A hub can turn a laptop into a useful desk setup. The wrong one can leave you with a blank monitor, a sluggish 4K desktop or less charging power than you expected.
Choose the Anker 332 for a modest single-monitor setup if its limits fit your needs and it costs less. Compare the Anker 555 when you need a compatible 4K/60Hz display connection, wired networking or camera-card readers. Neither is a two-monitor dock, and neither creates video output on a laptop port that lacks it.
Before spending, check whether your laptop already has the HDMI and USB ports you need. A tidy desk alone may not justify another accessory.
Sources: VESA’s DisplayPort over USB-C explanation, Anker 332 support and Anker’s 555 compatibility notes. Check the laptop manufacturer’s specification too.
| Feature | Anker 332 · A8355 | Anker 555 · A8383 |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI output | One; up to 4K/30Hz or 1080p/60Hz | One; up to 4K/60Hz with a suitable host |
| USB data | Two USB-A + one USB-C; up to 5Gbps | Two USB-A + one USB-C; up to 10Gbps |
| Ethernet | No | Up to 1Gbps |
| Memory cards | No readers | SD and microSD; UHS-I |
| Power Delivery | 100W maximum input; up to 85W to laptop | 100W maximum input; up to 85W to laptop |
| USB-C monitor output | No | No |
Sources: Anker 332 specifications and Anker 555 specifications. Data-rate labels are interface ceilings, not measured file-copy speeds.
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Good for: a compatible study laptop needing a 1080p monitor, mouse and keyboard. It is worth comparing when you do not need networking or card readers.
Skip it if: you want 4K at 60Hz, two external monitors, Ethernet or SD access. “4K” on the box does not make it equivalent to the 555.
Check Anker 332 on AmazonGood for: a compatible single-monitor desk that also needs Ethernet or regular SD-card imports. Pay more only if those connections or its display capability solve a real need.
Skip it if: you need two HDMI displays, USB-C monitor output or guaranteed high-refresh gaming support. A basic port adapter may be enough if all you need is a mouse connection.
Check Anker 555 on AmazonBoth hubs reserve power for their own operation. Their advertised maximum laptop output is 85W, and reaching it requires a suitable 100W PD charger and cable; a charger is not included. A higher-rated charger does not override the hub’s limit.
For a laptop that needs more power under load, keep its original power supply connected as the manufacturer directs. Do not replace a gaming laptop’s power brick with this hub solely because the USB-C plug fits. Include any charger and cable you need in your purchase budget.
A 60Hz screen refreshes twice as often as a 30Hz screen. For frequent scrolling, cursor movement and window dragging, our preference is 4K/60Hz rather than 4K/30Hz. That is a usability preference, not a claim that either hub makes your computer faster.
For a 144Hz or 240Hz gaming monitor, verify the exact resolution, refresh rate and adaptive-sync support of the complete connection. These product specifications do not establish that either hub is the right gaming-display adapter. A supported direct laptop-to-monitor connection may be the better choice.
Need two displays? Stop here and research a dock matched to your exact laptop and operating system. Counting sockets alone cannot tell you how many independent desktops it supports.
Build the rest of your desk deliberately: portable SSDs and backup basics · clearer video calls · choosing a work and gaming monitor.
We matched Amazon’s product descriptions to model numbers A8355 and A8383, checked manufacturer specifications and support notes, and used VESA documentation for the video-connection explanation. The verdict is a compatibility and purpose assessment, not a lab-tested ranking. We have not measured throughput, temperatures or reliability, and no current Amazon price or coupon is verified here. Check exact laptop and operating-system support before ordering.
Connecting a phone can reduce the power available to your laptop. See our 65W USB-C charger power-sharing guide before choosing a multi-port adapter.