Anker 655 USB-C Hub Review: The Essential MacBook Adapter for Students

The MacBook’s Missing Ports — Solved

Every MacBook Air and every MacBook Pro comes with two Thunderbolt / USB-C ports and a MagSafe charging port. If you want to connect anything that isn’t USB-C — a flash drive, an HDMI cable to a monitor or projector, an SD card from your camera, wired headphones — you need an adapter or a hub.

The Anker 655 8-in-1 Hub is the adapter we recommend to most college students because it solves all of these problems at once, in a single compact device, at a reasonable price.

What’s in the Box

Eight ports on a rectangular hub the size of a deck of cards:

• USB-C Power Delivery (85W): Connect your MacBook charger here and it passes through at up to 85W — enough to charge a MacBook Air at full speed while using every other port simultaneously.
• HDMI 2.0: Connects to monitors, TVs, and classroom projectors. Supports up to 4K at 30Hz or 1080p at 60Hz. Plug into a conference room display for presentations without carrying an adapter separately.
• 2× USB-A 3.0: For flash drives, USB keyboards, wired mice, and any device that uses a standard USB cable. Both ports run at 5Gbps.
• USB-C Data: A data-only USB-C port for additional peripherals or charging phones and earbuds.
• SD Card Reader: Full-size SD card at UHS-I speeds. Useful if you shoot with a camera or drone.
• microSD Card Reader: For action cameras, certain phones, and dashcams.
• 3.5mm Audio Jack: Because some MacBooks removed the headphone jack, and the ones that kept it are often occupied by the hub’s cable.

Real-World Performance

In daily use — MacBook Air M2 connected to a 27-inch 1440p monitor via HDMI, a wireless USB receiver in one USB-A port, a flash drive in the other, and the charger connected to the PD port — the hub performs flawlessly. No dropouts, no renegotiation lag, no issues.

The hub does get warm under sustained heavy load: transferring large files while simultaneously running the monitor and charging. Not hot enough to cause concern, but noticeable. We’ve seen no thermal issues in months of testing.

The HDMI 4K@30Hz limitation is worth flagging if you’re considering a 4K monitor. For studying and general use, 30Hz at 4K is acceptable but not ideal — scrolling looks slightly stuttery compared to 60Hz. At 1080p or 1440p you get a full 60Hz, which covers most student monitor setups. If you need 4K@60Hz, look at the Anker 563 (which uses Thunderbolt 3 and costs more).

Classroom Use

The Anker 655’s HDMI port connects to the display cables in most modern classrooms and conference rooms — the ones that have a permanently attached HDMI cable hanging from the podium or table. If you’re frequently presenting from your MacBook in class, this hub means you always have HDMI available without reaching for a dongle.

The compact form factor (91 × 48 × 14mm) means it slips easily into the pocket of a laptop bag. The hub doesn’t have a cable — it attaches directly to your MacBook’s USB-C port, which keeps it tidy on a desk but means your machine sticks out to the side slightly.

Should You Buy It?

If you use a MacBook with any combination of a monitor, wired peripherals, SD cards, or a classroom projector: yes. The Anker 655 handles all of it in one device that you stop thinking about after the first week.

If you only need HDMI occasionally, a $12 USB-C to HDMI cable is all you need and it’s lighter to carry. If you need Thunderbolt passthrough for a high-end display or more bandwidth, the Anker 563 is the step up.

For most students: the 655 is the hub. Buy it once and solve the port problem permanently.