The Anker 5-in-1 USB-C Hub is a compact adapter that expands a single USB-C port on a laptop into five connections. It adds a 4K HDMI output, a USB-C data port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C power input for charging. This makes it useful for a laptop that only has one or two USB-C ports and no full-size USB or HDMI. The whole thing is small and light enough to keep in a bag for use at a desk, a hotel, or a conference room.
An easy way organize and switch between all your devices
The hub has a small USB-C connector at its end that plugs directly into your laptop and then splits the single port into 5. The HDMI connector sends video output to an external monitor; the 2 x USB-A ports allow you to add a mouse, keyboard, or flash drive; and the remaining USB-C ports provide a second high-speed connection for additional storage or other peripherals.
The HDMI port supports an external display at up to 4K at 30Hz, in either mirror or extend mode. That resolution is fine for spreadsheets, browsing, video, and general work on a second screen. However, the 30Hz refresh rate means it is not the right pick for fast-paced gaming or smooth high-frame-rate motion. It is also worth knowing that the two USB-C ports do not carry video, so the HDMI port is the only way to connect a monitor.
The USB-C port and the two USB-A 3.0 ports can all transfer data at up to 5 Gbps. So you can move movies, photo folders, or a music library off an external drive without a long wait. The dedicated power port accepts up to 100W from a USB-C wall charger and passes roughly 85W through to the laptop, with the hub keeping the rest to run itself. A charger is not included, so you will use the one that came with your laptop.
The hub works with USB-C, USB4, and Thunderbolt connections, and it supports MacBooks on macOS 12 or newer, Windows 10 and 11, and ChromeOS. The one limit to know is that it does not work with Linux, and the laptop has to support DP Alt Mode for the HDMI output.
The Anker 5-in-1 USB-C Hub is an affordable way to add HDMI, USB-A, and pass-through charging to a laptop that is short on ports. At $20, down from $25, it is an easy add-on if you need to plug a monitor and a few accessories into a single USB-C port.