The idea of a laptop docking station is to provide a more ergonomic workstation by moving your laptop away from your desk and onto a dedicated workstation. Laptop docking stations allow you to work on your laptop and have access to a mouse, keyboard, and other desktop peripherals at the same time.
If you need a portable workstation, then you might be considering a portable laptop. These compact laptops have smaller screens, keyboards, and are lighter and easier to carry around than their full-size counterparts. A portable laptop can be used as a tablet and is often more affordable than a laptop with a full-size keyboard.
To help you find the best laptop for you, here’s what to consider when shopping and our top picks at a variety of price points.
Our Editor’s Best Laptop Docking Stations Reviews
- 2 x USB 2.0 to 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x headphone input and output 3.5 millimeter. System Requirements(OS)-Microsoft Windows XP / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 (32/64 bits) .Video Resolution : MAX at 60Hz - 2048 x 1152.Operating Temperature : Maximum operating temperature is 40°C
- 3 x super speed USB 3.0 - 9 pin USB type A, 1 x network - RJ-45. Designed for Inspiron 15 7567 Gaming, 5459; Latitude 13 7350, 3350, E5270, E5460, E5470, E5570, E7270, E7470; XPS 13 (9343)
- 1 x display/video: DisplayPort output : 20 pin DisplayPort, super speed cable
- 2 x display/video: HDMI: 19 pin HDMI type A, 1x HDMI DVI adapter included
- Allow for a triple monitor setup, see compatible Dell models in the description
- Flexible Expandability - This USB 3.0 laptop docking station provides dual HD HDMI video outputs, wired Gigabit Ethernet, a 3.5mm combination audio jack, two USB 3.0 ports, and four USB 2.0 ports. Includes both USB 3.0 and USB-C cables for flexible host connectivity
- Docking Station Dual Monitor - 2x HDMI ports let you easily connect two HDMI monitors, even if your computer only supports one output like an M1, M2, or M3 Mac. Supports resolutions up to 1920x1200; lower resolutions such 1080p (1920x1080) are also supported
- Compatibility - Universal docking station for laptop is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.x, and 7 systems, macOS 10.14+, and ChromeOS 100+. Plug and play driver installation via Windows Update; manual driver installation required on Mac. Linux not supported. Dock does not charge host PC
- Recommended Use - For use with web and productivity software at home or the office. Not recommended for gaming. DisplayPort connections not supported. This USB C dock does not support HDCP, will not playback encrypted or copy-protected content
- 2 Year Warranty - We love our Plugable products, and hope you will too. All of our products are backed with a 2-year limited parts and labor warranty as well as Seattle-based email support
- 【USB C Docking Station 14 IN 1】: With this laptop docking station, you can easily fulfill your daily use by extending one USB C port to Dual Monitor 4K HDMI, Displayport, Gigabit Ethernet, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, USB C Power Charging Port (max 100W), 2 USB C Data Transfer port(5Gbps),SD/Micro SD card readers and 3.5mm Mic/audio.
- 【Docking Station Dual Monitor 2 HDMI (4k)&Triple Monitor DP (1080P)】: This USB C docking station for dell laptop will help you easily to achieve dual-monitor and triple-monitor display, make your work/life more efficient; ★Please Note Before Purchase: Only the built-in usb c port of your laptop is the fully functional port, you can use the dual/triple monitor function, if you are not sure, please feel free to contact us, we are happy to help you to check if this docking station is compatible for your device.
- 【Super Speed Data Transfer Ports】: This docking station 3 monitors for hp laptop comes with 2 usb 3.0 ports and one usb c port,the transfer speed of them are up to 5Gbps, allows you tranfer files in seconds from your usb flash driver, usb/usb c hard disks. In addition, you can connect the keyboard or mouse without any lag via 2 USB 2.0 ports. Note: This is USB C dock only 1 HDD/SSD can be connected at the same time.
- 【USB C to Gigabit Ethernet and Audio&Mic Port】: This USB C hub ethernet port support 10/100/1000BASE-T Lan networks, just plug in an ethernet cable, you can enjoy the ultra-fast gigabit ethernet speeds and the reliability of a wired connection directly. Worry-free about about wifi's instability and interference from USB 3.0; Also, this usb-c docking staion have a 3.5mm Audio&Mic port for you to put in your wired headset, so that you can enjoy music without disturbing others.
- 【USB C Card Reader & 100W Power Charging Port】: This docking station dual monitor for lenovo laptop support you to charging your laptop at power up to 100W while connecting multiple peripherals, worry-free about power storage; Also with this surface docking staion,you can conveniently browse photos instantly on your USB-C smartphones/laptops and transfer hundred photos in seconds to your laptop with highest speed up to 104MB/S. ★Please note: Power cord is not included.
- 4K Video Output and Triple Display--The resolution of 2 HDMI ports is up to 3840x2160@30Hz and VGA port is up to 1920x1080@60Hz, downward compatible with different resolutions. The resolution can up to 4K/60Hz(DP1.4) when connecting single HDMI monitor. For Windows, the dock supports triple display if connect 3 monitors(not for Mac OS). The Mac Os itself does not support MST mode, but our dock can achieve 2 different contents for your Macbook and monitors
- Reliable Power Delivery and Gigabit Ethernet--Our docking is designed with a PD 3.0 port that allows 100W input and provides high-speed charging with original charger, making you no worry about power storage(only applicable to devices with PD protocol). The Gigabit Ethernet port with a stable and fast Ethernet condition, perfect assist for your laptop without Ethernet sockets
- Efficient Data Transfer--The transmission rate of USB C data and 3 USB 3.0 ports can up to 5Gbps, supporting transfer files in seconds. The 2 USB 2.0 ports with 480Mbps rate at maximum, allows connecting the keyboard or other USB devices without lag. The SD and TF slots are equipped 5Gbps rate, easy to access media files simultaneously. To reduce the distractions, it would be better to plug the computer peripheral devices into the USB 2.0 ports
- 14 In 1 Solution--Argmao 14 In 1 USB C Docking is designed with 2 HDMI, 1 VGA, 3 USB 3.0, 2 USB 2.0, 1 USB C, RJ45 Gigabit internet, PD 3.0, 3.5 mm Audio/Mic, SD and TF slots(parcel wont include SD or TF card), supporting connection with USB drivers, HDMI monitor, VGA monitor, external disk and Internet simultaneously through one USB C port
- Wide Compatibility--Our docking with an excellent compatibility, and work with most full-function or Thunderbolt 3 USB C Laptop on the market, such as MacBooks, Chromebook Pixel, and laptops from Surface, HP, Lenovo and so on. Just plug and play, no need to install any driver or software. It is made of a thin and sleek aluminum enclosure, better for faster heat dissipation and more stable performance
- 【16 in 1 USB C Docking Station】USB C Docking Station 3 monitor with a PD100W port (charging only), Gigabit RJ45 port, 3* 4K HDMI ports, SD and TF card slot, 3 * USB 3. 1 ports, 2* USB 3. 0 ports and 2* USB 2.0 ports, 3.5mm audio port equipped. With a simple plug-and-play connection, the USB C hub turns any Windows system laptop into a mobile workstation. Meet all your needs with a versatile 16 in 1 Laptop Docking Station.
- 【Ultra 4K HD 3 HDMI Dock】MOKiN Laptop Docking Station for easy 4K HDMI, triple monitors on Windows OS. Using HDMI 1 only, up to 4K@60Hz, when connecting dual monitors, the 2 HDMI resolutions will be 4K@30Hz(Follow Your computer desktop resolution). 💖 Please Note: MacOS system laptops only support SST mode, the screen of the external monitor is the same, whether it is mirror or extend.
- 【Super-Speed Data Transfers】MOKiN Docking Station features USB-C 3.1 and USB-A 3.1 data ports provide file transfer at speeds up to 10 Gbps, 2X faster than USB 3.0. and the SD and microSD card slots let you transfer your latest photos at up to 104MB/s. 2 USB-A 3.0 data ports are added for conventional USB peripherals, and 2 USB-A 2.0 (no delay) ports added for wireless devices (mouse and keyboard).
- 【Gigabit Ethernet & 100W Power Delivery】USB C Docking Station with RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port provides more stable wired internet access, make your work more efficient and faster up to 1000 Mbps. USB C 100W Pover Delivery provides Type C passthrough through the female port, allowing you to charge your laptop. Supports 100W power input; the power output (load) is limited to 87W for safety reasons. (❤️ Note: PD charger not included)
- 【3.5mm Audio & Compatibility】3.5mm Audio/Mic 2 in 1 jack can also meet your daily convenient need for audio/video playback and voice output at the same time. And this docking station is compatible with all Thunderbolt 3 devices, and Dell, Lenovo, Microsoft and other models.
- 【Docking Station 4 Monitors Display】: HoDo USB C Docking Station with Dual HDMI 4K (1*60HZ & 1* 30HZ), 1*4K@60HZ DisplayPort, 1*1080P VGA,3* USB 2.0,USB C Power Charging Port (max 100W). ★★ Please Note: on MacOS system, the screens of external monitors are the same, no matter they are displayed in mirror mode or extended mode.
- 【Docking Station 4K Display Adapter】: The Laptop Docking Station with 4 video output ports: 2 HDMI+DP+VGA, can output up to 4K Dual/Triple Display videos; For quadruple display Dual HDMI, DP, and VGA all are 1080@60Hz. ★★Please make sure your laptop specification support DP1.4 signal output. If the VGA port is connected, it will affect the resolution of all displays up to 1080P only.
- 【100W USB C PD Charging Port】: Computer Docking Station for Dell Hp laptop supports up to 100W input & 87W(safe)output into your laptop.★★ Please Note: please ensure your laptop's USB C port supports power delivery protocol and please use at least 65W power adapter(not included) when charging with this usb c hub,using a lower wattage power charger may cause a system warning. ★Note: The power cord is not included.
- 【USB C Hub Multiport Adapter】: This USB C Dock with 3 usb 2.0 ports, allows your conveniently connect keyboard,mouse, usb flash driver, usb c hard disks, transfer speeds up to 480Mbps, USB 2.0 allows you to connect keyboard or mouse without any lag.
- 【Extensive Compatibility】: This USB C Dongle Adapter specially designed for laptops with Full-featured USB Type-C port (support Display, charging, data transfer protocol), such as Dell XPS13/15/17, Dell latitude 5420/7420, Lenovo Thinkpad, Lenovo Yoga, HP Elitebook 840,HP envy, Surface pro 7 8, MacBook Pro/Air. ❤️If you experience any issues while using this USB C Hub, please feel free to reach out to us, we will solve the problem for you within 24 hours!!
- 【14-in-1 USB-C Docking Station】The USB C Docking Station Dual Monitor supports plug-and-play with no additional drivers needed and features HDMI to USB capability. It comes with two HDMI ports (supporting 4K@60Hz), one DisplayPort (supporting 8K@30Hz/ 4K@144Hz/120Hz), a USB-C port (with a transfer rate of up to 5Gbps), 2 USB 3.0 ports, 3 USB 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, supports 100W power delivery, a 3.5mm audio jack, and SD/TF card slots.
- 【4K@60Hz Triple Display Dock】This laptop docking station dual monitor is equipped with two HDMI 4K ports and one 8K DisplayPort, capable of supporting high-resolution video output suitable for image and video processing and high-quality entertainment experiences. Windows system users can utilize Multi-Stream Transport (MST) or Single Stream Transport (SST) modes to cater to display needs. Please note, that MacBook users can only use this usb c usb c dock in mirror mode.
- 【Fast Data Hub】This versatile universal docking station serves as a USB port hub and USB-C hub, offering both USB C and A 3.0 (5Gbps) ports for rapid file transfers. It comes with dual HDMI output, three USB 2.0 ports ensuring seamless mouse connectivity, plus an SD/TF card reader for quick access to photos/videos, making image transfer to your laptop. As a dual monitor HDMI docking station with a built-in usb port hub feature, it effortlessly expands your workspace across several displays.
- 【100W Charging】This USB-C docking station features power input up to 100W and supports high-speed pass-through charging via USB-C PD of up to 87W, ensuring your laptop is always powered. It also doubles as a dual HDMI adapter and serves as a USB SD card reader and USB ethernet adapter. As a versatile usb c hub multiport adapter, it ensures your device is always ready for use. Please be noted that the charger or the USB-C charging cable is not included in the package.
- 【Gigabit Ethernet】Enhance your digital journey with this USB port to usb dongle usb multiport adapter, an ideal usb docking station for laptop enthusiasts. This USB-C docking station is equipped with an RJ45 port that offers gigabit Ethernet connectivity, delivering speeds up to 30 times faster than Wi-Fi for efficient internet browsing and data transfer. Alongside these features, it also incorporates a 3.5mm Audio/Mic 2-in-1 jack, enhancing your auditory enjoyment.
- Expandability - This Plugable USB C docking station dual monitor supports dual 4K displays with either HDMI or DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, audio input/output & six USB 3.0 ports
- Dual 4K Displays - Laptop dock supports up to 4K on two independent displays using either DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 2.0, also supports most common resolutions including 3840x1080, 2560x1440, 1080p and more
- System Requirements - Universal docking station is compatible with modern Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS systems with USB 3.0 Type-A or Type-C ports with DisplayLink USB Graphics driver installed. Laptop docking stations recommended hardware specifications can be found in the listing below
- Compatibility - For Windows 11, 10, 8.x, and 7, macOS 10.14+ with driver installation, and ChromeOS 100.x or later. Linux/Unix not supported. USB docking station does not charge the host computer. Suggested use: web and productivity software; not recommended: gaming, video playback, 2D/3D graphic tools
- 2 Year Warranty - We love our Plugable products, and hope you will too. All of our products are backed with a 2-year limited parts and labor warranty as well as Seattle-based email support
- 12-IN-1 USB C Docking Station - This USB C docking station is equipped with one HDMI and dual DP ports, 85W PD, 2xUSB3.0, 2x USB2.0(For wireless keyboard and mouse), Gigabit Ethernet, SD/TF Slots(104MB/s), 2-in-1 Audio/Mic, offering enormous peripheral connections, upgrading your workstation through one single USB-C port, greatly improving productive efficiency.
- Triple Display USB C Hub For Windows - This usb c to DP/HDMI adapter supports single 4K@60Hz display and triple 1080P@60Hz displays(under DP1.4). It makes it perfect for expanding multiple displays for meetings, presentations, stock chart analysis, programming, and more!
- Docking Station with 100W Charging - The PD charging port supports 100W/20V/5A to fast charge Type C devices, and 85W for laptops. This dock keeps your laptop powered while connecting multiple monitors and peripherals. For security, please use the certificated charger to charge your laptop(The charger is NOT included).
- Extensive Compatibility & Driver-Free - Widely compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, Mac OS, Chrome OS, Linux, iPad OS, Harmony OS, and Android with OTG function. Suitable for your Thunderbolt 3/4 laptops or devices with a USB-C port that supports charging and video output.
- Pls Note - Please make sure that the USB-C port on the host laptop supports video output. The 3 displays extended by Mas OS-based computers can only be the SAME. Please make sure that the USB-C port on the host laptop supports charging. The charger and charging cable are not included.
- Powerful Expansion - USB C docking station with 13 ports for the professional who needs to spread out across three monitors, even on laptops that only support one extra screen, and offers 100W charging to power through your day
- Triple Monitor - Get a pristine picture on your main display with up to 4K 30Hz, and on displays two and three resolutions up to 1920x1200 @ 60Hz. Thanks to DisplayLink technology, you can even add three screens to M1 / M2 / M3 Macs
- 100W Charging - Charge your laptop with up to 100W (96W certified) directly through the DisplayLink docking station. Through the front USB-C port, charge your connected devices (20W)
- Compatibility - USB-C dock is compatible with Windows 10 or later, and macOS 11+ systems with USB4, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB-C. macOS requires installation of DisplayLink Drivers. HDCP not supported
- Connection Options - Triple display docking station lets you charge your phone or other devices with 1x front-facing USB-C 3.0 (5Gbps, 20W PD), and keep expanding with 4x USB 3.0 (5Gbps), an SD card reader, Gigabit Ethernet, and audio in and out ports
Best Laptop Docking Stations Buying Guide
Before choosing the best laptop docking station you should consider following options:
1. Multiple Monitor Support: Does the docking station support multiple monitors? If so, how many?
If your laptop supports up to three monitors, look for a docking station that supports three or more. If your laptop supports up to two monitors, look for a docking station that supports two or more.
Similarly, if your laptop supports one or two monitors, look for a docking station that supports one or two.
2. Display Connectivity: What kind of connections does the docking station support for connecting displays?
You will find docking stations with different types of display connectors. Some docking stations support DVI and HDMI connections, while others support DP connections.
You can get a docking station with multiple display connectors, or one with just one or two display connectors.
You should choose a docking station with the display connectors that your monitor supports.
3. Display Resolution Support: The resolution of the display determines the effective desktop real estate.
The higher the resolution, the larger the effective desktop real estate.
The effective desktop real estate determines how many windows you can have open at the same time without crowding the screen.
The higher the resolution, the more windows you can have open at the same time.
Thus, you should get a docking station that supports a higher resolution if you need multiple displays.
4. USB Connectivity: How many USB ports does the docking station support?
Some docking stations have multiple USB ports, while others have just one or two USB ports.
USB ports come in handy for connecting external drives and other peripherals. If your laptop supports only one or two USB ports, look for a docking station with more USB ports.
What else you should know about laptop docking stations
1. What are laptop docking stations?
Laptop docking stations are devices that are used to connect a laptop to other devices, such as a monitor, printer, or keyboard. They typically include multiple ports, such as USB, HDMI, and Ethernet, which allow the laptop to be connected to multiple devices at once.
2. What are the benefits of using a laptop docking station?
There are many benefits of using a laptop docking station. Some of these benefits include:
1. Increased Productivity: A laptop docking station can increase your productivity by giving you easier access to all of your peripherals. When your laptop is docked, you can have quick and easy access to things like an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. This can help you get your work done faster and more efficiently.
2. More Connectivity Options: A docking station also gives you more connectivity options. With more ports and connections, you can connect your laptop to more devices and peripherals. This can be very helpful if you need to use multiple monitors or connect to multiple devices.
3. Better Ergonomics: A laptop docking station can also help you with your ergonomics. When your laptop is docked, it can be positioned at a better angle for your viewing and typing comfort. This can help reduce strain on your neck and back.
4. Protection for Your Laptop: A docking station can also help protect your laptop from being damaged. When your laptop is docked, it is less likely to be dropped or knocked over. This can help keep your laptop in good condition and prevent costly repairs.
3. What are the best laptop docking stations?
The best laptop docking stations are those that provide the most ports and the best connectivity.
4. What are the different types of laptop docking stations?
Docking stations for laptops are devices that allow a laptop to connect to additional peripherals, such as a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and printer. They typically include additional ports, such as USB and Ethernet, and may offer charging capabilities. Some docking stations are designed for specific laptop models, while others are universal.
5. How do laptop docking stations work?
A laptop docking station is a piece of hardware that allows a laptop to connect to additional peripherals, such as a monitor, mouse, and keyboard. The docking station typically has multiple ports that the laptop can connect to, and it also provides power to the laptop.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best laptop docking stations. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best laptop docking stations will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.