A USB-C hub adds extra ports for hooking up to monitors, storage devices, and other peripherals. Docking stations, however, are especially useful for fixed workstations, as they replace adaptors and minimize the need to swap cables.
Right now, you can get the Anker Nano 10-in-1 USB-C hub (with Smart Display) for just $79.99 on Amazon. That’s 20 percent off of the $99.99 MSRP. This is the first time we’re seen the price drop since September. Until now, we’ve just seen it at full price.
What it has to offer
The Anker hub combines 10 ports in compact housing measuring 13 x 5 x 5.6 centimeters. These include HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C with up to 10 Gbit/s, USB-A with up to 10 Gbit/s, two further USB-A ports, each with up to five Gbit/s, Gigabit Ethernet, and both SD and microSD card readers compliant with the 3.0 standard. This allows you to connect monitors, a mouse, a keyboard, external drives, and memory cards to a single device. That said, it doesn’t feature a separate audio output.
For video output, the hub supports a monitor with up to 4K at 144 Hertz or 2K at 240 Hertz. Alternatively, you can use two screens up to 2K and 240 Hertz. The maximum performance depends on the laptop’s specifications and the connected monitors. Video output is via HDMI and DisplayPort only. The hub does not support USB-C monitors.
There’s an integrated smart display at the front of the device. It shows the status of the ports, the charging power, the data transfer rate, and the device temperature in real time. You can also upload your own images and view them in a slideshow. A customizable focus timer helps you structure your work sessions. You can even adjust the display settings and the 25-minute focus timer via the web dashboard. The accompanying app allows you to start photo slideshows and install firmware updates.
Around 80 percent of the ports face backwards, which allows you to route cables to the rear or downwards. The permanent host cable connects the hub to the laptop and offers some flexibility in terms of placement. For power supply, the hub features a USB-C port with up to 100 watts of Power Delivery. According to the manufacturer, up to 80 watts of this is available for charging the connected laptop. Anker doesn’t supply a suitable power adaptor, though.
For optimum performance, the manufacturer recommends a USB-C charger with at least 65 watts. Without an external power supply, the laptop powers the hub, ensuring that its basic functions remain available. The front USB-C port and USB-A ports are for data transfer only, which means they’re not suitable for charging or video output.
Anker lists Windows 10, Windows 11, and macOS as compatible operating systems. On macOS, two connected external monitors display the same screen content. According to the manufacturer, displaying different content on both screens is only possible on Windows. The hub does not support Linux.
Why this is a good deal
For $79.99, you get a docking station that combines multiple ports into a single device and displays additional information on its smart display. This makes it particularly appealing to anyone who regularly uses a laptop at a desk, connects multiple monitors, or transfers data from memory cards.
Reviews (so far) have praised the wide range of ports and the solid build quality. Several buyers highlight the display, the magnetic stand, and the ability to connect monitors, network devices, and peripherals to a single device. The rear-facing port panel and the braided, permanently attached cable are also well received.
There are, however, some limitations: One user criticizes the lack of an audio output and the restriction to Gigabit Ethernet. Others point out that achieving high refresh rates depends on the technical specifications of the laptop. Mac users should also expect the two external screens to display the same image. Another user notes that the permanently attached cable cannot be easily replaced if it fails. The lack of a power supply unit may also incur additional costs.