The Best Laptop Docking Station can significantly improve the comfort and convenience of using your laptop. They can rapidly enhance the capability of your computer by adding more ports & allowing you to attach external monitors while also charging it.
Docking stations are especially beneficial for remote employees (begins in a new window) and those increasingly working from home. These useful accessories, like USB-C docks(open in a new tab), can transform your laptop into a feature-rich desktop replacement.
Because slim and light computers, such as the MacBook, often have a limited number of ports, docking stations are indeed a great way to bring in additional USB devices. This is why our roundup includes some of the finest MacBook docking stations.
We’ll look at all of the finest laptop docking stations in this guide, which will provide you with all you need to stay productive and turn your trusty laptop into a full-featured work machine.
What will you see here?
Kensington USB 3.0 Docking Station
Kensington is a well-known & reputable company known for its docking stations. Its most recent USB 3.0 variant is compatible with both MacBook and Windows laptops.
With this device, you can turn one USB port into six (There are 4 USB 2.0 ports on the back and 2 USB 3.0 ports on the front.) There’s also a DVI connector and adapters for using it with HDMI or VGA cables and an additional multi-display adapter for connecting several monitors.
Some customers have noted that Windows 10 does not always detect it. Thus you may need to update your drivers from the Kensington support page.
It looks great next to your laptop and is inexpensive – this is one of the top-rated laptop docking stations on the market.
Targus USB 3.0 Dual Video Docking Station with Power
This Dual Video Docking Station from Targus is reasonably priced and includes built-in laptop charging capabilities suitable with most 90W notebooks. So even if you forget your charger, you’ll be fine with this handy gadget.
This Dock supports two monitors and features two USB 3.0 connections: two USB 2.0 connectors, two power USB 2.0 ports, & Gigabit Ethernet. Targus also sells a Multiplexer Adaptor that converts this docking station to USB-C.
StarTech Thunderbolt 3 Dual-4K Docking Station
The Thunderbolt 3 docking station, according to StarTech, is the most advanced ever. The device was created with slimmer notebooks and needs one cord. Typically, docking stations necessitate numerous leads, but StarTech’s latest product eliminates this requirement.
As the name implies, it supports twin 4K screens (at 60Hz) and takes advantage of Thunderbolt 3’s sheer power, providing 40Gbps speed while being portable. However, it isn’t all. You can connect up to 3 USB 3.0 devices to it, and it also has Gigabit Ethernet. You may also charge mobile devices and take advantage of Direct DisplayPort connectivity. This device will cost you a couple of hundred, which is a substantial sum but not awful if you’re looking for a powerful dock.
Toshiba Dynadock V3.0+
Toshiba is another well-known manufacturer of laptop docking systems. The Dynadock V3.0 is among the company’s most popular products. It’s designed for Windows laptop customers who desire more features.
The Dynadock, along with most docking stations, includes USB 3.0 connections. However, there are four of them here. A DVI connector (with adapters for HDMI and VGA) and an Ethernet port are also included, and the Dock only requires one cable connection for convenience and portability. And, because of its upright form, the Dynadock will fit comfortably on even the smallest of desks.
Microsoft Surface Dock
Microsoft is most known for its software, but it has been focusing more on hardware in recent years. The Surface range of tablet hybrids is a beautiful example of this. If you have one, you’ll be pleased to find that you can also benefit from a docking station.
The Surface Dock allows you to convert your Surface tablet into a full-fledged desktop computer. The Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4, and Surface Book are all compatible. There are 2 Mini DisplayPorts, 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, 4 USB 3.0 ports, and an audio-out jack for connectivity. This Dock, on the other hand, is not inexpensive.
Wavlink Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station
Wavlink’s Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station now enables 85-watt Thunderbolt 3 host charging & transforms a single Thunderbolt 3 connection into a desktop-worthy baker’s dozen connectors.
This docking station is excellent for photographers & videographers who transfer photos and video files from SD & microSD cards to a PC for editing. One pass-through Thunderbolt 3 connector, 4 USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a single DisplayPort with 4K/60Hz capability, a Gigabit Ethernet jack, both SD and microSD card reader slots, and a headset audio jack are all included in the model UTD01 dock.
Plugable TBT3-UDV Thunderbolt 3 Dock
The TBT3-UDV Thunderbolt 3 Dock ($249) from Plugable is a single-display docking station with a 4K (4,096 × 2,160 pixels at 60fps) DisplayPort. But it also comes with an active DisplayPort to HDMI adaptor to use an HDMI monitor instead. On the back of the device, there are four 5Gbps USB 3.0 Type-A connections, one Gigabit Ethernet port, and two Thunderbolt 3 ports (one for Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C devices in the downstream direction, and one that supplies up to power of 60 watts to your laptop).
A headset audio connection and a 5 USB-A port with charging batteries are included on the front panel. A vertical stand, a power source, and a 1.6-foot Thunderbolt 3 connection are included with the Dock.
Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock
Suppose you don’t mind spending a little more money on a docking station. Corsair’s TBT100 is an excellent choice, with enough ports to attach up to two 4K screens, 2 USB-C devices, and a UHS-II SD card reader to get started. It also has an 85W charging port, suitable for laptops with screens smaller than 15 inches. All of this is accomplished while maintaining the minor possible form factor.
It’s not perfect and Improves Corsair’s quality control. Since some users have reported occasional disconnections, those who don’t have any troubles will find a sturdy docking station great for multitasking.
Conclusion
Computing on a laptop is taking on new conventions and forms as we move away from the days of sheltering in place. Many workers have switched back and forth between office workstations and home offices. Work done on a coffee or kitchen table at times, but you want a proper desktop-style setup with multiple displays, additional USB ports, and possibly a Gigabit Ethernet jack for a more consistent internet connection at other times.
Suppose you don’t want to deal with a slew of dongles and converters for everything from external screens to USB ports. A docking station is an ideal alternative to buying a separate desktop computer. Some laptop manufacturers, including Dell and Lenovo, provide “official” brand docks for their computer fleets. However, there are a plethora of third-party docks available with additional functionality, unique looks, and (in some cases) lower pricing.
Check out our comprehensive selection of the best Windows docking platforms and find the ideal accessory for you. (See our list of the best MacBook docking stations if you have a MacBook Air/MacBook Pro.) (For a more in-depth look at docking station possibilities, see our guide on how to choose a laptop docking station.) We’ll be focusing on those in this section.
