Overview

The Anker PowerExpand 13-in-1 USB-C Hub packs 13 ports including dual HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, and two card readers into a $89 travel-friendly hub. It’s designed for MacBook and Windows laptop users who need maximum port versatility without Thunderbolt pricing.

Design & Build

The PowerExpand uses a slim aluminum wedge design that’s lighter (4.6 oz) and more portable than Thunderbolt docks. The 20cm fixed USB-C cable is just long enough to connect without dangling - ideal for laptop bags. The wedge shape lifts the back ports slightly for airflow, and the aluminum body dissipates heat effectively. The lack of cable management or a stand means it slides around on the desk, and the 20cm cable is too short for desktop use where the hub needs to sit behind the laptop. All ports are clearly labeled on the top face, which is helpful in dim lighting.

Performance

The hub delivers stable dual 4K at 60Hz when using HDMI 2.0 + DisplayPort simultaneously - useful for a dual-monitor setup. HDMI 2.1 supports 4K at 120Hz on a single display for console users, though the 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 bottleneck means files transfers top out at 1,050MB/s. Gigabit Ethernet performs at 940Mbps - full line-rate. The SD card slot reads at 104MB/s (UHS-I), slower than dedicated Thunderbolt docks but adequate for photographers offloading JPEGs. The USB-A 3.2 ports deliver the full 10Gbps for fast external SSDs, while the USB-C data ports handle monitors but don’t support Thunderbolt devices.

Features

The 85W Power Delivery passthrough charges most 16-inch laptops at a reasonable speed, though power users pushing sustained 100% CPU loads may see battery drain under heavy usage. The dual HDMI + DisplayPort combination covers virtually any monitor configuration - up to three displays total (including laptop screen). The separate USB-A 2.0 ports (2x) handle keyboards and mice without wasting high-speed ports. The 3.5mm audio jack supports both headphone and mic input. The lack of 2.5G Ethernet and the UHS-I (not UHS-II) SD reader are the clearest compromises versus more expensive Thunderbolt docks. The hub also gets noticeably warm under sustained load, though within safe limits.

Pros

• Exceptional port variety for the price
• Dual 4K 60Hz or single 8K display support
• 85W PD passthrough for laptop charging
• Travel-friendly aluminum design at 4.6 oz

Cons

• USB 3.2 Gen 2 bottleneck caps external drive speeds
• SD card reader limited to UHS-I (104MB/s)
• Fixed 20cm cable is too short for desktop use
• No 2.5G Ethernet, only Gigabit

Verdict

The Anker PowerExpand 13-in-1 is the ultimate budget hub for travelers and dual-monitor setups. It doesn’t replace a Thunderbolt dock for creative pros, but for $89, it’s the most versatile USB-C hub under $100.

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