Anker 553 Review 2026 - Specs, Pros & Cons

Name: Anker 553 USB-C Hub (8-in-1)
Brand: Anker
Price: 53.99 USD
Availability: InStock

The Anker 553 USB-C Hub (8-in-1) is one of the most affordable ways to add dual 4K HDMI output, Gigabit Ethernet, and SD card reading to a USB-C laptop, all through a single cable. Originally sold as the Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1, this compact hub was rebranded under Anker's numbered product lineup and has remained a consistent bestseller on Amazon since its 2020 launch. At around $54, it sits firmly in budget territory, yet it delivers a lot of functionality for the price. The headline feature is its dual HDMI ports, which let Windows users extend their desktop across two external monitors, a capability that many hubs in this price range lack entirely. Each HDMI port supports 4K@60Hz when used individually, or 4K@30Hz when both are active simultaneously. You also get two USB-A 3.0 ports for peripherals, an SD and microSD card reader for photographers, and Gigabit Ethernet for a stable wired network connection. Power delivery passes through up to 85W to your laptop, which is enough to charge most ultrabooks at full speed. The Anker 553 does not require any drivers. It uses native USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode, so it works out of the box with Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. The trade-off for this low price is that macOS users are limited to a single extended display (the second HDMI mirrors the first), and the USB data bandwidth is shared at 5 Gbps total. But for budget-conscious users who primarily need a dual-monitor hub for a Windows laptop, the Anker 553 is hard to beat.

Budget Pick

Pros & Cons

What We Like

Dual 4K HDMI output at an under-$55 price point
85W USB-C Power Delivery charges most ultrabooks at full speed
Gigabit Ethernet for stable wired networking
SD and microSD card readers included
No drivers required, native USB-C DP Alt Mode
Compact and portable with included travel pouch

What Could Be Better

macOS limited to single extended display (second HDMI mirrors)
Workaround: Use a Thunderbolt dock like the CalDigit TS4 or a DisplayLink-based hub for dual displays on Mac.
Dual 4K output capped at 30Hz (HDMI 1.4 limitation)
Workaround: Use dual 1080p@60Hz instead, or connect a single display for 4K@60Hz.
No USB-C data port, only USB-C PD pass-through
Workaround: Use the two USB-A 3.0 ports for peripherals, or connect USB-C devices directly to the laptop.
USB-A ports limited to 5 Gbps (USB 3.0), not 10 Gbps
No 3.5mm audio jack
Workaround: Use USB audio adapter or Bluetooth headphones.

Display Support

Max Displays: 2

1 display (Single 4K@60Hz via either HDMI port)

3840x2160 @ 60Hz

2 displays (Dual 4K@30Hz via both HDMI ports (Windows only, requires MST support))

3840x2160 @ 30Hz

2 displays (Dual 1080p@60Hz via both HDMI ports (Windows only))

1920x1080 @ 60Hz

Ports & Connectivity

USB Ports

2x USB-A 3.0

1x USB-C 2.0 85W

Video Outputs

2x HDMI 1.4

Network

1x Ethernet (1 Gbps)

Card Readers

1x SD (SD 3.0 / UHS-I)

1x microSD (SD 3.0 / UHS-I)

Full Specifications

General
Manufacturer	Anker
Model	A8380
Release Date	2020-05
MSRP	$53.99
Connectivity
Host Connection	USB-C
Max Data Rate	5 Gbps
Driver Required	No (native)
Display Output
Max Displays	2
1x Display	3840x2160 @ 60Hz (Single 4K@60Hz via either HDMI port)
2x Display	3840x2160 @ 30Hz (Dual 4K@30Hz via both HDMI ports (Windows only, requires MST support))
2x Display	1920x1080 @ 60Hz (Dual 1080p@60Hz via both HDMI ports (Windows only))
Ports (5+ total)
USB-A 3.0	2x
USB-C 2.0	1x (85W)
HDMI 1.4	2x
Ethernet (RJ45)	1x 1 Gbps
SD Card Reader	1x
microSD Card Reader	1x
Power
Power Input	USB-C
Laptop Charging	Up to 85W

Compatibility

Windows (10+)

Full support including dual extended displays via MST.

macOS (12 (Monterey)+)

Single extended display only. Second HDMI mirrors the first due to no MST support.

ChromeOS

Supported on USB-C Chromebooks with DP Alt Mode.

Known Issues

macOS (all versions)

Only single extended display supported

Laptops without DP Alt Mode

No video output

7.2 /10

Our Verdict

Very Good

The Anker 553 is a budget USB-C hub that delivers more than its price suggests. Its dual HDMI ports are the clear selling point. At under $55, it is one of the least expensive ways to drive two external displays from a single USB-C connection on Windows. The 85W power delivery is generous for a hub at this price, and the inclusion of Gigabit Ethernet and SD/microSD readers means most users will not need any additional dongles. Build quality is typical of Anker's mid-range accessories: the plastic chassis is lightweight and portable, with a travel pouch included in the box. If you need a compact hub that travels well and covers the basics, the 553 delivers. However, there are real limitations to be aware of. macOS users will only get a single extended display. The second HDMI will mirror the first, since Apple does not support MST on non-Thunderbolt connections. The USB-A ports run at 5 Gbps (USB 3.0), not 10 Gbps, and there is no USB-C data port (the only USB-C connector is the PD pass-through input). The HDMI ports are version 1.4, which means dual 4K output is capped at 30Hz (not the smoother 60Hz you would get from HDMI 2.0 at 4K). For everyday office work and video calls this is fine, but if you are working with high-refresh-rate content, you will notice the difference. There is also no audio jack, so headphone users will need USB or Bluetooth audio. Despite these trade-offs, the Anker 553 remains a strong value. For Windows-based home office workers, students, or anyone who needs basic dual-monitor support without spending more than $60, this hub earns a recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Anker 553 support dual monitors on Mac?

No. macOS does not support MST (Multi-Stream Transport), which is required for dual extended displays over a single USB-C connection. On Mac, the second HDMI port will mirror the first display. For dual displays on a Mac, consider a Thunderbolt dock like the CalDigit TS4 or a DisplayLink-based hub.

Can the Anker 553 charge my laptop?

Yes, but you need to supply your own USB-C PD charger. The hub passes through up to 85W of power from a connected USB-C power adapter to your laptop. Anker recommends using a 100W PD charger for best results. The charger is not included in the box.

What is the difference between the Anker 553 and the Anker 555?

Both are 8-in-1 USB-C hubs, but they prioritize different things. The Anker 553 has two HDMI ports for dual display output but no USB-C data port. The Anker 555 has one HDMI port (4K@60Hz) but adds a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 data port (10 Gbps) and upgrades the USB-A ports to 10 Gbps. Choose the 553 for dual monitors, or the 555 for faster data transfer.

Does the Anker 553 require a power adapter?

The hub itself does not require external power to function. It draws power from your laptop's USB-C port. However, if you want pass-through charging (85W to your laptop), you need to connect a separate USB-C PD charger to the hub's PD input port. This charger is not included.

What resolution can I get with dual monitors?

With both HDMI ports active on Windows, you can run dual 4K@30Hz or dual 1080p@60Hz. For a single monitor, you get 4K@60Hz. The HDMI 1.4 ports limit dual 4K output to 30Hz. For most office work, dual 1080p@60Hz or dual 1440p@30Hz configurations work well.