Anker 6-in-1 USB C Hub Review
Explore our whimsical Anker 6-in-1 USB-C Hub review. Discover its connectivity magic and reliability, tailored for tech-savvy multitaskers. Make life plug-and-play!
Ethernet in a hub that weighs 2.8 ounces. Most travel hubs at this size skip Ethernet because it takes board space and adds weight. The Anker 6-in-1 includes Gigabit Ethernet alongside HDMI, USB-C PD, USB-C data, and two USB-A ports in a slim aluminum body that slides into a laptop bag pocket. For someone who works in hotels, client offices, or coworking spaces where WiFi is unreliable and an Ethernet jack on the wall is the only stable option, carrying Ethernet in the hub eliminates the need for a separate adapter. 4K@30Hz HDMI. 65W pass-through charging. 5 Gbps USB. Plug and play across macOS, Windows, and Linux. 18-month Anker warranty.
Six ports. 2.8 oz. 5.2″ x 0.9″ x 0.72″. Aluminum. No card reader. No audio jack.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Ports | 6 |
| HDMI | 1 (4K@30Hz) |
| USB-C PD | 1 (65W pass-through, charging only) |
| USB-C Data | 1 (5 Gbps) |
| USB-A | 2 (5 Gbps) |
| Gigabit Ethernet | 1 |
| Enclosure | Aluminum |
| Weight | 0.08 kg / 2.8 oz |
| Dimensions | 5.2″ L x 0.9″ W x 0.72″ H |
| Compatible OS | macOS 10.6+, Windows XP-10, Linux |
| Compatible Devices | MacBook Air, iPad Pro, Dell XPS, and other USB-C/Thunderbolt laptops |
| Manufacturer | Anker |
| Warranty | 18 months |
Anker 6-in-1 USB C Hub with Ethernet, USB C to 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter, 1Gbps Ethernet, 65W Power Delivery, USB Ports for MacBook Air, iPad Pro, XPS, and More
65W Pass-Through: Not a Powered Dock
The 6-in-1 does not include its own power adapter. It passes through power from the laptop’s charger. Connect a 65W charger to the USB-C PD port and the hub forwards that power to the laptop minus whatever the hub draws for itself. With a 65W charger, the laptop receives approximately 55-60W depending on how many ports are active. A MacBook Air (30-45W) charges at full speed. A MacBook Pro 13″ (61W) charges at near full speed. Higher-power laptops receive less than their native charger provides.
This is the architecture difference between the 6-in-1 and the Anker PowerExpand 9-in-1, which has its own 100W adapter. The 6-in-1 travels lighter because it does not carry an adapter. The trade-off is lower available power.
Gigabit Ethernet in a Travel Hub
The Ethernet port on a 2.8-ounce hub solves a specific problem: you are in a location where WiFi is congested, unstable, or unavailable, and there is an Ethernet jack in the wall. Hotels, conference centers, client offices, university campuses — all places where WiFi drops during video calls but a wired connection stays solid. Carrying a hub with Ethernet built in means no separate Ethernet adapter in the bag. One device handles the monitor, the USB peripherals, the charger pass-through, and the wired network.
Single HDMI at 4K@30Hz
One HDMI port at 4K@30Hz. Sharp for documents, presentations, and static content. Visible stutter during scrolling compared to 60Hz. For a travel hub used to present in meeting rooms or extend the desktop at a hotel desk, 4K@30Hz handles the job. This hub does not support dual display — one HDMI means one external monitor.
USB-C Data Port: Separate from PD
The USB-C PD port handles charging only. The USB-C data port handles data transfer at 5 Gbps. Two USB-C ports, two separate functions. Connect a USB-C drive to the data port, not the PD port. The PD port will not recognize a drive. This separation is the same design as the MOKiN 14-in-1 — charging and data on different USB-C ports.
Where the 6-in-1 Fits in Anker’s Lineup
Anker’s hub and dock lineup from smallest to largest: the 6-in-1 PowerExpand (this unit, Ethernet travel hub, 65W pass-through). The 7-in-1 (dual 1080p HDMI, no Ethernet, travel). The 555 8-in-1 (single 4K, Ethernet, card readers, travel). The 565 11-in-1 (HDMI + DP, Ethernet, desk hub). The PowerExpand 9-in-1 (dual 4K@30Hz, own 100W adapter, desk dock). The 577 13-in-1 (TB3, dual 4K, 85W). The 778 (TB4, premium).
The 6-in-1 is Anker’s entry-level hub with Ethernet. It provides less than the 555 (no card readers, fewer ports) but includes Ethernet at a lower weight. For the buyer who needs HDMI, Ethernet, USB, and charging in the lightest Anker package possible, the 6-in-1 is the match. For card readers, the 555 adds those. For the Anker 555, see the Anker 555 review. For the powered desk dock, see the Anker PowerExpand 9-in-1 review.
Drawbacks
| Consideration | Detail |
|---|---|
| 4K@30Hz | Not 60Hz. Scrolling less smooth. |
| 65W Pass-Through | High-power laptops charge below full speed. |
| Single Monitor | One HDMI. No dual display. |
| No Card Reader | No SD or MicroSD. |
| No Audio Jack | No 3.5mm output. |
| No Included Adapter | Uses laptop’s charger for pass-through. |
Who This Hub Is For
Travelers who need HDMI, Ethernet, USB, and 65W charging in an Anker hub under 3 ounces: The 6-in-1 is the lightest Anker hub with Ethernet. Aluminum at 2.8 oz. Plug and play on macOS, Windows, and Linux. 18-month warranty. If your travel kit needs one monitor, wired network, two USB peripherals, and charger pass-through in a pocket-sized package, this hub covers exactly that. For card readers, the Anker 555 adds SD/TF at more weight.
Buyers who need dual display, card readers, audio, or more than 65W charging: One HDMI. No card reader. No audio. 65W pass-through. For those needs, see the docking stations hub page.
Final Verdict
The Anker 6-in-1 is the hub you carry when Ethernet might matter and every gram counts. At 2.8 ounces in aluminum, it provides Gigabit Ethernet alongside HDMI, USB-C data, two USB-A, and 65W pass-through charging. No card reader. No audio. No dual display. Six ports that cover the core travel needs: a monitor for the meeting room, Ethernet for the hotel, USB for peripherals, and charging for the laptop. The Anker brand, 18-month warranty, and slim profile make this the entry point into Anker’s hub lineup for the buyer who wants reliability from a name they recognize at the lowest possible weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this include a power adapter?
No. The hub passes through power from the laptop’s own charger. Connect a 65W charger to the PD port for pass-through charging.
Can I connect two monitors?
No. One HDMI port. Single external monitor only.
Does the Ethernet work on Mac?
Yes. macOS 10.6 and later. Plug and play, no driver required.
How is this different from the Anker 555?
The 555 has 8 ports including SD/TF card readers. The 6-in-1 has 6 ports with Ethernet but no card readers. The 6-in-1 weighs less. Both include Ethernet and HDMI.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Docking Station Intelligence
The standards are confusing by design. These three panels decode what manufacturers won’t explain clearly. Applicable to every docking station.
The USB-C Confusion Matrix
The USB-C connector is the single greatest source of buyer confusion in docking stations. The physical plug looks identical whether it carries USB 2.0 at 480 Mbps or Thunderbolt 5 at 120 Gbps — a 250x difference in capability hidden behind the same shape. Manufacturers exploit this by labeling everything "USB-C compatible" without specifying which protocol runs through it. Two docks can look identical on the outside and behave completely differently once you plug them in.
The hierarchy matters because it determines everything: how many monitors your dock can drive, how fast files transfer, whether your laptop charges while docked, and whether you need third-party drivers. Here is the real capability ladder, from slowest to fastest:
The practical takeaway: if your laptop has Thunderbolt 4, buy a Thunderbolt dock. If it only has generic USB-C, verify whether it supports DisplayPort Alt Mode before buying anything with multi-monitor claims. Our buying guide walks through verification steps for every major laptop brand.
Power Delivery: What the Watts Mean
Power Delivery (PD) determines whether your docking station can charge your laptop while you work, or whether you need a separate charger cluttering your desk. The math is simple but rarely explained: your laptop draws a specific wattage under load, and the dock must match or exceed it. If the dock delivers less than your laptop needs, the battery slowly drains even while plugged in — defeating the purpose of a docking station entirely.
Most ultrabooks need 45–65W. Standard business laptops need 65–100W. Gaming and workstation laptops can demand 100–140W or more. The dock’s advertised PD wattage is the maximum it can deliver to your laptop — but this drops if you charge other devices (phones, tablets) through the dock simultaneously. Always leave a 15–20W margin above your laptop’s requirement.
Check your laptop’s original charger wattage — that’s your baseline. Our FAQ covers how to find this for every major brand.
Native Display vs DisplayLink: The Hidden Factor
This is the decision most buyers don’t know they’re making. When a docking station outputs video to your monitors, it uses one of two fundamentally different methods: native (the dock passes your laptop’s GPU signal directly to the monitor) or DisplayLink (the dock compresses video over USB and a software driver renders it). The difference is invisible in marketing materials but profoundly affects your daily experience.
Native output through DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt uses your laptop’s actual graphics hardware. There is zero added latency, full DRM support for streaming services, no CPU overhead, and no driver to install. DisplayLink, by contrast, adds 5–15ms of latency (noticeable in video calls and cursor movement), blocks DRM content on connected monitors (Netflix, Disney+ show black screens), consumes 3–8% of your CPU constantly, and requires a driver that Apple’s macOS security updates occasionally break.
DisplayLink exists for one reason: Apple Silicon base chips (M1, M2, M3) can only drive one external display natively. If you need two or more monitors on a base MacBook Air or 13” MacBook Pro, DisplayLink is your only option. For everyone else — Windows users, Mac Pro/Max chip users, Intel/AMD laptops — native is always the better choice.
Native (Alt Mode / Thunderbolt)
DisplayLink (USB compression)
The bottom line: if your laptop supports native multi-display output, always choose a native dock. DisplayLink is a workaround, not an upgrade. See our glossary for detailed definitions.
COMMAND CENTERCOMMAND CENTER
Six tools that decode the confusion manufacturers create. Port protocols, power budgets, display configurations, compatibility, desk planning, and future-proofing. Full buying guide →
Port Protocol DecoderWhat does your connection type actually support? Glossary
Power Delivery CalculatorCan this dock keep your laptop charged?
Display Configuration PlannerCan your dock push enough pixels?
Laptop-to-Dock CompatibilityWill this dock work with YOUR laptop?
Desk Setup ArchitectWhat ports do you actually need?
Select everything you need to connect: