Critin — Ultra-Thin 4-Port Portable USB 2.0 Hub

This article takes a closer look at the Critin — Ultra-Thin 4-Port Portable USB 2.0 Hub: what its specs tell you, and the problems buyers tend to run into after purchase.

Overview

The Critin — Ultra-Thin 4-Port Portable USB 2.0 Hub is a slim, bus-powered hub that turns one USB-A port on your computer into four.

In short, it is good enough for low-power devices such as mice, keyboards, flash drives and printers, and its biggest strength is portability. However, it tops out at USB 2.0's 480 Mbps and has no power adapter.

That makes it a poor fit for running several external hard drives or for copying large amounts of data on a regular basis.

On Amazon.co.jp it was rated 4.6 out of 5 stars from 367 reviews when the data was fetched in September 2026.

That is a solid result for a single-purpose hub. It works with Windows, macOS and Linux without drivers, supports hot-swapping, and is backward compatible with USB 1.1, so older peripherals still work.

The body is lightweight ABS plastic, and it comes in black or white.

What a USB 2.0 Hub Can and Cannot Do

Whether this hub suits you mostly depends on whether USB 2.0 is fast enough for what you do.

The 480 Mbps figure is a theoretical maximum. Real-world transfers usually run at about 30 to 40 MB per second.

At that rate, a 1 GB file takes roughly 30 seconds, and tens of gigabytes of video footage can take well over ten minutes. That bandwidth is also shared across all four ports, so copying to a flash drive while using a webcam on another port can slow both down.

On the other hand, keyboards and mice use so little bandwidth that you will not notice any speed penalty with them. The best way to use this hub is to plug speed-sensitive devices straight into your computer's USB 3.x ports and put only light devices on the hub.

Compatibility Guide

It needs a USB-A port

The hub plugs into a USB-A port on the host. Many recent MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, and many thin Windows laptops, have only USB-C ports.

On those machines you will need a separate USB-C to USB-A adapter. The adapter adds bulk and takes away some of the slim hub's portability.

If your main computer is USB-C only, a hub with a USB-C plug is the simpler choice. A Mac mini, a desktop PC or a laptop with USB-A ports can take this hub directly.

All four ports share one port's power

Because the hub is bus-powered, the total power available to its four ports is limited to what one host port can supply. A standard USB 2.0 port supplies 500 mA.

Even if you plug the hub into a USB 3.x port, the hub itself runs as USB 2.0, so do not count on much extra headroom.

A mouse, keyboard and flash drive together are rarely a problem. A 2.5-inch external hard drive, however, draws a surge of current when it spins up and can be unreliable even on its own.

If you use an HDD regularly, plug it directly into the computer or choose a self-powered hub with an AC adapter.

Operating systems and drivers

Windows, macOS and Linux recognize the hub with their built-in drivers, so no software is needed. Hot-swapping lets you plug and unplug devices while the computer is running.

Still, eject flash drives and external disks in the OS before you pull them out. That is not a limitation of the hub; it is basic protection for data that may still be writing.

Physical clearance

Slim hubs often have tightly spaced ports. A wide flash drive or wireless receiver can block the port next to it.

If you plan to use all four ports, check how wide your flash drives are before you buy.

Product Info

rmation

The specs in the collected data are as follows.

As of the September 2026 fetch, Amazon.co.jp showed a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 367 reviews.

Hubs like this differ little in features, so when reading reviews, focus on reliability: how many units arrive faulty, whether the cable breaks at the base, and whether particular devices fail to be recognized.

The collected data includes a price from Amazon.co.jp.

However, the amount is far outside the normal range for a 4-port bus-powered USB 2.0 hub and may come from a different listing or a different product.

For that reason, this article does not quote a price. Prices change often, so check the product page for the current price.

The item is sold and shipped by a third-party seller (ジャックディーンストア), not by Amazon.co.jp itself.

Warranty and return terms vary by seller, so check them on the product page before you buy. The collected data did not include manufacturer warranty details.

The package contains only the hub.

Compared With Alternatives

Hubs that all add USB ports still suit very different buyers depending on their design.

This hub makes sense when both of these are true: you only connect light devices, and you carry it around. If you ever move large files on flash drives, compare its price with a USB 3.0 hub of the same shape before deciding.

Best Use Cases

It suits these users:

• Laptop users short on USB-A ports: Connect a mouse, a flash drive and a numeric keypad at the same time with one small hub.
• Frequent travelers: It is thin and light enough to live in a bag pocket, which makes it handy for adding ports at a hotel desk or coworking space.
• Desktop users who want front access: Use it as an extension to bring flash drives and card readers from the back of the PC to your desk.
• Anyone who wants a spare hub: It is useful to keep on hand for troubleshooting or for guests.

If most of your work needs speed, such as editing video files or running regular backups, or if you want a bus-powered HDD connected at all times, choose a USB 3.0 or self-powered hub instead.

Before You Buy

Plugging it into a USB 3.0 port will not make it faster. The hub is USB 2.0, so every device on it runs at up to 480 Mbps.

A fast USB 3.0 flash drive will fall well short of its rated speed, so plug fast storage directly into the computer.

High-power devices can be unreliable. Besides external HDDs, gaming keyboards with a lot of lighting and USB-powered fans or lamps can run short of power when used alongside other devices.

The symptoms, such as random disconnects or devices that only sometimes appear, are easy to mistake for a faulty hub. Connect one device at a time to find the cause.

Do not expect fast phone charging. A bus-powered USB 2.0 hub supplies little current, so charging will usually be slow.

USB-C-only computers need an adapter. See the compatibility guide above.

If you have to buy an adapter anyway, a USB-C hub is often the tidier choice.

Watch for pricing inconsistencies. The price collected for this article was far higher than similar products.

Prices can vary a lot by seller, color or bundle. Before buying, use the images and title to confirm the listing is for the Critin 4-port USB 2.0 hub itself, and check the actual price.

FAQ

Q. Will it be faster in a USB 3.0 port? A.

No. The hub is USB 2.0, so it tops out at 480 Mbps, or roughly 30 to 40 MB per second in practice.

Q. Can I use an external hard drive? A.

Yes, if you can accept the speed, but a bus-powered 2.5-inch HDD can be unstable because of limited power.

Use only one and keep the other ports for light devices. For regular HDD use, a self-powered hub is the better choice.

Q. Does it work with a MacBook Air? A.

Older models with USB-A ports can use it directly. USB-C-only models need a USB-C to USB-A adapter.

No driver is needed on macOS.

Q. Can I use all four ports at once? A.

Yes, but they share both the 480 Mbps bandwidth and one host port's power. A mouse, keyboard, flash drive and wireless receiver together are fine.

Q. Do I need to install drivers?
A. No. It works as soon as you plug it in on Windows, macOS and Linux, and it supports hot-swapping.

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

• Manufacturer: Critin
• Seller: ジャックディーンストア
• Fulfilled by: ジャックディーンストア
• ASIN: B0CPJCTJR3
• Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.