Twelve South StayGo USB-C Hub Review 2026

Name: Twelve South StayGo USB-C Hub
Brand: Twelve South
SKU: StayGo USB-C Hub

The Twelve South StayGo is a USB-C hub aimed squarely at MacBook users who need a reliable, portable way to add ports without hauling a full docking station around. Released in August 2019, it offers 8 ports in a flat aluminum body measuring 4.94 by 2.44 by 0.53 inches - compact enough to toss in a bag, heavy enough to feel like it was built to last. What sets it apart from the sea of identical-looking hubs is a built-in 6-inch cable that folds flush into the body. No loose cable to lose in a travel bag. A separate 1-meter desktop cable is included too, with a 90-degree connector at the hub end for tighter desk setups. You plug one cable or the other into your MacBook; everything else stays connected to the hub. Port selection covers the daily essentials. A single HDMI port handles 4K output at 30Hz. Gigabit Ethernet is here, which is rare for a hub at this price point. Three USB-A 3.0 ports run at 5 Gbps each - one doubles as a BC 1.2 fast-charge port at 7.5W. Two card slots (SD and Micro-SD, both UHS-I) round things out. A USB-C passthrough port accepts up to 100W input from a power adapter and delivers 85W to the connected laptop, leaving 15W for hub operation. There are limits. The HDMI port tops out at 30Hz for 4K, not 60Hz. Both card readers are UHS-I only, so faster UHS-II cards will cap out below their rated speeds. The USB-A ports run at Gen 1 (5 Gbps), not Gen 2 (10 Gbps). These are not surprises for a USB-C hub at $99.99 - they are expected tradeoffs at this tier.

Pros & Cons

What We Like

Built-in 6-inch stowable travel cable stores inside the hub body, so you always have a connection cable without carrying extras
Gigabit Ethernet port is uncommon at this price range and works reliably for wired connections in hotels and offices
Build quality well above typical hub tier - aluminum housing, firm port sockets, and rubber feet that actually grip the desk
85W USB-C passthrough charging covers 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro with the standard Apple power adapter
Both SD and Micro-SD card slots included, handling the two most common camera card formats without an additional adapter
1-meter desktop cable with a 90-degree connector allows the hub to be placed away from the laptop, keeping desk cables tidy

What Could Be Better

HDMI limited to 4K@30Hz - no 60Hz support at 4K, which is noticeable for video playback and fast cursor movement on large monitors
Workaround: Use 1080p@60Hz if your monitor supports it and you find 4K@30Hz too sluggish for daily use.
Both card readers are UHS-I only (max 104 MB/s), not UHS-II - faster SD cards from modern mirrorless cameras will be bottlenecked
Workaround: For frequent high-speed SD card transfers, use a dedicated UHS-II card reader connected to one of the USB-A ports.
USB-A ports run at 5 Gbps (Gen 1), not the 10 Gbps Gen 2 found in newer hubs at similar price points
Workaround: For fast external SSD transfers, connect the drive directly to the laptop's USB-C port and use the hub for slower peripherals.
No audio jack - no headphone or microphone passthrough on the hub itself
Workaround: Use the laptop's built-in headphone jack or a USB-A audio adapter connected to one of the hub's USB-A ports.

Display Support

Max Displays: 1

1 display (Single 4K@30Hz via HDMI port. 4K@60Hz is not supported on this hub.)

3840x2160 @ 30Hz

1 display (1080p@60Hz via HDMI for standard HD monitors.)

1920x1080 @ 60Hz

Ports & Connectivity

USB Ports

1x USB-C 3.2 85W

3x USB-A 3.2

Video Outputs

1x HDMI

Network

1x Ethernet (1 Gbps)

Card Readers

1x SD (UHS-I (104 MB/s))

1x microSD (UHS-I (104 MB/s))

Full Specifications

General
Manufacturer	Twelve South
Model	StayGo USB-C Hub
Release Date	2019-08
MSRP	$99.99
Connectivity
Host Connection	USB-C
Max Data Rate	5 Gbps
Driver Required	No (native)
Display Output
Max Displays	1
1x Display	3840x2160 @ 30Hz (Single 4K@30Hz via HDMI port. 4K@60Hz is not supported on this hub.)
1x Display	1920x1080 @ 60Hz (1080p@60Hz via HDMI for standard HD monitors.)
Ports (5+ total)
USB-C 3.2	1x (85W)
USB-A 3.2	3x
HDMI	1x
Ethernet (RJ45)	1x 1 Gbps
SD Card Reader	1x
microSD Card Reader	1x
Power
Power Input	USB-C
Laptop Charging	Up to 85W

Compatibility

macOS (10.14 (Mojave)+)

Designed primarily for USB-C MacBooks and MacBook Pro. No drivers required. Full support for all ports on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Windows (10+)

Works as plug and play on Windows 10 and later. All ports function without additional software.

Known Issues

iPad Pro with 18W bundled charger

Insufficient passthrough charging

Laptops requiring more than 85W charging

Battery drain under load

7.2 /10

Our Verdict

Very Good

The Twelve South StayGo does what most portable USB-C hubs do, and then adds a few things they don't. The built-in travel cable is genuinely useful - it's the difference between grabbing the hub and going versus spending 30 seconds finding the right cable in your bag. The build quality is noticeably better than budget alternatives. Every port feels solid, the SD slot clicks with authority, and the rubber feet actually grip your desk. Performance is honest. The USB-A ports top out at 5 Gbps, which is fine for external drives and peripherals but not the fastest option available. The 4K HDMI output at 30Hz works for productivity tasks but will frustrate anyone expecting smooth video playback on a large monitor. If your workflow involves recording video from UHS-II SD cards or requires 4K@60Hz output, this hub is the wrong tool. The 85W passthrough charging works as advertised for the 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models it targets. iPad Pro users need a third-party charger above 18W to push charge through the hub - the bundled iPad charger is not enough. That's worth knowing before buying. Against competing hubs around $99, the StayGo stands out mostly on build quality and the dual-cable design. The Anker 555 USB-C Hub offers 10 Gbps USB-A and 4K@60Hz HDMI at a similar price, but lacks Ethernet and does not include a built-in cable. The choice depends on whether you value port speed or convenience and reliability. For a MacBook owner who travels regularly and needs Ethernet in hotels, the StayGo makes a strong case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Twelve South StayGo work with Windows laptops?

Yes. The StayGo is plug and play on Windows 10 and later with no drivers required. All eight ports function normally including Ethernet, HDMI, and USB-A. The hub was marketed primarily for MacBooks but works with any USB-C laptop.

Can the StayGo charge a MacBook Pro?

Yes, up to 85W passthrough. The hub accepts up to 100W input and keeps 15W for internal use, passing 85W to the connected MacBook. The standard 87W MacBook Pro charger connected to the hub's passthrough port is enough to charge a 15-inch MacBook Pro at full speed. The 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air charge even more comfortably.

Does the StayGo support 4K at 60Hz?

No. The HDMI port on the StayGo supports 4K at 30Hz only. This is a USB-C hub, not a Thunderbolt dock - the USB 3.2 Gen 1 bandwidth cannot support 4K at 60Hz over HDMI. For 4K@60Hz output, you need a Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 dock.

What is the difference between the StayGo and the StayGo Mini?

The original StayGo has 8 ports including Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, three USB-A ports, SD and Micro-SD readers, and a USB-C passthrough port. The StayGo Mini (ASIN B09C9W6SCC) is smaller and lighter with fewer ports, targeting ultraportable use. If you need Ethernet and both card readers, the original StayGo is the better fit.

Does the StayGo need an external power supply?

No. The hub draws power from the host USB-C port and does not require its own power adapter. However, to pass charge to your laptop while using the hub, you connect your existing USB-C laptop charger to the hub's passthrough port rather than directly to the laptop.