Best laptop docking stations in 2024

Best docking stations 2024: Quick Menu

A docking station can be more than a way to improve upon your laptop's limited port selection. The best docking stations have the potential to completely reinvent your setup, providing power, port variation, and support for multiple external monitors to greatly expand your productivity and enjoyment when it comes to games and media.

The heart of every good setup should be a docking station, no question about it. While often overlooked, this accessory is a vital component to keeping busy desks in order. They're fantastic at keeping your desk free from messy cables and even better at ensuring you have everything you need at hand to maximize your efficiency, creativity, and enjoyment.

However, there are a ton of docks to choose from which can lead to some confusion when it comes to making your purchase. Thankfully, we've been doing much of the legwork for you, reviewing a score of docks and putting them through their paces to present to you our selection of the best docking stations you can buy today.

Best Docking Stations 2024: Quick list

Best overall

(Image credit: Laptop Mag / Rael Hornby)
The best overall docking station

Specifications

No. of ports: 16
Host port: Type-C USB (Thunderbolt 4/USB4, 40Gbps)
Power Delivery: Yes, 98W
Display Ports: 2 x HMDI 2.0b (4K@60Hz), 2 x DisplayPort 1.2 (4K@60Hz)
Additional Ports: Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps, 15W PD), Type-C USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps), 3 x Type-A USB 2.0 (5Gbps), 2 x Type-A USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps), 2.5Gbps Ethernet (RJ45), MicroSD/SD Card reader, 3.5mm audio jack

Reasons to buy

+
Quad display support (4K @ 60Hz)
+
Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps) speeds
+
Up to 98W Power Delivery
+
Fantastic port variety, supply, and charge
+
Premium, sturdy build

Reasons to avoid

-
Travels when laid flat
-
Front-facing host port
-
Demonic MicroSD card reader

With a name rivaling the list of platitudes I'm willing to give it, Plugable's Thunderbolt 4 & USB4 Quad Display Docking Station (TBT4-UDZ) is the pinnacle of ports, power, and performance.

Experience super-fast Thunderbolt 4/USB4 speeds of up to 40Gbps for phenomenal file-transfers and data streaming, up to 98W of Power Delivery for all day charging of your laptop and accessories, and support for four external displays at up to 4K resolutions and 60Hz refresh rates.

Plugable's docking station is a 16-port masterpiece: a premium build that delivers a premium experience.

See our full Plugable Thunderbolt 4 & USB4 Quad Display Docking Station review.

Best budget

(Image credit: Laptop Mag / Rael Hornby)
The best budget docking station

Specifications

No. of ports: 13
Host port: Type-C USB
Power Delivery: Yes, 100W
Display Ports: 2 x HDMI (4K@60Hz), 1 x DisplayPort (4K@60Hz)
Additional Ports: 3 x Type-A USB 3.0 (5Gbps), 2 x Type-A USB 2.0 (480Mbps), Type-C USB, MicroSD/SD Card reader, Gigabit Ethernet port (RJ45), 3.5mm audio jack

Reasons to buy

+
Portable design
+
Great value
+
Wide port selection
+
Impressive 100W Power Delivery
+
Fantastic triple display support

Reasons to avoid

-
Strange port layout leads to clutter
-
Lightweight design results in movement

Docking stations typically have one universal commonality — high price tags! That's why there's so much good to be said about a product like Monoprice's 13-in-1 Dual-HDMI + DP MST Dock. Not only is this a brilliant docking station in terms of power and port variety, it delivers all of this at a price that won't leave you wincing.

Monoprice's docking station is a dead cert for the frugal buyer who wants to make every cent count. In terms of price-to-performance, don't expect Thunderbolt / USB4-level speeds, but there's a fair mix of legacy and display ports here — plenty enough to manage a small scale workstation or carve out a place as a travel dock while you're away from your core setup.

See our full Monoprice 13-in-1 Dual-HDMI + DP MST Dock review.

Best premium

(Image credit: Laptop Mag / Rael Hornby)
The best premium docking station

Specifications

No. of ports: 15 (8 wired, 7 wireless)
Host port: Type-C USB (10Gbps)
Power Delivery: Yes, 100W
Display Ports: HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), DisplayPort 1.4 (4K@60Hz)
Additional Ports: 3 x Type-C USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps), 2 x Type-A USB 2.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Additional features: 2 x Custom 55mm neodymium audio drivers, call conferencing buttons, beamforming mic array, Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity

Reasons to buy

+
Impressive 55mm neodymium speakers
+
DisplayPort and HDMI support (4K HDR @ 60Hz)
+
100W of Power Delivery to host
+
Bluetooth 5.1 support
+
Incredible look and design

Reasons to avoid

-
Eye-wateringly expensive
-
Beamforming mic array can sound tinny
-
No Thunderbolt support

Logitech's Logi Dock is the docking station so good, they almost named it twice. Not only is Logitech's offering a fantastic premium product, it excels in connectivity: uniquely offering Bluetooth 5.1 pairing of up to 7 additional accessories and peripherals beyond its eight port expansion.

Pair this with the dock's built in custom 55mm neodymium drivers and you have a single speaker stereo sound system that has no right sounding so incredible for being part of a docking station setup.

But that's the trick Logitech have pulled here, the Logi Dock isn't just a docking station, it's also a fully-fledged conferencing tool with a built-in noise and echo cancelling beamforming mic array — simplifying your setup for both work and entertainment. It's a little bit of everything and it does it all impressively well, but it does come with a challenging price tag.

See our full Logitech Logi Dock review.

Best Thunderbolt 4

(Image credit: Laptop Mag / Rael Hornby)
The best Thunderbolt 4 docking station

Specifications

No. of ports: 18
Host port: USB-C (Thunderbolt 4, 40Gbps)
Power Delivery: Yes, 98W
Display Ports: DisplayPort 1.4 (8K@60Hz), USB-C (4K@60Hz)
Additional Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps), Type-C USB (10Gbps, 20W PD), 2 x Type-C USB (10Gbps), 5 x Type-A USB, MicroSD/SD Card reader, 2.5Gbps Ethernet (RJ45), 3 x 3.5mm audio jack (In/Out/Mixed)

Reasons to buy

+
18-in-1 hub
+
Fast Thunderbolt 4 ports
+
98W of host charging
+
2.5 Gigabit Ethernet

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey
-
No HDMI

Whether you own a Thunderbolt 4 PC, USB4 Chromebook, or Apple Silicon MacBook the CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 is the best solution for your workstation needs. The TS4 offers and incredible 18 additional ports, including SD and microSD card reader, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a myriad of audio and USB Type-A ports to boot.

A DisplayPort 1.4 connection will allow for an external display of up to 8K resolutions or two displays at 4K @ 60Hz. You can even drive an external display for your Chromebook if it has a USB4 connection. Better still, the TS4 is a veritable desktop powerstation, offering 98W of host charge and a number of powered ports to keep your peripherals and sidekick devices juiced up throughout the day.

See our full CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 review.

Best Thunderbolt 3

(Image credit: Future)
The best Thunderbolt 3 docking station

Specifications

No. of ports: 9
Host port: USB-C (Thunderbolt 3, 40Gbps)
Power Delivery: Yes, 98W
Display Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz)
Additional Ports: 2 x USB-C 3.2, 1 x USB-A 3.1, 1 x Thunderbolt 3, 1 x Gigabit Ethernet, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack, 1 x SD card reader,

Reasons to buy

+
Premium, durable design
+
Plenty of ports
+
Supports two 4K, 60Hz displays

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

Never have any of them looked as good or accommodated as many pieces of equipment as the Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock. Its premium design screams office, but it’ll look just as good manning a gaming station. Plus, it’s got a plethora of ports just waiting to connect several monitors, a couple of headsets and a laptop. 

However, with its $259 MSRP, the TBT100 has a steep entry price which might give many home office workers and gamers pause. But if you can look past the price, the Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock is an essential piece of tech.

See our full Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock review.

Best USB4

(Image credit: Laptop Mag / Rael Hornby)
The best USB4 docking station

Specifications

No. of ports: 10
Host port: Type-C Thunderbolt 4/USB4 (40Gbps)
Power Delivery: Yes, 96W
Display Ports: HDMI 2.1 (4K@60Hz), USB-C (4K@60Hz, 8K@30Hz)
Additional Ports: 4 x Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), 2 x Type-C Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps downstream, 15W of Power Delivery), 2.5Gbps Ethernet (RJ45), SD Card reader, 3.5mm audio combo jack

Reasons to buy

+
Phenomenal TBT4/USB4 speeds
+
Good variety of ports
+
Up to 96W of Power Delivery
+
Super-fast 2.5Gbps Ethernet
+
Included USB-C > HDMI adapter

Reasons to avoid

-
Front-facing host port
-
A little pricey

It's a good thing that Intel recently announced the forthcoming arrival of Thunderbolt 5, because Plugable may have just completed everything there is to offer with the current standard.

Offering incredible 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 speeds, the Plugable TBT4-UDX1 is everything and more if you need maximum performance from your docking station across the board.

Paired with a decent number of 10Gbps Type-A USB 3.2 ports for legacy devices and external storage, Plugable's HDMI Docking Station is all you need, if you've the need for speed.

See our full Plugable Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 HDMI Docking Station (TBT4-UDX1) review.

Best USB Type-C

(Image credit: Laptop Mag / Rael Hornby)
The best Type-C USB docking station

Specifications

No. of ports: 13
Host port(s): USB-C (10Gbps), HDMI 2.1 (8K@60Hz. 4K@120Hz)
Power Delivery: Yes, 100W
Display Ports: HDMI 2.1 (8K@60Hz), HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), DisplayPort 1.2 (4K@60Hz)
Additional Ports: Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps, 36W PD), 3 x Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), 2 x Type-A USB 2.0 (480Mbps), Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45), 3.5mm audio jack

Reasons to buy

+
Dual host support for work and play
+
Triple monitor support
+
Great port selection
+
Over 130W of total Power Delivery
+
Stunning design and quality build

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey
-
Ports could be faster

BenQ's beCreatus Hybrid Dock is a unique offering for its dual-host potential. While the beCreatus can grant 13 additional and varied ports and 100W of Power Delivery to your primary machine, it can also take a HDMI input from a second device.

This is a fantastic option for those who want a setup that can switch from workstation to battlestation at a moments notices. Simply push the button at the front of BenQ's dock and your primarily display will shift inputs, allowing resolutions up to 8K at 60Hz, or 4K at a rapid 120Hz refresh rate!

Better still, any secondary displays will remain with the primary host, letting you multitask with ease or simply enjoy a little entertainment on the side as you grind through your workload.

See our full BenQ beCreatus Hybrid Dock review.

Best for MacBook

(Image credit: Laptop Mag / Rael Hornby)
The best docking station for MacBooks

Specifications

No. of ports: 9
Host port: 2 x Type-C USB (10Gbps)
Power Delivery: Yes, 75W
Display Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), DisplayPort 1.4 (4K@60Hz)
Additional Ports: Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), Type-C USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps), Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45)
Additional features: Built-in SATA/NVMe M.2 SSD enclosure

Reasons to buy

+
Built-in SSD enclosure
+
Decent selection of ports
+
Much-needed heat vents
+
75W Power Delivery to host
+
Improves laptop ergonomics

Reasons to avoid

-
Strictly MacBook-first design
-
No card readers
-
Requires two left-side USB-C ports

A lot of docking stations will work with a MacBook, and if you're interested in seeing which are the best for the Apple ecosystem specifically then check out our selection of the best docking stations for MacBooks.

However, let me save you a click as I tell you about Satechi's Dual Dock Stand — a device pulling triple duties as a docking station, ergonomic laptop stand, and external SSD enclosure.

Decked out in Space Metal Grey, Satechi's dock is the ideal MacBook companion visually, and a vital accessory in terms of functionality. It offers everything you'd need from a workstation setup with a zero-footprint design that fits snugly under your MacBook greatly expanding on your device's potential, and its comfort.

See our full Satechi Dual Dock Stand review.

Best multi-display

(Image credit: Laptop Mag / Rael Hornby)
Best docking station for multiple displays

Specifications

No. of ports: 17
Host port: Type-C USB (10Gbps)
Power Delivery: Yes, 100W
Display Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), DisplayPort 1.4 (8K@30Hz), VGA (1080p@60Hz)
Additional Ports: Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps, 20W PD), Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), 3 x Type-A USB 3.0 (5Gbps), 2 x Type-A USB 2.0 (480Mbps), MicroSD/SD Card reader, Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45), 3.5mm audio jack

Reasons to buy

+
100W Power Delivery
+
Sleek and chic design
+
Good port selection
+
Additional USB-C 20W PD
+
Versatile display options

Reasons to avoid

-
Middling port speeds
-
Horizontal orientation travels

You may not have come across the Baseus brand before, but I don't expect that to be the case for too many years longer. The brand has a range of top flight devices and its docking stations and hubs are quality options that strike true balance between price and performance.

The Baseus UnionJoy Pro Docking Station is a prime example of this, offering a boatload of ports alongside 100W of Power Delivery for your devices. There's even an additional 20W of PD available via a front-facing Type-C USB port to keep a second device charged throughout the day, and a wide range of display ports available to suit just about every setup you can imagine.

See our full Baseus UnionJoy Pro Docking Station review.

Rael Hornby
Content Editor

Rael Hornby, potentially influenced by far too many LucasArts titles at an early age, once thought he’d grow up to be a mighty pirate. However, after several interventions with close friends and family members, you’re now much more likely to see his name attached to the bylines of tech articles. While not maintaining a double life as an aspiring writer by day and indie game dev by night, you’ll find him sat in a corner somewhere muttering to himself about microtransactions or hunting down promising indie games on Twitter.