Anker is well-known for its vast selection of charging solutions, and this laptop docking station is the most powerful we’ve encountered in terms of USB charging connections, standard display options, and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity.
If you need an extra display or two as well as a slew of high-end device charging ports and don’t require storage card readers, this 14-in-1 dock is a nine-USB powerhouse.
Windows users can run two extended 4K monitors at 60Hz from the dock, but Mac users can mirror on two or just one additional display.
Ports of power
Docking stations allow you to construct a full desktop configuration with your laptop, which is connected to the dock via a single USB-C cable.
This Anker USB-C dock also works with Thunderbolt 3 or 4 laptops that support the fast connection standard, but the maximum data transfer speed will be limited to 10Gbps rather than Thunderbolt’s 40Gbps.
The Anker Prime 160W Charging Docking Station offers an astonishing 13 ports, including an upstream USB-C port for connecting to the host (most likely your laptop). It offers plenty of USB data and charging connectors, as well as the standard docking features.
- 100W PD 3.0 charging via upstream USB-C port
- Up to two external displays (2x 4K at 60Hz)
- Two HDMI 2.0 ports
- Two USB-C (10Gbps) ports
- Two USB-C (100W) ports
- One USB-A (10Gbps) port
- One USB-A (12W) port
- Three USB-A (480Mbps) ports
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- Hybrid 3.5mm audio port
- 160W total power output
This tiny and attractive vertical-standing dock is known for its charging capabilities, but the three front-mounted 10Gbps data connections (two USB-C, one USB-A) should suffice for the majority of configurations.
The abundant power overwhelms all other docks. Along with the 10Gbps data ports, there are two USB-C ports capable of delivering 100W apiece, as well as an additional 12W via one of the USB-A ports. It is important to note that the overall power output is 160W, thus you will have that much power while using multiple ports at the same time.
The dock does not include a separate power supply. Instead, it features an integrated GaN AC-DC power module. Its compact shape makes it potentially portable.
It measures 5.5 x 3.8 x 1.9 inches (14 x 9.7 x 4.7 cm) and weighs 1.96lb (888g).
It connects to a power source using the included 5.5ft (1.7m) power wire. If you require additional reach to a power outlet, you will need an extender.
There is a Smart Mode that automatically allocates optimal charging power to each port based on the requirements of the connected devices, as well as a Custom Mode that allows you to prioritize individual ports as you see fit. Ports can be set to “Power Priority” for more power, “Power Saving” for less power, or “Balanced” for even power allocation across ports.
There is no SD or MicroSD card reader slot on this Anker dock, although some docks have both. If you don’t use it, you won’t notice it—but these cards can provide inexpensive and highly portable access to external storage. If you choose one later, you can buy an SD Card Reader adapter that will use up one of the dock’s USB ports.
If you’re looking for a dock with more connectors, check out our list of the best USB-C laptop docking stations. If you prefer a strong desktop charger than a dock, check out our testing on the best laptop PD chargers.
If you require both a docking station and a desktop charger, keep reading since this Anker dock is an excellent combination of both.
Many current docking stations provide super-fast wired network connectivity via a 2.5Gb Ethernet connection; however, most networks are still 1Gb, therefore the Gigabit Ethernet connector will suffice for the majority. Again, you can upgrade later by connecting a 2.5Gb Ethernet adapter to one of the USB-C data ports.
The dock’s little smart display provides visual feedback on power and port connection status. This feature is becoming popularity on chargers and power banks. Most people will never glance at it, but it is there in case you need to check power output.
It does not display data transmission rates between devices.
The Anker includes an easy-to-reach on/off switch on top, which is a useful energy-saving feature that prevents a laptop’s battery from being constantly charged, which might deteriorate it if left unplugged.
It comes with a 3.3-foot (1-meter) 100W 10Gbps USB-C cable.
Dual display potential (limited for Macs)
The Anker Prime 160W Charging Docking Station supports up to two external screens. The docks can run two 4K displays at 60Hz refresh rate in extended mode via two HDMI 2.0 ports on Windows laptops that support DisplayPort Alt Mode.
None of the dock’s USB-C connections enable video output, so you can’t attach a monitor.
Because macOS does not support MST (Multi-Stream Transport), Macs can use the dock with one or two external monitors, but they will be mirrored—that is, both will show the same screen image, which may differ from the laptop’s own screen.
Price
The Anker Prime 160W Charging Docking Station retails for $249.99 / £199.99, or in Amazon, which is a respectable price for a laptop dock and desktop USB charging station.
Verdict
The Anker Prime 160W Charging Docking Station 14-in-1 USB-C Dock combines a dual-display 10Gbps dock with a desktop charging station. There are USB-C docks with more ports, but none can match it for high-end charging ports and a set of 10Gbps USB.
