# USB Extension Cable or a Hub? Which is better? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 26, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-extension-cable-or-a-hub-which-is-better/607452 "2011-12-26T19:31:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-extension-cable-or-a-hub-which-is-better/607452/1 "2011-12-26T19:31:51Z")
My moms pc doesn’t have USB ports on the front of her tower case. It’s very difficult plugging into the USB ports on the back. You can’t really move the tower because the cables have very little slack. You have to go by feel because you can’t see back there. Is there any advantage using a hub instead of a USB extension cable? We just want to plug in a Kindle or flash drive easily. But not both at once. 😛 6ft extension cable > **[Amazon.com: DTOL Charger Charging Cable for PS5 Controller, Xbox Series X, Xbox...](https://www.amazon.com/DTOL-DTOL-SHUS1845-Extension-Cable-Female/dp/B00182CIB8)** > > Amazon.com: DTOL Charger Charging Cable for PS5 Controller, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Controller, Replacement USB C Cord Nylon Braided Type-C Ports Accessories for Nintendo Switch 2 Pack 10 Feet Black : Video Games hub not sure how long the cable is. > **[Amazon.com: Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Hub, White : Electronics](https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-USB-2-0-4-Port-White/dp/B000NB05MO)** > > Product Description Nearly all your gadgets connect to your computer through USB. You can add ports for your devices with the USB Plus Hub and remove desktop cable clutter with our patent-pending, cable-management feature. From... ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-extension-cable-or-a-hub-which-is-better/607452/2 "2011-12-26T19:58:42Z")
if wanting to use just one device then get an extension cable. some devices don’t work well or at all with a hub. i have no experience with Kindle. i’ve had some flash drives not work through hubs. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-extension-cable-or-a-hub-which-is-better/607452/3 "2011-12-26T20:48:39Z")
I’d expect both to work for what you’re doing, assuming a decent quality cable on the extension. The big thing to look for is to make sure it is USB 2.0 high speed compliant. It looks like that one is, so you should be ok The hub will potentially give better signal integrity, and will allow you to plug in more things at once. Specifically a powered hub would let you charge multiple devices on it, where a non-powered hub may have issues. -D/a ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2011, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-extension-cable-or-a-hub-which-is-better/607452/4 "2011-12-26T22:50:27Z")
I find extensions to USB can be marginal as far as data transmission. For reading a book it probably does not matter. The powered hub is a great tool. Make sure it is a powered hub and not a passive splitter, which can be worse than an extension. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-extension-cable-or-a-hub-which-is-better/607452/5 "2011-12-27T03:18:04Z")
> [@Al\_Bundy](#): > > I find extensions to USB can be marginal as far as data transmission. I’ve been using a USB extension cable for my printer for many hundreds of years (exaggeration). I’ve never had one problem with it. Hubs…they can be quite a pain. Although I think my brother uses his wired USB mouse on a novelty Dr Who hub and it’s ok. A powered hub is probably a good idea but then that means another electrical plug. Boo! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-extension-cable-or-a-hub-which-is-better/607452/6 "2011-12-27T06:09:08Z")
The only advantage I see of a hub is that, if large enough, it becomes easier to set in a single position. An extender, you constantly have to hunt around for the cable. You can overcome this disadvantage by using tape. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-extension-cable-or-a-hub-which-is-better/607452/7 "2011-12-27T07:23:23Z")
Hubs are more reliable. A USB extension cable means having two sets of connectors between the USB device and host computer, which can degrade the signal.