Comparison · Portable monitor workspaces

Which Dock Will Run Your Two Monitors and Charge Your Laptop?

Research reviewed.How I test

AI illustration of two desktop monitors, a closed laptop and a generic docking station in a home office. — AI illustration

The short answer

Start with the Anker 565 for a compact two-screen Windows setup, the Plugable UD-6950PDH for DisplayLink-based office work, or the CalDigit TS4 for a supported Thunderbolt desk. Check the two-screen resolution and laptop charging requirement before choosing. A dock with two video sockets may still mirror them on a Mac.

Compare specifications

Compare the details

Three routes to a two-screen desk

Evidence notes · 2026-09-08

Published manufacturer details, with practical findings from our research. Source dates and any unresolved details are shown below. Digital Derek has not hands-on tested these products.

Two sockets do not promise two desktops
The Anker hub extends on Windows but mirrors its two outputs on a Mac. Plugable uses DisplayLink; the TS4 depends on the laptop’s native display support. [1] [4] [5]
Compare power reaching the laptop
Anker’s 100 W input becomes up to 85 W host output and needs a separate charger. Plugable and CalDigit include supplies for their listed 100 W and 98 W host outputs. [1] [3] [4] [5]
Choose the upgrade that changes your work
Plugable adds a software-based office-display route. The TS4 adds Thunderbolt accessories and faster networking on supported hosts. Neither benefit comes from port count alone. [4] [5]

Three routes to a two-screen desk. Published specifications are not Digital Derek test results.
Feature	Anker 565 · A8388Details ↓Compact Windows setup	Plugable UD-6950PDHDetails ↓DisplayLink office displays	CalDigit TS4Details ↓Native Thunderbolt desk
Independent screens Why it matters Two sockets can repeat the same desktop.	Windows: two; Mac: mirroredWindows extended displayRequires a video-capable host port. Source notes manufacturer specification [1]Checked 2026-09-08	Two through DisplayLinkSoftware-based display routeSupported Windows or macOS host; DisplayLink software required. Source notes manufacturer specification [4]Checked 2026-09-08	Up to two native displaysHost display limits applyExact host matters. Base M1/M2 Macs remain at one. Source notes manufacturer specification [5]Checked 2026-09-08
Two-screen mode Why it matters Check both screens at the same time, with the intended laptop.	2 × 1080p at 60 Hz (DP 1.2 host)DP 1.4 host: Anker lists up to “2K” at 60 Hz; exact pixel dimensions are not stated. Its 4K 60 Hz specification is single-screen. Source notes manufacturer specification [2]Checked 2026-09-08	2 × 3840 × 2160 at 60 HzDocumented DisplayLink mode on a supported host. Source notes manufacturer specification [4]Checked 2026-09-08	Up to 2 × 4K at 60 HzRequires a host supporting two native displays. Higher modes have additional GPU/display conditions. Source notes manufacturer specification [5]Checked 2026-09-08
Power to laptop Why it matters Host output differs from the power brick or hub input.	Up to 85 WUp to 100 W PD input; suitable charger and charging cable required. Source notes manufacturer specification [1]Checked 2026-09-08	Up to 100 WLaptop must accept the relevant USB-C PD mode. Source notes manufacturer specification [4]Checked 2026-09-08	Up to 98 WHigher sustained laptop demand can require the laptop charger. Source notes manufacturer specification [5]Checked 2026-09-08
Screen connections Why it matters Count a separate compatible cable route for each monitor.	1 HDMI + 1 DisplayPortUSB-C accessory port does not carry monitor video. Source notes manufacturer specification [1]Checked 2026-09-08	2 groups: HDMI or DisplayPortOne screen per group; four sockets serve two screens. Source notes manufacturer specification [4]Checked 2026-09-08	DisplayPort + downstream ThunderboltNo HDMI socketCan also use the two downstream Thunderbolt ports. HDMI requires suitable adapters. Source notes manufacturer specification [5]Checked 2026-09-08
Display software Why it matters Work laptops may restrict installations.	Native video; Windows for extensionHost video support is required; Mac outputs mirror. Source notes manufacturer specification [1] [2]Checked 2026-09-08	DisplayLink requiredCheck software accessmacOS needs installation and screen-recording permission. Check IT permission. Source notes manufacturer specification [4]Checked 2026-09-08	Native Thunderbolt/USB-C videoDisplayLink is not the display path; host requirements still apply. Source notes manufacturer specification [5]Checked 2026-09-08
Power and cable extras Why it matters Compare the ready-to-use setup.	Host cable attached; PD charger extraCharging cable and display cables are separate. Source notes manufacturer specification [1] [3]Checked 2026-09-08	Power supply + USB-C cable includedChoose separate display cables for the two output groups. Source notes manufacturer specification [4]Checked 2026-09-08	230 W supply + 0.8 m TB4 cable includedChoose separate display cables/adapters for your monitors. Source notes manufacturer specification [5]Checked 2026-09-08
Accessory connections Why it matters Buy the connections you use, not the biggest port count.	10 Gbps USB-A/C + 1GbEAlso two USB 2.0 ports and SD/microSD. No video or charging from accessory USB ports. Source notes manufacturer specification [1]Checked 2026-09-08	5 Gbps USB + Gigabit EthernetCurrent version: four USB-A and one front USB-C accessory port; SD/microSD. Confirm current port layout. Source notes manufacturer specification [4]Checked 2026-09-08	10 Gbps USB + 2.5GbETwo downstream Thunderbolt ports. Ethernet needs Thunderbolt or USB4 with PCIe support. Source notes manufacturer specification [5]Checked 2026-09-08

Select a model name for its fit, main tradeoff and retailer link.

All 7 specifications shown.

Sources for this comparison

The findings above interpret published specifications for different uses. They are not hands-on results.

Anker A8388 — US product specifications and display modes · manufacturer specification · evidence reviewed 2026-09-08
Anker A8388 manual — specifications, physical PDF page 2 · manufacturer support · evidence reviewed 2026-09-08
Anker A8388 — same-model regional charging/accessory notes · manufacturer specification · evidence reviewed 2026-09-08
Plugable UD-6950PDH — current specifications, FAQ and compatibility · manufacturer specification · evidence reviewed 2026-09-08
CalDigit TS4 — host compatibility, dual monitors and specifications · manufacturer specification · evidence reviewed 2026-09-08

At a glance

Your options at a glance

Choose the fit that matches your routine, then check the exact product.

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Compact Windows setup

Anker 565 · A8388

Best for: Two 1080p office screens on a compatible Windows laptop.
Why it made the shortlist: HDMI and DisplayPort, accessory ports and Ethernet in a hub that packs away easily.
The catch: Mac outputs mirror. Add a suitable PD charger and charging cable; laptop output is up to 85 W.

DisplayLink office displays

Plugable UD-6950PDH

Best for: Office work on a supported laptop that needs two displays through USB.
Why it made the shortlist: Two 4K 60 Hz display groups with HDMI or DisplayPort connections and up to 100 W laptop charging.
The catch: Needs DisplayLink software. Check work-computer permission and macOS protected-video limitations.

Native Thunderbolt desk

CalDigit TS4

Best for: A supported two-display laptop with Thunderbolt accessories or a compatible fast network.
Why it made the shortlist: Two downstream Thunderbolt ports, 10 Gbps USB ports and up to 98 W host charging.
The catch: No HDMI socket. Native display limits still apply; full Ethernet support requires the right host.

Choose by the screens you want to use

Two monitors showing different windows is the goal here. These three products offer different ways to get there; each has a useful role once the laptop matches. Start with the compatibility guide if you do not know your laptop’s display or charging support.

Anker 565: a compact Windows setup

The Anker 565 A8388 suits a desk built around two 1080p screens and a compatible Windows laptop. It combines HDMI and DisplayPort with useful accessory connections, and its attached host cable makes it easy to pack away.

Anker’s exact-model manual lists two 1080p displays at 60 Hz with a DisplayPort 1.2 host, and up to “2K” at 60 Hz with a DisplayPort 1.4 host. The latter label does not specify pixel dimensions; confirm your exact higher-resolution mode with Anker. Its 4K-at-60-Hz claim applies to one display with the required host support.

The buying check: the two external outputs mirror each other on a Mac. For laptop charging, add a suitable USB-C PD charger and charging cable; the hub’s 100 W input is distinct from its maximum 85 W output to the laptop. Check the complete setup before treating the hub as the lower-cost route.

Plugable UD-6950PDH: two screens through DisplayLink

The Plugable UD-6950PDH is an office-work option when a supported laptop needs more screens than its native video connection provides. Choose HDMI or DisplayPort within each of its two display groups. Four sockets serve two displays, so they are not four independent outputs.

The current manufacturer page specifies two 3840 × 2160 displays at 60 Hz and up to 100 W host charging. Its current port layout includes a front USB-C accessory port; older reviews describe a version without that port. Match the seller’s unit to the current layout before ordering.

The buying check: DisplayLink software is required. On a Mac, installation also needs the system’s screen-recording permission. Check with IT before choosing this for a managed laptop. Plugable does not recommend this dock for gaming or video editing, and warns that connecting it can prevent protected-video playback on macOS, including on other displays. Choose it for the office work it is designed to support.

CalDigit TS4: native displays and demanding accessories

The CalDigit TS4 offers a different reason to spend more: downstream Thunderbolt ports, 10 Gbps USB accessory ports and a 2.5 Gigabit network connection on supported hosts. A compatible two-display computer can use its native video capabilities without a DisplayLink display driver.

CalDigit’s compatibility guidance distinguishes the laptop generations and connections. A base M1 or M2 Mac remains limited to one native external display through this dock. “Works with USB-C” also does not promise the full Thunderbolt feature set: Ethernet needs Thunderbolt or a USB4 host with PCIe support.

The buying check: there is no built-in HDMI socket. Price suitable display adapters or cables, plus the screen connections you need. Its included supply delivers up to 98 W to the laptop; a laptop with higher sustained power needs may still need its own charger.

Finish with a complete connection list

Before following a retailer link, write down the exact laptop, both screen models, the two display cables, the host cable and the power source. Leave space for the dock’s brick and easy access to its host port in your under-desk cable plan.

Choose the Anker for the documented compact Windows setup, the Plugable for software-supported office displays, or the TS4 for native Thunderbolt connectivity your computer can use. If you are still choosing the format, the hub-versus-docking-station guide explains what each adds to a desk.

Page details

Research sources

Published: Sep 8, 2026
Sources checked: Sep 8, 2026
Written by: Derek Solas

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