The RAVPower FileHub: An All-In-One (Yet Oddly Niche) Wireless Storage Hub

Whether you’re a photographer, a writer, or garden-variety computer nerd, a wireless file hub can streamline your file transfer process. But for $60, the RAVPower FileHub aims to do so much more. Is it too good to be true?

I wish I could give you a definite answer. The RAVPower FileHub is, at a fundamental level, a portable device for wireless data transfer. It has two ports for an SD card and a hard drive, and it’s built for on the go data transfer with your phone. It does this by outputting a unique Wi-Fi signal (you can choose between a 2.4 G band and a fast 5 G band), which your phone connects to for data transmission via the RAV FileHub app.

But the FileHub also doubles as a casting device, a Wi-Fi bridge (it has an ethernet port), and a portable 6700 mAh battery. For a $60 device, this is a lot of features. If they all worked perfectly, then I’d recommend the FileHub to anyone, but that isn’t the case.

While I enjoy the FileHub’s wireless file transfer capabilities, I think its “jack of all trades” approach leads to a lot of frustrating shortcomings.

The FileHub Is Well-Built, Its Instruction Manual Isn’t

The FIleHub looks great and has fantastic build quality. Its buttons are clicky, it has a nice (not flimsy) rubber cover for its USB and Ethernet ports, and even its SD card slot feels oddly secure.

Really, the FileHub is a brick—and I mean that in the best way possible. But the FileHub’s ease of use? Its 46-page instruction manual? That’s a different story.

FileHub sitting on a table with its LEDs lit up. — FileHub’s clear LEDs show its power and connection modes.

The FileHub does a lot of different things, and yes, it has a learning curve. But the issue is, even if you follow the instruction manual, the FileHub finds a way to confuse you. I’ll mention some of its quirks throughout this review, but I’m going to start with something that’s frustrated me from day one.

The FileHub’s power button is ridiculous. I’ve never had so much trouble turning on a device. While the instruction manual clearly states, “Power Button: Press to turn on/off the FileHub,” you have to hold the button for around five seconds—no more, no less. I manage to screw this up every time I use the FileHub.