Are you setting up a new workstation and in the market for a laptop docking station?
Whether working in the office or working from home, a docking station is a must for anyone wanting to use their laptop the same way they would a desktop pc. However, determining the best laptop docking station for your needs can be difficult.
The best docking station for one person may not meet the needs of another. So how do you know you are getting the best docking station for the best price? Don’t worry, our devoted IT professionals have searched and put together a list of the best laptop docking stations. Our list includes something for every user, no matter their needs.
What is a Docking Station and Do I Need One?
A docking station is a device that allows you to connect your laptop to other devices, such as an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. This can be helpful if you want a larger display or dual monitors for your setup. Docking stations can also increase the ports available on your laptop, which can be helpful if you need to connect to multiple devices.
7 Best Laptop Docking Stations
- Dell WD19 180W Docking Station (Best Docking Station Overall)
- Dell USB 3.0 Ultra HD/4K Triple Display Docking Station (Best Docking Station for 3 Monitors)
- Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt Docking Station (Best Docking Station for MacBook)
- Lenovo ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station (Best Docking Station for Reliability)
- Anker PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1 Thunderbolt (Best Docking Station for Charging)
- Plugable 4K USB C Docking Station (The Best Docking Station for Macs)
- Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock (The Best Docking Station for Visuals)
1. Dell WD19 180W Docking Station (130W Power Delivery)
Best Docking Station Overall
The Dell WD19 docking station is one of the best options on the market. It offers a variety of ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-A, and a gigabit ethernet port. It also includes a 130W power delivery port, which can charge your laptop while it’s docked. The Dell WD19 is compatible with most Dell laptops and some non-Dell laptops. It’s also easy to set up and use. The only downside is that it’s a bit pricey, but it’s worth the investment if you need a high-quality laptop docking station.
Pros:
- Variety of ports
- 130W power delivery
- Easy to set up and use
Cons:
- It can be expensive
2. Dell USB 3.0 Ultra HD/4K Triple Display Docking Station (D3100)
Best Docking Station for 3 Monitors
The Dell USB 3.0 Ultra HD/4K Triple Display Docking Station is a great option if you need to connect multiple monitors to your laptop. It offers three video outputs, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI. This is another good option for someone who wants a dual 4k monitor setup.
Check out our top picks of the best monitors for your home office setup.
It also includes 2 USB 2.0 ports and 2 USB 3.0 ports, so you can connect all of your devices. The Dell USB 3.0 is compatible with most Dell laptops and some non-Dell laptops. It’s easy to set up and use, and it’s reasonably priced.
Pros:
- Three video outputs
- Six USB ports
- Easy to set up and use
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Not compatible with all
- Does not charge the laptops
3. Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt Docking Station
Best Docking Station for MacBook
The Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station is a great option for those who need a lot of ports. It offers four USB ports. There are 2 USB A ports and 2 USB C ports. This docking station also comes with a thunderbolt 3 port, two HDMI ports that support a 4k dual display, a gigabit Ethernet port, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. This Docking Station is compatible with Mac and PC laptops. The Corsair TBT100 is easy to set up and use, but it can be a little pricey.
Pros:
- four USB ports
- HDMI Compatible
- gigabit Ethernet port
- Headphone jack
- Compatible with Mac and PC laptops
Cons:
- Can be a bit pricey
- No DVI ports
Not the right one for your needs? Check out our list of the seven best Macbook docking stations.
4. Lenovo ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station
Best Docking Station for Reliability
The Lenovo ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Docking station is another great option for those who need a lot of display ports. It offers 1 Thunderbolt 3 port, four USB-A ports, one HDMI port, one DisplayPort, one gigabit Ethernet jack, and a headphone jack. It’s compatible with most Lenovo laptops and some non-Lenovo laptops. The Lenovo ThinkPad is easy to set up and use, and it’s reasonably priced.
Pros:
- 1 Thunderbolt 3 ports
- 6 USB Ports
- 2 HDMI Ports
- 2 Display ports
- gigabit ethernet port
- Headphone jack
Cons:
- Not Compatible with all devices
- Only has 1 USB C port
5. Anker PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station with 240W Charging
Best Docking Station for Charging
The Anker PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Dock is a great option for those who need a lot of different ports and a lot of power from their docking station. It offers a Thunderbolt 3 port, 3 USB-A ports, 2 USB-C ports, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, an Ethernet port, and a headphone jack. This dock also comes with an SD card reader as well as a micro sd card reader. It’s compatible with both Mac and PC laptops. The Anker PowerExpand Elite is easy to set up and use but it can be a bit pricey.
Pros:
- 1 Thunderbolt 3 port
- 3 USB ports
- Triple video docking station
- gigabit Ethernet jack
- SD Card reader
- Headphone jack
- Compatible with Mac and PC laptops
Cons:
- Can be a bit pricey
6. Plugable 4K USB C Docking Station
Best Docking Station For Macs
The Plugable 14-in-1 USB C Docking station is perfect for not only mac users but anyone who is looking for a powerful device with multiple displays. This vertical docking station comes with 3 HDMI and 3 Display ports to support whatever connections your device has. This powerful device can support up to 3 monitors in 4K and has a 100W power delivery for your laptop. It also comes with 4 USB ports so that you can connect all your devices. While this device is great for Macbooks, it is also compatible with Windows 10 or later. One of the biggest benefits of this docking station for Mac users is the DisplayLink technology that allows you to set up your Mac with dual displays, which has been a struggle for some Mac users. This device is easy to set up but is on the pricier side.
Pros:
- 100 W Power delivery
- 1 USB-3.1 Port
- 5 USB ports
- Triple video docking station
- gigabit Ethernet jack
- SD Card reader
- Headphone jack
- Microphone Jack
- Compatible with Mac and PC laptops
Cons:
- Can be a bit pricey
Not the right one for your needs? Check out our list of the seven best laptop docking stations.
7. Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock
Best Docking Station For Visuals
The Razer Thunderbolt 4 is one of the latest and greatest docking stations to hit the market. The Razer Thunderbolt can support Dual 4K output or can support a single 8K Video output. This device comes with 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports and is fully Thunderbolt certified, meaning it can support all Thunderbolt 4 devices with 40 Gbps connections. This device is also backwards compatible, meaning it can support some Thunderbolt 3 devices as well. This device puts out a lot of power and is great for anyone wanting a great visual display. The only downsides are that this is one of the more expensive options and because of the power that the device puts out, it can run warmer than most standard docking stations.
Pros:
- 100 W Power delivery
- 3 USB-A Ports
- 1 Thunderbolt 4 Upstream port
- 3 Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports
- Dual 4K displays
- Single 8K video output
- gigabit Ethernet jack
- SD Card reader
- 3.5 MM Audio Combo Jack
- Compatible with Mac and PC laptops
Cons:
- Can be a bit pricey
- Can run hot at times
7 Things to Consider When Purchasing Laptop Docking Stations
There are many details to consider when looking for a laptop docking station. Not all docking stations are universal docking stations and a universal docking station may not fulfill your needs.
1. Windows VS Mac
One of the key factors to account for is if you have a Windows laptop or a MacBook. Some docking stations support Windows laptops and others support MacBooks. There are universal docking stations that can support both, but it is still important to evaluate the features of each station.
2. USB Ports:
The number of USB ports available on the docking station is one of the most important things to consider. Most docking stations will have at least two USB 3.0 ports, but if your laptop is older or if you plan on using multiple USB devices, you want to pay attention to the number of USB ports on the docking station. In addition, pay attention to the type of USB port that comes with the docking stations. USB 3.0 or USB c port is the newer USB port, but if your laptop is older, you may need a docking station with a USB 2.0 or a USB A port.
3. Audio Jack:
If you plan on using headphones or speakers with your laptop while it’s docked, then you’ll need an audio jack. Most docking stations will have an audio jack, but it’s something to keep in mind when making your decision. Of course, if you use a Bluetooth headset, an audio jack will not be necessary.
4. Video Outputs:
Another important thing to consider is the type and number of video outputs. A laptop screen may not be suitable for someone working on a device for long hours and sometimes one screen is not enough. You want to take into account how many monitors you would like to have and what kind of display ports are on those monitors. Forgetting this step could result in needing an additional HDMI adapter to hook your displays up to your laptop. You always want to know if you are limited to HDMI ports, DVI ports, or even older display options such as VGA connectors.
5. Size:
It’s also important to make sure the docking station you choose is the right size for your laptop. If you have a 13-inch laptop, for example, you’ll want to make sure the docking station can accommodate that size.
6. Price:
Docking stations range in price from around $60 to $200. Choose the one that fits your budget and meets your needs. It’s always a good idea to check today’s best deals but make sure you aren’t sacrificing quality for a cheaper cost.
7. Power Supply:
Some docking stations come with their power supply, while others rely on the power from your laptop. If you plan on using multiple devices with your docking station, make sure it comes with its power supply so you don’t have to worry about your laptop’s battery life.
Recap
We hope this list of the best laptop docking stations has helped you choose the best one for your needs. The best laptop docking station is the one that will serve the needs of the user the most. The right one can make a world of difference and improve productivity and the overall workspace of its users.
While we have provided a list of the best laptop docking stations, we understand that it can be an arduous task trying to determine which docking station is best for each computer. We also know how painful it can be to identify what other relevant technologies you’ll need for your small business. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our favorite small business tools and technology to help your business succeed.
If you need help determining the best laptop docking station for your business, please reach out and inquire about our IT Consulting Services.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Are laptop docking stations worth it?
Docking stations provide laptops with the best combination. This allows for the flexibility and ease of working from a workplace desk. USB charging devices make your laptop a powerhouse, connecting to computers, cellular phones, the internet, a printer, or other devices.
Is a USB hub the same as a docking station?
Hubs extend the number of connections to a device for charging other peripheral devices. They are power strips on computers. Docks can be installed on your wall, transforming a portable device into a desktop device. Docking means using the engine to add another engine to your system.
What is the difference between USB 3.0 and USB 2.0?
USB 3.0 is the latest revision of the USB standard released in 2008. This new standard offers increased transfer rates up to 4.8Gbps, which is 10 times faster than USB 2.0. It also offers improved power management and is backward compatible with older versions of the USB standard.
