When shopping for a monitor, one feature I always prioritize is USB passthrough—built-in USB ports that transfer data and power back to the PC through a single cable. It's a small but incredibly useful feature that essentially transforms the monitor into a mini USB hub. Since most of my PC's front and rear USB ports are already occupied, having additional ports right on the monitor is incredibly convenient.

This results in a cleaner, more efficient desk setup with USB access exactly where I need it. These ports eliminate the need for an external hub, saving space while keeping everything within easy reach. By the end of this article, you might find yourself wondering why you haven't been using them all along.

1 Power My Desk Lamps

The most common setup I use with my LG 27GR83Q-B's USB ports involves two USB-A to USB-C cables plugged into the ports, each connected to one of my two desk lamps. Conveniently, both lamps have an extra USB-A port I can use for other devices, which I’ll get to shortly.

##### LG Ultragear ?27GR83Q-B

The LG UltraGear 27GR83Q-B is a 1440p 27-inch gaming monitor that delivers ultra-smooth visuals with a 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms (GtG) response time, and support for both NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium via HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4. The vibrant IPS panel has a DisplayHDR 400 certification and up to 95% DCI-P3 color coverage. Combined with the 240Hz refresh rate, it's a stunning display for both competitive and immersive gaming.

See at Amazon Expand Collapse Thanks to the relatively short cables, this convenient setup keeps my desk clutter-free while still providing quick access to multiple USB-C ports whenever I need to plug something in.

If you don’t already have a desk lamp at your PC setup, stop reading and get one immediately (but please come back and finish the article afterward).

I only started using lamps about a year ago, and they’ve completely transformed my late-night gaming and work sessions.

1:55 Related ##### Lume Cube Edge Light 2.0 Review: This is the best desk light I’ve ever used

The Lume Cube Edge Light 2.0 features two USB ports, customizable brightness and color temperature, and a range of adjustability.

PostsOn top of creating a warm, inviting atmosphere at my desk, having more light helps reduce eyestrain significantly.

If you clock in many hours at your desk in the dark as well, a monitor light could work even better than my lamp. Plugging it directly into the monitor means it'll stay attached even if it's mounted on a monitor arm and you frequently shift it around.

2 Charge My Devices

As I mentioned earlier, both of my desk lamps have additional USB-A ports that I use to power various devices, effectively creating a daisy chain.

Most of the time, I charge gadgets through these ports—whether it’s via my cheap Qi wireless charger or devices like my smartwatch with its proprietary charger, multiple pairs of earbuds, a Bluetooth speaker, Xbox One controller's AA batteries, LED closet lights, and several other accessories.

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The USB-C mothership.

Posts 3 By keeping these devices charging within sight instead of plugging them into the front or back of my PC, I can easily tell when they’re done, unplug them, and get back to using them quickly.

You might consider this a bit of a cheat, but since the lamps are still technically connected to the monitor, I think it's fair to mention this use case. Plus, I only got a second lamp recently; before that, I simply used a regular USB cable to charge my devices.

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Posts 3 Connect My Controller -------------------------

When I’m gaming at my desk instead of on the TV, I prefer to plug in my controller—the monitor is the perfect place to do it. Since it’s right in front of me, and the cable is already plugged in, it can run straight to the controller without getting in the way, making for a neat and convenient setup.

Using a wired connection offers slightly lower input lag, which can give me a very small edge in competitive online games like Rocket League.

Before you ask, the monitor’s USB ports don’t add any input lag, at least not even nearly as much as a 2.4GHz dongle or Bluetooth does. The ports on the monitor function very similarly to the front-panel USB ports on your PC, which connect directly to the motherboard via a cable.

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Posts 2 Wired connections are also far more reliable. While 2.4GHz wireless is generally stable, it’s still vulnerable to interference, especially because my setup includes several other wireless devices, namely, a Wi-Fi router, gaming headset, keyboard, and two wireless mice.

I’ve only experienced signal drops once or twice in the six months I’ve owned the Cyclone 2, but even a single disconnect at the wrong moment in an online match could cost you the game.

My older Xbox One controller was even worse for this because I used Bluetooth. I'd gotten so used to using it wired, which is part of why I've stuck with wired play now that I have the GameSir Cyclone 2.

##### GameSir Cyclone 2 Wireless Controller

Platform

Nintendo Switch, PC, IOS, Android

Weight

0.65 Kilograms

The GameSir Cyclone 2 is a wireless controller for PC, Switch, and mobile that's equipped with TMR electromagnetic sticks, mechanical face buttons, and two rear paddles. The controller provides many high-end features at a reasonable price.

$56 at Amazon Expand Collapse Another benefit of keeping my controller plugged in is that I don’t have to worry about charging. I didn’t buy the optional charging dock, and charging my Xbox One controller involves removing the AA batteries and using a separate charger. By keeping the controllers wired, the battery stays topped up—or unused entirely—so they’re always ready for a quick gaming session on the couch or local co-op when friends come over.

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Posts 10 4 Use My Webcam Occasionally ------------------------------

I rarely use my fifteen-year-old webcam anymore. In fact, it’s been over six months since I last needed it—and even then, I plugged it into my old monitor’s USB port. That setup made sense: my previous PC

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