Last Updated on September 1, 2023 by Daniel Osakwe
Welcome to our review of the best laptop docking stations. When it comes to selecting the best laptop docking stations, things can get complicated. So, to make it easy and straightforward for you when shopping, we’ve highlighted and reviewed 10 of the best laptop docking stations available in the market today.
These docking stations are well designed, durable, portable, lightweight, compostable, and flexible.
So, if you’re looking for the best docking stations to buy, you just found the right place. And without further ado, why not check out the 10 best laptop docking stations we’ve discovered for you below.
Table of Contents
Buyers Guide: Things to Consider Before Buying a Laptop Docking Station
Quality: If you’re searching for quality, while assessing a PC docking station purchasing guide, at that point pick the docking stations that are sturdier and made by organizations that have qualifications to back up their cases. Also, ports produced using great quality plastic and prestigious organizations last longer than low-quality ones.
Besides, these give you full HD support for double screens and have a wide range of ports for clients. Regardless of whether you don’t possess a decent screen or Type C port on your convenient PC, these docking stations effectively bolster everything that you have in store on your PC, and merit the cost. One such great quality docking station is Pluggable UD 3900, which is a definite treat.
Cost: While there are numerous modest docking stations available, they rapidly lose effectiveness after some time, and you wind up contributing twice as much as you would need to on a decent docking station. In any case, this doesn’t suggest that solitary costly docking stations offer worth, in a laptop docking station purchasing guide, you should search for one that is efficient yet in addition of good quality, one that has the USB type–C for charging of devices and ports for other outside capacities. Such a docking station is the Pluggable USB-C Triple Display Dock (UD-ULTCD), and this gives you a brief look at what’s to come.
Specifications: Another interesting point in a laptop docking station is the particulars offered by a dock. A few brands offer more variety than others, for modernized organizations and cutting edge enterprises, more particulars may be essential, anyway for individual utilize a straightforward docking station may do.
Appearance may likewise have an influence in your purchasing guide, particularly on the off chance that you need the dock for proficient use. The HP Elite Thunderbolt 3 dock fits every one of these attributes. It has an interesting two-shaded tone, and its skeleton is dainty so it can without much of a stretch be put on a screen. It likewise has a tough completion and doesn’t slip on the work area.
Best Laptop Docking Stations Compilation Chart
| Name | Features | Where to Buy |
| StarTech Thunderbolt 3 Dual-4K Docking Station
|
Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, DisplayPort, USB Type A, 2 3.5mm mini-jack | Get it on Amazon |
| Targus USB 3.0 Dual Video Docking Station
|
Ports: USB 3.0, HDMI, DVI, USB 2.0, 2 3.5mm mini-jack | Get it on Amazon |
| AmazonBasics USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station
|
Ports: 2x USB 3.0, HDMI, DVI, 4 x USB 2.0, Ethernet port | Get it on Amazon |
| Kensington USB 3.0 Docking Station
|
Ports: USB 3.0, HDMI, DVI, USB 2.0, Ethernet port | Get it on Amazon |
| Toshiba Dynadock V3.0+
|
Ports: USB 3.0, DVI, Ethernet port | Get it on Amazon |
| Microsoft Surface Dock
|
Ports: 2 x Mini DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, 4 x USB 3.0, audio-out jack | Get it on Amazon |
| J5Create JUD500 USB 3.0 Ultra Station
|
Ports: 2x USB 3.0, USB 2.0, VGA, HDMI, Ethernet, 2 x audio jack | Get it on Amazon |
| Dell USB 3.0 UHD Triple Video Docking Station
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Ports: 3x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, DisplayPort, 2x HDMI, Ethernet, 2 x audio jack | Get it on Amazon |
| Plugable UD-3900 Universal Laptop Docking Station
|
Ports: 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, HDMI, Ethernet, audio | Get it on Amazon |
| Wavlink Universal Docking Station
|
Ports: 2 x USB 3.0, 4 x USB 2.0, HDMI, Ethernet, audio | Get it on Amazon |
Best Laptop Docking Stations in Connectivity
StarTech
Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, DisplayPort, USB Type A, 2 3.5mm mini-jack
StarTech claims its Thunderbolt 3 docking station is the most progressive dock ever. Regularly, docking stations require various leads, yet StarTech’s most recent contribution maintains a strategic distance from that. The gadget has been intended to work with more slender note pads and uses just one link.
As the name proposes, it bolsters a double 4K display (at 60Hz) and tackles the raw intensity of Thunderbolt 3, offering 40Gbps transmission capacity while remembering portable. That is not all, however. It very well may be utilized with up to three USB 3.0 gadgets and you additionally get Gigabit Ethernet ability.
There’s additionally the capacity to charge cell phones, and you profit by Direct DisplayPort coordination. This adornment will hinder you £312, which is a strong whack, however not an awful venture in case you’re in the market for an incredible dock.
| Pros | Cons |
| Plenty of ports | Expensive |
| Thunderbolt 3 |
Dell Triple Video
Ports: 3x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, DisplayPort, 2x HDMI, Ethernet, 2 x audio jack
In spite of the fact that there are widespread laptop docking stations out there, obviously, numerous models are worked by makers for their own note pads. Dell’s USB 3.0 dock represents this. It works with a large portion of the organization’s most recent PCs in the Inspiron arrangement and, similar to a significant part of the opposition, utilizes USB 3.0 as the common port – it has three USB 3.0 connectors, alongside two USB 2.0 ports.
As the name proposes, 4K screens are provided food for, and you get a DisplayPort alongside a couple of HDMI ports, which means you can connect an aggregate of three outside screens in the event that you wish. Dell packages an HDMI to DVI connector, to help more established display despite everything utilizing DVI, and this dock likewise flaunts an Ethernet port alongside sound/earphone jacks.
| Pros | Cons |
| 4K display support | Expensive |
| Works best with Dell products |
J5Create JUD500
Ports: 2x USB 3.0, USB 2.0, VGA, HDMI, Ethernet, 2 x audio jack
The J5Create Ultra Station is a perfect and conservative dock without a doubt, being a dainty bar that you can connect to the rear of your note pad. It gives an assortment of available choices for Windows PCs and MacBooks: you get a couple of USB 3.0 ports (one of which has power for charging) and a USB 2.0 port, alongside VGA and HDMI ports, Ethernet, in addition to speaker and mic jacks. Be that as it may, that is not all.
There’s additionally a clever ‘wormhole’ USB association that permits you to attach another PC – just as your underlying PC – and do things like offer records by essentially moving them opposite machine to machine. This can likewise be utilized to share your console and mouse among gadgets, and works cross-stage (for example you can connect and share things between a Windows note pad and MacBook).
| Pros | Cons |
| Slim design | Not the most glamourous |
| ‘Wormhole’ feature |
Wavlink
Ports: 2 x USB 3.0, 4 x USB 2.0, HDMI, Ethernet, audio
The Wavlink Universal laptop Docking Station is an extremely flexible bit of pack that is good with Windows machines as well as Intel-based Macs. It incorporates double monitor output for screens, and it underpins HMDI and DVI/VGA display with resolution of up to 2048 x 1152. In principle this implies you can extend your PC to have three presentation screens.
There are likewise no under six USB ports, two of which are Superspeed USB 3.0, with the other four being USB 2.0 for use with other equipment, for example, printers, catchphrase, scanner, or an advanced camera. There’s additionally an Ethernet port, just as headphones and mic sound attachments. This is a solid and adaptable bit of equipment that comes in at a shockingly low cost.
| Pros | Cons |
| Supports HMDI and DVI/VGA | none found |
| 6 USB ports |
Best Laptop Docking Stations in Speed
Targus
Ports: USB 3.0, HDMI, DVI, USB 2.0, 2 3.5mm mini-jack
Targus offers this Dual Video Docking Station which won’t use up every last cent, and accompanies coordinated PC reviving offices that are good with most 90W note pads. So regardless of whether you’ve overlooked your charger, you’ll be a great idea to go with this clever gadget.
You can attach two monitors to this dock, and as far as ports, you get a couple of USB 3.0 ports, nearby a couple of USB 2.0 connectors, in addition to two, fueled USB 2.0 ports, and Gigabit Ethernet. Targus additionally offers a Multiplexer Adaptor which makes this docking station USB-C perfect.
| Pros | Cons |
| Useful tip storage | Ethernet connection needs adaptor |
| Speedy USB 3.0 connections | Not a huge range of ports |
Kensington
Ports: USB 3.0, HDMI, DVI, USB 2.0, Ethernet port
Kensington is a notable and regarded brand that has gained notoriety for its docking stations. Its most recent USB 3.0 model can be utilized with MacBook or Windows PCs.
This gadget will let you change one USB port into six (it sports four USB 2.0 ports around the back, and a couple of USB 3.0 undertakings on the front). You additionally get a DVI connector and connectors to utilize it with either HDMI or VGA leads, and there’s a discretionary multi-show connector for attaching more than one screen.
It sits pleasantly close to your PC, and is moderately evaluated – it truly is extraordinary compared to other laptop docking stations around this moment.
| Pros | Cons |
| High-speed data transfers | Expensive |
| Easy to use |
Microsoft Surface Dock
Ports: 2 x Mini DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, 4 x USB 3.0, audio-out jack
Microsoft is an organization known principally for its product ability, however, as of late, it has been progressively chipping away at the equipment front. The Surface lineup of tablet mixtures exhibits this flawlessly.
On the off chance that you own one, you’ll be glad to discover that you can likewise receive the benefits offered by a docking station. The Surface Dock will let you transform your Surface convertible into a completely fledged work area PC.
It’s perfect with the Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4, and Surface Book. Availability astute, there are two Mini DisplayPorts, one Gigabit Ethernet port, four USB 3.0 ports, and a sound out jack. This dock doesn’t come especially modest, however.
| Pros | Cons |
| Stylish | Expensive |
| Ideal for Microsoft Surface products |
Best Laptop Docking Stations in Price
AmazonBasics
Ports: 2x USB 3.0, HDMI, DVI, 4 x USB 2.0, Ethernet port
AmazonBasics is an extraordinary brand on the off chance that you need straightforward and reasonable peripherals, and its AmazonBasics USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station is a splendid spending laptop docking station. You can associate up the entirety of your peripherals through six USB ports, and utilize two monitors all the while.
That is absolutely convenient on the off chance that you need various screen for work purposes. Four of the USB ports are rendition 2.0, while two are USB 3.0 – and they give you access to move rates of 5Gbps. Notwithstanding its low value, this is a splendid method for extending your PC’s capacities.
| Pros | |
| Affordable | Not a huge range of ports |
| Plenty of USB ports |
Toshiba Dynadock V3.0+
Ports: USB 3.0, DVI, Ethernet port
Toshiba is another huge tech name that makes laptop docking stations. The Dynadock V3.0 is one of the association’s most well-known contributions, and is focused at Windows PC clients who need to profit by extended capacities. Like most laptop docking stations these days, the Dynadock offers USB 3.0 ports, albeit more than numerous as you get four of these here.
There is likewise a DVI connector (with connectors for HDMI or VGA) alongside an Ethernet port, and the dock utilizes one link association for convenience and transportability. Furthermore, on the grounds that the Dynadock sports an upstanding structure, it’ll fit pleasantly on even the most confined work area condition.
| Pros | Cons |
| Good price | Lack of ports |
| Upright design saves space |
Plugable UD-3900
Ports: 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, HDMI, Ethernet, audio
The Plugable USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station for Windows makes for a solid spending alternative for the individuals who need additional associations. The specs incorporate a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 (5Gbps) interface from PC to double video, just as associations for Ethernet, sound information/output, and two USB 3.0 ports.
The HDMI port can bolster a solitary presentation of up to 2560×1440, however, on the off chance that two monitors are set up this diminishes the most extreme resolution to 1920×1200. Be that as it may, it is just perfect with Windows machines.
Extra confinements are that it can’t be blended in with non-DisplayLink USB realistic connectors, for example, MCT, j5, or SMSC. It additionally doesn’t bolster DVI double connection or Displayport associations, HDCP, or the playback of secured Blu-beam disc. Notwithstanding these constraints it’s as yet a helpful bit of spending equipment that is useful for some employments.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable | Windows only |
| Good display resolution | Limited display support |
Test Process
During our testing, we relied on the opinion of experts and feedback of clients based on these major factors: Connectivity, Speed, and Affordability.
More analysis of these laptop docking stations were uncovered from further research and online reviews. From the result and feedbacks (both positive and negative), we were able to categories each product according to our standard.
If you take a critical look at our review, you’ll discover the manner at which each docking station has been categorized. Also, take note that after our testing, the laptop docking stations that weren’t up to standard were excluded from our list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
If you’ve read this review, it implies that you are searching for the best laptop docking stations and perhaps you’re ready to buy. If that be the case, we suggest that you take as much time as is needed to go through each product and pay closer attention to its features, pros, and cons before buying.
