Anker 332 USB-C Hub Review: Best Budget Mac Dongle in 2026?

Let’s be real for a second. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably just unboxed a sleek new MacBook Air or a Windows ultrabook, taken a look at its sides, and felt that familiar sinking feeling. One port. Maybe two. Your heart sinks as you realize your external monitor, your flash drive, your mouse, and your charger all need a home. Welcome to dongle life.

I’ve been there. Desperately unplugging my charger just to plug in a USB drive, only to have my battery start draining mid-transfer. It’s a nightmare. That’s exactly why I picked up the Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1) . It’s one of those rare gadgets that promises to clean up the mess without adding a ton of bulk to your backpack.

Here’s how it actually performs.

Table of Contents

Specifications At A Glance

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here’s a quick breakdown of what’s actually under the hood. This little block of ports means business:

Feature	Specification
Ports	1x HDMI (4K@30Hz), 1x USB-C Data (5 Gbps), 2x USB-A 3.0 (5 Gbps), 1x USB-C PD-IN (100W)
Power Delivery (Input)	Up to 100W PD-IN (supports up to 85W pass-through to your laptop)
Data Speed	5 Gbps on both the USB-C and USB-A data ports
Display Output	HDMI up to 4K@30Hz (USB-C ports do not support video)
Compatibility	MacBook (macOS 12+), Windows 10/11, ChromeOS, USB4, Thunderbolt 3/4/5. Not compatible with Linux.
What’s in the Box	Anker 332 USB-C Hub, Welcome Guide, 18-Month Warranty (No wall charger included)

Key Features & Real-World Performance

So, does this hub actually save you from port purgatory? I put it through my daily workflow swapping between a MacBook Pro, a Windows work laptop, and an iPad Air. Here’s how it holds up.

Supercharged Power Delivery

This is the feature that made me fall in love with this hub. The USB-C 100W PD-IN port is strictly for charging. It doesn’t do data, and it won’t read your headphones. But what it does do is keep your laptop alive while you’re using all the other ports.

When you connect your laptop’s charger to this port, the hub passes through up to 85W to your computer. That’s plenty of juice to keep a 16-inch MacBook Pro running at full tilt. One quick heads-up, though: The hub doesn’t come with a wall charger. You’re going to want to use the one that came with your laptop. Also, if you’re rocking an iPad, Anker suggests using a 45W charger to get the full effect.

💡 Also Read: If you want to keep your desktop clean, cable-free, and fun, check out our hands-on review of the KU XIU X85 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger – it’s the ultimate basketball-themed desk toy that fast-charges your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once!

High-Speed Data Transfers

I’m a video editor, so transferring large footage files is a daily chore. The USB-C and USB-A data ports both run at 5 Gbps. In plain English, that means moving a 10GB file takes about 20 seconds. It’s not the absolute fastest tech on the market (like 10 Gbps or 40 Gbps Thunderbolt), but for 99% of users moving documents, photos, and music, it feels lightning quick.

I hooked up a Samsung T7 SSD, a wireless mouse dongle, and a mechanical keyboard all at once. No lag. No dropouts. The hub handled it like a champ.

4K External Display Setup

One of the main reasons people buy this Anker 332 USB-C Hub is to hook up an external monitor. The HDMI port supports 4K resolution at 30Hz.

Here’s the deal with that: If you’re using this for spreadsheets, writing, coding, or watching Netflix, the picture is sharp, detailed, and perfect. However, if you’re a hardcore gamer, you might notice the 30Hz refresh rate feels a little sluggish compared to 60Hz. It’s a subtle difference, but it’s worth knowing.

The one big red flag: The USB-C ports on this hub do not support video output. You can’t plug a USB-C monitor into it and expect it to work. That display has to go through the HDMI port.

Device Compatibility (Who is this for?)

If you’re wondering if this is the right hub for your specific laptop, here’s the breakdown. The Anker 332 USB-C Hub plays nice with a surprising number of devices, as long as they support DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery.

MacBook Users (macOS 12+): This is the sweet spot. It works seamlessly with the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro M1/M2/M3 chips.
Windows Users (10 & 11): Perfect for Dell XPS, HP Spectre, Surface Laptops, and Lenovo ThinkPads.
ChromeOS: Good to go.
USB4 & Thunderbolt 3/4/5: The hub is fully backward compatible with these high-speed ports.

A Critical Warning for Linux Users

I have to be upfront about this one: This device is not compatible with Linux. If you’re running Ubuntu, Fedora, or any other Linux distro, you are going to run into driver issues. Save yourself the headache and look for a different hub.

Pros & Cons (Anker 332 USB-C Hub)

No product is perfect. Here is my honest, no-nonsense take on the highs and lows of the Anker 332 USB-C Hub.

Pros:

Incredible value: You get a massive expansion of ports in a tiny package.
85W pass-through charging: Keeps your laptop topped up without hogging an extra port.
Great transfer speeds: 5 Gbps is fast enough for most users to edit video or back up large folders.
Plug and Play: No driver installation required on Mac or Windows.

Cons:

USB-C Ports don’t do video: If you’re trying to connect a USB-C monitor, this won’t work.
HDMI is limited to 4K@30Hz: It’s functional, but not ideal for high-refresh-rate gaming.
No included wall charger: You’ll need to provide your own power brick for pass-through charging.

Where to Buy

Ready to ditch the dongle chaos? You can grab the Anker 332 5-in-1 USB-C Hub at the links below:

Check Latest Price on Amazon (Fast shipping with Prime)
Check Latest Price on AliExpress (Check for international availability and deals)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I transfer data or use headphones through the 100W PD port?

No. The USB-C 100W PD-IN port is strictly for charging input only. If you plug in a hard drive or a pair of USB-C headphones into this specific port, they won’t be recognized by your laptop. Only the dedicated “Data” USB-C and USB-A ports handle file transfers.

2. Does this hub support dual monitors?

No. The Anker 332 supports a single external monitor via the HDMI port. You cannot run two monitors off this hub simultaneously. If you need dual displays, you’ll need to look at a more expensive 8-in-1 or 10-in-1 solution.

3. Does the package include a wall charger?

No. The box contains the hub, a welcome guide, and the 18-month warranty card. You will need to supply your own USB-C wall charger to take advantage of the pass-through charging feature.

The Verdict

Look, the Anker 332 isn’t trying to be the fastest hub on the market. It isn’t trying to be the cheapest, either. What it is trying to be is the best budget USB-C hub for MacBook and Windows users who need a reliable daily driver.

If you’ve got a limited budget and you’re tired of crawling under your desk to plug in a mouse, or if you’re a student who needs to connect a flash drive and a monitor for a presentation, this is the one.

It’s a compact, durable, and cleverly designed piece of tech that solves the most annoying problem about modern laptops. It just works. And in the world of USB-C hubs, that’s really all you can ask for.