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Head-to-head · Best Docking Stations

Anker 555 8-in-1 USB-C Hub vs HyperDrive 12 USB-C Dock

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

HyperDrive 12 USB-C Dock comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.1 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about Windows/ChromeOS users needing triple displays — read the strengths below before deciding.

Anker 555 8-in-1 USB-C Hub
Ranked #6 in Best Docking Stations
Anker 555 8-in-1 USB-C Hub
3 sources2 derived$48.16as of Aug 1

Creatives who need several connections at once are the target for the Anker 555 USB-C Hub. Fstoppers praised the 4K 60Hz HDMI output and PC Tech Bits found the data transfer speeds reliable. It handles pass-through charging up to 85 watts and includes Ethernet, USB-A, USB-C, and card readers. PC Tech Bits cautioned that it needs a quality charger to avoid performance issues, and Reddit users reported occasional compatibility quirks. MacBook Air and Pro owners get the most out of it; Linux users and people with older devices may not.

Strengths
  • — Compact and lightweight design at 4.5 ounces with small footprint
  • — 4K HDMI output at 60 Hz supporting high-definition displays
  • — 85-watt pass-through charging capability for power delivery
Watch-outs
  • — No rubber feet provided, causing potential sliding on surfaces
  • — Requires separate USB-C cable and power adapter for full functionality
  • — Charging performance drops with power-hungry laptops or overloaded ports
$48.16 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
HyperDrive 12 USB-C Dock
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Docking Stations
HyperDrive 12 USB-C Dock
3 sources1 derived$100as of Jun 7

Twelve ports for the money is the HyperDrive 12-Port USB-C Dock's argument, dual HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 outputs included, plus 10Gbps USB ports and 100W power delivery passthrough. It runs driver-free and supports triple displays on Windows and ChromeOS. Reviewers also noted there is no power adapter in the box and macOS display support is limited. Its 10Gbps host connection creates bandwidth bottlenecks when several displays run at once, so this suits Windows and ChromeOS users more than Mac users who want three screens.

Strengths
  • — Supports triple extended display on Windows and ChromeOS via MST without requiring drivers
  • — 10Gbps USB-C and USB-A ports enable fast external drive transfers
  • — Compact and lightweight design at just 480 grams with aluminum-look chassis
Watch-outs
  • — Power adapter not included, required separately for PD charging
  • — Triple display not supported on macOS due to lack of MST support
  • — Two USB-A 2.0 ports limit transfer speeds to 480Mbps
$100 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Anker 555 8-in-1 USB-C Hub

The Anker 555 8-in-1 Hub is more compact and affordable than the CalDigit TS4, but lacks the 98W power delivery and 18-port configuration that makes the CalDigit a powerhouse for demanding users. Compared to the Plugable USBC-9IN1E, it offers more ports and better charging capabilities, though the Plugable has a more plug-and-play design and doesn't require a separate power adapter. Unlike the Anker 563, it provides better HDMI output and pass-through charging but is less versatile in terms of port variety.

HyperDrive 12 USB-C Dock

The HyperDrive 12 provides driver-free triple display support on Windows and ChromeOS, unlike the Dell D6000 which requires DisplayLink drivers. It's more compact than the CalDigit TS4 and offers 10Gbps USB speeds, but lacks Thunderbolt support and has limited macOS compatibility. Compared to the Anker 555, it's less expensive but doesn't support 4K60Hz HDMI output.

Specs side-by-side

SpecAnker 555 8-in-1 USB-C HubHyperDrive 12 USB-C Dock
Power Delivery100-watt input, 85-watt pass-through charging100W
PortsHDMI, USB-A 3.2, USB-C 3.2, Ethernet, SD, microSD—
Display Support4K at 60 Hz HDMI output—
EthernetGigabit Ethernet10/100/1000 Mbps
USB Speed10 Gbps USB throughput—
ThunderboltNo—
Weight0.28 lb—
Audio3.5mm Audio Jack—
Host Connection—USB-C
USB-A Ports—2x 2.0
USB-C Ports—2x 10Gbps
Display Outputs—3 displays
Card Slots—SD, microSD
Build Material—Aluminum
Wattage—85 watts
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