Can you daisy chain USB hubs? Yes, the USB specification allows up to five hubs in a chain, but it is rarely a good idea past one extra hub. Every hub you add shares the same single connection back to the computer, draws more power from its upstream port, and adds a small delay. The result is drives that disconnect, devices that fail to start, and speeds that drop. If you need more ports, one powered hub is almost always a better answer than a chain of small ones.
Quick answer: You can daisy chain USB hubs up to five levels deep, but all devices on the chain share one connection to the computer and one power budget. Chain only powered hubs, keep the chain to two hubs, and plug fast drives into the first hub or directly into the computer. If you need more ports, one powered hub like the Gitfos C1Pro is simpler and more reliable than a chain.
What daisy chaining USB hubs means
Daisy chaining USB hubs means plugging one hub into a port on another hub. The computer connects to the first hub, the first hub connects to the second, and your devices plug into either one. The USB specification allows up to five hubs between the computer and a device, and about 127 addresses per host controller. Each hub uses one address, as Evetech explains.
The limits of a USB hub chain
The paper limits are generous, but power, speed, and timing run out much sooner.
| Limit | Number | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Hubs in one chain | 5 at most | Beyond that, Windows reports that the hub cannot work |
| Addresses per host controller | 127 | Each hub and each device uses one |
| Power from a USB 2.0 port | 500 mA at 5V, 2.5W | Shared by a bus-powered hub and everything on it |
| Power from a USB 3.x port | 900 mA at 5V, 4.5W | A single external SSD can use most of it |
| Speed | One connection to the computer | Shared by every device on the chain |
The practical limit is far below 127. Evetech puts real-world trouble at about four to seven devices, and advises treating a connection past the second hub as unreliable for fast drives.
Why chained USB hubs lose power
A hub that has no power adapter of its own shares the 2.5W or 4.5W its upstream port provides. Add a second unpowered hub and the same budget has to feed more devices. A fast SSD, a webcam, or a phone charging can use up that budget on their own, and devices that ask for more than is available may disconnect or never appear. The fix is to give each hub in the chain its own power adapter.
Why chained USB hubs lose speed
All devices on a chain share one connection to the computer, so a busy drive slows down whatever else is running. A USB 3.2 Gen 1 connection offers 5 Gbps on paper, and every device on the chain shares that. Each extra hub also adds a small delay, which matters more for audio interfaces and fast drives than for keyboards.
How to daisy chain USB hubs safely
Keep the chain short, powered, and ordered by how demanding each device is.
- Use powered hubs with their own adapters connected, especially for the first hub.
- Limit the chain to two hubs.
- Plug fast drives and audio interfaces into the computer or the first hub.
- Put keyboards, mice, and other light devices on the second hub.
- If something disconnects, remove the second hub and test again.
Daisy chaining and the Gitfos C1Pro
The Gitfos C1Pro is designed as a single hub with its own ports, so you should not need a chain. It has 7 USB-A ports, 2 USB-C data ports, and one HDMI port, and its connection to your computer runs at 10 Gbps, shared by all ports.
| Port | Qty | Spec |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C data | 2 | USB 3.2, 10 Gbps |
| USB-A data | 1 | USB 3.2, 10 Gbps |
| USB-A data | 4 | USB 3.0, 5 Gbps |
| USB-A data or charging | 2 | 5 Gbps data or 7.5W charging |
| HDMI | 1 | 4K @ 60Hz |
What daisy chaining does not solve
A chain adds ports, but it does not add speed, power, or reliability.
- A second hub does not add bandwidth. Everything still shares one connection to the computer.
- A bus-powered hub cannot supply more power than its upstream port gives.
- The C1Pro needs its 65W DC adapter connected. It has no bus-powered mode.
- The USB ports on the C1Pro do not output video. Only the HDMI port does.
- Gitfos has not published tests of the C1Pro with another hub connected to it, so connect your devices to it directly.
Frequently asked questions
Most questions come down to one fact: a chain shares one connection and one power budget.
How many USB hubs can you daisy chain?
The USB specification allows up to five hubs in a chain between the computer and a device. Real setups work best with one or two, because every extra hub adds a share of delay, power draw, and shared bandwidth.
Does daisy chaining USB hubs slow them down?
Yes, it can. All the devices on a chain share the one connection back to the computer, so a fast drive and other busy devices compete for the same speed. Each extra hub also adds a small delay.
Can you plug a powered USB hub into another powered hub?
Yes, if both hubs have their own power adapters connected. Each hub then supplies its own downstream ports. The speed of the chain is still limited by the single connection to the computer.
How many devices can one USB port handle?
The USB protocol allows up to 127 addresses per host controller, and each hub uses one of them. In practice, power and bandwidth run out well before that, so a handful of busy devices per port is a realistic limit.
Is it better to chain hubs or buy one bigger hub?
One bigger powered hub is usually better. It gives you more ports without extra delay, extra cables, or a second power source, and it keeps fast drives on a single short path to the computer.
Next steps
Start with one powered hub, and add a second only if you run out of ports. For a single hub with 7 USB-A ports, 2 USB-C data ports, and HDMI, see the Gitfos C1Pro, browse more hubs and charging options, or reach the team through the support center. More buying advice lives in the Guides blog.