Vilros 3 Port USB & Ethernet Hub w/ Micro USB OTG Connector for Pi Zero

Need some extra ports for your Pi Zero? Expand the connectivity of your Pi with Vilros 3 Port USB & Ethernet Hub!

Let’s face it, the Raspberry Pi Zero has got a high-performing processor, a clean new design, and support for the latest iOS– everything sounds near-perfect EXCEPT there’s one caveat. And that’s the Pi Zero being tight on USB ports and Ethernet. Vilros USB hub aims to solve this very problem to ensure your favorite Pi Zero has no shortcomings left. Plugging this into the Pi Zero will open up a whole new world of connectivity. But before we jump deep into all the great things you can do with this hub, we give you a rundown of what to expect from the product.

• 3x USB Ports
• 1x RJ45 Ethernet Port 
• Micro USB 2.0 Connection Cable
• Full compatibility with the Raspberry Pi Zero
• Compact & lightweight
• Sturdy enclosure with cable strain relief
• Weight: 30g
• Dimensions: 3.8” x 0.9” x 0.6”

Let’s dive deep!

3X USB Ports: One can never have enough socks – or USB ports! There’s always some peripheral lying around that you can use to maximize and streamline your experience on the Pi Zero. It could be a mouse, keyboard, WiFi dongles, or anything else. That’s where this hub comes in really handy; it lets you plug those peripherals directly into your Raspberry Pi Zero without the need for adaptors or shims. All three USB ports are 2.0, meaning you can expect 10X faster transfer rates compared to USB 1.0. Plugging the hub into the Pi Zero will dramatically expand the connectivity of the device in seconds.

RJ45 Ethernet Port: Having an RJ45 Ethernet out always comes in handy. Whether your WiFi has stopped working or you need better, dependable latency/speeds to download/upload something, that’s where an Ethernet port will shine. We have tested it ourselves over multiple different connections and in separate locations, and we averaged 12MB/s speed which is quite decent. However, there’s one thing we would want you to keep in mind; the Ethernet port draws a lot of power, around 280mA current draw even when the Ethernet port itself is not being used. But other than that, having an Ethernet port in your device always trumps not having it.

Plug & Play: The best part about the hub is that it doesn’t need any drivers or software installations to start working. All you need is to plug it into the Pi Zero and you’re ready to go. Simply connect your peripherals to the available ports on the hub and they’ll connect instantly without manual driver installations.

MicroUSB OTG Connectivity: Featuring the universal, most convenient mode of connectivity, the MicroUSB, you’ll be able to connect the hub seamlessly with the Pi Zero and get things rolling straight away. MicroUSB guarantees quick connection every time, so you spend less time pairing things and more time enjoying the flexibility of multiple ports.

Premium-Grade Casing: Admire the outstanding quality of the hub as the circuitry comes encased in a polished anthracite black aluminum frame that can stand up to scratches. On top of this, the robustly constructed frame also features excellent cable strain relief. This adds years of life to the cable and ensures it doesn’t get damaged or worn out over time.

Lightweight & Compact: Vilros USB & Ethernet Hub for Pi Zero is very easy to carry along in your bag as it weighs barely 30g and features a tiny footprint that occupies very little space. It’s amazing how such a tiny piece of tech can fit so many features inside.

Compatible with PC/Laptop: We didn’t want to discriminate, so we expanded the compatibility of the USB Hub across most of your devices. This means, it’s not only compatible with the Pi Zero, but can also be used to enhance the connectivity of your PC/Laptop/Chromebook etc.

Why Should I Buy It?

Excellent question! Well, not everyone is going to need this hub unless they want to connect multiple peripherals simultaneously and make their life easy. Especially if there’s a need to connect to a wired network at a location where the WiFi is not available or simply not working. That’s when you’ll really thank the excellent integration, compatibility and functionality of the Vilros USB Hub.

Other situations include times when you want to stream a high-definition movie, play a multiplayer game (where you expect not just low internet latency but also zero-delay wired mouse connection), or when you want to connect to an external storage device to transfer heaps of data at higher speeds – that’s when not having this hub at your disposal will be a pain in the butt.

Bottom Line: If you’re always missing some ports on your Pi Zero, this USB hub is a no-brainer. It will give you enough ports you’ll need to connect all of your peripherals without cluttering the desk. When you don’t need it, just disconnect the hub and go back to the clean, minimalist design of your Pi Zero. It turns your tiny Pi into a real workstation!