What is the best USB 3.0 and USB-C hub for the "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac models?

The "Tapered Edge" Aluminum iMac -- from the "Late 2012" models to the "2020" models -- all have four USB 3.0 ports (and recent models also have four Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports), so a hub may be unnecessary for some users.

However, based on hands-on experience, and confirmed by plenty of readers who feel the same way, the rear-facing ports are a pain to use for anything you might want to plug in on a regular basis like an iPhone or a camera, and a USB 3.0 or USB-C hub can be a real time saver accordingly. Some hubs offer integrated SD card and other slots, as well, which are much more convenient than using the rear-facing SD card slot, too.

Identification Help (Skip)

Although all of the "Tapered Edge" iMac models can use the same USB 3.0 hubs, late models also can use USB-C/Thunderbolt hubs for even more options. Accordingly, specific identification info can be helpful.

The "Late 2012" through "Mid-2017" iMac models all share the A1418 and A1419 Model Numbers whereas the "2019" and "2020" iMac models use the A2116 and A2115 model numbers. Furthermore, these identifiers are inconveniently located on the underside of the "foot" that supports the system and are not precise enough, either. Consequently, it is important to confirm the identify of the iMac by the Model Identifier in software.

To locate the model identifier in software, select "About This Mac" under the Apple Menu on your computer, click the "More Info..." button, and finally click the "System Report" button.

More details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.

These identifiers follow:

Tapered Edge iMac	Subfamily	Model ID
"Core i5" 2.7 21.5"	Late 2012	iMac13,1
"Core i5" 2.9 21.5"	Late 2012	iMac13,1
"Core i7" 3.1 21.5"	Late 2012	iMac13,1
"Core i5" 2.9 27"	Late 2012	iMac13,2
"Core i5" 3.2 27"	Late 2012	iMac13,2
"Core i7" 3.4 27"	Late 2012	iMac13,2
"Core i3" 3.3 21.5"	Early 2013	iMac13,1
"Core i5" 2.7 21.5"	Late 2013	iMac14,1
"Core i5" 2.9 21.5"	Late 2013	iMac14,1
"Core i7" 3.1 21.5"	Late 2013	iMac14,1
"Core i5" 3.2 27"	Late 2013	iMac14,2
"Core i5" 3.4 27"	Late 2013	iMac14,2
"Core i7" 3.5 27"	Late 2013	iMac14,2
"Core i5" 1.4 21.5"	Mid-2014	iMac14,4
"Core i5" 3.5 27"	Late 2014, 5K	iMac15,1
"Core i7" 4.0 27"	Late 2014, 5K	iMac15,1
"Core i5" 3.3 27"	Mid-2015, 5K	iMac15,1
"Core i5" 1.6 21.5"	Late 2015	iMac16,1
"Core i5" 2.8 21.5"	Late 2015	iMac16,2
"Core i5" 3.1 21.5"	Late 2015, 4K	iMac16,2
"Core i7" 3.3 21.5"	Late 2015, 4K	iMac16,2
"Core i5" 3.2 27"	Late 2015, 5K	iMac17,1
"Core i5" 3.3 27"	Late 2015, 5K	iMac17,1
"Core i7" 4.0 27"	Late 2015, 5K	iMac17,1
"Core i5" 2.3 21.5"	Mid-2017	iMac18,1
"Core i5" 3.0 21.5"	Mid-2017, 4K	iMac18,2
"Core i5" 3.4 21.5"	Mid-2017, 4K	iMac18,2
"Core i7" 3.6 21.5"	Mid-2017, 4K	iMac18,2
"Core i5" 3.4 27"	Mid-2017, 5K	iMac18,3
"Core i5" 3.5 27"	Mid-2017, 5K	iMac18,3
"Core i5" 3.8 27"	Mid-2017, 5K	iMac18,3
"Core i7" 4.2 27"	Mid-2017, 5K	iMac18,3
"Core i3" 3.6 21.5"	2019, 4K	iMac19,2
"Core i5" 3.0 21.5"	2019, 4K	iMac19,2
"Core i7" 3.2 21.5"	2019, 4K	iMac19,2
"Core i5" 3.0 27"	2019, 5K	iMac19,1
"Core i5" 3.1 27"	2019, 5K	iMac19,1
"Core i5" 3.7 27"	2019, 5K	iMac19,1
"Core i9" 3.6 27"	2019, 5K	iMac19,1
"Core i5" 3.1 27"	2020, 5K	iMac20,1
"Core i5" 3.3 27"	2020, 5K	iMac20,1
"Core i7" 3.8 27"	2020, 5K	iMac20,1
"Core i9" 3.6 27"	2020, 5K	iMac20,1
"Core i7" 3.8 27" (5700/XT)	2020, 5K	iMac20,2
"Core i9" 3.6 27" (5700/XT)	2020, 5K	iMac20,2

EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature also can identify these models by their Serial Numbers.

Best "Tapered Edge" iMac USB 3.0 Hubs

Naturally, "best" is a subjective term, and just about any USB 3.0 hub will work, but two that EveryMac.com has found to be particularly well designed include the Sabrent 4-Port Aluminum USB 3.0 Hub for iMac and the Sabrent USB 3.0 Hub with CF/SD/TF Card Reader.

Photo Credit: Sabrent (4-Port Aluminum USB 3.0 Hub for iMac)

If you find it annoying to have to reach under and around to the back of the iMac to connect and disconnect USB cables, the Sabrent 4-Port Aluminum USB 3.0 Hub for iMac will be a welcomed improvement. It connects to one of the rear USB ports and places the hub just under the display with four front-facing USB 3.0 ports for much more convenient access.

Photo Credit: Sabrent (4-Port Aluminum USB 3.0 Hub for iMac -- Front-Facing)

The Sabrent USB 3.0 Hub with CF/SD/TF Card Reader also uses a design that is complementary to the iMac itself, but it sits on the desk.

Photo Credit: Sabrent (USB 3.0 Hub with CF/SD/TF Card Reader)

In addition to three USB 3.0 ports, the Sabrent USB 3.0 Hub with CF/SD/TF Card Reader reads three different types of cards, including SD cards. It is much more convenient to use this card reader to transfer photos to the iMac than trying to find the SD card slot in the back of the computer.

Best "Tapered Edge" iMac USB-C Hub

For those who do not need a front-mounted USB-C port, the earlier Sabrent options above still will work admirably with the "Mid-2017", "2019" and "2020" iMac models.

However, because the "Mid-2017" and later iMac models have four Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports in addition to USB 3.0 ports, Sabrent also has released an updated product, the Sabrent HB-SIMC USB Hub.

Instead of four USB 3.0 ports, the later option has three USB 3.0 (USB-A) ports, one USB-C port (up to 5 Gb/s), independent SD and microSD UHS-II card readers, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack all on the front and an HDMI 2.0 port on the back. This product also attaches to the underside of the iMac screen with a ridgid connector to a USB-C port on the back.

Photo Credit: Sabrent (iMac USB-C Hub)

It is hoped that one of these USB 3.0 or USB-C hubs will save your time and make using your iMac a bit more enjoyable, as well.

Site sponsor Other World Computing sells the Sabrent 4-Port Aluminum USB 3.0 Hub for iMac, USB 3.0 Hub with CF/SD/TF Card Reader, and HB-SIMC USB Hub.