New $59 BluHub Dock Brings CDs, Blu-rays & SD Cards to Laptops

When laptops are dropping optical drives and full-size USB drives for enhanced portability, they are making a significant compromise in staying relevant with older media such as CDs, Blu-ray discs, and SD cards. The shedding of such features is great for portability, but it’s less convenient when you have CDs, Blu-ray discs, old family photos and videos, and data stored in SD cards sitting to be accessed.

This is where a new device launched on Kickstarter for crowdfunding comes in. The BluHub, as it’s called, is a single device with a combination of 9 different connectivity and media options. The all-in-one desktop companion features an optical disc burner and a range of ports for transferring data from contemporary cameras, drones, and other devices.   

I’m typing this on a laptop that barely has four connectivity ports. If there is any data transfer that needs to happen using an optical drive or cards, I have to resort to an external device. And since one device doesn’t cover every task, the only option I’m left with is carrying an endless assortment of cables, adapters, and peripherals in the bag.

Instead of having to carry a collection of adapters and external devices along, BluHub is designed to put those older and newer media formats into one device. Into a device that can read and write Blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs. Has 4 USB 3.0 ports and two card reader slots (TF and SD card slots), dual USB-C/USB-A ports, and is currently available for a very affordable Super Early Bird price of $59 only. Deliveries are expected to begin in November 2026.

So, unlike the contemporary devices, BluHub does not treat older media formats as obsolete. It replaces the need for separate devices for port expansion, card reading, and optical disc reading/writing, making it a 9-in-1 dock, which the makers say is “everything you need in one compact drive.” Whether revisiting old memories on a CD or archiving videos from the drone, BluHub presents itself as a reliable device to consume and transfer your digital assets.

Measuring only 165×160×34mm and weighing 409g, BluHub fits easily into your bag. When it’s on the desk, it lets you play old photos and videos saved to a disc format or connect to new-age devices to transfer media you’re creating. For durability and convenience, it comes in a housing made from aluminum alloy, which also supports heat dissipation and looks like a natural fit among other devices.

The BluHub is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, and USB On-The-Go for mobile devices. According to information on the Kickstarter campaign page, it can connect via USB 3.2 Gen 2 at up to 10Gbps. Shaped like a Discman from my childhood days, BluHub’s top cover opens upward, like the lid of a grand piano. This is where a disc goes.

Typically, you are fooled into believing so, but this disc here is just for display. The actual reading or writing happens under the hood where a separate disc tray is located. The disc slot pops out on the side, as it would from the side of a laptop a few years back. You can insert a disc, push the tray back, and you’re ready to read or burn.

Once BluHub is connected, it is automatically recognized by your system. No extra drivers or setup is required. The makers say you just plug in and “start reading, accessing, or burning discs.” It is powered via USB, so it doesn’t require a separate adaptor either. This further helps BluHub minimize cable clutter, making it convenient to use in your creator studio, on the go, or back home on the work desk.

To sit securely where it’s being used, BluHub features non-slip pads that keep it stable during high-speed disc rotation. The structure doesn’t vibrate, and it operates at very low noise as well.