Q: Best USB-C hub for external hard drive and iPad

Hi all,

        Sort of at the end of the line so hopefully you folks have the answer I am looking for.

I use and early 2015 MacBook, a LaCie 1TB hard drive and an iPad mini 4. Normally, to sync music/movies from the hard drive to my old 1st Gen iPad mini or iPod I would use the Apple brand USB-C AV cable, keep the Macbook connected to power, and then through the single USB A port in the AV cable I would plug in a Belkin 4 port USB hub. Now the new iPad mini 4 draws so much power the MacBook automatically disconnects USB devices.

I've gone through so many USB hubs and whatnot I was hoping someone could help me out so I don't need to do the whole buy-try-fail-refund dance again.

I'm pretty sure I should get an externally powered USB hub, but I am hoping there is a less awkward way. Does anyone know if a third party USB C hub with pass through charging, like the Minix Neo C, will do the job? I think they draw off something like 5 watts off the 29 coming through the wall charger. Will that be enough to sustain my iPad and external hard drive for syncing

If not, does anyone have a recommendation for a powered USB hub? I really only need 4 ports at most.

I've not had a problem with Belkin products, but have been reading very mixed (mostly negative) reviews of the Anker brand hubs.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.