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Anker Docking Stations 2026 — Brand Overview, Products & Buying Guide

Adrian Cel By Adrian Cel

Anker: Best Value in USB-C Docking

Anker has become synonymous with affordable, reliable consumer electronics. Founded in 2011 by Steven Yang, a former Google software engineer, Anker began as a battery and charger company selling directly on Amazon. The company quickly built a devoted following by offering products that rivaled premium brands at a fraction of the price. That formula has since expanded into every category of USB-C accessories, including docking stations and hubs.

Headquartered in Changsha, China, with offices in the United States, Japan, and Europe, Anker has grown into a multi-billion-dollar brand under its parent company Anker Innovations (listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange). The company operates several sub-brands (Soundcore for audio, Eufy for smart home, Nebula for projectors), but the core Anker brand remains focused on charging and connectivity products. This focus has made Anker one of the top-selling docking station brands on Amazon, where several of their products consistently appear in the “Best Sellers” and “Amazon’s Choice” categories.

What makes Anker stand out in the docking station market is not cutting-edge technology or premium build quality. It is value. Anker docks give you the most ports, the most features, and the most reliable performance for the least money. Where CalDigit charges $379.99 for the ultimate Thunderbolt 4 dock and Dell charges $319.99 for an enterprise-focused option, Anker offers competitive alternatives starting at $53.99 for a USB-C hub and $249.99 for a full-featured desktop dock. For the majority of users who need a functional, well-built docking solution without paying a premium, Anker is the brand to consider first.

Anker Product Lineup

Anker uses a numbered product naming system for their docking stations and hubs. The numbers do not follow a strict hierarchy (they are product identifiers rather than quality tiers), but higher numbers generally indicate more features.

Desktop Docking Stations

The Anker 575 USB-C Docking Station (13-in-1) is Anker’s most feature-rich dock and the one we recommend for permanent desk setups. At $249.99, it packs 13 ports into a compact vertical desktop unit: two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, three USB-A 3.1 ports, two USB-C 3.2 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, a 3.5mm combo audio jack, and SD/microSD card readers. It delivers 85W of USB-C Power Delivery to your laptop, enough for most 13-15 inch machines.

The 575’s standout feature is triple display support on Windows via MST (Multi-Stream Transport). You can extend your desktop across three external monitors (two via HDMI and one via DisplayPort) at up to 1080p@60Hz each, or run a single display at 4K@60Hz. This kind of multi-monitor capability is rare at this price point and is the main reason the 575 scored 7.8/10 in our review.

The important caveat: macOS does not support MST, which means Mac users are limited to a single extended display with the Anker 575. The remaining outputs will mirror the primary display. If you need multi-monitor support on a Mac, the Anker 575 is not the right choice. Consider a Thunderbolt dock like the CalDigit TS4 instead.

Portable USB-C Hubs

The Anker 553 USB-C Hub (8-in-1) is one of the best budget USB-C hubs available. At $53.99, it delivers dual HDMI output, two USB-A 3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, SD/microSD readers, and 85W PD pass-through, all in a compact unit with a 15cm integrated cable and a travel pouch.

The 553 uses HDMI 1.4 ports, so dual 4K output is capped at 30Hz. For most office work (documents, email, video calls, web browsing), this is perfectly adequate. Dual 1080p@60Hz is also supported and provides a smoother visual experience. We gave the Anker 553 a score of 7.2/10 in our review, awarding it our “Budget Pick” badge.

Anker’s hub lineup also includes several other models worth knowing about:

  • Anker 555 USB-C Hub (8-in-1) - Similar to the 553 but trades the second HDMI port for a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 data port (10 Gbps) and faster USB-A ports. Choose the 555 if you need fast data transfer more than dual displays.
  • Anker 556 USB-C Hub (8-in-1) - Aimed at MacBook users with a slimmer, aluminum design and a single HDMI 2.0 port (4K@60Hz).
  • Anker 341 USB-C Hub (7-in-1) - A basic hub with HDMI, USB-A, SD/microSD, and 100W PD pass-through at around $30. Great as a travel dongle.

Thunderbolt Products

Anker has experimented with Thunderbolt 4 docking stations, most notably the Anker Apex Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station. However, Thunderbolt is not Anker’s core strength. Their Thunderbolt products have been less consistently available and less frequently updated compared to established Thunderbolt brands like CalDigit and OWC. If Thunderbolt 4 is a requirement for you, we recommend looking at the CalDigit TS4 or Dell WD22TB4 first.

Charging Stations and Power Strips

Anker also makes products that blur the line between docking station and charging station: multi-port USB-C chargers with data pass-through, power strips with built-in USB ports, and GaN chargers that can power a laptop and peripherals at the same time. These are not true docking stations (they lack display output and Ethernet), but they are worth mentioning because Anker users sometimes confuse them with docks.

Who Is Anker For?

Anker docking stations and hubs serve a broad audience, but they are best suited for specific use cases.

Windows home office workers are Anker’s sweet spot. If you work from home with a Windows laptop and need multi-monitor support, Gigabit Ethernet, and enough USB ports for your keyboard, mouse, webcam, and external drive, the Anker 575 covers all of that at $249.99, roughly $70-130 less than comparable docks from Dell or CalDigit. The triple display support on Windows via MST is a genuine competitive advantage at this price.

Budget-conscious buyers who need basic docking functionality without spending more than $60 should start with the Anker 553. It is one of the most capable hubs available under $55, and the dual HDMI output makes it a strong choice for Windows users who need two external monitors. For students, home offices, or anyone who does not want to invest in a full desktop dock, the 553 is a smart first purchase.

Travelers and mobile professionals benefit from Anker’s compact USB-C hubs. The 553’s 15cm cable and travel pouch make it easy to throw in a bag, and the lack of an external power adapter means one fewer thing to pack. Anker’s smaller hubs (like the 341) are even more portable.

Mac users should be cautious. Anker’s USB-C docks and hubs work physically with MacBooks, but macOS’s lack of MST support means you will only get a single extended display. If multi-monitor support is important and you use a Mac, you need either a Thunderbolt dock or a DisplayLink-based solution. Anker’s USB-C products are not the right tool for that job.

Enterprise and IT buyers should look at Dell or Lenovo instead. Anker does not offer fleet management tools, centralized firmware deployment, or enterprise-grade support contracts. Anker docks are consumer products sold through retail channels. They are perfectly good for individual professionals, but not designed for managed corporate deployments.

Our Anker Dock Reviews

We have reviewed the following Anker products on our site:

  • Anker 575 Review - Score: 7.8/10. The best mid-range USB-C docking station for Windows users. 13 ports, triple display via MST, 85W PD, Gigabit Ethernet, SD readers. Badge: Best Value.

  • Anker 553 Review - Score: 7.2/10. A budget USB-C hub with dual HDMI, 85W PD pass-through, Ethernet, and SD readers for under $55. Outstanding value for Windows home office setups. Badge: Budget Pick.

Both products earned badges recognizing their value proposition: the 575 as “Best Value” in our full-size dock category, and the 553 as “Budget Pick” among USB-C hubs. Neither scored as high as the CalDigit TS4 (9.2/10), but that is expected given the large price difference.

For help choosing between Anker models or comparing Anker to other brands, our docking station buying guide and USB-C vs Thunderbolt guide provide detailed decision frameworks.

Anker vs Competitors

Anker vs CalDigit

This is not really an apples-to-apples comparison, but it is one buyers frequently make. The CalDigit TS4 ($379.99) is a Thunderbolt 4 dock with 18 ports, 40 Gbps bandwidth, native dual 4K on Mac, 2.5GbE, UHS-II card readers, and an aluminum chassis. The Anker 575 ($249.99) is a USB-C dock with 13 ports, 10 Gbps bandwidth, triple display on Windows only, 1GbE, UHS-I card readers, and a plastic chassis.

If you use a Mac, the CalDigit TS4 is the clear winner because it provides native multi-display support that Anker’s USB-C docks simply cannot deliver. If you use Windows and budget matters, the Anker 575 offers triple display support and a good port selection for $130 less. The CalDigit TS4 is objectively the better product; the Anker 575 is the better value for Windows users who do not need Thunderbolt.

Anker vs Dell

Anker and Dell target different buyers. Dell’s docks are enterprise products with fleet management tools, longer warranties (3 years on the WD22TB4), and Dell-specific features like 130W ExpressCharge. Anker’s docks are consumer products with more ports, lower prices, and broader retail availability.

The Anker 575 at $249.99 offers more ports (13) than the Dell WD22TB4 at $319.99 (~9 ports), plus features Dell lacks like SD card readers and a 3.5mm audio jack. But Dell provides Thunderbolt 4 bandwidth, a modular design, and enterprise support that Anker cannot match. For personal use, Anker wins on value. For Dell laptop corporate users, Dell wins on integration.

At the budget end, the Anker 553 at $53.99 competes with the Dell D6000 on the secondary market (renewed units around $60-80). The D6000 offers triple 4K display via DisplayLink with broader laptop compatibility (including USB-A), while the 553 offers dual HDMI without drivers. Choose based on whether you need triple display with drivers (D6000) or dual display without drivers (553).

Anker vs Other USB-C Hub Brands

The USB-C hub market is crowded with brands like Satechi, HyperDrive, UGREEN, Plugable, and dozens of Amazon house brands. Anker’s advantage over most of these competitors comes down to brand reputation, Amazon presence, and warranty support. Anker has been selling USB-C accessories since the early days of USB-C adoption, and their 18-month warranty with US-based customer support provides peace of mind that $20 no-name hubs cannot offer.

Satechi is Anker’s closest competitor in the premium USB-C hub space, with better aesthetics (aluminum construction, space gray color matching) but generally higher prices for similar specs. UGREEN offers competitive pricing and has been gaining market share, but their docking station lineup is still maturing. For most buyers, Anker remains the safest choice in the USB-C hub category.

Anker’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

Value leadership. No brand offers more ports-per-dollar than Anker in the USB-C docking station and hub category. The 553 at $53.99 with dual HDMI, Ethernet, card readers, and 85W PD is almost absurdly good value.

Amazon ecosystem. Anker’s deep integration with Amazon (frequent Lightning Deals, coupon clipping, Prime eligibility, and high review counts) makes them easy to discover and easy to buy. Their products regularly appear in Amazon’s “Best Sellers” lists for docking stations and USB-C hubs.

Warranty and support. Anker’s 18-month warranty is standard across their dock lineup, and their customer support is responsive through Amazon and direct channels. For a consumer electronics brand at this price point, the after-sales experience is above average.

Product range. From $30 travel dongles to $250 desktop docks, Anker covers every price point. No matter your budget, there is an Anker product worth considering.

Weaknesses

No Thunderbolt strength. Anker’s Thunderbolt products have been sporadic and less competitive than their USB-C offerings. If you need Thunderbolt 4, look at CalDigit, Dell, or OWC instead.

Mac multi-display limitation. Because Anker’s mainstream docks use USB-C with MST for multi-display, Mac users are limited to a single extended display. This is an Apple/macOS limitation rather than an Anker failing, but it effectively rules out Anker for Mac users who need multiple monitors.

Plastic build quality. Anker docks use plastic enclosures rather than the aluminum construction found on CalDigit and some Satechi products. The plastic is sturdy and well-finished, but it does not feel or look as premium as metal alternatives.

No enterprise tools. Anker does not offer any fleet management, centralized firmware updates, or enterprise support contracts. Every dock is a standalone consumer product.

The Bottom Line

Anker has earned its place as the go-to brand for value-oriented docking stations and USB-C hubs. The Anker 575 is our top recommendation for Windows home office users who want a full-featured dock without paying Thunderbolt prices, and the Anker 553 is the best budget hub for dual-monitor setups under $55.

If you are a Mac user, a Thunderbolt power user, or an IT administrator managing a laptop fleet, Anker is probably not the right choice. Look at CalDigit or Dell instead. But for the vast majority of Windows laptop owners who need a reliable, well-priced docking solution, Anker delivers more than any other brand at this price point.

Check our docking station buying guide to compare Anker against other brands across every category, or jump straight to our reviews of the Anker 575 and Anker 553 for detailed specs and analysis.

Anker Docking Stations

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Anker docking stations good quality?
Yes. Anker has built a strong reputation for reliable consumer electronics, consistently ranking among the top-selling peripheral brands on Amazon. Their docking stations use quality components, and Anker backs them with an 18-month warranty and responsive customer support. They are not premium-tier like CalDigit, but they deliver excellent build quality for their price range.
Do Anker docks work with MacBook?
Anker docks physically work with MacBooks via USB-C, but macOS does not support MST (Multi-Stream Transport), which means you are limited to a single extended display on most Anker USB-C docks and hubs. For dual or triple display on Mac, you need a Thunderbolt dock like the CalDigit TS4 or a DisplayLink-based solution.
What is the difference between the Anker 575 and Anker 553?
The Anker 575 is a full desktop docking station ($249.99) with 13 ports, triple display on Windows, 85W PD, and Gigabit Ethernet. The Anker 553 is a compact portable USB-C hub ($53.99) with 8 ports, dual HDMI, 85W PD pass-through, and a 15cm cable. The 575 is for permanent desk setups; the 553 is for portable use or budget buyers.
Does Anker make Thunderbolt docking stations?
Anker has released Thunderbolt 4 products in the past, including the Anker Apex Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station. However, Anker's core docking station lineup focuses on USB-C connectivity, which is compatible with a broader range of laptops. If you specifically need Thunderbolt 4, CalDigit and Dell offer more established options in that category.
What is the best Anker docking station to buy in 2026?
For a desktop setup on Windows, the Anker 575 ($249.99) is the best Anker dock — it offers 13 ports, triple display via MST, 85W charging, and Gigabit Ethernet. For a portable budget option, the Anker 553 ($53.99) is excellent. Both are reviewed on our site with detailed specs and analysis.