Add connectivity to your Surface Pro X with these hubs and adapters
Best USB-C Adapters and Hubs for Surface Pro X Windows Central 2019
The Surface Pro X comes equipped with two USB-C ports, Surface Connect, and a Nano-SIM slot for LTE connectivity. If that collection doesn’t seem up to the task of connecting all your favorite peripherals, we’ve rounded up a bunch of portable hubs and adapters that will add connectivity without compromising the mobility of your Pro X.
Editor’s choice
This adapter includes a microSD and SD card reader to add expandable storage to the Pro X, and it will also provide a 3.5mm audio jack for headphones. Two USB-A 3.0 and a USB-A 2.0 offer options for older accessories, and HDMI provides video out. Plug in a USB-C power adapter to keep your Pro X battery topped up with power.
Staff pick
The Surface Pro X doesn’t include a 3.5mm audio jack for connecting headphones or speakers, leaving you with the built-in speakers. Unless you have Bluetooth hardware waiting to connect to the tablet, you’ll want to invest in this official Surface USB-C to 3.5mm adapter.
You won’t get quite the same connectivity available from our top pick from VAVA, but this Anker hub is far more affordable. It still brings SD and microSD card readers, HDMI, and two USB-A 3.0 ports for your older accessories. As long as you don’t need a 3.5mm audio jack or the ability to send power back to your Pro X, this is a great choice.
This inexpensive two-pack of straight USB-C to USB-A adapters are a significant investment, even if you tuck them into a corner of your laptop bag. They’re lightweight, they hardly take up any space, and you’ll be glad you have them when you’re on the road and find you need to connect a USB-A accessory to your Pro X.
Kingston’s Nucleum adapter offers microSD and SD card readers for external storage, as well as two USB-A 3.1 ports and HDMI out. Plug in a USB-C adapter to send power back to your Pro X, and take advantage of a second USB-C port for more modern accessories. This is an excellent pick if you’d rather not lose a USB-C port when plugging in a hub or adapter.
If all you’re looking for is an affordable way to connect an HDMI monitor or TV to your Pro X, this adapter from uni will do the trick. It will power up to a 4K display at a 60Hz refresh rate for a smooth picture. It’s made of aluminum and has a braided cable for some extra durability, and its size allows you to tuck it into a pocket or laptop bag.
Don’t want to add the bulk of a full-size adapter but want faster internet than the Pro X can offer wirelessly? This USB-C to Ethernet adapter from uni will get the job done with wired speeds up to 1Gbps. It’s a sleek little aluminum adapter with a braided cable and status lights on the end to let you know it’s working.
Just need to add some USB-A connectivity to your Pro X? This Aukey four-port USB-A adapter has long been a go-to option thanks to an affordable price and compact size. It offers USB-A 3.1 speeds up to 5Gbps, but it’s slim enough to slip into a pocket when not in use.
The Surface Pro X does not include an SD card or microSD card reader, so if you’re often dealing with removable storage, this adapter is a smart choice. It has both UHS-I SD and microSD readers in a small aluminum chassis. A pressure locking mechanism keeps your cards in place while reading.
If we’re making some suggestions
All of these hubs and adapters for the Pro X make more portable alternatives to full-size docking stations, and you should be able to find something that suits your needs. If you’re still wondering which one makes the most sense, we can offer some further recommendations.
The VAVA 9-in-1 adapter is a relatively pricey choice compared to other options on the list. Still, it brings outstanding connectivity that fills in the gaps left by the Pro X. You get a 3.5mm audio port for connecting headphones or speakers without Bluetooth, and an Ethernet port allows for far faster-wired internet. UHS-I SD card and microSD card readers let you connect removable storage to the Pro X, and three USB-A ports (two 3.0 and one 2.0) give you options for older accessories and thumb drives. An HDMI port offers video out, and you can even connect a USB-C power adapter to send power back to the Pro X.
The adapter is made of an aluminum alloy for added durability, and the host cable running back to the Pro X measures six inches (15.2cm) so you’re not feeling cramped with it plugged in.
If you’d just like to add a 3.5mm audio jack to the Pro X for your headphones or speakers, Microsoft’s official Surface adapter will do the trick. There’s not really anything extraordinary about it, but there’s no doubt many people will be grabbing it instead of relying on Bluetooth connectivity.
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