Good laptops can do every thing 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 conveyable pc versus a tower setup. In order for you intensive connectivity if 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 information to exterior drives and SD playing cards. Figuring out the most effective docking station is dependent upon precisely which ports you want and whether or not the supported requirements of every port will ship the speeds or resolutions you’re in search of. We examined greater than 15 extremely rated docks that can assist you decide the most effective laptop computer docking station in your wants.
What to search for in a docking station
At first, contemplate what that you must plug in. This may seemingly be the deciding issue if you go to really 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 benefiting from quicker Ethernet connections? When you’ve settled on the kind of ports you want, you may additionally need to contemplate the era of these ports as effectively; even ports with the identical form can have totally different capabilities. Right here’s a quick overview of the connectivity totally different docking stations provide.
Monitor ports
Exterior displays usually want certainly one 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 units that use them are generally extra inexpensive. The most well-liked model of the DisplayPort interface (v1.4) can deal with larger resolutions and refresh charges than the most typical HDMI model (2.0). All the docking stations with HDMI ports that we suggest 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 can too use your dock’s downstream (non-host) Thunderbolt ports to hook up your displays. In case your exterior show has a USB-C socket, you may join immediately. In case you have an HDMI or DisplayPort-only monitor, you need to use an adapter or a conversion cable.
After all, the variety of displays you may join and the resolutions/charges they’ll obtain depend upon each your pc’s GPU and your displays — and the extra displays you plug in can carry down these numbers as effectively. You’ll want to additionally use cables that assist the bandwidth you’re hoping for. MacOS customers ought to needless to say MacBooks with the usual M1 or M2 chips assist only one exterior monitor natively and require DisplayLink {hardware} and software program to assist two exterior shows. MacBooks with M1 Professional, M2 Professional or M2 Max chips can run a number of displays 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 quicker information 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 various 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 information switch speeds of as much as 40Gbps. Different USB-C ports are available a spread of variations, with some supporting video, information and energy and a few solely in a position to handle information 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 depend upon elements just like the cables you employ and the units you’re transferring information to.
Practically each dock accessible right now connects to a pc through USB-C, usually Thunderbolt, and people host ports are almost all the time labeled with a laptop computer icon. Additionally they enable energy supply to your laptop computer: accessible 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 need to take up an additional laptop computer connector for charging.
Different ports
None of our at the moment really useful laptops embrace an Ethernet jack; a docking station is a good way to get that connection again. Everyone knows objectively that wired web is quicker than Wi-Fi, nevertheless it would possibly take working a fundamental pace comparability check to essentially get it on a intestine degree. For reference, on Wi-Fi I get a few 45 megabit-per-second obtain pace. Over Ethernet, it’s 925 Mbps. In the event you pay for a high-speed plan, however solely ever join wirelessly, you’re in all probability leaving a variety 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 for those who want a fast technique to add information from cameras or audio recorders, it’s possible you’ll 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 embrace a 3.5mm audio jack, however for those who choose wired headphones and need a extra accessible place to plug them in, many docking stations will present.
Whenever you’re counting up the ports in your new dock, do not forget that most corporations embrace the host port (the one which connects to your pc) within the complete quantity. So for those who’re in search of a dock with three Thunderbolt connections, make sure you examine whether or not certainly one of them will probably 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 — akin to Ethernet, DC energy, monitor connections and some USBs. Up-front USB ports can be utilized for flash drive transfers, and even plugging in your telephone for a cost (simply be sure that the port can ship the ability you want). USBs within the rear are finest for keyboards, mice, webcams and different belongings 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 if you return to your desk, however a number port in again could look neater total.
How we examined
We began out by taking a look at on-line evaluations, spec sheets from numerous manufacturers and docking stations that our fellow tech websites have lined. We thought-about manufacturers we’ve examined earlier than and have preferred, and weeded out something that didn’t have what we contemplate a contemporary suite of connections (akin to 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 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 mild and mic. I plugged in wired earbuds, and transferred information to a USB-C flash drive and an exterior SSD. I ran fundamental pace assessments on the Ethernet connections in addition to the file transfers. I judged how straightforward the docks have 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).
Greatest docking stations
Picture 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 Twin 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 could possibly 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 in conjunction with a Mac, which permits MacBooks with M1, M2 or M3 Professional or Max chips to function twin displays in prolonged mode. Sadly, MacBooks with customary 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 regular chip and wish two displays, you will 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 rather a lot simpler to arrange than different docks with transformer bins and DC cables. I discovered it made probably the most sense to simply use the MagSafe connector on the laptop computer, however you can even provide energy to the dock utilizing the non-data USB-C port and it’ll go 75 watts to your machine.
Each the 4K and HD displays I examined seemed 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 finally 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 an important selection for extending productiveness in a method 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 displays on Macs with M1 Professional or M2 Professional chips
- Good number of ports
- Simply two USB-A ports
- No Thunderbolt ports
Picture 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 referred to as me up and requested for the design of my superb 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 a wide range of setups, whether or not you want a monitor array or simply need 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 supply probably the most versatility. The trio of Thunderbolt 4 ports can assist as much as 8K displays at 60Hz and 40Gbps information transfers. They’ll even ship 15 watts of energy for those who simply must cost your telephone whilst you work.
You can too hook up your screens through 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 displays in prolonged mode. Home windows laptops and M2/M3 Professional and Max chips can have as much as 4 prolonged displays linked — two through the Thunderbolt ports and two by 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 smooth slab, a number connection lives on one facet, permitting for one neat line to your pc. Connections which might be prone to keep put (displays, DC energy, Ethernet and Thunderbolts) are throughout again, whereas the jacks you’ll in all probability change up extra usually, 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 may simply flip off all of your peripherals at night time to cut back your energy draw.
The dock delivers on the promise of its intelligent port choice and association. My twin prolonged displays seemed nice and achieved the marketed refresh charges and resolutions, the info transfers have been smoking fast and I used to be in a position to (lastly) totally join my very fundamental setup with out compromise: Two displays, 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, nevertheless it 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 observed any hostile efficiency results in consequence, nevertheless it’s attainable 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, nevertheless it’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.
- Wonderful array of ports
- Ports cleverly organized
- Can assist as much as 4 exterior displays
- DisplayLink driver permits for twin prolonged displays on standard-chip MacBooks
- Lay-flat design can take up a variety of desk house with out a mount
- Unit runs very popular
Picture 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 rather a lot 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. 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 could really feel missing is in show inputs. It solely has one DisplayPort 1.4, nevertheless it has loads of TB4 ports, which you’ll simply use to outfit a full command heart (for those who 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 for those who’re paying for a screaming-fast web plan, this dock will help you benefit from 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 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 through 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 total for the PC. On PC, it additionally dealt with a 1GB folder switch to a flash drive quicker than some 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 available without delay. In the event you’ve obtained a number of tech you need 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
Picture 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 Twin 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 linked in any respect with the Acer Chromebook Spin 514, and a type of 4 couldn’t run two displays. The SD4780P makes use of a USB-C host connection, by which it presents a most energy supply of 100W and was in a position to 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 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’d like greater than a type of kinds of units arrange. The plastic construct makes it look slightly low-cost and I’m not loopy in regards to the lay-flat design, however the host port is within the again, which is able to make your setup neater. If all you’re in search of is a technique to get just a few further displays 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
After I pulled the Plugable TBT4-UDZ Thunderbolt 4 out of the field, I used to be satisfied it might make the lower: It has a sensible upright design, a lovely 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, 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 usually $235), the Anker 575 USB-C might make for a superb price range decide for Home windows. It carried out effectively with the Dell XPS 13 Plus, however had hassle with the third display screen, the 4K webcam and headphone jack when linked to the MacBook Professional. It’s fairly compact, which implies it could get wobbly when a bunch of cables are plugged in, nevertheless it has a wide selection of ports and was in a position to deal with my fundamental setup effectively.
Belkin Join Professional Thunderbolt 4
Belkin’s Join Professional 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 — nevertheless it’s $90 extra, so I’d solely suggest getting it for those who discover it on sale.
Acer USB Kind-C Dock
Acer’s USB Kind-C Dock D501 prices $10 greater than our Kensington decide for Chromebooks, nevertheless it performs equally and is price a point out. It has almost the identical ports (together with the relatively limiting single downstream USB-C) however each the Ethernet and information switch speeds have been quicker.
Docking station FAQs
Are docking stations price it?
Docking stations are price it when you’ve got extra equipment to plug in than your laptop computer permits. Say you might have a USB-C digicam and mic, plus a USB-A mouse, keyboard and streaming mild; only a few trendy laptops have sufficient connections to assist all of that without delay. A docking station could make that setup possible whereas additionally supplying you with further ports like an Ethernet connection, and supplying energy to your laptop computer. Nonetheless, for those who simply want just a few further USB sockets, you may be higher off going with a hub, as these are usually cheaper.
How a lot does a laptop computer dock value?
Laptop computer docking stations are usually greater and costlier than easy USB-A or USB-C hubs, due to the broader array of connections. You 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 nearly all the time a USB-C/Thunderbolt port and sometimes branded with an icon of a laptop computer. Use the supplied 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 along with your laptop computer. A couple of docking stations, significantly people 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?
Practically all docking stations help you cost your laptop computer by the host connection (the cable working 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 go on between 65W and 100W of energy to laptops, and almost 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 assessments, 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 web product web page — make sure you additionally examine the era of your laptop computer as some docks can’t assist sure chips.
What are some well-liked 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.