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Your laptop can only house so many ports.
If you have many peripherals, docking stations are the perfect solution to increase your port count.
In this guide, we discuss the best docking stations on the market.
So before you look more closely, look to see if the docking station is compatible with your laptop.
Consider the number and types of ports in a docking station.
The top docking stations offer more than four ports and include a decent variety of ports.
Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek
For audio output, peek if the docking station has a 3.5 jack.
Finally, consider the design.
Choosing between a horizontal or vertical docking station is a matter of preference.
Monoprice
We only recommend the best products based on our research and expertise.
The DisplayPort v1.4 port, meanwhile, allows you to connect displays with high refresh rates.
you could connect one 4K display at 144Hz or one display with a 2560x1440 resolution at 240Hz.
Monoprice
However, it’s a worthwhile investment for the best docking station on the market today.
It doesn’t use an external power supply and doesn’t offer a non-cabled USB-C Power Delivery port.
However, it does offer a wide port selection at a low price.
CalDigit
For the price, Monoprice’s station gets all of the essentials and then some into a small package.
All that said, the hub itself could use some design optimization.
This CalDigit dock includes two video out ports on the back: HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort 1.4.
Accell
A Windows laptop with DisplayPort 1.4 supported through USB-C can handle dual extended 4K displays at 30Hz.
Alternatively, you might mirror dual 4K displays at 60Hz each.
But this resourceful port selection is perfect for setting up a mobile workstation wherever you go.
The USB-A port offers 10Gbps transfer speeds, which is perfect for external storage devices.
Unfortunately, the Multiport Adapter is missing something bigaudio ports.
Accell USB-C Multiport Adapter is an excellent compact dock station that can power an external 8K display @120Hz.
CalDigit
The USB ports offer 10Gbps transfer speeds and 90W of fast charging for your laptop or smartphone.
The dock also houses four USB-A ports, one being optimized for smartphone charging.
With the SD5780, you might power a 4K monitor at up to 120Hz with its HDMI 2.1 port.
With 18 ports that include three Thunderbolt ports and a DisplayPort 1.4 that supports a 4K@144Hz display, CalDigit TS4 is the best docking station for laptops on the market.
The docking station includes an HDMI 2.1 port that supports a 4K@120Hz monitor.
Anker’s dock also doubles as a Qi wireless charging station.
It can charge your Android smartphone with up to 10W and your iPhone with up to 7.5W.
Monoprice
Not the mention, the stand looks sleekit’ll look great with your office setup.
Anker’s 12-in-1 675 USB-C Docking Station doubles as a monitor stand.
It features several connectivity options, including 4K HDMI, and offers 100-watt passthrough charging for your laptop.
CalDigit
FAQ
What does a laptop docking station do?
A laptop docking stationconnects your laptop with devices like monitors, keyboards, and mice.
Of course, the port selection differs based on the docking station you select.
Accell
How does a laptop docking station work?
The docking station then delivers the right amount of power and relevant data to the equipment.
How do I set up dual monitors with a laptop docking station?
Kensington
You canset up dual monitorsby connecting the display to two separate video output ports on the docking station.
Do docking stations charge laptops?
Yes, many docking stations charge laptops, but not all.
Kensington Thunderbolt 4 is an excellent docking station for users who want superior performance combined with Thunderbolt 4 and 96W Power Delivery. The docking station includes an HDMI 2.1 port that supports a 4K@120Hz monitor.
Most of the docks in this guide can deliver power.
However, whether the power supply is enough to keep your laptop fully powered is another question.
Are all laptops compatible with docking stations?
Anker
All docking stations aren’t compatible with all laptops.
For example, most universal docking stations are compatible with Windows but not Mac.
