compatible – (Back power issue fixed confirmed See bottom of this page for more details). (Reboot cycles complete successfully).
You will need to purchase both the below items unless you already own a compatible 1000mA + Micro USB power supply.
| UGREEN 4 Ports USB 3.0 Hub | Aukru 5V 3000mA Power Supply |
| UK Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3cSgvKG | UK Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2UgHI3p |
| USA Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3zxJNIr | USA Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3eIz5Wc |
You will need to purchase both the below items unless you already own a compatible DC 5V Jack charger. Note the DC Power Supply will need to have the following, 5v, center positive polarity.
| UGREEN 3 Ports USB 3.0 Hub + Ethernet | Atolla 5V DC Power Supply |
| UK Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2SB5qae | UK Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3gIjzdr |
| USA Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3vxEfKF | USA Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3cOSULc |
USB 3.0 – Raspberry Pi OS Desktop Use (All in ones) – (Comes with Back Power Issue)
Below are USB Hubs that work great while using the Raspberry Pi 4 as a desktop. The back power problem will not be as much of an issue as you will be present at the Raspberry Pi when it is in use. We have tried both of these 3.0 USB Hubs and confirm they were great with general desktop use. They are also affordable.
| Sabrent 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub | Atolla 4 Ports USB 3.0 Hub |
| UK Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/35wapvB | UK Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3gC6uU8 |
| USA Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3gzWeMp | USA Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3gIRanE |
If you intend to only use a single USB storage dongle or a single low-powered USB device (USB Webcam etc) then you may just get away with not needing a mains-powered hub.
This concludes our recommendations. If you have tried out any of these USB Hubs please let us know your thoughts.
Common Problems You May Run Into With USB 3.0 Hubs and Raspberry Pi 4.
The USB Hub back power problem with 3.0 USB Hubs on the Raspberry Pi 4:
There is an issue with many of the cheaper USB Hubs on the market where the USB Hub back powers the Raspberry Pi 4.
This causes the Raspberry Pi to get stuck on reboot. The only way to get it to successfully start up again is to manually remove the hub from the USB 3.0 port. Let it start to boot then quickly put the USB cable back in the same port. This will allow the Raspberry Pi 4 to successfully start the boot process.
This can be a major problem if you use your Raspberry Pi 4 as a server which requires automatic rebooting for docker containers and services.
Fortunately there is a solution and it all depends on the quality of the USB hub.
We have included a section above which lists USB Hubs that fix the back power problem and are compatible for server use.
Have you got any other USB 3.0 Hubs that you would recommend ?. Others could benefit from your experience. Why not let them know? by commenting below.
Hello, i would know if this new version is compatible with Raspberry pi 4
Hi, it is not one I have tested. It should work fine however it may have the back power issue. This one I can confirm will work https://amzn.to/3ed6sQl and fix the back power issue where the raspberry pi 4 fails to reboot and the USB devices have to be manually unplugged.
Thanks, I’m using RPi 4 8GB and OS is ubuntu20.04 gnome-session, not fully installed with desktop environment. Changed the usb hub to the ‘ugreen’, which you recommened in the post and comment above, now the problem has gone. But another problem has set back again. If I connect this y shaped cable linked below(not exactly same manufacturer but kinda), RPi doesn’t boot. I plugged usb3.0 part to the Rpi usb3.0 port and external power part to the hub. And, I wonder the ‘uhubctl’ supports to that hub, which make usb ports reset again.
I mean, not another problem. Just same problem where RPI doesn’t boot and have to unplug to make it boot.
If I get the UGREEN 4 Ports USB 3.0 Hub and 5V, 3 Amp power supply what is the max current (Amps) that can be supplied to any one USB port on that Hub? I want to power an external USB 2.5″ HDD. It may need up to 1.2A at spin up. Would I be limited to the USB3 spec of 900mA per USB3 port or could a port supply more than 900mA because the hub has its own power supply?
You’re the fucking Messiah. I was having a hard time trying to find a hub in forums for my needs, everyone said “yOu ArE dUmB” and should switch to a sata HDD even when I was saying I don’t need more hard drives when I already have 2 portables. Thanks for the details and links.
Love from Spain.
Thank you and glad we could help 🙂
Hey, do you know if these will continue to power connected devices when the power is off? I was hoping to power a computer fan on this and would like the fan to turn off when the pi turns off. Essentially this will go inside a small arcade build and I want it to circulate air when the pie is on, but turn off when it is not.
THANK YOU, !!!! Perfect, your recommendation worked exceptionally well , solving my Raspberry pi NAS problems. Hugely appreciate your efforts to resolve this very important issue
PLUS, this back power ptoblem was causing my Win 10 Pro to go blue screen when a 2T drive was connected. Going thru another powered ugreen USB solved this problem also.
My bad, was looking at the wrong section