Good laptops can do the whole lot desktop computer systems can do, plus they slot in a backpack when it’s time to work or play elsewhere. One notable distinction, although, is the variety of ports on a transportable pc versus a tower setup. In order for you in depth connectivity whenever you’re at your desk, whereas nonetheless reserving the power to pack up and go at a second’s discover, docking stations can get you there. Counting on only one USB-C port in your laptop computer and a DC energy provide, a docking station permits you to plug in your wired mice and keyboards, hook up a monitor with HDMI or DisplayPort jacks and switch knowledge to exterior drives and SD playing cards. Figuring out the perfect docking station will depend on precisely which ports you want and whether or not the supported requirements of every port will ship the speeds or resolutions you’re on the lookout for. We examined greater than 15 extremely rated docks that will help you decide the perfect laptop computer docking station to your wants.
What to search for in a docking station
Initially, think about what you have to plug in. This may seemingly be the deciding issue whenever you go to truly purchase a docking station. Do you want three screens for an expanded work view? A fast technique to add images from an SD card? Are you seeking to plug in a webcam, mic and streaming mild, whereas concurrently making the most of sooner Ethernet connections? When you’ve settled on the kind of ports you want, you may additionally wish to think about the era of these ports as effectively; even ports with the identical form can have completely different capabilities. Right here’s a short overview of the connectivity completely different docking stations provide.
Monitor ports
Exterior screens sometimes want one in every of three ports to hook up with a PC: HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C. HDMI connections are extra widespread than DisplayPort and the cables and gadgets that use them are typically extra reasonably priced. The preferred model of the DisplayPort interface (v1.4) can deal with increased resolutions and refresh charges than the most typical HDMI model (2.0). The entire docking stations with HDMI ports that we suggest right here use model 2.0, which might deal with 4K decision at 60Hz or 1080p as much as 240Hz. The DisplayPort-enabled docks assist both model 1.2, which permits for 4K decision at 60Hz, or model 1.4, which might deal with 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz.
You may as well use your dock’s downstream (non-host) Thunderbolt ports to hook up your screens. In case your exterior show has a USB-C socket, you may join immediately. You probably have an HDMI or DisplayPort-only monitor, you should utilize an adapter or a conversion cable.
After all, the variety of screens you may join and the resolutions/charges they’ll obtain depend upon each your pc’s GPU and your screens — and the extra screens you plug in can deliver down these numbers as effectively. You’ll want to additionally use cables that assist the bandwidth you’re hoping for. MacOS customers ought to remember that MacBooks with the usual M1 or M2 chips assist only one exterior monitor natively and require DisplayLink hardware and software to assist two exterior shows. MacBooks with M1 Professional, M2 Professional or M2 Max chips can run a number of screens from a single port.
USB ports
Most docking stations provide just a few USB Kind-A ports, that are nice for peripherals like wired mice and keyboards, bus-powered ring lights and flash drives. For sooner knowledge switch speeds to your flash drive, go for USB-A sockets labeled 3.1 or 3.2 — or higher but, use a USB-C Thunderbolt port.
Kind-C USB ports are available many alternative flavors. The Thunderbolt 3, 4 and USB4 protocols are newer, extra succesful specs that assist energy supply of as much as 100W, a number of 4K shows and knowledge switch speeds of as much as 40Gbps. Different USB-C ports are available a variety of variations, with some supporting video, knowledge and energy and a few solely capable of handle knowledge and energy. Switch charges and wattages can fluctuate from port to port, however most docks checklist the wattage or GB/s on both the dock itself or on the product web page. And once more, attaining the quickest speeds will depend upon elements just like the cables you employ and the gadgets you’re transferring knowledge to.
Almost each dock out there at present connects to a pc by way of USB-C, typically Thunderbolt, and people host ports are practically all the time labeled with a laptop computer icon. Additionally they permit energy supply to your laptop computer: out there wattage varies, however most docks are rated between 85 and 100 watts. That needs to be sufficient to maintain most computer systems powered — and it additionally means you received’t must take up an additional laptop computer connector for charging.
Different ports
None of our at present recommended laptops embrace an Ethernet jack; a docking station is an effective way to get that connection again. Everyone knows objectively that wired web is quicker than Wi-Fi, but it surely may take operating a fundamental velocity comparability test to actually get it on a intestine stage. For reference, on Wi-Fi I get a few 45 megabit-per-second obtain velocity. Over Ethernet, it’s 925 Mbps. When you pay for a high-speed plan, however solely ever join wirelessly, you’re most likely leaving plenty of bandwidth on the desk. Each docking station I examined contains an Ethernet port, and it might be the connector you find yourself getting probably the most use out of.
Simply two of our favourite laptops have SD card readers, and in the event you want a fast technique to add recordsdata from cameras or audio recorders, you could wish to get a dock with a type of slots. Of the docks we examined, about half had SD readers. For now, most (however not all) laptops nonetheless embrace a 3.5mm audio jack, however in the event you desire wired headphones and need a extra accessible place to plug them in, many docking stations will present.
If you’re counting up the ports to your new dock, do not forget that most firms embrace the host port (the one which connects to your pc) within the whole quantity. So in the event you’re on the lookout for a dock with three Thunderbolt connections, you’ll want to test whether or not one in every of them might be used to plug in your laptop computer.
Design
Most docking stations have both a lay-flat or upright design. Most docks put the extra “everlasting” connections in again — resembling Ethernet, DC energy, monitor connections and some USBs. Up-front USB ports can be utilized for flash drive transfers, and even plugging in your cellphone for a cost (simply be certain that the port can ship the ability you want). USBs within the rear are greatest for keyboards, mice, webcams and different belongings you’re more likely to all the time use. Some docks place the host port up entrance, which could make it simpler to plug in your laptop computer whenever you return to your desk, however a bunch port in again could look neater general.
How we examined
We began out by on-line opinions, spec sheets from numerous manufacturers and docking stations that our fellow tech websites have lined. We thought of manufacturers we’ve examined earlier than and have preferred, and weeded out something that didn’t have what we think about a contemporary suite of connections (resembling a dock with no downstream USB-C ports). We narrowed it all the way down to 12 contenders and I examined every dock in a house workplace, utilizing an M1 MacBook Professional, a Dell XPS 13 Plus and an Acer Chromebook Spin 514. I plugged in and evaluated the standard of the connections for 12 completely different peripherals together with a 4K and an HD monitor, a 4K and an HD webcam, plus USB gadgets like a mouse, keyboard, streaming mild and mic. I plugged in wired earbuds, and transferred knowledge to a USB-C flash drive and an exterior SSD. I ran fundamental velocity exams on the Ethernet connections in addition to the file transfers. I judged how simple the docks had been to make use of in addition to the assorted design elements I described earlier. I made spreadsheets and had sufficient wires snaking round my work space that my cat stayed off my desk for 3 weeks (a brand new report).
Finest docking stations
Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Host connection: 2 x USB-C | Energy supply to host: 75W (USB-C) | USB-C: 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x 3.1 | USB-A: 2 | Monitor: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 | Aux 3.5mm: No | SD Card: No
The Satechi Dual Dock Stand is completely different from all the opposite docks we examined in two respects: it doesn’t require an influence supply and it goes beneath your MacBook as a substitute of beside it. You might nearly classify it as a hub, however I feel the excessive variety of ports earns it docking-station standing. It plugs into the 2 USB-C ports along with a Mac, which permits MacBooks with M1, M2 or M3 Professional or Max chips to function twin screens in prolonged mode. Sadly, MacBooks with commonplace M1 or M2 chips, can natively solely energy a second exterior show in mirrored mode. The brand new MacBook Air with the M3 chip can solely energy two shows in prolonged mode with the laptop computer lid closed. You probably have a Mac with a normal chip and want two screens, you may want a docking station that helps DisplayLink {hardware} and software program, such because the Kensington SD4780P, which is our high decide for Chromebooks.
Because the Twin Dock works with out energy, it’s quite a bit simpler to arrange than different docks with transformer containers and DC cables. I discovered it made probably the most sense to simply use the MagSafe connector on the laptop computer, however you too can provide energy to the dock utilizing the non-data USB-C port and it’ll cross 75 watts to your machine.
Each the 4K and HD screens I examined appeared nice and labored effectively in prolonged mode. There are two USB-Cs for a webcam and mic, plus two USB-As which might be used for a dongle mouse and a streaming mild — that’s seemingly sufficient ports for conferencing or perhaps a fundamental video creator setup. The dock is in the end restricted by the truth that not one of the USB-C connections are Thunderbolt and there are solely two USB-A sockets to work with. Nevertheless it’s a fantastic alternative for extending productiveness in a approach that tucks beneath a MacBook, neatly shifting the cords to the again of the machine and out of the best way.
- Distinctive design enhances MacBooks
- Can energy two screens on Macs with M1 Professional or M2 Professional chips
- Good number of ports
- Simply two USB-A ports
- No Thunderbolt ports
Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Host connection: Thunderbolt 4 | Energy supply to host: 96W (DC) | USB-C: 3 x TB4 | USB-A: 2 | Monitor: 2 x HDMI 2.0 | Aux 3.5mm: Sure | SD Card: Sure
It’s as if Satechi known as me up and requested for the design of my best docking station. They didn’t, to be clear, however the manages to get proper what so many docks nearly do. First off, there are sufficient downstream USB4 ports to deal with quite a lot of setups, whether or not you want a monitor array or simply wish to run a USB-C keyboard concurrently your webcam and nonetheless have a port left over. You additionally get two HDMI 2.0 connections, an Ethernet jack, two USB-A ports, an SD card slot and a headphone jack.
That’s solely a complete of 10 downstream ports however for most individuals they’re those that provide probably the most versatility. The trio of Thunderbolt 4 ports can assist as much as 8K screens at 60Hz and 40Gbps knowledge transfers. They will even ship 15 watts of energy in the event you simply must cost your cellphone when you work.
You may as well hook up your screens by way of HDMI. MacBook customers might want to set up the DisplayLink driver to work round Apple’s prolonged monitor limitations. With the software program, even M1 and M2 MacBooks can hook up two exterior screens in prolonged mode. Home windows laptops and M2/M3 Professional and Max chips can have as much as 4 prolonged screens related — two by way of the Thunderbolt ports and two by way of the HDMI connections (once more utilizing DisplayLink tech).
Along with the goldilocks port choice, the association of these ports is sort of logical. From this slim and modern slab, a bunch connection lives on one facet, permitting for one neat line to your pc. Connections which are more likely to keep put (screens, DC energy, Ethernet and Thunderbolts) are throughout again, whereas the jacks you’ll most likely change up extra typically, such because the USB-A for thumb drives, the three.5mm jack for headphones and the SD card reader, are within the entrance. Proper subsequent to these is a helpful on-off change, so you may simply flip off all of your peripherals at evening to scale back your energy draw.
The dock delivers on the promise of its intelligent port choice and association. My twin prolonged screens appeared nice and achieved the marketed refresh charges and resolutions, the information transfers had been smoking fast and I used to be capable of (lastly) totally join my very fundamental setup with out compromise: Two screens, a webcam, streaming mild, microphone, keyboard and mouse. I did discover my 4K monitor had the slightest lag when the second monitor was plugged in, but it surely was minor and solely noticeable when displaying the webcam video.
One minor criticism is the DisplayLink and Thunderbolt branding throughout the entrance and high. They distract from the in any other case elegant look of the high-end aluminum exterior. One not-so-minor concern is how heat the unit received as I used it over the course of a pair days. At instances, it was practically too sizzling to carry my hand on comfortably. I by no means observed any antagonistic efficiency results because of this, but it surely’s potential that would change into a problem in the long run. As for worth, it’s listed at $300; that’s not the most costly dock we’ve examined, but it surely’s definitely not the most affordable. However for the efficiency and considerate design, it’s a Thunderbolt dock that might be value it for lots of people.
- Glorious array of ports
- Ports cleverly organized
- Can assist as much as 4 exterior screens
- DisplayLink driver permits for twin prolonged screens on standard-chip MacBooks
- Lay-flat design can take up plenty of desk house and not using a mount
- Unit runs highly regarded
Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Host connection: Thunderbolt 4 | Energy supply to host: 98W (DC) | USB-C: 2 x TB4, 3 x 3.2 | USB-A: 5 | Monitor: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 | Aux 3.5mm: 1 x audio combo, 1 x audio in, 1 x audio out | SD Card: SD and microSD
There’s quite a bit to understand about CalDigit’s TS4 docking station: It has a sturdy, upright design with a bunch connection on the rear and a whopping 5 downstream USB-C ports, two of that are Thunderbolt 4. Up entrance, you get an SD and a microSD card slot together with a headphone jack, two USB-C and a USB-A connector. In again, there’s room for 4 extra USB-A gadgets and two 3.5mm jacks, one for audio in and one for audio out. One space the place the dock could really feel missing is in show inputs. It solely has one DisplayPort 1.4, but it surely has loads of TB4 ports, which you’ll be able to simply use to outfit a full command middle (in the event you don’t have a USB-C monitor, there are many adapters).
The multi-gig Ethernet jack can deal with as much as 2.5Gbps, so in the event you’re paying for a screaming-fast web plan, this dock may help you make the most of it. The TS4 can ship as much as 98W of energy to your laptop computer, although like several docking station, the wattage goes down when different gadgets are additionally drawing energy.
The TS4 labored equally effectively with my MacBook Professional and the Dell XPS13 Plus and was even suitable with a Chromebook. I examined learn/write speeds on a Samsung T7 SSD by way of a Thunderbolt port and received 734 MB/s learn and 655 MB/s write speeds on the Mac and 1048/994 on the Dell. In comparison with the opposite docks, that was within the lower-middle vary for the Mac and the quickest general for the PC. On PC, it additionally dealt with a 1GB folder switch to a flash drive sooner than every other dock and delivered the quickest connection speeds over the Ethernet. It’s the one unit that permit me plug in each single peripheral I had readily available without delay. When you’ve received numerous tech you wish to use concurrently (and cash isn’t a priority), that is the one to get.
- An abundance of ports
- Compact, upright design
- 2.5Gbps Ethernet port
Photograph by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Host connection: USB-C | Energy supply to host: 100W (DC) | USB-C: 1 x 3.1 | USB-A: 5 | Monitor: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x DisplayPort 1.2 | Aux 3.5mm: 1 x audio combo | SD Card: No
The Kensington SD4780P Dual 4K sometimes requires a DisplayLink driver, however any Chromebook made after 2017 helps the connection from the bounce. Discovering a docking station that works with ChromeOS is hard; of the 12 models I examined, solely 4 related in any respect with the Acer Chromebook Spin 514, and a type of 4 couldn’t run two screens. The SD4780P makes use of a USB-C host connection, by way of which it affords a most energy supply of 100W and was capable of run each the 4K and HD screens cleanly.
It permits for a variety of USB-A peripherals by way of 5 such ports, however there’s solely a single downstream USB-C, so I wasn’t in a position to make use of each a webcam and mic on the similar time. Meaning you’ll want to make use of your Chromebook’s built-in ports if you would like greater than a type of varieties of gadgets arrange. The plastic construct makes it look a little bit low cost and I’m not loopy concerning the lay-flat design, however the host port is within the again, which can make your setup neater. If all you’re on the lookout for is a technique to get just a few additional screens and use your wired USB equipment, it is a good decide for Chromebooks.
- Works effectively with Chromebooks
- 5 USB-A ports
- Requires a driver for non Chromebooks
- Only one downstream USB-C
Different laptop computer docking stations we examined
Plugable TBT4-UDZ
Once I pulled the Plugable TBT4-UDZ Thunderbolt 4 out of the field, I used to be satisfied it will make the reduce: It has a sensible upright design, a horny steel end, and the host connection is TB4. Whereas there are many USB-A and monitor ports, there’s only one downstream USB-C. A contemporary dock, notably one which prices $300, ought to allow you to run, say, a USB-C cam and mic on the similar time. In any other case, it’s fairly limiting.
Anker 575 USB-C
At $250 (and extra typically $235), the Anker 575 USB-C may make for a very good price range decide for Home windows. It carried out effectively with the Dell XPS 13 Plus, however had bother with the third display, the 4K webcam and headphone jack when related to the MacBook Professional. It’s fairly compact, which implies it may get wobbly when a bunch of cables are plugged in, but it surely has a wide selection of ports and was capable of deal with my fundamental setup effectively.
Belkin Join Professional Thunderbolt 4
Belkin’s Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock is a contender for a Thunderbolt 4 different. It has practically the identical ports because the AD2010 (minus the microSD slot) and a horny rounded design — but it surely’s $90 extra, so I’d solely suggest getting it in the event you discover it on sale.
Acer USB Kind-C Dock
Acer’s USB Type-C Dock D501 prices $10 greater than our Kensington decide for Chromebooks, but it surely performs equally and is value a point out. It has practically the identical ports (together with the somewhat limiting single downstream USB-C) however each the Ethernet and knowledge switch speeds had been sooner.
Docking station FAQs
Are docking stations value it?
Docking stations are value it when you have extra equipment to plug in than your laptop computer permits. Say you have got a USB-C digital camera and mic, plus a USB-A mouse, keyboard and streaming mild; only a few fashionable laptops have sufficient connections to assist all of that without delay. A docking station could make that setup possible whereas additionally supplying you with additional ports like an Ethernet connection, and supplying energy to your laptop computer. Nonetheless, in the event you simply want just a few additional USB sockets, you could be higher off going with a hub, as these are typically cheaper.
How a lot does a laptop computer dock value?
Laptop computer docking stations are typically greater and costlier than easy USB-A or USB-C hubs, due to the broader array of connections. You could find them as little as $50 and so they can get as costly as $450. An inexpensive worth for a dock with a wide selection of ports from a good model will common round $200.
How do I arrange my laptop computer dock?
Most docking stations are plug and play. First, join the DC energy cable to the dock and a wall outlet. Then search for the “host” or upstream port on the dock — it’s nearly all the time a USB-C/Thunderbolt port and sometimes branded with an icon of a laptop computer. Use the offered cable to hook up with your pc. After that, you may join your peripherals to the dock and they need to be prepared to make use of together with your laptop computer. A couple of docking stations, notably those who deal with extra complicated monitor setups, require a driver. The directions that include your dock will level you to an internet site the place you may obtain that companion software program.
Does a laptop computer cost on a docking station?
Almost all docking stations permit you to cost your laptop computer by way of the host connection (the cable operating from the dock to your pc). That functionality, plus the upper variety of ports is what separates a docking station from a hub. Docks can cross on between 65W and 100W of energy to laptops, and practically all embrace a DC adapter.
Are all docking stations suitable with all laptops?
No, not all docking stations are suitable with each laptop computer. In our exams, the Chromebook had the largest compatibility points, the Dell PC had the least, and the MacBook fell someplace in between. All docks will checklist which manufacturers and fashions they work with on the web product web page — you’ll want to additionally test the era of your laptop computer as some docks can’t assist sure chips.
What are some widespread docking station manufacturers?
Kensington, Anker, Pluggable and Belkin are respected and well-known manufacturers making docking stations for all laptops. Lenovo, Dell and HP all make docks that may work with their very own computer systems in addition to different manufacturers.
