Zero4U – 4-Port USB Hub without Pogo Pins – v1.3

The Zero4U – 4-Port USB Hub without Pogo Pins – v1.3 is a practical and compact expansion board for adding more USB connectivity to a Raspberry Pi Zero or other small computing platforms. It provides four USB 2.0 ports in a slim format, making it a useful choice for projects that need extra peripherals without taking up much space. Because this version does not include pogo pins, ferrite bead, or standoffs, it offers more mounting flexibility for custom builds and stacked configurations.

This board is especially useful when you want to mount the hub underneath your setup, place it beside another board, or use it in a space-constrained enclosure. Adafruit notes that the design is almost identical to another Zero4U version, but this model is better suited for users who prefer a cleaner layout without pogo-pin integration. It also works well as a standalone mini USB hub for general electronics use.

For connectivity, the recommended method is to use the onboard mini-USB port as the upstream data and power connection. In addition, the board can also be powered through onboard test pads or the JST XH2.54 connector, giving you more options for custom wiring and embedded installations. A blue onboard LED shows power status, while each USB port has its own white transaction LED. The board also includes dedicated electrolytic capacitors for each port to help stabilize output voltage.

The hub supports USB 2.0 and 1.1 standards and runs on 5V DC. It can operate in either bus-power or self-power mode. In self-power mode, the total maximum output current across all ports is 2A. In bus-power mode, the total maximum output current is 500mA. Its compact size of approximately 65.0mm x 30.0mm x 8.5mm and weight of about 13.2g make it easy to integrate into portable and low-profile Raspberry Pi projects.