Portronics Mport 8 Plus vs STRIFF 8-in-1 vs Dubstep SnaplinkGo 8-in-1: Which USB-C Hub Is Best?
Best 8-in-1 USB-C Hubs Compared: Portronics vs STRIFF vs Dubstep SnaplinkGo
Modern laptops are getting thinner, but there's a catch: fewer physical ports. If your laptop has only a couple of USB-C ports, connecting a mouse, keyboard, pen drive, memory card, monitor, Ethernet cable, and charger can quickly become a headache.
That's where an 8-in-1 USB-C hub comes in.
Three affordable options worth comparing are the Portronics Mport 8 Plus, STRIFF 8-in-1 USB-C Docking Station, and Dubstep SnaplinkGo 8-in-1 Type-C Multiport Hub.
On paper, all three promise plenty of connectivity in a compact package. But they aren't exactly the same, and the differences matter depending on how you plan to use the hub.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Portronics Mport 8 Plus | STRIFF 8-in-1 | Dubstep SnaplinkGo 8-in-1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB 3.0 | Yes, up to 5Gbps | Yes, up to 5Gbps | Yes, up to 5Gbps |
| USB 2.0 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI | No | Yes, up to 4K | Yes, up to 4K |
| Ethernet | No | Yes, up to 100Mbps | Yes |
| SD card | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| microSD/TF | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C data | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C PD charging | Yes | Yes, up to 100W | Yes, up to 100W |
| 3.5mm AUX | Yes | No | No |
| Host connection | USB-C + USB-A | USB-C | USB-C |
| Best suited for | Flexible everyday connectivity | Laptop workstation setup | Feature-packed all-round use |
Specifications can vary by seller listing, so check the exact listing before buying.
1. Portronics Mport 8 Plus
The Portronics Mport 8 Plus takes a slightly different approach from the other two.
Instead of concentrating on HDMI and Ethernet, it focuses on everyday connectivity. It includes USB 3.0, USB 2.0, USB-C data, SD and microSD card readers, USB-C PD charging, and a 3.5mm AUX port. One particularly useful feature is its dual-input design, supporting both USB-C and USB-A host connections.
That makes it useful if you switch between newer USB-C laptops and older computers.
The USB 3.0 port supports data transfer of up to 5Gbps, while the SD and microSD readers make the hub useful for moving photos and videos from memory cards.
What makes it stand out?
The biggest advantage is flexibility. The USB-A + USB-C host compatibility and 3.5mm audio jack give it capabilities the other two don't necessarily offer.
The downside
If you specifically need to connect your laptop to an external monitor through HDMI or use wired Ethernet, this is the wrong choice. That is the biggest weakness of the Mport 8 Plus: eight ports doesn't automatically mean eight of the ports you actually need.
2. STRIFF 8-in-1 USB-C Docking Station
The STRIFF takes the more traditional "laptop docking station" approach.
Its feature set includes 4K HDMI, 100Mbps Ethernet, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, SD/microSD card readers, USB-C data and PD charging. Listings also advertise USB 3.0 speeds up to 5Gbps and up to 100W PD charging.
This makes it more suitable for someone who wants to turn a laptop with limited ports into a basic desktop workstation.
For example, you could connect an external monitor through HDMI, a wired Ethernet connection, a keyboard or mouse, a USB drive, an SD/microSD card, and your laptop charger — all through one hub.
What makes it stand out?
Versatility for a workstation. Compared with the Mport 8 Plus, STRIFF gives you HDMI and Ethernet, which are much more useful if your laptop is regularly connected to a monitor or wired network.
The downside
It doesn't have the Mport 8 Plus's 3.5mm AUX port or dual USB-A/USB-C host-input flexibility. Also, don't confuse "100W PD" with the hub itself delivering 100W to your laptop in every situation. Actual charging power depends on the charger, laptop, and the hub's power-delivery implementation.
3. Dubstep SnaplinkGo 8-in-1
The Dubstep SnaplinkGo is probably the most aggressively feature-packed of the three.
Dubstep lists 4K HDMI, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, USB-C PD charging, SD/TF card slots and RJ45 Ethernet in its eight-port design. It also advertises 5Gbps data transfer, 100W PD, an aluminium body and overheat/overload protection.
In other words, it covers most of the features people normally look for in a USB-C docking hub.
What makes it stand out?
Its biggest strength is the combination of features. You get HDMI + Ethernet + USB ports + SD/TF + USB-C data + PD charging in one compact hub. That's a strong combination for students, office users, creators and anyone who regularly connects several peripherals to a laptop.
The downside
The main issue isn't the feature list. It's that feature lists don't tell you everything about real-world reliability. Cheap multiport hubs can look almost identical on paper while differing in controller quality, thermal behaviour, port stability and long-term reliability. So I wouldn't choose the SnaplinkGo solely because it advertises more features.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Connectivity
If your priority is maximum variety, the STRIFF and Dubstep have the advantage because they include HDMI and Ethernet. The Mport 8 Plus instead gives you AUX and dual host connectivity.
Winner: STRIFF / DubstepExternal Monitor Support
STRIFF and Dubstep include HDMI output supporting up to 4K according to their product listings. The Mport 8 Plus doesn't include HDMI.
Winner: STRIFF / DubstepMemory Cards
All three are aimed at users who need memory-card access, with SD and microSD/TF support — particularly useful for photographers, students moving files from cameras, and anyone regularly working with removable storage.
Winner: TieUSB Data Transfer
The three hubs advertise USB 3.0 connectivity, with speeds around the 5Gbps theoretical maximum. Remember that 5Gbps is a maximum interface speed, not a guarantee — your storage device, cables, computer, and the hub's internal controller all affect real-world speeds.
Winner: Tie on advertised specificationsCharging
STRIFF and Dubstep advertise up to 100W PD, while the Mport 8 Plus also provides a dedicated PD charging connection. But this is one area where you shouldn't blindly compare numbers — a "100W PD" label means the hub can support that input under stated conditions, not that your laptop will necessarily receive 100W.
Winner: STRIFF / Dubstep on advertised maximumAudio
This is where the Mport 8 Plus wins. Its 3.5mm AUX port makes it convenient if your laptop lacks a headphone jack. STRIFF and Dubstep don't have the same advantage in their listed port configurations.
Winner: Portronics Mport 8 PlusWhich One Should You Buy?
Choose Portronics Mport 8 Plus if:
- You want a USB hub rather than a full workstation dock.
- You need a 3.5mm headphone/audio connection.
- You use both USB-A and USB-C computers.
- You frequently use SD and microSD cards.
- You don't need HDMI or Ethernet.
Choose STRIFF if:
- You want HDMI and Ethernet.
- You're building a basic laptop workstation.
- You want a conventional 8-in-1 docking station.
- You need wired networking.
- You regularly connect an external monitor.
Choose Dubstep SnaplinkGo if:
- You want the broadest feature set in one hub.
- You need HDMI + Ethernet + SD/TF + USB + PD.
- You prefer a compact aluminium hub.
- You want a more modern all-in-one setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hub has HDMI and Ethernet? +
Both the STRIFF 8-in-1 and Dubstep SnaplinkGo include 4K HDMI and Ethernet. The Portronics Mport 8 Plus doesn't include either port.
Which hub works with both USB-A and USB-C laptops? +
The Portronics Mport 8 Plus is the only one of the three with a dual USB-A/USB-C host design, making it useful if you regularly switch between older and newer computers.
Does "100W PD" mean my laptop will actually charge at 100W? +
Not necessarily. The 100W figure is the maximum the hub is rated to support under the manufacturer's stated conditions — actual charging speed still depends on your charger, laptop, and cable.
Which hub is best for a basic desktop workstation setup? +
The STRIFF and Dubstep SnaplinkGo are both built for this — each pairs HDMI and Ethernet with USB ports and card readers, letting a single hub replace a monitor cable, network cable, and peripheral connections.
Is a 3.5mm AUX port on a USB hub actually useful? +
It matters mainly if your laptop doesn't have its own headphone jack. Of the three hubs here, only the Portronics Mport 8 Plus includes one.
Final Verdict
If I had to rank them based on the advertised feature sets rather than pretending we've personally tested their hardware, I'd put them like this:
It combines the features most people expect from an 8-in-1 laptop dock: HDMI, Ethernet, USB ports, card readers and PD charging.
It offers a very similar workstation-oriented feature set, including 4K HDMI, Ethernet, USB ports, card readers and PD charging.
It loses the HDMI and Ethernet battle, but its dual USB-A/USB-C host design and AUX port make it more useful for certain users.
The Bottom Line
Don't choose an 8-in-1 hub simply because the number "8" looks impressive.
If you need HDMI and Ethernet, the STRIFF or Dubstep makes more sense. If you need AUX and compatibility with both USB-A and USB-C host devices, the Portronics Mport 8 Plus is the more interesting option.
For most laptop users looking for a single hub to create a basic desktop setup, Dubstep SnaplinkGo is the strongest all-round specification package, while STRIFF is a close alternative.
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