Anker USB C Docking Station Review
Explore the Anker USB C Docking Station with humor and insight. Streamline your devices, charge with 60W power, and enjoy dual-display in 4K—without magic!
The Anker PowerExpand 9-in-1 comes with its own 100W power adapter. That makes it a powered dock, not a pass-through hub. The difference: a pass-through hub steals wattage from the laptop’s charger. A powered dock feeds itself from its own adapter and delivers 60W to the laptop through the upstream USB-C plus 20W through a second USB-C port for a phone or tablet. Two devices charge simultaneously from the dock’s own power supply. HDMI and DisplayPort drive dual 4K@30Hz monitors at the same time. Gigabit Ethernet. Audio. Three USB-A ports. Nine ports total with a dedicated power source, which is what separates this from the Anker 555 and 565 hubs that rely on the laptop’s charger for everything.
Nine ports. 60W to laptop, 20W to phone. Dual 4K@30Hz. Gigabit Ethernet. 3.5mm audio. 100W adapter, 3.9ft power cord, 3.3ft USB 3.1 Gen 2 cable included. 0.41 lbs. 18-month warranty.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Ports | 9 |
| HDMI | 1 (4K@30Hz) |
| DisplayPort | 1 (4K@30Hz) |
| USB-C Upstream (laptop charging) | 60W |
| USB-C PD (phone/tablet) | 20W |
| USB-A 3.0 | 1 (5 Gbps) |
| USB-A 2.0 | 2 (480 Mbps) |
| Gigabit Ethernet | 1 |
| 3.5mm Audio | 1 (combo in/out) |
| Power Adapter | 100W included (3.9ft cord) |
| Host Cable | 3.3ft USB 3.1 Gen 2 USB-C to C |
| Dual Display | 4K@30Hz via HDMI + DP simultaneously |
| Weight | 0.41 lbs |
| Dimensions | Not reliably listed (product data shows box dimensions) |
| Color | Gray |
| Manufacturer | Anker |
| Warranty | 18 months |
Powered Dock vs Pass-Through Hub
The 100W power adapter that comes in the box is the defining difference between this dock and the Anker 555 or 565 hubs. The 555 and 565 pass through power from the laptop’s own charger, which means the hub takes some wattage for itself and the laptop receives less than what the charger provides. The PowerExpand 9-in-1 has its own power source. The dock draws what it needs from the 100W adapter and delivers a clean 60W to the laptop. The laptop’s own charger is not involved — it stays in the bag.
For a desk setup where the laptop arrives, plugs into one cable, and receives power, monitors, Ethernet, audio, and USB without needing the laptop’s charger, this is the architecture that handles it. The 100W adapter stays plugged into the wall. The USB-C cable goes to the laptop. One connection at the desk.
60W Laptop + 20W Phone: Dual Charging
60W charges MacBook Air (30-45W) at full speed with headroom. MacBook Pro 13″ (61W) charges at near full speed. MacBook Pro 14″ (70-96W) charges below full speed — 60W keeps the battery from draining during use but does not charge as fast as the native 96W adapter. Most Windows ultrabooks drawing 45-65W charge at full or near full speed.
The separate 20W USB-C PD port charges a phone or tablet simultaneously. 20W matches iPhone fast charging speed (with the right cable) and charges most Android phones at a reasonable rate. Two devices charging from the dock, neither drawing from the laptop’s battery.
Dual 4K@30Hz: HDMI Plus DisplayPort
Both video ports output 4K@30Hz simultaneously. One monitor connects through HDMI, the other through DisplayPort. 30Hz at 4K is sharp for static content but less smooth than 60Hz during scrolling and cursor movement. For a dual-monitor desk with documents on one screen and reference material on the other, 4K@30Hz on both provides crisp text and readable detail. For video editing or design work where smooth motion matters, 60Hz docks serve that need at a higher price.
One Fast USB, Two Slow
One USB-A 3.0 at 5 Gbps on the front. Two USB-A 2.0 at 480 Mbps. The 3.0 port handles external drives and fast peripherals. The 2.0 ports handle keyboard, mouse, and wireless receivers. The USB-C PD port also supports file transfer at 5 Gbps for USB-C drives. Between the front USB-A 3.0 and the USB-C, two fast connections are available — one USB-A and one USB-C.
What Comes in the Box
| Item | Included |
|---|---|
| PowerExpand 9-in-1 USB-C PD Dock | 1 |
| 100W Power Adapter | 1 |
| Power Cord | 3.9 ft |
| USB 3.1 Gen 2 USB-C to C Cable | 3.3 ft |
| Welcome Guide | 1 |
Where the PowerExpand Fits in Anker’s Lineup
Anker’s dock and hub lineup from portable to desk: the 7-in-1 (dual 1080p HDMI, travel). The 555 8-in-1 (single 4K, Ethernet, card readers, pass-through). The 565 11-in-1 (HDMI + DP, Ethernet, pass-through). The PowerExpand 9-in-1 (this unit, dual 4K@30Hz, own 100W adapter, desk dock). The 577 13-in-1 (Thunderbolt 3, dual 4K, 85W). The 778 (Thunderbolt 4, premium).
The PowerExpand sits between the 565 pass-through hub and the 577 Thunderbolt 3 dock. It has its own power adapter (like the 577) but connects through USB-C (not Thunderbolt). For a laptop that does not have Thunderbolt but needs a powered dual-display desk dock from Anker, the PowerExpand is the match. For the Anker 555, see the Anker 555 review. For the Anker 577 Thunderbolt 3, see the Anker 577 review.
Drawbacks
| Consideration | Detail |
|---|---|
| 60W Laptop Charging | Below full speed for laptops that draw 65W+. |
| 4K@30Hz Only | No 60Hz. Scrolling less smooth on both monitors. |
| One USB 3.0 Port | Only one USB-A at 5 Gbps. Two are USB 2.0. |
| No Card Reader | No SD or MicroSD. |
| Dimensions Unclear | Product data likely shows box dimensions, not dock. |
| 3.7 Star Rating | Lower than Anker’s typical product ratings. |
Who This Dock Is For
USB-C laptop owners who need a powered desk dock with dual 4K display, Ethernet, audio, and dual charging from Anker without Thunderbolt: The PowerExpand provides its own 100W adapter so the laptop charger stays in the bag. 60W to laptop, 20W to phone. Dual 4K@30Hz through HDMI and DP simultaneously. Gigabit Ethernet and audio. 18-month Anker warranty. For Anker’s Thunderbolt 3 dock with 85W charging, see the Anker 577 review.
Buyers who need 60Hz displays, card readers, or more than 60W laptop charging: Both monitors run at 30Hz. No SD/MicroSD. 60W may not fully power high-draw laptops. For those needs, see the docking stations hub page.
Final Verdict
The Anker PowerExpand 9-in-1 is the desk dock in Anker’s lineup for USB-C laptops that do not have Thunderbolt. Its own 100W adapter means one cable at the desk provides power, dual 4K monitors, Ethernet, audio, and USB without the laptop’s charger involved. The 60W laptop charging handles MacBook Air and most ultrabooks at full speed but falls short for MacBook Pro 14″ and high-power Windows laptops. Dual 4K@30Hz is sharp but not smooth. One USB 3.0 port means one fast device at a time. The 18-month Anker warranty and included cables (power adapter, power cord, USB-C to C) make this a complete desk setup out of the box. For the buyer who wants Anker’s brand behind a powered dual-display dock without paying for Thunderbolt, the PowerExpand delivers that at 0.41 lbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this come with its own power adapter?
Yes. A 100W adapter with a 3.9ft power cord is included. The dock powers itself and charges the laptop at 60W and a phone at 20W from this adapter.
Can I use two monitors at 4K?
Yes. Both HDMI and DisplayPort output 4K@30Hz simultaneously. One monitor per port.
Is this the same as the Anker 565?
No. The 565 is a pass-through hub without its own power adapter. The PowerExpand has its own 100W adapter and delivers 60W to the laptop independently. Different power architecture.
Why is the rating 3.7 stars?
Lower than Anker’s typical 4.3-4.5 range. Individual user experiences vary. Common dock complaints at this tier include 30Hz display limitations and charging speed below expectations for high-power laptops.
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: