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Anker 563 DisplayLink Review 2026 - Triple Monitor USB-C Dock

7.1 Very Good
Adrian Cel By Adrian Cel

The Anker 563 USB-C Docking Station (10-in-1) is the DisplayLink version of Anker's 563 lineup, built for MacBook and Windows users who want more external monitors than a normal USB-C dock can provide. It connects over USB-C at 5Gbps, charges the laptop at up to 100W, and adds two HDMI outputs plus one DisplayPort output. The headline is triple display support: one 4K@30Hz HDMI display, plus two lower resolution displays through the second HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. That makes it useful for spreadsheets, chat, dashboards, and browser windows, especially on base M1 and M2 MacBooks that normally support only one external display. The trade-off is DisplayLink. You need the DisplayLink driver, macOS users need to grant Screen Recording permission, and the 2K HDMI and DisplayPort outputs do not support HDCP protected video. The rest of the hardware is straightforward: a 30W USB-C charging and data port, one 5Gbps USB-A port with 7.5W charging, two USB 2.0 ports for peripherals, Gigabit Ethernet, a 3.5mm audio jack, a 180W power adapter, and an included USB-C cable. At Anker's current $199.99 direct price, the 563 DisplayLink is a niche dock rather than a general upgrade over Thunderbolt or USB4 options. It makes sense when you specifically need three productivity monitors from a USB-C laptop.

Best for triple monitors on base MacBooks

Pros & Cons

What We Like

  • Triple display support over USB-C, including base Apple Silicon MacBooks that normally support fewer monitors
  • 100W host charging with a 180W power adapter included in the box
  • 30W USB-C charging port can top up a phone while the dock powers the laptop
  • Dual HDMI plus DisplayPort avoids forcing every monitor onto one cable type
  • Gigabit Ethernet and 3.5mm audio cover common desk peripherals
  • Compact vertical chassis takes less desk space than many horizontal docks

What Could Be Better

  • DisplayLink driver and macOS Screen Recording permission are required for the 2K display outputs

    Workaround: Install the latest DisplayLink Manager before setup. On macOS, approve Screen Recording permission, then reconnect the dock.

  • Only the first HDMI port reaches 4K, and it is limited to 30Hz

    Workaround: Use the dock for productivity displays. Choose a Thunderbolt or USB4 dock if you need dual 4K@60Hz or smoother 4K output.

  • 2K HDMI and DisplayPort outputs lack HDCP support

    Workaround: Use the laptop display or the native 4K HDMI path for protected streaming when possible.

  • No SD or microSD card reader

    Workaround: Use a separate USB card reader connected to the USB-A or USB-C data port.

  • 5Gbps host link limits fast storage and display traffic compared with Thunderbolt docks

    Workaround: Connect fast NVMe storage, capture cards, or high-bandwidth devices directly to the laptop.

Display Support

Max Displays: 3
1 display (Single 4K@30Hz via the first HDMI port.)
3840x2160 @ 30Hz
1 display (Single 2K@60Hz via DisplayPort, or 2K@50Hz via the second HDMI port.)
2560x1440 @ 60Hz
2 displays (4K@30Hz plus 2K@50Hz using both HDMI ports, or 4K@30Hz plus 2K@60Hz using first HDMI and DisplayPort.)
3840x2160 @ 30Hz
3 displays (Triple display mode: 4K@30Hz on first HDMI plus 2048x1152@60Hz on second HDMI and DisplayPort. Many 2K monitors fall back to 1920x1080.)
3840x2160 @ 30Hz

Ports & Connectivity

USB Ports

1x USB-C 3.2 30W
1x USB-A 3.2 7.5W
2x USB-A 2.0

Video Outputs

1x HDMI 4K@30Hz
1x HDMI 2K@50Hz / DisplayLink
1x DisplayPort 2K@60Hz / DisplayLink

Network

1x Ethernet (1 Gbps)

Audio

1x 3.5mm combo

Full Specifications

General
Manufacturer Anker
Model A8395
Release Date 2022-05
MSRP $199.99
Connectivity
Host Connection USB-C
Max Data Rate 5 Gbps
Driver Required DisplayLink
Display Output
Max Displays 3
1x Display 3840x2160 @ 30Hz (Single 4K@30Hz via the first HDMI port.)
1x Display 2560x1440 @ 60Hz (Single 2K@60Hz via DisplayPort, or 2K@50Hz via the second HDMI port.)
2x Display 3840x2160 @ 30Hz (4K@30Hz plus 2K@50Hz using both HDMI ports, or 4K@30Hz plus 2K@60Hz using first HDMI and DisplayPort.)
3x Display 3840x2160 @ 30Hz (Triple display mode: 4K@30Hz on first HDMI plus 2048x1152@60Hz on second HDMI and DisplayPort. Many 2K monitors fall back to 1920x1080.)
Ports (7+ total)
USB-C 3.2 1x (30W)
USB-A 3.2 1x (7.5W)
USB-A 2.0 2x
HDMI 4K@30Hz 1x
HDMI 2K@50Hz / DisplayLink 1x
DisplayPort 2K@60Hz / DisplayLink 1x
Ethernet (RJ45) 1x 1 Gbps
Audio (3.5mm-combo) 1x
Power
Power Input DC-barrel
Laptop Charging Up to 100W

Compatibility

Windows (10+)

Supported with DisplayLink software installed. Host USB-C port must support Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alt Mode.

macOS

Supported on Intel and Apple Silicon MacBooks with DisplayLink Manager installed. Screen Recording permission is required for the DisplayLink outputs.

Known Issues

Mac without DisplayLink Manager permission

2K HDMI and DisplayPort outputs do not work normally

Laptops without USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode

Display output unsupported

HDCP-protected video on 2K HDMI or DisplayPort outputs

Protected streaming may fail

Gaming or high-motion video workflows

DisplayLink is a poor fit

7.1 /10

Our Verdict

Very Good

The Anker 563 DisplayLink dock solves one problem well: adding extra monitors to laptops that cannot drive them natively. For that job, it is more useful than a basic MST hub and much cheaper than high-end Thunderbolt docks. Anker documents the display limits clearly, and they matter. The best output is 4K at 30Hz from the first HDMI port. The second HDMI tops out at 2K@50Hz, and DisplayPort tops out at 2K@60Hz. With three monitors attached, the two secondary displays run at 2048x1152@60Hz, or often 1080p on monitors that do not accept that mode. That is fine for office work but not ideal for gaming, color work, or smooth 4K desktop use. The driver dependency is the other cost. DisplayLink usually works, but it is not as clean as native Thunderbolt. You may need to update the driver after macOS changes, approve permissions, and reconnect the dock after sleep if displays misbehave. The port mix is also basic for the price: only one fast downstream USB-C port, no SD reader, no 2.5GbE, and only 5Gbps host bandwidth. Still, the 100W laptop charging, 30W front USB-C charging, included 180W adapter, and Anker's 18-month warranty make it a practical desk dock for MacBook users who need multiple productivity screens. Buy it for triple-display DisplayLink. Skip it if you want driver-free displays, 4K@60Hz on multiple monitors, or high-bandwidth peripherals.

Available at Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Anker 563 USB-C Docking Station support three monitors?
Yes. The Anker 563 DisplayLink dock supports up to three external monitors: 4K@30Hz through the first HDMI port, plus up to 2048x1152@60Hz through the second HDMI and DisplayPort outputs in triple display mode. DisplayLink software is required for the 2K outputs.
Does the Anker 563 work with M1 and M2 MacBooks?
Yes, this DisplayLink version is designed to add multiple displays to MacBooks, including base Apple Silicon models. Install DisplayLink Manager and allow Screen Recording permission in macOS. Without that permission, the 2K HDMI and DisplayPort outputs will not work normally.
Is the Anker 563 a Thunderbolt dock?
No. It is a USB-C dock with a 5Gbps host connection and DisplayLink display outputs. If you need native Thunderbolt bandwidth, driver-free display output, or dual 4K@60Hz, choose a Thunderbolt dock instead.
Can the Anker 563 charge my laptop?
Yes. Anker lists up to 100W charging through the USB-C upstream host connection, and the dock ships with a 180W power adapter. It also has a separate 30W USB-C Power Delivery port for phones or smaller devices.
Why do Netflix or other protected videos fail on the Anker 563?
Anker states that the 2K HDMI and 2K DisplayPort outputs do not support HDCP. Protected streaming services may show a black screen or refuse playback on those outputs. Use the laptop display or a native display path for protected video.

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