The very best docking stations for laptops in 2025

Laptops have lengthy rivaled desktops when it comes to energy. However these slim and moveable machines lack one thing their tower-shaped cousins are inclined to have in abundance: ports. Docking stations allow you to plug in screens, mice, keyboards, storage units and extra utilizing only a single port in your laptop computer. And if you happen to’re somebody who relocates with your laptop typically, a docking station makes it simpler to get all of your equipment related once more once you’re again at your desk. We examined out greater than 15 extremely rated docking stations and regarded monitor assist, quantity and sort of ports, design and value that can assist you decide which one is the most effective docking station in your house or workplace setup.

Desk of contents

Greatest docking stations

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

The Satechi Dual Dock Stand is totally 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 can virtually classify it as a hub, however I believe the excessive variety of ports earns it docking-station standing.

It plugs into the 2 USB-C ports together 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. In case you 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 choose for Chromebooks.

Because the Twin Dock works with out energy, it’s lots simpler to arrange than different docks with transformer packing containers and DC cables. I discovered it made essentially the most sense to only use the MagSafe connector on the laptop computer, however you may as well provide energy to the dock utilizing the non-data USB-C port and it’ll move 75 watts to your machine.

Each the 4K and HD screens I examined regarded nice and labored properly 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 gentle — that’s doubtless sufficient ports for conferencing or perhaps a primary 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. But it surely’s a terrific 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. It even has an SSD enclosure beneath it.

Execs

Distinctive design enhances MacBooks
Can energy two screens on Macs with M1 Professional or M2 Professional chips
Good number of ports

Cons

Simply two USB-A ports
No Thunderbolt ports

$150 at Adorama

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

It’s as if Satechi referred to as me up and requested for the design of my very best docking station. They didn’t, to be clear, however the Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display manages to get proper what so many docks virtually do. First off, there are sufficient downstream USB4 ports to deal with a wide range of setups, whether or not you want a Mr. Universe-style monitor array or simply need to run a USB-C keyboard concurrently your webcam and nonetheless have a port left over. You additionally get twin 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 essentially the most versatility. The trio of Thunderbolt 4 ports can assist as much as 8K screens at 60Hz and 40 Gbps knowledge transfers. They’ll even ship 15 watts of energy if you happen to simply must cost your cellphone whilst you work.

You may also 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 the HDMI connections (once more utilizing DisplayLink tech).

Along with the goldilocks multiport choice, the association of these ports is sort of logical. From this slim and modern slab, a number connection lives on one facet, permitting for one neat line to your pc. Connections which can be prone to keep put (screens, DC energy, Ethernet and Thunderbolts) are throughout again, whereas the jacks you’ll in all probability 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 useful on-off change, so you possibly can simply flip off all of your peripherals at night time to scale back your energy draw.

The dock delivers on the promise of its intelligent port choice and association. My twin prolonged screens regarded nice and achieved the marketed refresh charges and resolutions, the information transfers had been smoking fast and I used to be capable of (lastly) absolutely join my very primary setup with out compromise: Two screens, a webcam, streaming gentle, 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 obtained as I used it over the course of a pair days. At occasions, it was almost too sizzling to carry my hand on comfortably. I by no means seen any antagonistic efficiency results consequently, but it surely’s potential that might turn out to be a difficulty in the long run. As for value, it’s listed at $300; that’s not the most costly dock we’ve examined, but it surely’s actually not the most affordable. However for the efficiency and considerate design, it’s a Thunderbolt dock that might be price it for lots of people.

Execs

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

Cons

Lay-flat design can take up numerous desk area with no mount
Unit runs extremely popular

$300 at Satechi

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

There’s lots to understand about CalDigit’s TS4 docking station: It has a sturdy, upright design with a number connection on the rear and a whopping 5 downstream USB-C ports, two of that are Thunderbolt 4, the opposite two are USB 3.2, which may assist transfers of as much as 10 Gbps.

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 units and two 3.5mm jacks, one for audio in and one for audio out. One space the place the dock might 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 simply use to outfit a full command heart (if you happen to 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 if you happen to’re paying for a screaming-fast web plan, this dock will help you reap the benefits of it. The TS4 can ship as much as 98W of energy to your laptop computer, although like every docking station, the wattage goes down when different gadgets are additionally drawing energy.

The TS4 labored equally properly with my MacBook Professional and the Dell XPS13 Plus and was even appropriate with a Chromebook. I examined learn/write speeds on a Samsung T7 SSD by way of a Thunderbolt port and obtained 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 allow me plug in each single peripheral I had readily available directly. For those who’ve obtained a number of tech you need to use concurrently (and cash isn’t a priority), that is the one to get.

Execs

An abundance of ports
Compact, upright design
2.5Gbps Ethernet port

$380 at Amazon

Picture by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

The Kensington SD4780P Dual 4K usually requires a DisplayLink driver, however any Chromebook made after 2017 helps the connection from the soar. 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 which it gives 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 5 such ports, however there’s solely a single downstream USB-C, so I wasn’t ready 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 need greater than a type of forms of units arrange. The plastic construct makes it look just a little low cost and I’m not loopy concerning the lay-flat design, however the host port is within the again, which is able to make your setup neater. If all you’re searching for is a technique to get a number of additional screens and use your wired USB equipment, this can be a good choose for Chromebooks.

Execs

Works properly with Chromebooks
5 USB-A ports

Cons

Requires a driver for non Chromebooks
Only one downstream USB-C

$155 at Amazon

What to search for in a docking station

At the beginning, take into account what it’s essential to plug in. This can doubtless be the deciding issue once you go to truly purchase a docking station. Do you want three screens for an expanded work view? A fast technique to add photographs from an SD card? Are you trying to plug in a webcam, mic and streaming gentle, whereas concurrently benefiting from sooner Ethernet connections? Are you hooking up a gaming laptop to a number of shows and peripherals? When you’ve settled on the kind of ports you want, you might also need to take into account the technology of these ports as properly; even ports with the identical form can have totally different capabilities. Right here’s a short overview of the connectivity totally different docking stations provide.

Monitor ports

Exterior screens usually want certainly one of three ports to connect with a PC: HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C. HDMI connections are extra frequent than DisplayPort and the cables and units that use them are typically extra reasonably priced. The most well-liked model of the DisplayPort interface (v1.4) can deal with increased resolutions and refresh charges than the commonest HDMI model (2.0). All the show docking stations with HDMI ports that we advocate right here use model 2.0, which may 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 may deal with 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz.

You may also 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 possibly can join straight. In case you have an HDMI show or DisplayPort-only monitor, you need to use an adapter or a conversion cable.

After all, the variety of screens you possibly can join and the resolutions/charges they’ll obtain rely on each your pc’s GPU and your screens — and the extra screens you plug in can convey down these numbers as properly. 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 a number of 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 spread of variations, with some supporting video, knowledge and energy and a few solely capable of handle knowledge and energy. Switch charges and wattages can range from port to port, however most docks record the wattage or GB/s on both the dock itself or on the product web page. And once more, reaching the quickest speeds will rely on elements just like the cables you employ and the units you’re transferring knowledge to.

Almost each dock obtainable at present is a USB-C docking station, connecting to a pc by way of USB-C, typically Thunderbolt, and people host ports are almost all the time labeled with a laptop computer icon. In addition they permit energy supply to your laptop computer: obtainable 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 gained’t should take up an additional laptop computer connector for charging.

Different ports

None of our at the moment recommended laptops embody 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 primary velocity comparability test to actually get it on a intestine degree. For reference, on Wi-Fi I get a few 45 megabit-per-second obtain velocity. Over Ethernet, it’s 925 Mbps. For those who pay for a high-speed plan, however solely ever join wirelessly, you’re in all probability leaving numerous bandwidth on the desk. Each docking station I examined contains an Ethernet port, and it might be the connector you find yourself getting essentially the most use out of.

Simply two of our favourite laptops have SD card readers, and if you happen to want a fast technique to add recordsdata from cameras or audio recorders, you could need 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 embody a 3.5mm audio jack, however if you happen to desire wired headphones and need a extra accessible place to plug them in, many docking stations will present.

While you’re counting up the ports in your new dock, keep in mind that most firms embody the host port (the one which connects to your pc) within the whole quantity. So if you happen to’re searching for a dock with three Thunderbolt connections, you’ll want to examine whether or not certainly one of them shall 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 — similar to Ethernet, DC energy, monitor connections and some USBs. Up-front USB ports can be utilized for flash drive transfers, and even appearing as a charger in your cellphone (simply make certain the port can ship the facility you want). USBs within the rear are greatest for keyboards, mice, webcams and different stuff you’re prone to all the time use. Some docks place the host port up entrance, which could make it simpler to plug in your laptop computer once you return to your desk, however a number port in again might look neater general.

How we examined docking stations

We began out by taking a look at on-line critiques, spec sheets from varied manufacturers and docking stations that our fellow tech websites have coated. We thought of manufacturers we’ve examined earlier than and have appreciated, and weeded out something that didn’t have what we take into account a contemporary suite of connections (similar to a dock with no downstream USB-C ports). We narrowed it right 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 totally different peripherals together with a 4K and an HD monitor, a 4K and an HD webcam, plus USB units like a mouse, keyboard, streaming gentle and mic. I plugged in wired earbuds, and transferred knowledge to a USB-C flash drive and an exterior SSD. I ran primary 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 document).

As new docking stations come out and we discover fashions worthy of testing, (there are a pair from Ugreen we’ve our eye on), we’ll replace this information accordingly.

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 could make the minimize: It has a sensible upright design, a lovely metallic 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, significantly 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 might make for a superb price range choose for Home windows. It carried out properly with the Dell XPS 13 Plus, however had hassle with the third display screen, the 4K webcam and headphone jack when related to the MacBook Professional. It’s fairly compact, which suggests it could possibly 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 primary setup properly.

Belkin Join Professional Thunderbolt 4

Belkin’s Connect Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock is a contender for a Thunderbolt 4 different. It has almost the identical ports because the AD2010 (minus the microSD slot) and a lovely rounded design — but it surely’s $90 extra, so I’d solely advocate getting it if you happen to discover it on sale.

Acer USB Kind-C Dock

Acer’s USB Type-C Dock D501 prices $10 greater than our Kensington choose for Chromebooks, but it surely performs equally and is price a point out. It has almost the identical ports (together with the fairly limiting single downstream USB-C) however each the Ethernet and knowledge switch speeds had been sooner.

Docking station FAQs

Are docking stations price it?

Docking stations are price it in case you have extra equipment to plug in than your laptop computer permits. Say you’ve a USB-C digicam and mic, plus a USB-A mouse, keyboard and streaming gentle; only a few trendy laptops have sufficient connections to assist all of that directly. A docking station could make that setup possible whereas additionally supplying you with additional ports like a gigabit Ethernet connection, and supplying energy to your laptop computer. Nonetheless, if you happen to simply want a number of additional USB sockets, you may be higher off going with a hub, as these are usually cheaper.

How a lot does a laptop computer dock price?

Laptop computer docking stations are usually greater and costlier than easy USB-A or USB-C hubs, due to the broader array of connections. Yow will discover them as little as $50 they usually can get as costly as $450. An affordable value 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 virtually all the time a USB-C/Thunderbolt port and sometimes branded with an icon of a laptop computer. Use the supplied cable to connect with your pc. After that, you possibly can join your peripherals to the dock and they need to be prepared to make use of together with your laptop computer. A number of docking stations, significantly those who deal with extra advanced monitor setups, require a driver. The directions that include your dock will level you to a web site the place you possibly can obtain that companion software program.

Does a laptop computer cost on a docking station?

Almost all docking stations can help you cost your laptop computer by 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 move on between 65W and 100W of energy to laptops, and almost all embody a DC adapter.

Are all docking stations appropriate with all laptops?

No, not all docking stations are appropriate with each laptop computer. In our exams, the Chromebook had the most important compatibility points, the Dell PC had the least, and the MacBook fell someplace in between. All docks will record which manufacturers and fashions they work with on the net product web page — you’ll want to additionally examine the technology of your laptop computer as some docks can’t assist sure chips.

What are some fashionable 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 can work with their very own computer systems in addition to different manufacturers.

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