Array.prototype.sort() has no single, portable runtime for a million rows. The time depends on the JavaScript engine and version, the data and its existing order, the comparator’s work, and what you include in the measurement. To find the cost in your application, measure sorting separately from preparation and rendering, then profile the representative workload.
What determines the time to sort a million rows?
Think of the elapsed time as several costs, not a fixed percentage breakdown. The sorting implementation compares and rearranges elements; the comparator may do substantial work each time it runs; and an application may also spend time creating, copying, displaying, or transferring the data. A sort-only benchmark and a user-visible end-to-end measurement answer different questions.
The engine’s sorting implementation
ECMAScript requires stable sorting: rows with equal sort keys retain their relative order. It does not require a particular algorithm. V8 documents that it uses Timsort, but that is an implementation detail of V8, not a guarantee for every JavaScript engine. See V8’s explanation of stable Array.prototype.sort.
Input arrangement can affect the work an algorithm performs. In a 2018 account of V8’s Timsort work, the V8 project reported up to a 17× speedup over its older JavaScript Quicksort baseline for a particular constructed pattern of two reverse-sorted sequences. That result was not a million-row benchmark, was not a comparison of all current engines, and should not be read as a present-day speedup promise. The same article discusses differences between random, ordered, and partially ordered inputs: Getting things sorted in V8.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
The comparator
A comparator runs as part of the ordering process and may call user JavaScript repeatedly. Reading properties, converting values, parsing strings or dates, doing locale-aware comparisons, allocating objects, or deriving keys inside it can add meaningful work. The V8 project has noted that JavaScript comparisons can cost much more than memory access. In one specific Chai workload described in its 2018 article, a string-distance comparison function accounted for a third of runtime. Neither observation establishes the comparator’s share in another application.
Preparation, copying, and what happens afterward
Generating rows, deriving keys, cloning the array, and copying data are separate costs unless the measured region includes them. Likewise, state updates, serialization, worker communication, and rendering may affect when a user sees the result without being time spent inside sort(). Measure these phases separately when you need to know whether the bottleneck is sorting or the surrounding application work.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How to benchmark your own million-row workload
There is no current, reproducible million-row timing established here for a named machine, runtime, dataset, and comparator. Rather than rely on a number from a different workload, make the benchmark represent the question you need to answer.
- Choose the measurement. For isolated sort latency, exclude data generation and validate the input before timing. For user-visible completion time, deliberately include the relevant preparation, communication, and rendering phases and report that wider scope.
- Fix and record the workload. Note the JavaScript runtime and version, machine, row count, data representation, comparator, and input distribution or order. If you are measuring a browser application, identify the browser and version as well.
- Use a fresh input for each run. Since sorting mutates the array, reusing the same array can turn later measurements into tests of already-sorted data. Prepare or copy a fresh array outside the timed region for a sort-only test.
- Test representative arrangements. Include random, already sorted, reverse-sorted, and realistic partially ordered inputs when they resemble your application. Do not infer a current timing from V8’s historical input-pattern results.
- Warm up and repeat. Avoid judging performance from one best run. Report a clear summary or distribution and state how many samples you used. In Node.js v26.10.0 documentation, the
node:benchrunner is available behind--experimental-bench; it supports configurable warmup and samples and process isolation. The feature is marked early development and was added in v26.9.0, so confirm availability and behavior in your exact runtime: Node.js v26.10.0 benchmark-runner documentation. - Check correctness. Validate the result and test the comparator’s behavior on equal keys and relevant edge cases before comparing timings.
Make the comparator correct before making it fast
A comparator should define a consistent ordering and avoid changing data or producing different results for the same pair. MDN documents that malformed comparators can produce different results across engines. Check that the comparator returns a negative value when the first item should precede the second, a positive value when it should follow, and zero when the items compare equal; ensure ties have the intended behavior. See MDN’s Array.prototype.sort() reference.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
If comparison repeatedly performs expensive parsing or key derivation, measure whether preparing sort keys once improves the total task. Include the key-preparation cost in an end-to-end comparison, and keep it outside the timed region only when the question is specifically sort-only latency. Do not assume an optimization helps until you measure the same representative input and verify the output remains correct.
Use profiling to locate work, not to guess
When a benchmark is slow, profile the representative workload to find where execution time is going. V8 documents an opt-in sample-based profiler: the --prof workflow records JavaScript and C/C++ stacks in a v8.log file. Sampling can point to likely hot work, but it is not an exact per-function wall-clock accounting. Compare profiler output with unprofiled timings, then validate any proposed change with repeatable benchmark runs. See V8’s profiler documentation.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
What to conclude from published performance figures
Historical engine results can explain why workload shape and comparator cost matter, but they cannot substitute for a test of your code on your target runtime. V8’s 2017-era Web Tooling Benchmark article reported that its suite score had improved by around 60% since V8 v5.8; that was a suite-level historical result, not a million-row sorting measurement: V8’s Web Tooling Benchmark article. None of these figures supplies a universal answer for how long your million rows will take.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
