Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W) review: get your desk in order with this highly integrated dock

Super-fast charging and speedy data transfer all in one

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Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W) on stone surface
(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

The Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W) is a well-equipped, practical charging and data transfer solution that hits the right notes in all the crucial areas. With 10Gbps data transfer, 100W USB-C charging ports and more, the majority of professionals will get everything they need from this dock.

Pros

  • +

    Capable of super-fast charging

  • +

    10Gbps data transfer capability

  • +

    Dual 4K@60Hz display option

Cons

  • -

    Unremovable power cable

  • -

    May be excessive or pricy for some

  • -

    No SD / MicroSD card reader

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Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W) review

The Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W) is a highly integrated dock that provides a neat, more efficient way to manage all your devices.

First of all, this is much more than just a charger. This station includes two HDMI ports, enabling dual 4K displays, but that’s not all. There are multiple USB-C and USB-A ports that enable quick data transfer. Two of the USB-C ports support 10Gbps data transfer, although it’s worth noting that only one USB-A port can match this, with the other three restricted to 480Mbps. On top of this, you get a 3.5mm audio, ethernet, and upstream port – the latter can be used to connect the station to your laptop or PC.

This is a pretty comprehensive set of options – with the only obvious exception being an SD or MicroSD card reader. This is a pretty minor issue though, especially given you can buy an external reader to insert into one of the USB-C ports.

One of the highlights here is the trio of dedicated charging ports – ideal for juicing up all sorts of devices, including some of the best power banks or the best phones. Two of these are USB-C and have a maximum power output of 100W each, with an additional USB-A port offering a maximum output of 12W. When I tried plugging in my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, fast charging activated, enabling the device to go from 0% to 100% in under 1 hour and 30 minutes – the expected timeframe. By pressing the button on top of the station you can switch between an overview of output across all ports, or just view data concerning one port.

How does this 14-in-1 station fare design-wise, though? Well, I was a fan of its slim, tower-like look and textured metal outer-casing. However, there are some minor disappointments: the screen is quite small and has fewer built-in options than Anker’s 6-Port Desktop Charging Station and the power cable is attached, meaning it’s not perfectly compact when packing into a bag. The front of the station is made from plastic and admittedly looks a little cheap, but it’s not particularly grating to the eye. The configuration of the ports does make the design very practical though and I found my desk was neater with the station in use, a key benefit of the product.

Finally, it’s worth acknowledging that this station – although by no means inexpensive at $249.99 / £199.99 (about AU$360) – is pretty good value. Competitors like UGreen’s 13-in-1 Docking Station or Lenovo’s ThinkPad Thunderbolt 4 Workstation Dock are considerably more expensive. Overall, this is a competent, well-equipped, practical dock that will meet the needs of most professionals seeking out a more efficient and tidy way to manage their devices.

Screen on the front of the Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W)

(Image credit: Future)

Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W) review: Price & specs

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Price $249.99 / £199.99 (about AU$360)
Total power output160W
Number of ports14
Port type(s) 2x USB-C (10Gbps), 2x USB-C (100W), 1x USB-A (10 Gbps), 1x USB-A (12W), 1x 3.5mm, 1x Ethernet (1 Gbps), 3x USB-A (480Mbps), 2x HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), 1x USB-C upstream
Dimensions 5.5 × 3.8 × 1.9 inches / 140 × 97 × 47mm

Reverse side of the Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W)

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W)?

Buy it if…

You need a highly integrated dock
Anker’s 14-in-1 docking station is much more than just a desktop charger. Of course, you do get both USB-A and USB-C ports dedicated to charging, but there are a ton of options to take advantage of. You can get 4K, 60Hz displays thanks to two HDMI ports, transfer data quickly with 10Gbps USB-C ports and much more.

You want to charge lots of devices at once
If you have laptops, phones, tablets or other devices you’d like to charge simultaneously, this dock is a very decent option for you. It has two USB-C ports with maximum power output potential of 100W as well as a 12W USB-A port. The data transfer ports also charge your devices while in use, though they won’t get to work as quickly as the 100W USB-C ones.

Don't buy it if…

You only care about charging
If your only aim is to charge lots of devices at once, this is the wrong product for you. Sure, you can charge lots of devices simultaneously, but Anker has a couple of 6-in-1 charging stations that are better-suited to this task.

You’re on a budget
This 14-in-1 dock won’t exactly come cheap, carrying a list price of $249.99 / £199.99. And again, if you’re only really interested in charging, there are plenty of other cheaper solutions available. With that said, a lot of similar products, such as UGreen’s 13-in-1 docking station, are even more expensive than this – so you’re still getting decent value here.

Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W): Also consider

UGREEN Revodok Max 313 4K@60Hz 13-IN-1 Docking Station
If you want a super-practical, well-rounded dock this is another great option. UGreen’s 13-in-1 dock has multiple charging ports, triple 4K@60Hz displays, but crucially, supports 40Gbps data transfer thanks to a Thunderbolt 4 port. The only issue is that this alternative is considerably more expensive, with a list price of $349.99 / £349.99 (about AU$510).

Harry Padoan
Harry Padoan
Staff Writer

Harry is a Reviews Staff Writer for TechRadar. He reviews everything from party speakers to portable battery packs, but has a particular interest in the worlds of gaming and smartphones. Harry has a background in business tech journalism, particularly around the telecoms industry.