Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1) review: charge and connect

The Anker 14-in-1 Charging Docking Station has a whopping 13 ports with an additional USB-C port for connecting to your laptop. The device boasts an abundance of USB-C and USB-A ports but lacks any card reader functionality. Display extension is possible for up to two displays and at 60Hz. This dock is compatible with Windows and Mac devices but macOS does not support Multi-Stream Transport.

Anker has done a fantastic job of providing excellent charging capabilities and data transfer functionality. Charging is made possible through four different ports spanning across three USB-C ports and one USB-A port. The upstream connection delivers 100W PD 3.0 charging providing a seamless connection to your laptop. A further two USB-C ports deliver 100W of charging power which is guaranteed to keep all your other devices fully charged. The final USB-A port tops out at 12W and is ideal for older-style electronics that still rely on this technology.

Alongside excellent power delivery, you can also transfer data across 11 ports. Speeds up to 10Gbps are possible although only across 2x USB-C and 1x USB-A ports. The three USB-A ports on the back are limited to 480Mbps.

Power and data transfer cover the core features of this device but that doesn't mean we're done with the features. Through two HDMI ports, Anker makes it possible to extend your display to two different monitors up to 60Hz. Unfortunately, due to macOS limitations, connecting multiple monitors to a MacBook via this dock will result in screen mirroring only as these operating systems support only Single-Stream Transport (SST). There are no such problems for Windows machines.

Anker 14-in-1 : Specifications

Anker 14-in-1: Design & Handling

Anker's Prime Charging Docking Station is a lightweight and compact unit that sits firmly on any surface it's placed on. Rubber feet are positioned on the bottom only so there's only one possible orientation. This limits desk configuration but isn't too much of a problem.

The unit is sub $249/£199 so it's very much on the more affordable side compared to the likes of similar units from UGreen and CalDigit. As a result, the material quality isn't as robust. Every part of the case is plastic with the two sides weak enough to result in wobble when pressed. This won't affect the integrity of the dock but it doesn't feel as nice as more premium metal alternatives.

One of the standouts that you don't get on all docking stations is the digital display that tells you how much power the device is putting out. The graphics are clear and the display is bright enough to work in most office environments.

The power cable exits out the back of the unit and is hardwired. I would prefer to have seen a removable cable to aid with portability and longevity because if that cable fails then the whole device is ruined.

Anker 14-in-1: Performance

In almost every way, this charging docking station performs admirably. Files are transferred quickly and devices are charged without issue.

The main selling point of the station is the charging capabilities so I wanted to see how good it was compared to its specs. The rear upstream port should deliver 100W of power but when connected to my MacBook Pro was only able to provide 89W. it's not far off capacity but considering it's capable of receiving 96W I would have preferred to see it hit its limit.

The same story is true across the other USB-C ports on the front although these can only manage 82W. The USB-A port is capable of 12W charging and I managed just over 9W. All in, it's not bad but it doesn't quite hit the limits.

Anker 14-in-1: Verdict

The Prime Charging Docking Station from Anker is very capable of both a charging station and a docking station. Up to 160W of power is delivered through three USB-C ports and one USB-A port. This device is guaranteed to keep your laptop, phone, and other devices fully charged. There are plenty of ports for connecting all your favorite peripherals although the lack of an SD card reader will be disappointing for creative professionals.

The $249/£199 price tag makes this considerably more affordable compared to alternatives from CalDigit and UGreen although those devices offer a better build quality. If you need a docking station that keeps all your files moving and your devices charged then this is one of the best on the market.