Anker Prime 160W Charging Docking Station review

Anker is legendary for its big selection of charging merchandise, and this laptop computer docking station is essentially the most highly effective we’ve seen for USB charging ports, in addition to the usual show choices and Gigabit Ethernet.

If you happen to want an additional show or two and likewise a bunch of top-end machine charging ports, and might do with out storage card readers, this 14-in-1 dock is a nine-USB energy home.

Home windows customers can run two prolonged 4K shows off the dock at 60Hz, whereas Mac customers can mirror on two or simply go for one additional show.

Ports of energy

Docking stations assist you create a full desktop setup out of your laptop computer, which is related to the dock utilizing only one USB-C cable.

This Anker USB-C dock additionally works with Thunderbolt 3 or 4 laptops in case your laptop computer has the quick connection customary however shall be pegged again at its personal 10Gbps most data-transfer velocity somewhat than Thunderbolt’s 40Gbps.

The Anker Prime 160W Charging Docking Station has a powerful 13 ports—plus the upstream USB-C port to connect with the host (probably your laptop computer). It’s loaded with USB information and charging ports but in addition has a lot of the fundamentals you’d count on on a dock.

Foundry

Foundry

Foundry

• 100W PD 3.0 charging through upstream USB-C port
• As much as two exterior shows (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 whole energy output

This compact and handsome vertical-standing dock leans to its charging prowess, however the three front-mounted10Gbps information ports (two USB-C, one USB-A) must also be adequate for many setups.

The obtainable energy beats all different docks into submission. Alongside the 10Gbops information ports are two USB-C ports, every of which might pump out 100W, and there’s one other 12W obtainable through one of many USB-A ports. Word that whole energy output is 160W, so you have got that quantity of energy when utilizing a number of ports concurrently.

The dock doesn’t have a separate energy provide. As an alternative it has an built-in GaN AC-DC energy module. This space-saving design makes it doubtlessly moveable.

Its dimensions are 5.5 x 3.8 x 1.9 inches ( 14 x 9.7 x 4.7cm) and it weighs 1.96lb (888g).

It connects to an influence supply through its built-in 5.5ft (1.7m) energy cable. If you happen to want extra attain to an influence socket, you’ll want an extender.

There’s a Sensible Mode that robotically allocates optimum charging energy to every port primarily based on the related gadgets’ necessities; plus a Customized Mode so you possibly can prioritize particular person ports as you please. Ports could be set to “Energy Precedence” for increased energy, “Energy Saving” for decreased energy, or “Balanced” for equal energy distribution amongst ports.

There’s no SD or MicroSD card reader slot on this Anker dock, whereas some docks have each. If you happen to don’t want it, you received’t miss it—however these playing cards can supply reasonably priced and extremely moveable entry to exterior storage. If you happen to determine on one later, you should purchase an SD Card Reader adapter that may deplete one of many dock’s USB ports.

If you’re in search of a dock with a wider roster of ports, take a look at our advisable finest USB-C laptop computer docking stations. If you would like a robust desktop charger somewhat than a dock, then have a look at what our assessments reveal as the most effective laptop computer PD chargers.

If you happen to want each a docking station and a desktop charger, preserve studying as this Anker dock is a good mixture of each.

Many current docking stations supply super-fast wired community entry with a 2.5Gb Ethernet connection, however most networks are nonetheless 1Gb so the Gigabit Ethernet port shall be fantastic for many. Once more, you might improve later with a 2.5Gb Ethernet adapter related to one of many USB-C information ports.

The dock’s small good show provides visible suggestions on energy ranges and port connection standing. This characteristic is turning into fashionable on chargers and energy banks. Most individuals won’t ever hassle it, but it surely’s there in case you wish to monitor energy output.

It doesn’t present data-transfer charges between gadgets.

The Anker has an easy-to-reach on-off change on prime, which is a useful energy-saving contact, and stops a laptop computer from having its battery regularly topped up, which may degrade it if left unplugged.

It ships with a 3.3ft (1m) 100W 10Gbps USB-C cable.

Twin show potential (restricted for Macs)

The Anker Prime 160W Charging Docking Station can connect with as much as two exterior shows. For Home windows laptop computer that help DisplayPort Alt Mode, the docks can run two 4K shows at 60Hz refresh fee in prolonged mode through the 2 HDMI 2.0 ports.

Not one of the USB-C ports on the dock help video output, so that they can’t be used to attach a monitor.

As macOS doesn’t help MST (Multi-Stream Transport) Macs can work with the dock with one or two exterior shows however the two can be mirrored—that’s each displaying the identical display picture, though that may be totally different to the laptop computer’s personal display. For extra Mac choices, take a look at Macworld’s checklist of best docking stations for Mac.

Worth

The Anker Prime 160W Charging Docking Station prices $249.99 / £199.99, which is an inexpensive value for what’s each a laptop computer dock and a desktop USB charging station.

Verdict

Anker’s Prime 160W Charging Docking Station 14-in-1 USB-C Dock is a good mixture of dual-display 10Gbps dock and desktop charging station. There are USB-C docks with a greater diversity of ports, however none that match it for top-end charging ports alongside a set of 10Gbps USB.