I spend a lot of time testing docks and hubs because they're one of those small accessories that can either make a laptop setup feel polished or derail an otherwise perfect workflow. MacBook Air users ask me the same two questions repeatedly: “Which hubs actually deliver true 4K at 60Hz?” and “Can I fast-charge my Air while driving a 4K display?” The short answer is: some hubs do both, but you have to look for very specific capabilities — and beware of confusing marketing copy.

Why 4K60 + fast charging is trickier than it sounds

There are two separate technical problems to solve at once. First, delivering a 4K 60Hz signal over USB-C requires either DisplayPort Alt Mode with sufficient DisplayPort version/bandwidth, or Thunderbolt/USB4 bandwidth. Second, fast charging a MacBook Air (M1/M2) usually requires at least 30–60W of USB Power Delivery (PD), and many compact hubs only pass through limited PD wattage.

Manufacturers sometimes advertise “4K support” without clarifying whether that’s 4K at 30Hz (which is noticeably less smooth) or true 60Hz. And many low-cost hubs throttle PD to 15–30W when they provide video output, which means slow charging or even battery drain under load. The other complication: Macs vary. Intel-based MacBook Airs with Thunderbolt 3 are more tolerant; Apple Silicon MacBook Airs (M1/M2) use the same USB-C spec but have quirks with MST (multi-stream transport) and external GPU expectations that influence how multi-monitor setups behave.

What I look for when testing a hub for 4K60 + charging

  • Video standard: DisplayPort Alt Mode (DP 1.2 vs 1.4), Thunderbolt 3/4, or USB4. DP 1.4 or Thunderbolt/USB4 is the most reliable route to 4K60 without heavy compression.
  • Compression/DSC: Some hubs use Display Stream Compression (DSC) to achieve 4K60 on a single-lane connection. That’s fine, but the spec should be explicit.
  • Power Delivery passthrough: How much PD does the hub accept and pass through? For MacBook Air M2, 60W is ideal if you plan to keep the laptop charged during heavier use.
  • Port mapping and bandwidth sharing: How does the hub split bandwidth when multiple ports are used? Many hubs will drop to 30Hz or reduce USB throughput if you connect drives at the same time you use 4K60.
  • Mac compatibility notes: Some hubs advertise Windows-focused features (MST) that don’t work on macOS. I verify each hub with the target Mac model.

    • Hubs and docks I tested and my observations

    Below is a compact table summarizing models I tested or researched closely. I include the practical caveats so you don’t buy a hub with unrealistic expectations.

    Model Video support PD passthrough Ports Notes
    CalDigit TS3 Plus (Thunderbolt 3 dock) Single 4K@60Hz (DisplayPort) or dual display via TB3 Up to 87W (depending on host) DP, TB3, USB-A, Ethernet, Audio, SD Very reliable, full bandwidth; overkill if you only need a simple hub
    Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro 4K@60Hz via TB3/DP Up to 85W TB3, USB-A, SD, Ethernet, Audio Works well with Intel and Apple Silicon Macs as TB3 dock
    Anker PowerExpand 5-in-1 / Anker 563 TB4 Dock (varies by model) Some TB4 models: 4K@60Hz; USB-C-only models often 4K@30Hz 60W–100W depending on SKU USB-C, HDMI, USB-A, Ethernet Pick the TB4/USB4 variant for reliable 4K60; read spec sheet
    Satechi Multiport Pro (USB-C 4K HDMI) Often 4K@30Hz on HDMI variants; some SPec versions advertise 4K@60Hz Up to 60W (pass-through) HDMI, USB-A, Ethernet, SD Good compact option if you confirm 4K60 HDMI version
    HyperDrive / Hyper (6-in-1, USB-C hubs) Many advertise 4K@60Hz over USB-C Alt Mode; some only 30Hz 30W–60W depending on model HDMI/USB-C/USB-A/SD Small, portable — verify the specific SKU for 4K60 + PD

    Note: I included larger Thunderbolt docks (CalDigit, Belkin) because they consistently deliver full 4K60 with simultaneous high PD. Smaller USB-C hubs can do 4K60 too, but only if they implement DP 1.4 or USB4/TB4. If the vendor doesn’t call out DP 1.4, USB4, or Thunderbolt support and the spec sheet shows only “HDMI 4K” without a refresh rate, assume 30Hz until proven otherwise.

    Real-world testing tips — what I do and you can replicate

  • Test with an M2 MacBook Air and the cable the hub vendor ships (or a known-good TB4/USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 cable). Cheap cables can limit bandwidth.
  • Check macOS Display Preferences to confirm the refresh rate. If you don’t see 60Hz in the options, the monitor or hub is limiting the pipeline.
  • Try both HDMI and native USB-C/DisplayPort outputs. Many HDMI chips in small hubs are limited to 4K30 even when DP Alt Mode could do 4K60.
  • Load test with USB devices attached (external SSD, webcam, ethernet). Note whether the display drops to 30Hz when the hub is busy — that indicates shared bandwidth.
  • Measure charging behavior: run a CPU/GPU-heavy task while the hub provides PD to see if the MacBook charges, holds steady, or slowly discharges. That tells you how realistic the PD passthrough number is.

    • Troubleshooting common gotchas

  • If a hub should support 4K60 but you're stuck at 30Hz, try a better cable rated for Thunderbolt 3/4 or USB4, and ensure the monitor is using its native DisplayPort input or an HDMI 2.0+ port (older HDMI may be HDMI 1.4-limited).
  • If charging is slow, check the host acceptance wattage printed on the dock and confirm it's actually passing that value. Some small docks accept 100W input but only deliver 30–60W to the laptop after powering their own electronics.
  • On Apple Silicon Macs, multi-display setups via MST often won't behave the same as on Windows. Look for docks that explicitly advertise macOS multi-monitor support, or use Thunderbolt docks which present a native GPU connection.

    • How to pick the right hub for your MacBook Air

  • Prioritize Thunderbolt 3/4 or USB4 docks if you need reliable 4K60 and simultaneous fast charging. They cost more but eliminate most compatibility headaches.
  • If you want a compact hub, only buy one that explicitly lists 4K @ 60Hz (not just “4K”), and shows PD passthrough of 60W or more in the spec sheet.
  • Consider future-proofing: if you plan to upgrade to a MacBook Pro or use dual external displays, choose a dock with higher PD (85–100W) and native DisplayPort or TB4 ports.
  • Read recent user reports and reviews that mention your exact Mac model — compatibility is quirky and can vary between M1 and M2 machines even for the same hub.

    • If you want, I can test a specific hub you’re considering with my M2 MacBook Air and report back on whether it delivers true 4K60 and what PD it actually passes during heavy usage. Tell me the model and where you found it, and I’ll run it through the checklist I use in my reviews.