One of the best laptop computer docking stations will flip your laptop computer into a transportable powerhouse — whether or not you are continuously on the transfer or at all times depart it at house, you may wish to profit from your laptop computer when it is sitting in your desk, particularly if you do not have sufficient ports. With a laptop computer docking station, you possibly can connect your system to a number of displays and all kinds of peripherals with additional USB ports.
Relying in your wants, you could find low cost laptop computer docking stations that can output to twin HD displays over an ordinary USB, or costlier docking stations that assist USB Sort-C and 4K displays that can work not solely along with your present laptop computer but in addition along with your subsequent one.
Not fairly certain if you happen to want a docking station? You possibly can check out our USB-C hub vs. docking station and Thunderbolt 4 explainer to study all the ports on the market and which of them you may need. For ports you understand you want, take a look at our finest USB Sort-C hubs and finest USB Sort-C equipment and cables. Even higher, including these docking stations discovered beneath will make a few of the finest laptops beneath $500 much more value it.
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What are the very best laptop computer docking stations?
In the case of the very best laptop computer docking station cash should buy, you may wish to go for the Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Show Docking Station. From the number of the 13 ports it affords to its 4K show assist throughout a number of video outputs, Plugable’s newest docking station is the very best round. Its 4 USB-A ports allow you to develop the variety of peripherals you wish to use along with your laptop computer, whereas the SD card reader and useful USB-C port with 20W energy supply permits for seamless charging and file transfers.
We lately reviewed its Twin Monitor Docking Station (2022), however discovered it to be ageing in comparison with its different merchandise.
Nevertheless, if you happen to’re sporting a Thunderbolt 4 laptop computer like the most recent Dell XPS 13, maintain a watch out for the Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Dock and Anker Apex Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station. They even high our record of finest docking stations for Dell XPS laptops.
When you’re after the finest docking stations for MacBook, we have you coated. For all different docking stations, learn on.
One of the best laptop computer docking stations you should purchase at present
Plugable’s final USB-C Triple 4K Docking Station was a success, a lot in order that inventory has fully run out. With its newest UD-ULTC4K docking station, I can think about it being a scorching commodity because of its honest value and nifty upgrades.
Now with a number of upgrades to show any USB-C supported laptop computer right into a powerhouse, the brand new Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Docking Station is best than ever earlier than with additional HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, a 100W Energy Supply (PD) enhance, a necessary SD Card Reader, and an additional USB-C port with 20W PD and as much as 10Gbps switch charges. Oh, and 4 USB-A 3.0 ports for good measure.
Plugable listened to buyer calls for and drastically expanded the capabilities of its hottest docking station, and the result’s essentially the most well-rounded docking station I’ve reviewed.
See our full Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Show Docking Station overview
Is the Anker Apex Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station too forward of the curve? Sure, however it’s additionally a flexible hub that may enhance your present work setup whereas serving to you put together for the subsequent technology of laptops set to turn out to be the norm. Its Thunderbolt 4 ports are handy and speedy, whereas the 12-in-1 hub’s different ports permit you to cost and join loads of PC equipment and displays.
Anker’s dock is let down by an costly $300 value level for a tool that may’t be absolutely utilized with out a Thunderbolt 4-supported laptop computer. Nevertheless, give this suitcase imposter a while and it’s certain to shine. For these on the lookout for a Thunderbolt 4 docking station at a extra inexpensive value whereas sacrificing additional ports, take a look at our overview of the Anker PowerExpand 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Mini Dock.
See our full Anker Apex Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station overview
When you’re after a flexible dock with a give attention to Thunderbolt 4 connections, then the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Dock received’t disappoint. Its unassuming design simply blends into any work or private setup, and its port placement permits for a comparatively clear, wire-tidy desk.
Certain, it’s a bit late to the sport, however that doesn’t make it any much less highly effective. Connecting to 2 4K shows whereas having your laptop computer cost with 96W Energy Supply, having a number of PC peripherals prepared to make use of with out taking over laptop computer ports, and recharging your smartphone or pill on the fly makes for a flexible setup, and this Thunderbolt 4 Dock provides you entry to that.
See our full Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Dock overview
The Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Dock is made for ultrabooks just like the Dell XPS 13 9310. Not solely does it vastly develop the variety of ports and slots on probably the greatest laptops in the marketplace, however it provides it the 90W energy and extra perks the pocket book requires.
Whereas there are nonetheless those that might not have displays or peripherals with Thunderbolt 4, 3, or USB-C connectivity, many units will quickly make having a Thunderbolt 4 port the usual. Thunderbolt 4 connectivity is right here to remain, and the SD5700T makes for a implausible moveable companion that can future-proof your setup for years to return.
See our full Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 docking station overview
Contemplating Plugable’s different choices, we weren’t stunned that its Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station is great. It is the very best we have examined to date, with an affordable value, the power for use each vertically and horizontally and a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter within the field. It fees a laptop computer whereas powering as much as two 4K shows or a single 5K monitor and has a number of additional USB 3.0 ports for legacy peripherals.
Ugreen’s 13-in-1 docking station is a powerful package for increasing the I/O in your work-from-home setup. The chassis is refined and rocks a smaller measurement for higher portability, and the multitude of ports on board makes it actually helpful.
The triple show assist makes this preferrred for any multitasking-intensive jobs and any creatives will warmly welcome the SD and microSD card slots. Plus, every show output delivers as marketed on a 4K 60Hz image, which makes for the tasty premise of a real three-display setup, wanting such as you’re about to hack into the matrix like a productiveness machine.
See our full Ugreen 13-in-1 docking station overview
Kensington’s SD4100v USB 3.0 Twin 4K Docking Station shall be useful for laptops with USB-A ports — so, nearly each laptop computer aside from trendy ultra-slim methods. It has a helpful variety of USB-A ports that allow you to plug in any peripheral t, and its twin 4K monitor assist works like a appeal. Whereas its non-removable stand is annoying, it sits firmly on any desk, and the lengthy 3m USB-B to USB-A number meant I might put it out of sight.
When you merely want loads of USB-A ports and a few additional shows to make use of along with your laptop computer, the SD4100v USB 3.0 Twin 4K Docking Station does a superb job.
See our full Kensington SD4100v USB 3.0 Twin 4K Docking Station overview
The Kensington SD1650P USB-C Single 4K Moveable Docking Station is the “one thing extra” homeowners of a number of units needs to be considering. Not solely does the hybrid dock cost your Home windows laptop computer with spectacular 100W pass-through energy whereas including a number of ports, however it will probably additionally do the identical for a MacBook, iPad, and even an Android pill. If it helps USB-C connectivity, Kensington’s dock will, extra doubtless than not, work like a appeal.
The SD1650P Moveable Docking Station’s compatibility is difficult to beat, and since it will probably work off a units’ energy provide with no need an influence adapter (you’ll lose the 100W energy go by), the system is a implausible alternative for travelling professionals. The flexibility to right away give nearly all of your units additional ports, video output choices, and an influence provide utilizing one USB-C port makes this hybrid moveable dock probably the greatest USB-C hubs in the marketplace, particularly for MacBook customers.
It’s a disgrace the worth and restricted collection of ports lets the SD1650P Moveable Docking Station down, particularly when different hubs are considerably extra inexpensive. For these in want of a extremely versatile system, the dock is value your hard-earned money, particularly with its 100W pass-through energy, which rivals even pricier docking stations.
See our full Kensington SD1650P USB-C 4K Moveable Docking Station overview
When you’re available in the market for a laptop computer with seamless connection speeds, however need a number of extra ports and a simple option to cost a number of units on the similar time, the Plugable Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Hub has your again. Not solely is it a small accent that can simply match on anybody’s desk, however it’s a pocketable powerhouse that makes essentially the most out of something with a USB-C port.
Plugable’s TBT4-HUB3C hub delivers an extra three Thunderbolt 4 ports that may cost units, switch knowledge, and hyperlink as much as fancy exterior displays all on the similar time. You don’t essentially want Thunderbolt 4 both, seeing because it’s backward appropriate with Thunderbolt 3, together with different USB-C sort connections, and connects by way of USB-C.
See our full Plugable Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Hub overview
The Targus USB-C Common Quad 4K Docking Station, often known as the 4 Head 4K Dock, doesn’t simply supply the usual two or three video inputs to remodel your laptop computer right into a multi-screen setup, however eight completely different ports. With 4 DisplayPort 1.2 on high of one other 4 HDMI 2.0 inputs, the docking station can assist a single 5K and 4 4K shows — plus your laptop computer display.
Targus’ display hoarder additionally comes with a mixture of noteworthy USB-A 3.2 and USB-C 3.2 ports to attach all of the peripherals any laptop computer person would want and cost different units comparable to a smartphone or pill. Oh, and there’s a 3.5mm audio jack and Ethernet slot for good measure. What it doesn’t supply is the most recent technology of connectivity, Thunderbolt 4, together with a worthwhile price ticket. Regardless, if you happen to’re after most display actual property, Targus’s docking station delivers the plots of visible land.
See our full Targus USB-C Common Quad 4K Docking Station overview
Plugable’s 7-in-1 USB Charging Hub (USBC-HUB7BC) acts as a implausible docking station to unencumber ports in your laptop computer and provides much more PC peripherals comparable to keyboards and mice. It additionally acts as a standalone charging hub to juice up units comparable to your smartphone. It stands out for bringing twin performance to every of its seven ports, an enviable characteristic a majority of USB-C hubs and different docking stations don’t fully present.
For individuals who require a hub with greater than sufficient USB-A ports to cost a number of equipment without delay, all whereas transferring information between completely different units, the Plugable 7-in-1 USB Charging Hub is a superb alternative.
See our full Plugable 7-in-1 USB Charging Hub overview
It’s unfair to name Targus’ USB-C Twin 4K Docking Station an precise “docking station,” because it doesn’t have practically sufficient ports to deal with these formidable equipment. However I can see why Targus has referred to as it one. It boasts 100W Energy Supply and two HDMI 2.0 inputs with 4K capabilities at 60Hz — that’s not one thing many USB-C hubs can do.
MacBook Air or Dell XPS 13 homeowners are due an awakening for port growth, however any laptop computer person will get a kick out of how easy but useful Targus’ dock might be in most circumstances.
The USB-C Twin 4K Docking Station is a hybrid USB-C hub in disguise. It might have benefitted from an additional USB-A port, (in addition to higher port administration), however it’s nonetheless an extremely useful accent any laptop computer and pill person will get nice use out of.
See our full Targus USB-C Twin HDMI 4K Docking Station overview
The StudioDock is a singular docking station. Technically, it’s an overpriced dock for many who don’t have an iPad Professional or 4th-gen iPad Air. When you do although, together with an iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch, this turns into the very best docking station for an Apple ecosystem/desktop setup. It even has the Apple aesthetic for good measure.
It doesn’t have essentially the most ports, however there are sufficient to create an iPad-centric workspace because of its Qi wi-fi charging stations. It might actually be used as a alternative desktop setup because of Apple’s thousands and thousands of apps optimized for iPadOS, keyboard and mouse assist, together with the StudioDock’s USB-A/USB-C ports and SD card reader. The StudioDock is a implausible addition to the iPad for these prepared to spend a reasonably penny on a hub to your Apple ecosystem.
See our full Kensington StudioDock iPad docking station overview
When you’re trying to flip your iPad or Android pill into one thing greater than a tool for consuming content material, the ESR 8-in-1 Moveable Stand Hub provides your slate the ports and stand it must turn out to be an necessary a part of your work setup.
It’s sufficiently small to be positioned wherever on a desk, it has the proper ports that a number of sorts of execs will make good use out of, and it will probably even be used to connect with laptops whereas a pill sits on high of it.
The hub’s affordable pricing makes it greater than value it, though discovering your personal energy provide to make use out of its 100W Energy Supply is let down. Nonetheless, its 120-degree tilt is a pleasant bonus and can do wonders for a lot of work setups that make the most of a pill.
See our full ESR 8-in-1 Moveable Stand Hub overview
By no means have any of them regarded pretty much as good or accommodated as many items of kit because the Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock. Its premium design screams workplace, however it’ll look simply pretty much as good manning a gaming station. Plus, it’s bought a plethora of ports simply ready to attach a number of displays, a few headsets and a laptop computer.
Nevertheless, at $259, the TBT100 has a steep entry value which could give many house workplace staff and avid gamers pause. However if you happen to can look previous the worth, the Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock is a necessary piece of tech.
See our full Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock overview
The Humanscale M/Join 2 is one thing you are extra more likely to see in your workplace than your house, though these two usually tend to be one in the identical today. It is a full-scale ergonomic resolution with USB Sort-C for charging (and a USB Sort-A adapter, if you happen to’re not prepared for the brand new customary simply but) and helps twin 4K displays.
Its clamp design means that you can maintain nearly all of your cables beneath your desk, permitting for a neat workspace. It begins round $300, although you may should pay extra for a monitor arm to connect to it.
See our full Humanscale M/Join 2 overview
