For your situation, I would suggest comparing these: - Anker 341 USB-C Hub (7-in-1): My go-to. Its well under $70, has 4K HDMI, and is built like a tank.
- Satechi Slim Aluminum Type-C Multi-Port Adapter V2: Sleeker but runs hotter iirc. The Anker is lowkey the best value. I’ve used mine for ages and it's realy reliable. gl!

Check out Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C Hub. It's usually around $35, so it definately fits ur budget. You might find this useful - I always check RTINGS or Wirecutter for their technical stress tests on thermal throttling. Make sure to:
* Verify if the HDMI is 4K@60Hz (many cheaper units cap at 30Hz)
* Check the USB-A gen for your external drive speeds I would suggest tracking the price on CamelCamelCamel since these lowkey go on sale constantly. Hubs can be realy hit or miss, so watch out for heat... gl!

So, I’ve spent way too much time researching the controller chipsets in these things lol, and the market is basically flooded with the same three internal designs wrapped in different shells. Before I give a definitive recommendation though, what laptop model are you using exactly? I ask because your laptop's DisplayPort Alt Mode version (DP 1.2 vs 1.4) is the actual bottleneck for 4K@60Hz. If your laptop is older, even a $100 hub might still cap you at 30Hz. From a market research perspective, if you want something that actually lasts, you should look at brands that focus on professional-grade peripherals rather than just consumer electronics. I’ve found the Kingston Nucleum to be a massive sleeper hit. It’s usually right around $50-$60 and handles power delivery pass-through way better than the generic stuff—it won't randomly disconnect your external drive when you unplug the charger, which is a huge deal for workflow stability. Another one that's lowkey better than the big-name consumer brands is the OWC USB-C Travel Dock E. OWC builds stuff for the creative pro market, so their thermal management is usually superior. You basically want to avoid anything that feels too light; that’s usually a sign of poor heat dissipation. Let me know those laptop specs and I can tell you if you'll actually hit that 4K60 target!

tbh I'm always worried about these things failing when I'm on a trip. Like, if that tiny attached cable breaks, you're basically stuck with a paperweight and there's no way to fix it yourself. I'm a total beginner with hardware but I try to look for stuff that is more self-service friendly. I found that getting a hub with a detachable cable is a lifesaver. It feels way more reliable because if the cord gets wonky, you just swap it out for a new one instead of trashing the whole unit. I've been using the uni USB C Hub 6 in 1 and it's been great for my simple setup.

• It has the HDMI and USB-A ports you're looking for
• The cable isn't permanent so you can replace it easily if it fails
• Its realy affordable and fits your budget I'm not sure about all the super high-end specs, but honestly, being able to fix a broken connection yourself by just using a different USB-C cable makes me feel so much better about the price. Maybe look into that? Just make sure any replacement cable you use is actually rated for high speeds so it doesnt cause any weird issues.

hey! Sooo I totally get the struggle with only two ports. It's basically a dongle nightmare when you're traveling. If ur looking for that technical sweet spot under $70, I've been doing some deep dives lately cuz I just got a new laptop too. Even though I'm still kinda figuring out all the technical specs, I've learned that heat management and refresh rates are literally EVERYTHING. Honestly, you gotta watch out for the HDMI specs. Most budget hubs only do 4K at 30Hz, which looks kinda laggy if youre actually working on a big screen. I'd highkey suggest looking at the Ugreen Revodok Pro 210 10-in-1 USB C Hub. It's usually way under your $70 limit and it feels really solid for travel. It handles the 4K output well and has the USB-A ports you need for ur drive and mouse. Another really decent option is the Baseus Joystar 9-in-1 USB C Hub. It's super slim which is a total mood for packing light. Technically, these things use something called DisplayPort Alt Mode to push video through the USB port, so just double check your laptop specs, though if its new it'll be fine. Just a heads up, these hubs can get *really* warm if youre running Power Delivery (PD) through them to charge while using the HDMI. Its totally normal but kinda weird at first lol. Basically just look for an aluminum shell cuz it helps dissipate that heat way better than plastic. Hope this helps!! peace