The best laptop docking stations for 2024: Expert tested | ZDNET

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Laptops offer great utility as computers since they typically offer the same level of performance as a desktop while also being portable. What if you want a proper PC setup but don't want a tower and just have a single laptop? Well, you buy a docking station.

Laptop docking stations, also known as Thunderbolt docks, consolidate all your connectivity needs by providing a single hub for all your accessories. They allow you to connect keyboards, external monitors, external drives, and more. This is great for people who work from home and want to upgrade their system but may not have the budget. These devices allow you to enjoy improved usability that laptops don't typically offer. The toughest part is figuring out which one to get since many options exist.

The top laptop docking station offers a wide selection of ports to handle different scenarios, the ability to output video signals to multiple high-resolution displays, fast data transfer speeds, and a compact design. You should look for features like these if you aim to improve your work-from-home setup.

Also: The best laptops you can buy

We researched and went hands-on with some of the top laptop docking stations available to find the best device for your setup. Our pick for the best laptop docking station overall is the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock. It comes highly recommended for its multitude of ports and support for 8K resolution. Of course, there are a lot of other great options out there from brands like Baseus, Dell, and Microsoft that may be a better fit for you.

CalDigit's TS4 docking station takes the top spot on our list. It is a direct follow-up to the also great TS3 Plus and proves that bigger is sometimes better. The TS4 comes with a whopping 18 ports, the most on this list. To list a few, it has three Thunderbolt 4 inputs on the back, three USB-C inputs around its body, five USB-A ports, and two distinct SD card slots. You have one for mini cards and one for the larger-sized options.

Because of the extra ports, the device is larger than its predecessor, although not by much. The TS4 won't take up much room; however, you can stand it upright if you're short on space.

In addition to port expansion, many of the inputs have seen an upgrade. For example, each USB-A port can transmit data speeds of up to 10Gbps. The Thunderbolt ports fast charge your laptop and smartphone thanks to the TS4's 98W power delivery feature. That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to improvements.

CalDigit's device is compatible with Windows laptops, Chromebooks, iPads, Intel-based Macbooks, and M1 MacBooks. However, the docking station can output to an 8K screen and two 4K displays. It can't support triple display setups.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock specs: Ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4, 3x USB-C, 5x USB-A, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x SD card slot, 1x microSD card, 1x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, 1x front combo audio in/out, 1x rear audio out, 1x rear audio in | Display: HDMI: Dual 6K @ 60 Hz (1), Dual 4K @ 60 Hz (1), 8K @ 60Hz (1); DisplayPort: 4K @ 144Hz (1); supports up to 2 total displays

The Kensington SD5000T5 EQ Docking Station is a beast. It's a large docking station that can turn your compact laptop into the center of an all-encompassing desktop setup. This device supports Thunderbolt 5, the next-gen Thunderbolt standard that, according to Intel, delivers "significant improvements in connectivity speed and bandwidth benefits" That's exactly what Kensington's docking station offers.

It has data transfer speeds of up to 80Gbps. With the Bandwidth Boost feature activated, those speeds go as high as 120Gbps. The Thunderbolt ports can fast-charge laptops and smartphones in almost no time since they boast up to 140W power delivery. Unlike the previous entry, this docking station can send a video signal out to three 4K monitors at 144Hz or two 8K monitors at 60Hz.

Kensington's device almost earned the top spot on this list. However, it failed to usurp CalDigit's TS4 for three reasons. One: It only has 12 ports instead of 18. Two: It's huge. You'll have a hard time finding a place for it on your desk. And three: It's the most expensive option on this list at $400.

Kensington SD5000T5 EQ Thunderbolt 5 Triple 4K Docking Station specs: Ports: USB 3.2 Type-A (2); USB Type-C (4); 3.5 in/out audio jack; Gigabit Ethernet (1) | Display: Supports up to three 4K displays at 144Hz or two 8K monitors @ 60Hz.

Many docking stations are bulky. They take up a lot of space on a desk, and if you don't have room to spare, it can make having one of these devices a real pain. If this sounds like you, we recommend picking up the NewQ 16-in-1 docking station.

Instead of being a flat brick, NewQ's device stands upright on top of a base. It has all the major ports you could ever want from a docking station: multiple USB-A ports supporting different versions, two audio jacks, RJ-45 input for Ethernet, and two HDMI ports. And that's not all. This docking station can also provide a laptop with at least 96W of power to recharge its battery.

What's unique about this device is it can bypass the two-display limit on M1 and M2 MacBooks. This means you can connect your MacBook to up to three individual displays at once and in 4K resolution. It is a real upgrade for Apple users. Of course, this ability extends to Windows and even SteamOS.

NewQ 16-in-1 specs: Ports: USB-A 3.2 (2), USB-C 3.2 (1), USB-A 2.0 (2), TF Card Slot (1), SD Card Slot (1), USB-A PD Out (1), USB-C PD Out (1), 3.5mm audio port (2), DP 1.4 (1), HDMI 2.0 (2), Gigabit Ethernet Port (1) | Display: HDMI: up to 4K @ 60Hz, DisplayPort: up to 4K @ 60Hz; supports up to three monitors on Windows, two monitors on MacOS

Office professionals looking for a laptop docking station should definitely check out the Dell WD19S 180W. There are two major reasons why you would want this. First, you can display your laptop on up to three displays at once in Quad HD resolution (2560 × 1440 pixels) at a refresh rate of 60Hz. You do have the option to output a 4K resolution image, but you can only do so on a dual display setup.

The second reason is it can provide 130 watts of power to your devices. If all the nearby outlets are being used, you can connect your laptop to the docking station to charge it. Dell states that thanks to its ExpressCharge Boost feature, the docking station charges a computer up to 35 percent in 20 minutes and up to 80 percent in about an hour.

It houses a wide array of ports, from twin DP inputs to a pair of USB-C 3.2 ports and an HDMI option. A unique feature of Dell's WD192 is its modular design. You can remove the end of the device and replace it with a supporting component, like the Dell Thunderbolt Dock module. Just make sure you have a tiny screwdriver on hand because the screws connecting the two halves are small.

Dell WD19S 180W specs: Ports: USB-A 3.2- 9 pin (2), USB-A 3.2 with PowerShare (1), USB-C 3.2 - 24 pin (1), USB-C 3.2 with DisplayPort (1), RJ-45 (1), DisplayPort (2), HDMI 2.0 (1) | Display: 4K @ 60Hz, Quad HD @ 60Hz; up to three displays

Docking stations can get big. After all, many of the high-end models can have as many as 15 ports on them, sometimes more. We recommend the Baseus 10-in-1 for consumers looking for something more portable. It's quite small, with the main body measuring just 5.3 inches long, and weighs less than 4 ounces so that you can fold the cable and put it in your pocket when you're on the go.

Review: This 10-in-1 docking station is a multitasker's dream, and it's 35% off right now

On the body, you have a decent array of ports, such as a USB-C input, an Ethernet port, and two HDMI ports, which allow for an impressive 4K resolution at 60Hz on two different monitors (or 120Hz on one). And the best part? This device is dirt cheap for a docking station at around $50.

Like all docking stations, this little powerhouse can get quite warm under a heavy load, so users should take this into consideration with where it's placed. Additionally, if you use an Android device, note that it doesn't support screen casting.

Baseus 10-in-1 Docking Station specs: Ports: USB-C (1), USB-A (3), SD card reader (1), microSD card reader (1), HDMI (2), Ethernet port (1) | Display: 4K@120Hz with one display, 4K@ 60Hz with two displays

Docking stations work across multiple operating systems without one being better supported. They're great at existing as generic devices. But if you want something that specializes in Apple products, then we highly recommend the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with DisplayLink.

This thing was made for MacBooks. If you look at the device compatibility list on Satechi's website, you'll see that Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station supports a ton of a Apple hardware, including old models like the 2016 MacBook Pro. The Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station does work with Windows laptops and Chromebooks, so long as they have a USB4 interface. But it's clear the device favors one OS over the other.

Besides the Apple compatibility, the Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station boasts some impressive features. It can connect up to four different monitors and display images at 4K resolution with a refresh rate of 60Hz. It can also send a signal up to 8K resolution at 60Hz to a single monitor. The device can reach charging speeds of up to 96W, powering MacBooks, iPhones, and Apple Watches.

Professionals, in particular, will appreciate its data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps. Plus, it's not bulky. Satechi's machine sports a thin form factor that's lightweight and easy to carry.

Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display Docking Station specs: Ports: Thunderbolt 4 to host (1), in/out audio (1), SD 4.0/UHS-II card slot (1), USB-A 3.2 (2), Thunderbolt 4 downstream (3), HDMI 2.0 (2), 1GB Ethernet port (1), power supply | Display: up to 8K/60 with one display; up to 4K/60Hz across four displays

For those who own older laptops, we recommend the Plugable USB 3.0 and USB-C Universal Laptop Docking Station. This device has 11 ports in total, with two of them being a pair of USB 3.0 inputs on the front for older machines to connect to. Because it supports an older protocol, the docking station does suffer from limited performance. It can't do 8K or even 4K resolution video.

Still, it does a pretty good job at what it can do. For instance, it can send video signals out to a pair of HDMI displays at a resolution of up to 1,920 x 1,200 pixels at a refresh rate of 60Hz. For a single screen, that quality gets bumped up to Quad HD resolution (2,560 x 1,440 pixels) at a refresh rate of 50Hz.

Also: This 6-in-1 USB-C hub exposes your worst cables from the best ones

True to its name, Plugable's docking station has support for a wide array of operating systems from Windows 11, macOS, and ChromeOS. It's even capable of supporting laptops running Windows 7.

Even if you decide to let go of your beloved Windows 7 laptop finally, you can still keep this docking station and continue to use it when you upgrade since it comes with more modern USB-C inputs. What's particularly interesting about this model is it comes with a microphone port -- the only entry on this list to have one. Having this port available can be handy on older machines that may have malfunctioning parts or it's already being taken up by another device. Plugable's docking station essentially can add this functionality back to those models.

Plugable USB 3.0 and USB-C Universal Laptop Docking Station specs: Ports: USB 3.0 Type-A (2); USB 2.0 Type-A (4); HDMI (1); DVI (1); Gigabit Ethernet (1); 3.5mm audio jack (1); microphone jack (1) | Display: 1920x1200 at 60Hz (2); 2,560x1440 at 50Hz via HDMI (1)

The Dell Dual Charge Dock is a unique device. It's a docking station with a wireless charging stand on the front. You can place your Android phone, iPhone, or even the case for your wireless earbuds on it to charge while you work. The stand is covered in a textured cloth with a little ledge so the device won't fall off.

But, there is a catch. The Dual Charge Dock only works on Qi-certified products such as iPhones, AirPods, and certain Android smartphones. It does offer 90W Power Delivery passthrough for its ports so you are able to charge non-Qi-certified devices without a problem.

Dell's gadget is proof that big things come in small packages. It houses only eight ports in total. These inputs send a video signal out to a single 8K display at 30Hz or a pair of 4K screens at 60Hz. Plus, the Dual Charge Dock's compact size allows it to sit on your desk without taking up much space.

However, due to its limited array of ports, we don't recommend this for office settings where you may need a more robust device. The Dual Charge Dock is a solid pick if you don't need a big 15-port docking station and are on a budget. Plus, it's one of the cheapest options on this list.

Dell Dual Charge Dock specs: Ports: USB-A 3.2 (4), USB-C 3.2 (1), HDMI 2.1 (1), DisplayPort 1.2 (1), RJ-45 (1) | Display: Supports up to two 4K displays at 60Hz, supports single 8K display at 30Hz

The CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 is our pick for the best laptop docking stations. It offers 18 unique ports and a speedy 98W power delivery to fast charge laptops. Plus, its ability to send video signals out to two 6K monitors turns any connected laptop into the core of a multi-monitor workstation.

As great as CalDigit's model may be, the others on the list are worth considering. Check out the table below to see how they compare to each other.

The right laptop docking station for you ultimately depends on the type of work you're doing and what you need the device for. Below, we've laid out our list of recommendations to help you decide.

A laptop docking station can upgrade your workstation. Here's what to think about before you buy one:

We considered device specifications, important features, price points, and more when choosing the best laptop docking stations. Our guides mostly consist of popular, well-reviewed options, although we did consider docking stations with unique functionality, like the Dell Dual Charge Dock. We tested some of the options ourselves and used them in our everyday lives. We also researched and recommended models based on user reviews, brand trust, and price points. Below is a list of the criteria we followed to make our decisions.

Connections types are crucial because they determine how well the device can meet your needs in terms of functionality, performance, and compatibility. Having the right ports can greatly enhance your productivity, and looking for models that support modern standards is important.

CalDigit's TS4 has pretty much everything you could ever want on a docking station. It has Thunderbolt 4 ports that support Windows laptops, MacBooks, and Chromebooks. One of those Thunderbolt 4 ports can also be used to send a video signal from a computer to a monitor alongside the DisplayPort. You also have audio jacks, an ethernet input for a direct internet connection, and more. But quantity is sometimes just as important as quality. The Baseus 10-in-1 docking station, for example, lacks an audio jack but supports Thunderbolt 4, making it a good choice for people who want a compact device.

Options like the CalDigit and Baseus options are equally valid, so we looked for different kinds of docking stations rather than just one.

Power Delivery is an important feature. Many docking stations allow people to charge their laptops through USB-C or Thunderbolt ports, eliminating the need to carry a separate laptop charger. Since it's so crucial, we hunted down devices with the fastest charging speeds, such as the NewQ 16-in-1. We connected a low-battery laptop for the docking stations we had on hand and noted how quickly it recharged. Not every model supports such high speeds, but that's okay because they have other considerations.

The CalDigit TS4 has a power delivery of 98W, which is still plenty fast, and its wide selection of ports makes up for the difference between it and the aforementioned NewQ station.

As the name suggests, data transfer speeds affect how fast you can move files from your laptop to another computer on a small network. Higher speeds come in handy when moving large files (think video, high-resolution images, or computer backups), but you don't have much time to spare. In our tests, we could transfer a 10 GB backup of a Google account between two computers in just a few seconds.

Kensington's SD5000T5 Thunderbolt 5 docking station is the best in this regard, as it can achieve transfer speeds of up to 80 Gbps. This level of performance is thanks to its support of the new Thunderbolt 5 standard, allowing it to leave the other models in the dust.

Connecting your laptop to multiple external displays lets you enjoy a desktop-like setup. This is one of the most defining features of a laptop docking station, enabling the tech to differentiate itself from a basic USB hub. When compiling the list, we sought devices capable of outputting to multiple high-resolution monitors at a high refresh rate. We then tested these models by connecting a laptop to a pair of 4K screens. The best ones made it onto the list.

It would've been very easy to fill the entire list with large docking stations with 15 or more ports and fast power delivery speeds. But doing so would be a disservice to all the great low-cost models. Not everyone can afford $200 or $300 for a high-end docking station; a user might not even need something so robust. Budget-friendly models also tend to be smaller, making them easier to carry around. We even made sure the cheaper options supported the necessary standards one might want in these devices and were worth the price.

Laptop docking stations are worth purchasing, especially for people who want to expand their device's connectivity but don't want to spend money on a desktop computer. Ultraportable laptops, for example, typically lack having a wide range of inputs due to space limitations. A docking station solves this issue by expanding the number and variety of available ports. You can give your Lenovo ThinkPad access to a much-needed HDMI port or ethernet connection without needing to buy a special adapter.

Docking stations can also boost your work productivity by allowing you to connect to multiple monitors at once, transfer data via high-speed connections, and charge your laptop quickly. Gadgets like these are ideal for remote work jobs and hybrid offices. If you have to work across multiple locations, a docking station transforms a laptop into a fully functional desktop workstation or vice versa. Their flexibility makes them handy partners for the modern professional.

Most docking stations are universal. If you own a Thunderbolt 4 dock, it's highly likely that it'll work with M1 MacBooks, Dell, Lenovo, and even HP laptops. In fact, most of the docking stations on this list fall under this category. There are some exceptions.

The Dell WD19S Dock is incompatible with M1 MacBooks, although it works with computers running Ubuntu OS. Satechi's Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station is compatible with Windows laptops but at a limited capacity. It's better suited for MacBooks. If you want to know which systems a laptop docking station is compatible with, we recommend looking at the device's spec sheet. The page highlights each of the supported systems. Some even work with ChromeOS and Windows 10.

The most important input in 2024 is Thunderbolt 4. This connectivity protocol utilizes USB-C connectors, and it is a standard that many modern laptops support. Thunderbolt 4 cables offer data transfer speeds of up to 32 Gbps, power delivery of up to 100W for fast charge times, and the ability to send video signals to multiple 4K monitors, just to name a few features.

Thunderbolt 5 exists, but it has yet to see a widespread release. Few tech products actively support the newer protocol. Kensington's SD5000T5 docking station falls under that category.

Also: What is Thunderbolt, and how is it different from USB-C?

USB-A and HDMI ports, in addition to Thunderbolt 4, are also ideal for a dock. The former lets you plug in your flash drives, while the latter allows you to connect to external monitors. DisplayPort inputs are an alternative to HDMI ports and are favored in professional settings as they typically support higher resolutions and refresh rates.

Wi-Fi connections are fine for internet browsing, but if you want a faster and more stable connection, you'll need a docking station with an ethernet (RJ-45) port.

A USB hub is a device that adds more USB ports to give you additional ways to connect extra peripherals like mice and thumb drives. That's pretty much it. USB hubs don't really do much at all.

Also: The 5 best USB hubs

A docking station can do that and send video signals to external monitors via DisplayPort, HDMI, or Thunderbolt ports for easier multitasking. Some can introduce wired networking to laptops that are normally compatible with Wi-Fi only. And of course, as we've already covered, docking stations can charge your devices, too.

Fixing a laptop's inability to recognize a docking station can be surprisingly difficult, because the problem can be caused by a lot of things. Perhaps the station you purchased is faulty or something in your setup, like one of the ports, is broken. Before you do asking for a refund, the first thing you should do is install the latest drivers and BIOS updates for both the laptop and the docking station.

Beyond that, make sure the cables are properly secure. Try disconnecting and reconnecting said cables. Next, ensure the correct playback device has been selected. It's possible you didn't choose the right video or audio source, which may explain there may not be any visuals or sound coming through.

Modern laptops won't be negatively impacted by being connected to a docking station for an extended time. Battery technology has gotten much better over the years. Plus, many stations don't offer power delivery, a feature where the device will send energy to a laptop's battery, charging it.

However, some docking stations offer power delivery, and it is possible (although unlikely) that these devices can harm your battery. Continuous computer usage puts extra strain on a laptop's power source, which can negatively impact your computer's ability to hold a charge.

For this reason, we recommend unplugging your docking station when it is not actively being used. This is a good practice to perform to ensure battery longevity.

There are plenty of excellent laptop docking stations out there on the market.

The options below can be considered honorable mentions to the ones above. They performed well enough but didn't make the cut for multiple reasons. Still, if you need something that's easy to use, these docking stations can help you out. Plus, several are cheaper than those on the main roster.

Plugable's Universal Laptop Docking Station works well with laptops running Windows, MacOS, and ChromeOS.

If you're looking for a compact docking station for your MacBook, we recommend CalDigit's Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock. It's smaller but still supports two 4K resolution displays at 60 Hz.

A low-cost, reliable docking station capable of outputting to three monitors at once.

This docking station is specially optimized for recent Surface devices, although it lacks high power passthrough.